August 2022 Demo: Watercolor and Principles of Collage by Kelli Lien.

Come learn SDBA member Kelli Lien’s method for making beautiful, vibrant collages using watercolor and various papers which can then be incorporated into your artists’ books and boxes.

July 2022 Demo: Rice-stitched Book, by Maria Rebelo 

This is an elegant exposed-spine book that functions like a Coptic-stitched book but is simpler to sew.

June 2022 Demo: Two-Signature Sewn-as-One Book with a Wrapped Cover, led by Marjorie Grace-Sayers

May 2022 Demo: Board Covering, Turn-Ins, & Inlays, led by Amy Spencer

Come learn how to cover book board for open spine books, including two different ways to do your turn-ins.  We will also explore how to put inlays on the covers to expand your design possibilities.  

April 2022 Demo: Illustration thru Collage led by Hollie Chastain

At the April 20th, 2022 monthly meeting, Hollie Chastain demonstrates making greeting cards by combining scenery and quilt patterns to illustrate a place in time to remember and share. 

March 2022 Demo: Stuck on You: An Exploration of Adhesives led by Karen Beery

Wednesday March 9, 2022 SDBA monthly meeting led by Karen Beery. Adhesive (also known as glue, cement, mucilage, or paste) a substance used for sticking objects or materials together that resists their separation. The use of adhesives offers certain advantages over other binding techniques such as sewing, mechanical fastenings, or welding.

February 2022 Demo: Make Along of Cathryn Miller’s 2022 Byopia Press Valentine, led by Amy Spencer

SDBA member Amy Spencer leads a demo of Cathryn Miller's 2022 Byopia Press Valentine during the February 9, 2022 SDBA Monthly Meeting.

Rectangular, Resizable Origami Box by Denise Stephenson

Most origami boxes begin with a square, but this box can begin with any rectangle. Therefore, it can be built to house any size or shape of book. Denise Stephenson has been a book artist for 20 years. Designing journals and boxes are always go-to favorites.

Basic Origami Box Structure by Nancy Ackerly

Nancy Akerly is a Paper Artist and a lifelong origami enthusiast. She has used origami and bookbinding in her teaching of kindergarten through college level courses.

Origami Ornament by Maria Rebelo

With five or six square pieces of paper, three very simple folds, and a little bit of glue you will have a beautiful ornament for many different occasions. Learn the basics. Explore the possibilities! Demo provided by Maria Rebelo.

Diagonal Fold Booklet by Kat Kirby

This little book is perfect for collecting ephemera, writing a story, or sending as a gift. The pockets are the ideal place to stash all kinds of goodies, including notes, tags, cards, money, and other surprises! As we approach the holiday season, why not start making these cool little books to give as gifts!

Cutout Trifold Card led by Karin Wilson

Karin Wilson demonstrates how to make a cutout trifold card. She shows you how to take an idea and work it out before you start to cut. Learn how to stack your design so that when folded you can see something from every panel. This simple technique can produce some intricate and fun results.

SDBA Monthly Meeting Recap August 2021

SDBA Members share what they have been working on during the August 2021 virtual meeting. Artists include: Debbie Gerrish, Gina Pisello, Jie Tian, Laurel Moorhead, Lynn Marsh, Lynne Olson, Maria Bolivar, Nancy Kazanjian, Rebecca Chamlee, Susan Marsh, & Jane LaFazio.

Four Zine Book by Maria Rebelo

“I learned this simple book structure from Stephanie Krause. All we need to do is fold each individual sheet of paper as a zine, make a small cut and tie them as if we were putting together signatures for a book. The pages can be decorated and I will demonstrate how to make "windows" that will show the inside of the pages.”

Origami Decorative Envelopes led by Andrea Factor

Andrea Factor demos origami decorative envelopes. Andrea takes us on an entertaining exploration of Origami Envelopes.

Tico Star Demo by Patsy Monk

Learn the steps for the simple but elegant Tico Star as designed by Maria Sinayskaya. Once the original version is perfected it is easy to try out the variations .

Artist Statement from patsy monk: As a nurse and health coach, health is important. As we practice any craft, we are reducing stress. Stress is a physiological problem that affects the body and mind and origami tackles both of these by engaging them equally. As the mind starts to get absorbed, you give in to the moment and let yourself be distracted. The practice of Origami is a perfect ‘take along’ craft that is easy and fun to do.

Kingfisher Piano Hinge Book, Instructions by Gina Pisello

Piano Hinge binding was created by Hedi Kyle. Directions can be found in a variety of books including: Non-Adhesive Binding: Books Without Paste or Glue by Keith Smith, Cover to Cover, by Shereen LaPlantz and Creating Handmade Books, by Alisa Golden. It is a relatively simple binding wherein the spines of the pages are notched and woven together using sticks, string or even paper. The book can be displayed open in the round or closed with the spine to the side or on top. This versatility and simplicity make it a good structure to have in your repertoire.

Julie Hocking presents Slip Knot Binding

This easy binding style is great for single sheets of thicker paper: heavy cardstock or watercolor paper. When completed, the resulting book lies flat. Learn the slip knot binding stitch, sewing 2 covers and three pages into a sample book. We’ll use extra large holes and thicker thread to practice our technique, and explore three ways to tie off the ends.

Jie Tian presents Explore Living Colors: The Ecology in Book Arts

In this fun and interactive demo, we explore the colors, textures, and structures of leaves and flowers on paper and thread. Gather plant materials from your patio, garden, and local environments. Our tools are simple:, our hands, a hammer, a rock, or a rolling pin. Improvise spontaneous creativity, and enjoy your own rhythm and heart-beat—as we press, rub, pound and create with plants. We will be able to recycle leaves and flowers so they biodegrade & use what we make as inspirations for bookmarks, cards, collages, books and book binding.

Gina Pisello presents Red Lantern Tutorial

Learn how to fold vellum or glassine into a lovely red lantern perfect for the dark winter days ahead. All you need is lightweight paper, scissors, ruler, double stick tape, and a bone folder. Paper size used: 8 x 12 inches Paper used: We Are Memory Keepers ombre glassine, but any light paper will do. Tracing paper works very well. See still photos and crease pattern on my blog at: www.ginapisello.com/blog

Cathy Cakebread presents How to Photograph Your Artists’ Book

If you can only create one photograph to show off your book, which angle shows off your book to its best advantage? Cathy Cakebread, of Bay Area Book Artists, presents "How to Photograph Your Artists' Book". Techniques include: lighting photography, setups and positioning preparing photos for posting on the web camera equipment.

Gina Pisello Cut, Pleat, and Alter Book Pages Demo

There are many ways to alter a book. In this demo Gina Pisello shows us one of her favorites. The process will transform images from both sides of the paper into something new.

Wendy Telford Card Folder Demo

Wendy Telford shows us how to make this versatile folding card with pockets that is perfect for gift cards, mini books, photo albums, special occasions, travel memories or anything you can think of.

Amy Spencer Chain Stitch Demo

Amy Spencer leading a Chain Stitch demo during a September 9th, 2020 SDBA monthly meeting. The Chain Stitch is an elegant and beautiful way to stitch a signature into a book cover and to highlight a favorite thread.