Create Artful Journals: Learn to Make Hand Bound Books Infused with Art

The full course includes 8 projects, each with narrated, real-time videos and printable project guides. I explain everything as I lead you through my process step-by-step. Each project includes a demonstration of the art technique I used to create my cover from start to finish.  I also show you how to create the structure of each book,  from the preparation of the fill papers to the decorative bindings, embellishments and protective surface finishes. You will be amazed at the way everything comes together in the end, with custom art and design details that ensure each of your books and journals will be a one-of-a-kind work of art. 

ABOUT THE BOOK-MAKING TECHNIQUES INCLUDED

This course covers a book binding category known as exposed spine bindings. It is my favorite style for 3 main reasons:

First off, I love the way the exposed stitch bindings become another beautiful design element of the finished book. When I make a book as a gift for someone, I do not want it to look like something I pulled off a store shelf; I want it to look like a handcrafted gift that was made with thoughtful consideration and filled with love, and I view the exposed stitches as a stamp of handcrafted authenticity.

Second, this method doesn't require expensive, specialty bookbinding tools. My most expensive tools are my Crop-A-Dile hole punch and my little paper trimmer- items that can be found in any local craft store or online at Amazon (and cost me less than $30 each- and that was before any discount or coupon).

Finally, I love that this is a relatively quick and easy process. And that it doesn't require any messy glues. And that when these book are opened, they lay nice and flat. Okay that's actually 3 more things, but I there's a lot to love about this style of book!   

ABOUT THE COVER ART PROJECTS

I personally love to draw and paint representational art, but I know that not everyone is comfortable in their artistic abilities. So while this workshop isn't intended to teach traditional art skills, I wanted to make sure that every participant would be able to create beautiful, one-of-a-kind books no matter where they are on that learning curve.  The art techniques included in this course have been carefully curated; Only those that yield impressive results, even by those who believe they don't have natural artistic talent, and that are enjoyable and creative enough to engage those who do, have been included.

ABOUT ENCAUSTIC ART

If you are not familiar with the term Encaustic Art you're in for a treat! Encaustic is a term used to describe a medium that is mainly beeswax. (To learn more, check out my blog article on this topic.) Encaustic can be used to add depth, dimension, texture and interest and can turn even a simple sheet of printed paper into a serious work of art! It gives the surface a lovely weight and creates art that begs to be touched- what better place for art like this than on the cover of a journal? In this course, I provide an introduction to the art of encaustic and use it in a couple of the projects. However, if you decide you are not ready to dive in just yet, you can skip the encaustic parts altogether and still complete the projects. I provide alternate instructions in the printable project guides, and offer additional tips and suggestions in the video content as well.

TOOLS AND MATERIALS

Click here for information on the supplies I used in the workshop.

In this project, I transform an ordinary legal pad into three handy little notepads. For the cover art portion of this project, I demonstrate how to develop 2 different "tangled line" designs using just a black and a white pen. If you can draw circles, ovals and simple leaf shapes, you can do this! For the book construction, I begin with a simple, ribbon laced stab binding and then cover the basic Coptic/Kettle stitch combination for the other two notepads. This is a perfect warm-up project for this workshop because it gives you the opportunity to practice the Coptic and Kettle stitches, the most commonly used stitches in this category.

This project begins with a recycled paper bag. You can start with a bag that already has a design you love, or create your own cover art. Inspired by a sugar skull-themed bag I got from a local restaurant,  I demonstrate how I made a whimsical sugar skull of my own with the help of a few stamps and an inexpensive tube of dimensional fabric paint.   I use a pamphlet stitch to bind my mixed paper fill and add a decorative cross stitch to the spine to give it an exposed binding feel. As a final touch, I incorporate 2 screw posts to allow the paper fill to be easily added and removed.

For the cover art, I show you how to create a pretty dot Mandala with craft paint and a couple of items you will probably already have lying around the house. This binding technique I demonstrate for this journal is a special design I use for books that have "Cut-Away" covers.  It is stitched in a way that allows the cover to be removed and repurposed, while the inner, soft-cover text block remains perfectly bound and intact. I like to use this method of binding when I am including cover art that is meant to be placed on display, or possibly even used again for another journal once the initial journal is filled. In this project, I use a gathered/kettle stitch combination to bind my watercolor paper fill. 

For this cover, I begin by creating a beautiful watercolor leaf print, and then add warmth, depth and interest with a glaze of encaustic medium. This is a great introduction the the art of encaustic as I explain tools, materials, and processes needed. For the book structure, I use a decorative French link stitch as well as Coptic and Kettle stitch combination. This journal also includes end folders, eyelet details, and an integrated cover design.

In this project, I show you how to create a beautiful mixed media cover using a printed tissue paper and a some paper butterfly cutouts. This is a slightly more advanced encaustic project, as I use it not only in its raw form for adding dimension and depth, but also as a collaging medium and in its paint form. The project also includes a sewn-over ribbon binding/kettle stitch combination and pretty eyelet details. (Like the others, this project can be completed with or without encaustic medium.)

In this project, I use two different string art techniques to create a delicately webbed, double sided journal. For the book itself,  I design a decorative patterned binding + a kettle and coptic stitch combination.  I even include instructions on how to include a secret love notes section and how this His and Hers journal can be the perfect gift for an engagement party, wedding shower or even an anniversary gift for your favorite couple. Check out my blog article here: https://bluequarry.com/perfect-gift-happy-couple/

COURSE DETAILS

This course progresses through 3 levels. Since this is a self-paced online course, you can feel free to go through them as quickly or slowly as you like:

Level 1: Beginning Art Book Techniques

Great for those just starting out. The projects require only the most basic of tools and inexpensive (or free, recycled) materials. You'll complete the first 4 projects while learning the basics of exposed spine binding, including the simple methods I use to make the binding process easy and frustration-free! These projects include a simple stab binding as well as: pamphlet, coptic, kettle, gathered and French link stitches. This level also includes an introduction to the art of encaustic, as well as my secret method to protect and seal my encaustic covers.

Level 2: Mixed Media Art Book Techniques

For those who are ready to move on, for this level you'll complete projects 5 and 6. The book designs are a bit more advanced, and art projects that are a bit more diverse and geared toward those who enjoy mixed media and fiber art. In project 5, you'll take your encaustic experience to the next level, with a fun mixed media encaustic cover that shows how you can introduce printed papers and pigments (in this case, just white) into the mix. In project 6,  you'll learn several techniques that will allow you to expand your decorative string from the binding to the cover. You'll also explore some of the more intricate and decorative bindings as you learn how to stitch a sewn-over-ribbon binding and a single/double French link variation, and learn how I designed and created my patterned running stitch binding.

Level 3: Bead, Wire and Leather Art Book Techniques

You'll complete projects 7 and 8, and dive deep as the focus shifts away from 2D arts, and more toward the 3D book embellishments. This includes jewelry-making techniques with bead, wire, chain, as well as an introduction to working with leather (and I'll explain where you can find ridiculously low cost leather).  The bindings include the paired needle coptic (my favorite!) and long stitch techniques.

Please Note: I highly recommend you start with Level 1, which covers the basic stitches and assembly methods, before moving on to Levels 2 and 3.

• How to create beautiful, hand stitched journals (even if you believe you have no fine art skills).
• How to create exposed spine bindings that allow your book to lie flat when open and add a beautiful, decorative element to your journals.
• How to apply encaustic medium as a surface finish to add depth, dimension and interest to your covers.
• How to apply acrylic medium to create a textured linen surface.
• How I finish and protect my encaustic journals. 

The following binding stitches and techniques:

• Cut-Away and Integrated Bindings
• Coptic Stitch
• Kettle Stitch
• Paired Needle Coptic Stitch
• Running Stitch
• Gathered Stitch
• French Link Stitch
• Double French Link Variation
• Sewn-Over Ribbon
• Decorative Patterned Bindings
• Long Stitch

And the following art techniques:

• Drawing whimsical feather and mandala designs
• Creating Sugar Skull art using stamps and dimensional paint
• Stamping an acrylic dot mandala book cover
• Printing with watercolor and collected leaves
• Glazing and finishing encaustic covers
• Hand-weaving threads into string art (wrap-around and post methods)
• Layering paper and pigment to create mixed media art
• Working with Supple Leather 
• Forming bead, chain and wire embellishments