Posted April 6th, 2011 by christine
I arrived in Buffalo on March 19th about 2 hours prior to the show, and set up my table display quickly. My display is fairly simple, so it gave me a chance to take a peek at some of the 100+ vendors selling their items at the Small Press Book Fair. Of course, I also needed to get some further work finished on the products that I would be selling, just to coincide with my usual last minute rush for shows like these.
To my surprise, I found more than just peer bookbinders and authors of self-published works. There was a bunch of letterpressers, print-makers, zine-sters, weavers, and other artisans in addition to all things book-related. It was eclectic and fun.
A big thanks to the 1000+ people from the community that decided to come out on that chilly saturday afternoon. Enjoy the pics, and I hope that you come out for the next show.
Making the drive to Buffalo from Syracuse. A bit dreary but a relaxing drive.
Program guides displayed on the welcome table for guests to see vendor list.
Letterpressed shopping bags for everyone!
Empty vendor tables during setup at the Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum.
Great Moment in Western Civ Comics, Illustrated by Caitlin Cass
Awesome block prints by Desiré Link
Kelly Place Illustration and Design
Rene Hoover: Graphic design, letterpress & more
1000+ people came to Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum for the Buffalo Small Press Book Fair!
Vendors shown above:
www.GreatMomentsInWesternCiv.com
facebook.com/desirelink
www.kelly-place.com
www.renehoover.com
Tags: Buffalo, Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum, Small Press Book Fair
Posted March 19th, 2011 by christine
Getting prepared for the Buffalo Small Press Book Fair was a last minute scramble, per my usual routine. I always plan to be well prepared ahead of time for shows, but I usually get my tail in gear about two weeks (or less) prior to the show. Some how, some way, I make it to the shows with finished products. Well, mostly finished. You’ll often see me doing last minute sewing or finalized binding while sitting at my table. Oh well, it is what it is.
I am excited to be introducing two more designs to my felt notepad covers at this show. I am interested to hear feedback, if any, from shoppers. In addition to my excitement, I am finally accepting Visa, MasterCard, AmEx, and Discover credit cards at my shows now. So, no need for cash or check anymore!
I named these patterns Floral and Slat, and I am still offering the Orb pattern which is the original pattern.
To coincide with my last minute habit, I’ve included a last-minute coupon that is exclusively for today. So, enjoy the show and I hope to see you stop by with a coupon!
Bring this coupon to the Buffalo Small Press Book Fair and save 25%. Offer expires 3/20/2011.
Tags: Buffalo, Small Press Book Fair
Posted March 1st, 2011 by christine
Buffalo Small Press Book Fair, Photo by Chris Fritton
As spring starts to peak around the corner and slowly come out to say hi, I am anxiously waiting it’s arrival. In the meantime I am keeping busy preparing for a few upcoming plans that I am excited to be a part of.
Intermediate Bookbinding
Cazenovia College
Thursday, March 21 and 28, 7 – 9 p.m.
$48 + materials fee
Letterpress Bookbinding Workshop
Session One, Letterpressing:
Saturday, April 2, 9am – 4pm
Session Two, Bookbinding:
Saturday, April 9th, 10am – 2pm
Dock2 Letterpress
$150
2011 Buffalo Small Press Book Fair
Saturday, March 19, 2011
noon to 6pm
Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum, Porter Hall
Free and open to the public
I hope that you will check out at least one of these events, it’s a great way to get out and about and absorb some creativity. Hope to see you soon!
Tags: Bookbinding, Buffalo Small Press Book Fair, Cazenovia College, classes, Dock2 Letterpress, Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum, letterpress, Porter Hall, workshops
Posted February 22nd, 2011 by christine
I rarely buy lottery tickets. In fact, I think the last time I bought a lottery ticket was when I was 18 years old. I won a dollar. To put my winnings on the line, I chose to buy another ticket. I lost. Really, I was no better or worse off then prior to my winnings.
Honey Nut Banana, Better Butter spread
Last month, my luck changed! Well, with regard to winning things, that is. I saw a giveaway on the Steph Chows blog, which I often venture to for healthy and yummy recipes. The giveaway was for Better Butter spread of your choice. Better Butter, the company, is a Philadelphia-based small business that makes variations of peanut butter spreads. Foolishly ignoring my usual outcome of gambling, I followed the giveaway instructions… and then I totally won! Holy crap. That never happens.
When my package of Better Butter arrived, I was pretty excited. Not only because I love food and eating, but also because it gave me a chance to try something made by a small business.
In my winning’s package was a sampler pack of three: Honey Nut Butter, Nutty Chocolate Chip, and Maple Pumpkin, along with a full sized Nutty Chocolate Chip. So, I gave the small sampler of the Nutty Chocolate Chip to my girlfriend. I think she ended up buying more by the end of the week.
I ended up eating almost all of my winnings within a week and a half. Must buy more…! Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed my winnings. Maybe I’ll go buy a lottery ticket. Or not.
Tags: Better Butter, Steph Chows
Posted February 3rd, 2011 by christine
A few years ago, I was invited to sacred place close to Barre, VT. It was a cabin in the woods with no electricity, and the only source of heating was from a wood burning stove. Typically, only men and boys are allowed, but on this day they let me into their hunting camp.
Fast forward a few years later, and I was asked to create a couple of books meant to document the ongoings of two hunting camps. One of those hunting camps would be the one that I visited in Vermont. The books will document the weather, successful, and not-so-successful days of hunting. I’m sure other thoughts and inspiration will be written as well.
Luckily for me, the person who ordered the books is a professional photographer. So, I asked him to take some shots of the books. Enjoy.
Hunting Journal #1 in brown
Both books had deer antler closures, which were custom made for this project
The lighter book was covered in a handmade paper consisting of sawdust
A detail shot of the finished book
A detail shot of the antler closure, beautifully done Grant!
Tags: custom books, Grant Taylor Images
Posted January 20th, 2011 by christine
During the winter, I like to hibernate. I tend to want to sit on my couch in my jammy pants, covered in my zebra-patterned Snuggie and veg out watching Cougartown. No, really. I am not kidding. I own a Snuggie.
However, I fight the urge because I know that I will end up with some major cabin fever. So, I find things to do. There are plenty of activities to do if you make the effort to find them. If you haven’t figured out by the title of this post, this is my introduction to some shameless self-promotion.
If you are the same as me and would like to dig yourself out of your winter rest, be sure to sign up for some creative bookbinding courses. I will be teaching four workshops this season.
Beat the winter blues and sign up for bookbinding workshops this winter!
Two of the bookbinding workshops are through the Cazenovia College Extended Learning program. One workshop is beginner bookbinding class, and the second is an intermediate class. You will need to download the brochure and register through Caz college.
The other two workshops are being held at Dock 2 Letterpress in Rochester. One course is a beginner course, and will follow the same outline as the Caz college workshop. The second course, is this great two-session letterpressed book workshop. In the first session, you will learn about letterpress setting and actually letterpress your own book cover. The second session I will teach you how to coptic stitch your lettpressed cover to book signatures. You will end up walking away with your own letterpressed book. How cool is that??
For both intermediate workshops, it’s helpful to take the beginner workshops prior to signing up for the more advanced workshops. However, it’s not necessary. I hope to see you all there!
Photos below courtesy of Grant Taylor
No need to supply your own bookbinding supplies, I've got that covered.
Some examples of the binding types you will learn in the courses I'll be teaching.
Posted January 4th, 2011 by christine
There are lots of to-dos for Concepcioun this year. This small biz will be changing, evolving, etc. I am trying not to get overwhelmed by it, because then my motivation will freeze. There are many things to talk about, which I will reveal later in my posts as well as in email campaigns.
Cute little bunnies...
The holiday was good, and busy. But in the midst of the chaos, I received a text from my close girlfriend in West Virginia. She has two daughters, and they are my goddaughters. I had sent them a Christmas package of handmade gifts, one of them being the Woodland Animals Letterpress Mask by Pistachio Press. I love these masks because they come equipped with a small set of crayons and ribbon, so there is no extra supply needed other than scissors.
This picture, although blurry, made my day. Cute little bunnies.
Posted December 9th, 2010 by christine
Cecilia Hayes makes these elegant, hand dyed velvet rose pins in a rainbow of colors. They are adorable, and a perfect way for me to add some flair to my short do.
I came across Cecilia’s pins as I passed by her table display at the Second Storie } Indie Market. I immediately stopped to admire them. They are so simple, classy, feminine. All a girl needs.
Cecilia Hayes hand dyed velvet rose pins. Love them.
Tags: cecilia hayes, Second Storie } Indie Market
Posted December 2nd, 2010 by christine
It was so great to hang out with good-natured and like-minded people at the Second Storie } Indie Market this past weekend. I found fantastic presents for a few special people, and made some awesome trades for myself. Thanks for all who came out this weekend, and to the special ladies that put in the hard work to make the two-day event possible.
Second Storie vendor welcome package
Greeting and raffle table
The view from my table across the auditorium
Second Storie vendors Mapleridge and Paperdoll Workshop, right across from my table
Tags: indie market, Rochester, second storie
Posted November 18th, 2010 by christine
“There is a kind of joy that comes from smashing the hell out of pieces of metal…”
At least that’s what Krista, owner of Queens Metal, thinks.
Mina Necklace
Queens Metal is her rallying cry to women everywhere. Her vision for her jewelry is to remind women that jewelry should be fun, outrageous, and joyful. She believes that her jewerly makes women feel empowered when they try on something from the Queens collection.
You go girl.
I think this QNZ Metal business card is pretty bad ass.
Sparrow Necklace - Silver and Brass Pendant
Stacking Bangles in Brass - Set of Five Square Bracelets
Caviar Necklace Sterling Silver
Vial and Gear Necklace - Vintage Brass Charms on Long Chain
Diamond Earrings - Sterling Silver
Ankara Earrings - Long Geometric Brass Earrings
Tokyo Earrings - Sterling Silver
Tags: jewerly, QNZ Metal, Queens Metal
