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

Putting down the inner tissue hinges on the family

Putting down the inner tissue hinges on the family bible today. This matches the original broken hinge colour, and adds reinforcement to the cover to board attachment. #bookconservation #bookrepair #japanesepaper #washi #endpaper #bookbinding #bookarts #torontobookarts

It’s tape removal day. This bible had lots of he

It’s tape removal day. This bible had lots of help from the owner, but now there lots of tape to remove. Please don’t put tape on your books and papers. #bookconservation #bookrepair #biblerepair #taperemoval #tapeisevil #bookbinding @cac_accr

I’m getting the new spine on this family bible.

I’m getting the new spine on this family bible. The new spine sits under the original leather to be less noticeable. #bookconservation #bookrepair #biblerepair #bookbinding #bookarts #torontobookarts @cac_accr

Today in the book conservation workshop, we simula

Today in the book conservation workshop, we simulated common damage found in books, like bent and busted corners. Then we got back to work fixing books. A fun second day with great students in the shop. #bookconservation #bookrepair #bookconservationworkshop #bookarts #torontobookarts

I’m having a great time in my Book Conservation

I’m having a great time in my Book Conservation workshop. The students are making great progress on their paper repairs and rebacks. Glad to have more people fixing books. #bookconservation #bookrepair #bookconservationworkshop #japanesepaper #washi

Had a lovely evening at the @fisherlibrary tonight

Had a lovely evening at the @fisherlibrary tonight learning about the artists’ book collection at the library. We saw many great books, including from friends @marlenemaccallum and @printmakerliz. Great to explore the collection again. #bookartists #artistsbooks #bookarts #torontobookarts

If you missed the Canadian Artists’ Book Symposi

If you missed the Canadian Artists’ Book Symposium in February, it’s not a problem. You can now see all the presentations on our YouTube channel. See the amazing artwork and process from five Canadian book artists. There’s a link in our bio. #bookarts #artistsbooks #bookbinding #printmaking #photobooks #letterpress #woodengraving

I’m toning tissue for my bible repair. I adjust

I’m toning tissue for my bible repair. I adjust the colour to match the cover or spine. This one didn’t take too long to get right. #bookconservation #bookrepair #biblerepair #toningtissue #japanesepaper #washi

Finishing up these repaired end bands. Made new co

Finishing up these repaired end bands. Made new cores out of binders board then glued them back together. Now they’ll be ready to go back on the book. #bookconservation #bookrepair #biblerepair #endbands #bookarts #torontobookarts

The original endbands were torn and weak so I soak

The original endbands were torn and weak so I soaked off the cloth to reuse it. Here I am lining them with Japanese paper so I can reuse it in new end bands for the book. We try to reuse as much original material as possible on our treatments. #bookconservation #bookrepair #bookbinding #bookarts #torontobookarts

I had a grand time speaking to students at @sherid

I had a grand time speaking to students at @sheridan_arts today in the Printmaking department. We talked about my artists’ books and process, then I got a tour of the print room. Thanks for the invite @flycatcherpress. #printmaking #letterpress #intaglio #screenprinting #artistsbooks #artisttalk

Laying down the tissue hinges on this board, it’

Laying down the tissue hinges on this board, it’s the last structural piece in this book repair. Next I reattach the lifted paper and call the client. #bookconservation #bookrepair #bookbinding #bookarts #torontobookarts @cac_accr

This book had split endsheets, so I needed to add

This book had split endsheets, so I needed to add a new hinge in the gutter. First the toned Japanese paper gets attached to the textblock. #bookconservation #bookrepair #bookbinding #bookarts #torontobookarts #washi #japanesepaper #endsheets

We remove all the old acidic linings and glue to m

We remove all the old acidic linings and glue to make the spine more flexible and to attach our new cloth hinge. Methyl cellulose loosens the adhesive so it’s easy to remove. #bookconservation #bookrepair #biblerepair #bookarts #bookbinding #torontobookarts

This bible needs work on the inside stabilizing th

This bible needs work on the inside stabilizing the text block before reattaching the boards and adding a new spine. First the cover and endsheets need to come off. #bookconservation #bookrepair #bookbinding #bookarts #torontobookarts

Back in the shop and preparing for upcoming worksh

Back in the shop and preparing for upcoming workshops. That means time with my guillotine getting paper cut down. #bookarts #bookbinding #cuttingpaper #workshopprep #bookartsworkshop

This morning we added the suede flyleaves to the b

This morning we added the suede flyleaves to the book. Just a few more steps to wrap this up. #bookbinding #bookarts #finebinding #leatherboundbook #leatherbinding

The book was covered yesterday afternoon, so now i

The book was covered yesterday afternoon, so now it’s time to work on the leather hinges. I’m having a great time with @karenhanmer. #bookbinding #finebinding #bookarts #leatherbinding #scharffix

The inside of the boards need to be lined with pas

The inside of the boards need to be lined with paste and paper, to pull the boards in the right direction. Still having a ball with @karenhanmer. #bookbinding #bookarts #finebinding #leatherbinding #boardlining

We’re making good progress on our fine bindings.

We’re making good progress on our fine bindings. The tapes have been laced through the boards and are getting glued into cut channels. #bookbinding #finebinding #leatherbinding #leatherbook #bookarts #lacedboards

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