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Big River Bindery

Practicing the Book Arts in the Greater Toronto Area

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What’s Happening in the Shop

We’re working hard and having fun in the shop. See some of what we’ve been doing here.

bigriverbindery

Following up the new years fireworks with this boo

Following up the new years fireworks with this book cover. Getting back to work after the celebrating and remembering the midnight show. #fireworks #bookbinding #bookcover #bookarts #torontobookarts

Our winter and spring workshops are up on the webs

Our winter and spring workshops are up on the website. Join us to learn about zine and book making, book repair, and letterpress printing. You can see more information on our website, link in the bio. #bookarts #bookartsworkshop #letterpress #bookbinding #torontobookarts

Working on one last book for the year. Didn’t get

Working on one last book for the year. Didn’t get it done, but will get to it after all the new year festivities. Looking forward to new book projects in 2026! #bookconservation #bookrepair #bookbinding #bookarts #torontobookarts

Taking a bit of time between the holidays to print

Taking a bit of time between the holidays to print a project for the @canadian.letterpress.alliance. It’s good fun to get on the presses for a new print. More layers to come. #letterpress #p22blox #torontobookarts #letterpressprint

Preparing this book for a double fan adhesive bind

Preparing this book for a double fan adhesive binding. I add hinges in the front and back to help attach the cover back onto the book. Ready for gluing. #bookconservation #doublefanadhesivebinding #japanesepaper #bookrepair #torontobookarts

I was so happy to visit @flycatcherpress and see t

I was so happy to visit @flycatcherpress and see the new studio today. Such a lovely space, great light, and so many presses. Plus a well stocked retail space in front. If you’re in Toronto, you should drop by for some supplies, art, or take a workshop. I have serious studio envy. #letterpress #silkscreen #printmakingsupplies #newstudio #canadianletterpress

Getting as much done as I can before the holidays.

Getting as much done as I can before the holidays. These two books are getting their new spines attached to the book. The new material gets sandwiched between the original covering material and the board. #bookconservation #bookrepair #reback #newspine #torontobookarts

Sure, all that tape helps the parts of the book to

Sure, all that tape helps the parts of the book together, but it’s a bear taking it all off. Removing the carrier and adhesive is important first the long term conditions of the paper. So off it goes, inch by inch. #bookconservation #bookrepair #taperemoval #tapeisevil #torontobookarts

This wedding album is getting a new cover, so we h

This wedding album is getting a new cover, so we have to get the old one off the book. Luckily the endsheet is coming away from the boards without too much trouble. Next I can start working on the new leather cover. #bookconservation #bookrepair #bookbinding #bookarts #leatherboundbook #endpapers

This week I finally got the chance to go see @cons

This week I finally got the chance to go see @conservationplusculture and Vincent in the @401richmond building. Vincent recently moved to this lovely space and does amazing paper conservation projects in Toronto. I have a little studio envy, but it was great to saw the lab. Hope to come back soon. #paperconservation #paperconservator #fancystudio #canadianconservator

Covering the boards for one last binding of the ye

Covering the boards for one last binding of the year. Gluing the cloth, attaching the boards, and turning in the edges. Soon it will be done and delivered. #bookbinding #bookarts #bookboards #clothbinding #torontobookarts

Today I’m creating an inset in the cover of a book

Today I’m creating an inset in the cover of a book. We remove layers of board to create the shape, then it gets wrapped in cloth or leather for the finished board. #bookbinding #bookarts #insetboard #fancybinding #torontobookarts

Today I’m adding the cloth lining to these church

Today I’m adding the cloth lining to these church registers. I want to be sure the spine holds up to repeated use and the boards are securely attached. #bookconservation #bookrepair #bookbinding #clothlining #bookarts #torontobookarts

I’m lining boards for easy inset areas on the cove

I’m lining boards for easy inset areas on the covers. Both sides get paper to provide equal pull on the board. Now they go in the press to dry. #bookbinding #bookarts #liningboards #bookmaterials #torontobookarts

I’m punching sections for a portfolio book today.

I’m punching sections for a portfolio book today. My punching jig makes it quick and easy. I’ll get them all done before it’s time to head home. #bookbinding #bookarts #sewnbooks #punchingsignatures #punchingjig

I’ve been asked to teach a bookbinding workshop fo

I’ve been asked to teach a bookbinding workshop for @thejppofficial in the spring using their heritage Washi papers. I received the papers yesterday and finally get to see them all together. I can’t wait put them all to use in this new project. #japanesepaper #washi #heritagewashi #bookbinding #bookarts

Join me tomorrow in Toronto for the Bound Book Art

Join me tomorrow in Toronto for the Bound Book Arts Fair. It's a chance to see 37 book and print artists all in one place. Plus you can stock up for the holidays or for yourself.

Free and open to the public. Hope to see you there.

Join me this winter at @ustmikes.ce in Toronto for

Join me this winter at @ustmikes.ce in Toronto for a workshop in making hard cover books. We’ll be making a case bound book and a sewn board binding. Both books are great for journals and sketchbooks. See more at their website, link in the bio. #bookbinding #bookarts #hardcoverbook #caseboundbook #sewnboardbinding

We’re removing adhesive tape from the pages of thi

We’re removing adhesive tape from the pages of this church register today. It’s a slow process, heating up the adhesive to remove the carrier, but so satisfying when done. #bookconservation #bookrepair #tapeisevil #taperemoval #bookbinding #bookarts #torontobookarts

I’m all set up for the Washi Art sale at @thejppof

I’m all set up for the Washi Art sale at @thejppofficial today, but I may get distracted from the customers by all the great chiyogami paper behind me. Glad to be here for the day, come see us. #washi #japanesepaper #washiart #bookarts #printmaking

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