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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

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

Wrapping some box lids in book cloth for an upcomi

Wrapping some box lids in book cloth for an upcoming book fair. I love the rhythm of repeated tasks in the shop. #bookbinding #boxmaking #bookarts #turnins #torontobookarts

It’s not too early to ask for a letterpress class

It’s not too early to ask for a letterpress class for Christmas. Join me in January at @ustmikes.ce in Toronto for 5 weeks learning to make your own prints and posters using wood and lead type. See more at their website, link in the bio. #letterpress #woodtype #leadtype #letterpressposter #canadianletterpress

I’m in Ottawa for the weekend but made time to vis

I’m in Ottawa for the weekend but made time to visit @marlenemaccallum and @deadcatpress on the way. It was great seeing their home studios and some of their prints and books. Thanks to them for a great visit and I’m inspired to make more artwork. #studiovisit #bookarts #printmaking #printing @canadian.letterpress.alliance

Back in the shop catching up on clamshell boxes. S

Back in the shop catching up on clamshell boxes. So many careful cuts to get the cloth to go down well. #clamshellbox #bookbinding #bookarts #preservationenclosure #torontobookarts

Capped off the weekend with a visit to the @toront

Capped off the weekend with a visit to the @torontoantiquarianbookfair. So many great books to see, wish my book budget was bigger. #rarebooks #antiquarianbooks #bookfair

Spent the afternoon yesterday at the @agakhanmuseu

Spent the afternoon yesterday at the @agakhanmuseum, a Muslim Arts museum in Toronto. Lots of amazing art and crafts, but I was happy to see so many books on display. #bookbinding #bookarts

Repairing the corners on the book boards today. Fi

Repairing the corners on the book boards today. First we glue together the delaminated board and press until dry. #bookconservation #bookrepair #bookbinding #bookcorner #bookarts #torontobookarts

A new bible in the shop means another spine to cle

A new bible in the shop means another spine to clean off. We take off the old acidic paper lining before rebuilding the book. #bookconservation #bookrepair #bookspine #spinelining #methylcellulose #bookarts #torontobookarts

Had a great session in my @ustmikes.ce Intro to Bo

Had a great session in my @ustmikes.ce Intro to Bookbinding course last night. Here we’re making accordion books with paper wrapped boards. Some amazing books were made and we even threw in a few pop ups. Can’t wait until next week’s session. #bookbinding #popups #bookarts #accordionbook #torontobookarts

Wrapped up my weekend letterpress workshop on a hi

Wrapped up my weekend letterpress workshop on a high note with one student trying out @springtidepress Daredevil Printing Set. Lead type in a circle is always a fun way to wrap up the day. #letterpress #daredevilprinting #circulartype #bookarts #leadtype

Join us at the bindery to make a Laced Paper Case

Join us at the bindery to make a Laced Paper Case binding. We'll spend two evenings sewing the book on fiber cords, then construct the handmade paper cover to fit it. A great journal or sketchbook for yourself or to give someone at the holidays. See more and registration at our website, link in the bio. #bookbinding #handmadebook #historicbinding #papercase #lacedcasebinding #bookarts #torontobookarts

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