Taught by:

Offered:

Thursday, August 20
Friday, August 21
Saturday, August 22

Experience level: All

This workshop has been designed to tap into the incredible setting we are in which is rich with ease, beauty and inspiration. With Ali leading the way, we are going to have the most remarkable time making a book like no other.

First up, because we have the whole place to ourselves and can follow the schedule we want, this workshop will flow over three days. On the first day, we will be choosing our own adventure—finding elements, submerging into the joy of mark making, experimenting with watercolor, creating the actual papers we want to add into our books and using this exploration to be playful and full of play.

More specifically, we’ll begin our time together by dropping into our intuitive self so that these initial pages become the emotional and visual heart of the journal. Through this process you will find the focus and intention for what you want most to bring into being at this time. We will be:

• gathering natural elements
• printing with leaves
• making expressive marks with a range of tools
• experimenting with pigment and watercolor.

Once we have allowed our preferences for what elements will be in our book, the next fun bit is choosing the cover. On hand will be a range of beautiful, meaningful cover materials—such as soft textiles, canvas, and plant-based options—so that you can choose the texture and aesthetic that aligns best with your project.

Part of what is especially great about this workshop is the customization that will be available. Though we will all work with a consistent book size for structural integrity, the interior will be a playground. You will be invited to explore making pockets, adding fold-outs or tip-in—and even secret windows! This ensures that each of us is making a book that is highly original and deeply personal; a handmade volume layered with memories, texture and meaning.

Moving on to finishing touches— there will be slow hand stitching. Perhaps your stitches will be inspired by the abundant nature of the island—mimicking the line of leaves, ripples on water, or branching roots. Whatever you choose, this meditative stitching will be used to embellish the cover adding yet more levels of textural interest and personal significance.

Finally—the binding! Ali will have a couple of beautiful binding methods—one simpler, one more intricate—for you to choose from based on your comfort and curiosity.

With Ali’s prompts and guidance, we will create a book that knows precisely what it shall hold for us.

And of course, in the companion offering of Word Play, we will have time to enrich the book with words, letters, poems—perhaps even spells and incantations—so that this sweet volume is something to be treasured for some time to come.

Kit fee: 35 USD

Materials:

Your kit fee will supply a delicious supply of materials that will be clarified in an email to you once you have registered.

In addition, students are encouraged to bring ephemera that has particular significance for you as well as any favorite mark making tools, pens, markers etc.