Sushi Papercraft

Make It Show This Weekend, Two Bucks Off Admission!

2011-05-09T20:50:00.000-07:00

Don't forget to stop by the Make It show this weekend for one of Edmonton's biggest markets for handmade delights! I will be happily stationed close to the DJ -- the music is one of my favourite things about this show. The jellyfish book above is just one of many new books to see. Also be on the lookout for my friend Amy of Ameya Studio! Oh yes, and go here for a Make It coupon, $2 off admission.

In Other News

Amy and I did our City Market Orientation tonight. There are 167 vendors this year, can you believe it? The market will go on for blocks. Lots of cool new vendors to look forward to, including Transcend coffee. If there's one thing I learned doing the market, it's that people will drink good coffee no matter how hot it is outside. Can't wait to meet everyone one and their pets starting May 28!

Starting Now: A Break on Shipping

2011-04-24T18:57:00.001-07:00

No extra shipping if you buy more than one item from my plethora of online stores -- Cargoh, Wedzu, and Etsy. Just the initial shipping rate -- for every item after that it's free! Because shipping's a downer. Just make sure all items in the same order. Nuts to you, Canada Post.

Sushi and Ameya at the City Market

2011-04-09T19:50:00.000-07:00

My fellow crafter Amy and I got into the City Market! Our first appearance is Check the dates on the right hand sidebar to see what days we'll be there. Amy and I are sharing a space, making it a concentration of handmade goodness. Amy sells luxurious soaps and scrubs -- visit her store for a sneak preview!

And don't forget: April 17 is the Swing into Spring show. This show will be huge, with over 75 vendors!

For Your Indie, Handmade Wedding

2011-04-02T13:13:00.000-07:00

I live across the street from a big 'ol church. It's very traditional, complete with a steeple and a bell. And because spring is here (ish), this church is going to be occupied every Saturday for the next few months -- by wedding ceremonies. Once I get over the frustration of not having a place to park my car, it's pretty interesting to see the variety of brides out there.

And where do brides get the unique gear to make their wedding memorable? Well, one place is Wedzu.com. Wedzu is a new site that's a lot like Etsy, selling handmade goods, but it specializes in weddings. Cufflinks made of maps? "Just Married" luggage tags? Turntable save-the-date cards? You got it.

If you're a bride-to-be, this site is worth checking out, even just for inspiration. And Wedzu has great selection of guestbooks, if you know what I mean.

New Spring Lineup, Pretty Pics

2011-03-11T11:55:00.000-08:00

I made a big batch of books to show you at my next few shows, starting this Sunday at the Derrick Gift Show. They're really bright and fun, despite what it's actually like outside in Edmonton. The idea behind this lineup is to usher in spring! Check out a few more pictures on my Facebook page.

Really Retro Disney Storybooks

2011-02-14T19:17:00.000-08:00

Because I love books of all kinds, I wanted to show off these fun 60's pocket books. They were published in 1967 and enjoyed by my mom when she was a kid. They're full of cool illustrations -- unfortunately I crayoned the black and white ones (and did a terrible job; I was never good at colouring).

New Store, New Site!

2011-01-28T08:30:00.000-08:00

Exciting times. I have a new website now, in case you arrived at this blog from a different tunnel. It's www.sushipapercraft.com. I'm happy hear any feedback!

Cargoh Store

My stuff is now for sale on Cargoh.com, Etsy's newest competition. It's an online ecommerce system for crafters and craft buyers. In their own words:

"WHAT IS CARGOH? A social marketplace for independent art + design + culture. An easy to use e-commerce solution for independent creatives to buy and sell the things they create."

This is a sexy website and no mistake.

My inventory here will be different from Etsy -- no duplicate items. Please stop by!

Canadian+Handmade

2011-01-20T11:22:00.000-08:00

Sushi Papercraft is featured on Canadian+Handmade today -- check it out!

This is a cool site
What a great idea. Canada, especially Edmonton, has an amazing handmade scene. Sites like this are essential to keeping it vibrant and healthy. One of my favourite things about Edmonton is the craft community, and it warms my heart that Canadian+Handmade author Sarah is based in Alberta.

New Books, New Site!

2011-01-14T21:09:00.000-08:00

Today I buckled down and made a pile of fresh, new books for the ol' inventory! And this time, I experimented with props for photos; apparently good for business, says Etsy. The results are a lot warmer and more welcoming than my attempts with the lightbox. That said, I did a really terrible job building my lightbox. See what you think!

New Website Coming Soon

Hopefully by the end of January, I'll have a new website! I plan to keep the blog, but sushipapercraft.com will go to a legit site with pages and everything.

Deep Freeze Fest, and New Year's

2010-12-27T11:13:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone, hope you had a lovely Christmas! If you're not partied out yet, make sure to check out Deep Freeze on Alberta Avenue, and Sugar Swing's sweet New Year's bash.

Deep Freeze

This festival, happening Jan 8-9 2011, ushers in the new year with olde school style. With a nod at old winter festival traditions, Deep Freeze presents fun stuff like street hockey, ice sculpture, and tobogganing. To heat up the evenings there are live performances of folk music from all over the world, exotic treats like iced maple syrup on a stick, and steaming Bailey's served at the ice bar -- in mugs made of ice!

And of course, Deep Freeze has an art market. Please stop by and see what I've been working on! More info about the festival here.

And Also -- New Year's Funk Party

Sugar Swing Dance Club (which is run by hubby) is having a Swing and Soul Party on New Year's Eve! So runaround Sue, hit the road Jack, and bring that soul down to the Crestwood Community Hall for some good vibrations. All folks - young, old, teens, tweens are welcome to attend. Don't worry about not being able to dance: this is a lighthearted, groovy night.

The evening will feature a delicious soul food dinner, bar, lesson, prizes, and dancing to some sweet and soulful tunes of the 1960's. Make sure to come decked out in your best 60's threads. More details here.

2010-12-01T07:41:00.001-08:00

As Sushi Papercraft is all about making fun books for your thoughts, it's fitting to mention the The Book Lovers Christmas Sale happening this Saturday, December 4. It will be at the Stanley A. Milner Library (Centennial Room – the big room just across the hall from the theatre), from 12 noon to 5 pm.

This event will bring a bunch of Alberta authors together and give you a chance to meet them, buy some books, and get 'em signed. There will also be some locally-crafted goodies there, like stationary, bookmarks and notebooks (including Sushi ones). When you buy any of these particular items, proceeds go to the Writers Guild of Alberta.

Go to the Facebook page for details on the event!

Stuff on Sale, Awesome Shows!

2010-11-03T17:20:00.000-07:00

This November there are two shows that will make your Christmas shopping a snap!

Winter Wonderland -- It's the Handmade Mafia's first Christmas affair. I'll be having a sale at this particular show, where all my large size journals (6 x 8) will be $5 off! Check them out, along with at least 30 local crafters, November 20-21 at the Strathcona Community Center.

Make It -- The craft show with a party atmosphere, Make It will have artists from all over Canada, not to mention fun DJs and lots of goodies. The party rages on for four days, Nov 25 to 28, at the Alberta Aviation Museum.

As a seasoned show-goer, I can guarantee you'll find something for everyone you know between these two shows -- even stuff for the guys in your life. Over the next few weeks I'll be posting some fun books I plan to bring to these shows. Can't wait to see you there!

Agendas

2010-10-31T12:26:00.000-07:00

Sushi Papercraft has a new product on the line -- agendas!

These agendas are undated, so you fill in the dates yourself. While this format is a little unconventional in the agenda world, it's way more flexible than your typical January-to-December version. You can start wherever you want in the year, and if you forget to write in it for a week, you can pick up right where you left off instead of having empty pages. I discovered the undated agenda format early this year, and love it to bits -- you get more use out of it, and it cuts down on waste!

Head on over my Etsy shop for more details and pictures.

Another day with the Family

2010-10-13T17:44:00.000-07:00

Just a quick reminder, this Saturday October 16 is Handmade Mafia at Orange Hall. Stop by and check out the inspired designs of Edmonton crafters!

Etsy Alberta Team Fall Sale!

2010-09-29T16:42:00.000-07:00

My Etsy team is having a sale to kick off October. Starting Friday, all sorts of Alberta crafters will feature various sales in their Etsy shops -- so take advantage! I'll be including three complimentary notepads with every purchase. For a really fun and handy way to "window shop" and see a ton of the Alberta Team's products at once, come on over here. So many good things come out of the prairies!

Last Day at the Market, and the Market's Second Last Day

2010-09-22T18:31:00.000-07:00

This Saturday is Sushi Papercraft's last day at the downtown farmer's market! And there's only one more city market after this. The weather's rumoured to be lovely, so it'll be a great day for wandering 104th street! While you're there, check out some some of my favourite vendors and their goods -- glorious almond-stuffed Fiesta Olives, delicious Greens Eggs & Ham, and wicked knitted roadster hats from Fibres of Life.

Delights of Handmade Mafia

2010-09-08T17:37:00.000-07:00

This Saturday 11 is another Handmade Mafia! I'll be there, and so will the talented frogprincessdesigns. Thanks to this lady I get to be at the Make It show, and have someone look after our booth when I take off for pizza and shopping! Stop by Orange Hall and check out her elegant jewellery, crafted with sterling silver, copper, glass, and semi-precious stones.

That Red Fish

2010-08-27T09:41:00.000-07:00

My good buddy and illustrator friend Candice creates the most endearing characters! My faves, Koi Fish and Happy Bacon, adorn a couple of my journals. She recently opened up a Zazzle store, and I think you should meet more of her creations. Hop on over to check her out, or start with this fun t-shirt.

Freshened Up Flickr

2010-08-22T19:07:00.000-07:00

Today I added a bunch of photos to my Flickr page, which I use to show off books now and then. My Etsy shop isn't always as full as I'd like; Flicker lets me show you more stuff. If you'd like to see more than the 18 items listed on Etsy, click here for slew of book photos!

Artists' Garage Sale/Pancake BreakfastBBQ/Block Party

2010-08-15T13:38:00.000-07:00

Probably the most eclectic garage sale you'll check out this summer -- because who would have cooler stuff to sell than a bunch of artists? This Saturday August 21 visit the ARTery and surrounding block - 9535 Jasper Ave - for a garage sale and block party. Along with my books I'll be selling some of the supplies I don't use anymore, including fancy paper and hemp cord. Here's a link to the website for more info.

Also, I'm looking for a craftsperson to share a booth with at the Christmas Make It show. Please email jenna @ sushipapercraft.com or convo me on Etsy if you're interested!

Packaging Idea

2010-07-31T20:21:00.000-07:00

For all you business-y crafters out there, Print100 is a great way to print slick business cards -- and other marketing materials -- on the cheap. They'll even holepunch for free! Designing product tags and ordering them as business cards is a great way to take advantage of Print100's low prices and spice up an item's presentation. I finally got some product tags professionally printed, and I think they look a lot better than my old ones.

Back to Work

2010-07-26T21:02:00.001-07:00

Back from vacation! This Saturday I'm at Axis Cafe's market stall downtown, so please stop by and check out all the new stuff. I've been working very hard to ensure you have some pretty things to look at.

In other news, I recently shifted to part-time hours at my day job so I can spend more time on this bookmaking racket! A scary but exciting move. I'm hoping to bring you more and cooler stuff, and have an all-around cool experience.

Sushi's Summer Vacation

2010-07-02T07:48:00.001-07:00

I'm off to glorious Kelowna for the next ten days, so my Etsy shop is closed and it will likely be quiet around here. But I'll be back on July 13, prepping like mad for Farmer's Market on the 31st!

Handmade in Canada Event, and Broken Books

2010-06-23T18:19:00.000-07:00

I have two things to announce today. First, the TransCanada Etsy Team and the Alberta Team are having a "Handmade in Canada" promotion! Members of these teams will be having sales and promotions in their Etsy shops. I'll be giving a free set notepads with every book purchase. The event runs from Thursday June 24 to Thursday July 1.

Second thing: this year I upgraded my sewing thread to a much stronger, more durable variety. The previous thread I was using isn't as tough, and if you used your book extensively, it may have worn out and broke. If your journal was well used (though not abused) and the threads broke on you, contact me by emailing jenna @ sushipapercraft.com (don't include the spaces). I'll resew your book with much better thread.

Saturday Block Party!

2010-06-10T12:01:00.000-07:00

As if the downtown farmers market wasn't awesome enough, this Saturday it'll share 104th street with a block party! More info:

"2nd annual Al Fresco 104 St. Block Party, Saturday June 12, 2010
Festivities start at 8:30 am with a pancake breakfast presented by Downtown Edmonton Community League and Sobeys. The rest of the day features wine tasting from Devine Wines, extended patios, Portugese BBQ, yoga and street art demos, DJs, a fashion show, and closes with a special outdoor screening of Chocolat at 10:00 pm (bring a chair)."

Stop by and say hi at the Axis Cafe tent, where I'll be helping serve amazing coffee. Do you know Axis Cafe? It's this place.

Now Cleaner and Brighter

2010-06-07T18:05:00.000-07:00

This weekend I took the advice offered by many Etsy sellers and made myself a lightbox. For those who are unfamiliar with this device (like I was until recently), a lightbox helps you take better pictures of small objects. The box is covered with white paper to create the illusion of an infinite white background, as well as filter light so it's more uniform -- perfect for shooting stuff like jewelry, trinkets, and now books. I'm still learning how to use this thing to best effect, but hoping to show you better photos all around. What do you think of the new bright white look -- better, worse?

New Thing: Tiny Sushi Notepads

2010-05-24T09:49:00.000-07:00

Fun and easily stashable, these notepads are the glue-bound, tearaway style. They measure about 2" x 3.5", a little bigger than a matchbook. A cardstock cover protects a pad of high quality, 32lb paper inside. I'll have these for sale at the Make It show.

Make It, May 29-30

2010-05-22T08:14:00.000-07:00

Next Saturday and Sunday is the Make It show! Come out to the Aviation Museum for some of the best local shopping in Edmonton. More info on the Make It website. Stop by my table and say hi!

Etsy Shop Sale!

2010-04-30T18:34:00.000-07:00

The Alberta Street Team is having a team-wide sale! As part of the team, Sushi Papercraft is in on the sale -- everything in my Etsy store will be 15% off.

For the team in general, the sale runs May 1-7. Unfortunately, Sushi will be late to the party and joins the sale on May 3. So take some time to check out fantastic Alberta artists -- and save a few bucks to buy yourself a new journal. For a complete list of sellers visit the Alberta Team blog at etsyalberta.blogspot.com

Royal Bison just one week away!

2010-04-24T11:54:00.000-07:00

Edmonton's most delightfully-named art fair happens next Saturday and Sunday! Don't miss the best conglomeration of clothing, posters, stationary, jewelry, zines etc. etc. Only $2 to get in at 8426 Gateway Blvd. and little kids get in free. More info on their website.

Sushi in Carbon Boutique

2010-04-16T12:05:00.000-07:00

Sushi books are now available in Carbon Environmental Boutique! Carbon is located in one of my favourite Edmonton places, downtown's funky and historic 104th street (also home of the City Market). This gorgeous shop promotes environmental manufacture and non-toxic living through its super-green products. All products in the store go through a screening process where the owners discover how the item is made and its impact on the environment.

It turns out that Sushi's recycled map books were a great fit for Carbon. Go check them out, along with some other eco-friendly procducts at 10184-104 street!

Sushi at Handmade Mafia

2010-04-07T17:55:00.000-07:00

This Saturday is the Handmade Mafia at Orange Hall. Don't let the impending snow keep you from fabulous wares!

Book of the Moment

2010-03-24T18:37:00.000-07:00

This book is dedicated to bacon, the food that makes everything better. The cheerful bacon slice was illustrated by Candice Tate, who dubs it Happy Bacon (and has a nemesis known as Sinister Bacon, not joking). It's meant as a cookbook, which means the vinyl cover printed by Regent Signs will resist practically any foodstuff you throw at it!

March Handmade Mafia

2010-03-17T11:53:00.001-07:00

This Saturday, March 20, is the Handmade Mafia show at Orange Hall! As things have been pretty quiet for shows up until now, I'm sure Edmonton's crafters and designers will have lots of new stuff to show off. And when you're done shopping, come back to the same venue in the evening for some sweet, sweet swing dancing.

Sushi in Saffron Studios

2010-03-13T16:00:00.000-08:00

Sushi Papercraft books can now be picked up in Saffron Studios, a gallery boutique located in Cochrane, Alberta. This gallery specializes in showcasing Canadian works -- more than 80 different artists and designers support Saffron! This includes some very cool Edmonton art and their artisans, such as illustrated calendars by valérydesignwrks, textile bags from Lines Designs and Lemonade, and jewellery from Handmade on Venus. Go Alberta!

Sushi and Frogs

2010-03-01T19:41:00.000-08:00

Sushi Papercraft currently has some books for sale at Edmonton's Frog Kisser's Den! I'm excited to be a part of the collection -- Frog Kisser's Den is one of the neatest places in town to support handmade. It's like walking into a Gypsy caravan; lots of colour and curiosities to look at. They're located on 124th Street, which is already a fun area to explore. You can also check out their Facebook page, but definitely stop by for a visit!

2010-02-27T12:56:00.001-08:00

Haven't featured a map book for a while, so here's a journal made from a New York map. The front shows Harlem and Central Park, and on the back you can see Midtown and more Central Park. More shots here.

Sushi in San Francisco

2010-02-23T19:22:00.000-08:00

Sushi Papercraft's books are soon to appear in Cherish, a stationary store located in San Francisco!

I'm excited to send books off to such a unique shop; Cherish not only promotes handmade goods, but they also support Etsy artists of all kinds. This place looks like a paperphile's heaven -- just look at their creative classes. If I lived in San Fran, this place would be like my Cheers.

Now I have an excellent excuse to visit this town. If you're already from there, check it out!

Go Team Alberta!

2010-02-06T14:52:00.000-08:00

Sushi Papercraft just joined the Etsy's Alberta Street Team. This team promotes crafters from (or otherwise tied to) Alberta, Canada. This is a vibrant group of skilled crafters, and I'm excited to be a part of the team! This is a great showcase of Alberta talent -- you can do some window shopping here (what a super handy page!) or find them on Etsy here.

Illustrator of the Moment

2010-01-30T22:51:00.001-08:00

Sushi's next guest illustrator is Lindsay Holden. I told her I wanted a cartoon/steampunk sort of contraption to go on the cover of a project journal. So she drew this delightful, retro raygun! This inside of the book has graph paper, which follows the blueprint theme. Lindsay is a full-time designer and dedicated cat owner.

Illustrator of the Moment

2010-01-20T21:33:00.000-08:00

Sushi's first guest illustrator is Candice Tate, who made this fantastic koi fish drawing! Candice has been illustrating for many years, and her Deviant Art portfolio can be viewed here. I just love her character drawings, and fell in love with these koi fish when she made a set of coasters for me as a wedding gift. Check out more pics in the Etsy shop.

According to Candice, these fishies were a serendipitous accident that occurred when she was trying to create a different concept. When she isn't gracing Sushi books with her work, Candice is doing graphic design by day and mastering martial arts by night.

More Geek Chic

2010-01-17T19:02:00.000-08:00

I'm rolling out some new vinyl book designs this year, starting with this geek-friendly journal for creative-type people. It's got blank paper of course, so you are free to roam all over the page. Check out the Etsy shop for more pics.

Like I said, this is the first of a few, and the next books will be illustrated by some very talented people! Can't wait to show off their work. In the meantime, I finally stocked up my Etsy shop to some degree.

Book of the Moment

2010-01-09T21:23:00.001-08:00

Sushi's back after laying low for a while. And I'm going to start off 2010 with a tribute to the 60's. This fabulously retro book would make an ideal companion to a dry martini and Lucky Strike cigarette.

In other news, except some great new vinyl books this year! Sushi will feature some guest illustrators who'll add their own delicious style to these books. More on that later!

Book of the Moment

2009-12-14T21:24:00.000-08:00

Royal Bison and Make It both went extremely well! As a result, my Etsy shop is rather empty. But here's a new book to start filling it up again...

Cute, quirky, and ideal for sketch artists. This book features recycled graph paper inside, and has green and gold beads sewn into the spine. I'm finding that book lovers who appreciate graph paper are rare. I think it's neato, but most of my customers seem to prefer straightforward blank or lined. Ah well -- if you're one of the few who like reclaimed/recycled papers, this book was made just for you.

Make It Show!

2009-12-10T12:02:00.000-08:00

The only craft show (I know of) with live DJs and a wine bar. Check it out this weekend at the Alberta Aviation Museum (Kingsway area). I'll have a pile of new books to show off!

http://makeitproductions.com/

Royal Bison next weekend

2009-11-22T15:24:00.000-08:00

Royal Bison is happening next Saturday and Sunday, 10-5 on both days! Most of what I earn there will probably be spent on other vendors' stuff. This is an excellent show.

This Christmas I decided to shop local as much as possible for gifts! And then went out and bought an iTunes gift card, because some people are just difficult. But. I do have my eye on various locally-made wines and chocolates, so when this holiday is over I think I will get a B+ on the attempt.

In other news, my vines/birds "book of the moment" is now in my Etsy shop with much better pictures -- go check it out!

Book of the Moment

2009-11-15T18:01:00.000-08:00

Brought to you by Sunday afternoon, enjoy more birds with this 5x7 coptic journal. This one has some handpainted gold beads sewn along the spine. It's not on Etsy yet, but it'll be at the Royal Bison along with a whole bunch of brand new books -- I've been super busy gearing up for two big Christmas shows!

Forays into Perfect Binding

2009-11-08T17:20:00.000-08:00

I've been experimenting with with making perfect bound books (meaning the pages are held together with glue...I don't know why it's called "perfect"). These have paper covers like you'd see in paperback book -- because sometimes a simple notebook is all you need. I saw piles of fabulous notebooks in Urban Outfitters and resolved to figure out how to make them. It's tricky when you don't have the pro cutting and binding machines that a print shop would have! And glue, cursed glue. My struggle with finding the best glue for books is ongoing and hell on my Ikea furniture.

Anyway, I eventually came up with a few samples and they're working out well! Speaking of Ikea, the covers on the frontmost book are two Ikea postcards. The books behind also have postcard covers. I'm going to make a bunch more and hopefully have them for sale at the Royal Bison this month. They'll be cheaper than my coptic books, ideal if you're just looking for something unique but simple.

Book of the Moment

2009-11-03T18:00:00.000-08:00

This one's for the exhibitionists among you. It's from the UV glitter lineup, probably the "loudest" of the bunch. It's a 5 x 7 sketchbook. Visit Etsy for more specs if you like!

Update: I will be at Orange Hall for November 7 Handmade Mafia! Remember, no cover this time!

Handmade Mafia

2009-11-01T12:34:00.000-08:00

Saturday, November 7, Sushi will be at Handmade Mafia. Specific location TBA -- it's either Savoy or Orange Hall. And some good news: admission is now free!

Sushi's First Swag

2009-10-14T17:51:00.001-07:00

Tiny books are fun, and hopefully dancer-friendly too. On the weekend of Oct 16-18, I'll be putting some pocket-sized notebooks out into the world of swing dancing -- more specifically, the Lindy Harvest weekend workshop hosted by the ubiquitous Sugar Swing Dance Club. These books are will be for sale at the dance venues on Friday and Saturday night, and are intended to be fun and useful mementoes for the dancers attending. Useful because hardcore lindy-hoppers often take notes during a class, like any good student. Happily, these books are small enough to jam into your back pocket when it's time to get swingin' again.

Specs:

Almost all components of these books are recycled bits, from the thick cover stock to the patterned paper. In fact, the decorative paper comes from the offcuts of my larger books, and so does the text paper. The insides of the books have vinyl Sugar Swing stickers with contact info. All books are about 4" x 4", so not they're hard to write in but still nice and compact.

If you crave a tiny notebook but don't want to pose as a swinger for a weekend, you can look for similar ones, sans Sugar Swing propaganda, in my Etsy store or at upcoming craft shows.

Back from NOLA

2009-10-11T12:43:00.000-07:00

I'm back from New Orleans; what a fun town.

And now it's time to show you new books! Starting today, I'll be adding items to my Etsy shop over the course of the month. These will also be available ay my upcoming craft shows. Check back often to see the latest fall/winter stuff!

Fall/winter lineup sneak preview, hooray!

2009-09-26T15:55:00.001-07:00

Here's a preview of supercool books to come this fall and winter! I went nuts last weekend and made a whole bunch in prep for some Christmas shows.

This lineup features some really interesting papers. One batch uses this paper that feels like a painter's canvas, and is made of 70% recycled paper. Another batch features fancy UV glitter -- and it is glorious. I'm not usually the glitter type, whether it comes on clothes or chapstick or otherwise, but in this case it looks fantastic and festive. And the glorious part I mentioned: the glitter doesn't come off and shed on everything! Nope, after working with UV glitter paper for hours making books, I can truthfully say these sparkles (tiny bits of mylar, apparently) are stuck in place. I was hoping to locate some detailed info about chemistry of this stuff, for the sake of my nerdy peers in print design, but couldn't find.

These books will be launched officially in the second week of October. I'd do it

sooner but I'm leaving next week for New Orleans, so there's no point in putting a bunch of new stuff in my shop and then going on vacation. I'f you like more sneak peek photos, check out the Sushi Papercraft Facebook fan page -- there's a new album there. Feel welcome to leave any comments or questions!

Talking to Vendors

2009-09-20T21:08:00.000-07:00

When I stepped into Edmonton's craft scene, I learned two things: 1) craft show vendors are rather nice people, and 2) craft show vendors have wisdom to share.

Last week I was at Handmade Mafia. I found it's really worthwhile getting to know other vendors; not only do you meet cool and creative people, but you also learn useful things about the handmade business. While spending time with the Family, I picked up some neato tips and insights on the scene. I'ma share a few of them:

Research your audience before signing up for a big-bucks craft show; your sculptures or exquisite jewelry may not be a good fit for certain events, like fairs and festivals, where shoppers are mostly there for the mini donuts and not so much the art.
Check out flyerland.ca and plan your supply shopping trips accordingly for great deals.
Consider spreading out appearances at a certain venue. If you're in the same place every week for months on end, you'll be exposed to the same group of shoppers who frequent that venue. They'll buy from you once or twice, and then probably won't come back to you for quite a while. Some time apart between visits will keep you fresh and interesting.
Try a Twitter account or Facebook fan page to market your stuff, and follow the 50/50 rule: 50% content about your business, 50% content about other people/things.
Bring snacks to a craft show and save your dollars.

All for now! Thanks much to these super vendors for making the Handmade Mafia show a good time: Paz Y Flamenco, Crystal Cradle, Urban Goddess, and BFlirty.

Unconventional Paper

2009-09-13T18:42:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to use different types of papers for books, besides your basic white stuff. I've used grid paper as book pages in the past; thought this was killer but nobody else seems to like it (at least not enough to buy the book it comes in). My latest adventure with paper is this Japanese-themed sketchbook. The signatures are made of this velvety-black art paper normally intended for chalk or pastel drawings. It gives a very luxurious effect. And it was just lying around before.

Also lying around doing nothing was a stack of premium cardstock I used for printing my wedding invites. So it made a fabulous mini scrapbook! Can't wait to make paper discoveries, especially if they mean less goes to waste.

Handmade Mafia and Creepy-in-a-good-way Orange Hall

2009-09-08T15:04:00.000-07:00

Sushi's now part of The Family, along with some other talented Edmonton crafters. This Saturday is the Handmade Mafia show, a craft sale that happens once a month, usually in the Whyte Ave area. This show features handmade items from local artists who have made Edmonton's craft scene so cool. This month's event is at both Orange Hall and Savoy in the Strathcona area. I'll be at Orange Hall.

On a side note, I've been to Orange Hall venue many, many times -- and it's a neato place. This little white building is probably a hundred years old, and looks like an olden-days church or town hall. I'm there for it's famous Sugar Swing sugar foot stomps, but I've heard it's also popular for salsa and vampire role-playing (makes sense, as the building has a slightly creepy Salem village feel to it). You should check out the Mafia just to see this historical place!

Books made out of maps, and the Reuse Centre

2009-09-06T17:21:00.000-07:00

Here are some books I made from old maps. One is a map of Montreal and the other is a map of Rome, circa 1988. It even has the Colosseum on it, ha ha!

The trickiest thing with making these map books is ensuring that everything reads correctly; like the content isn't upside down when I sew the book together. Still working with the homemade glue, too.

Man, I love using stuff for what it's not intended for. And I love Edmonton's Reuse Centre; it's where I found the maps. Hot tip for anyone who works in theatre/with children/or collects junk: the Reuse Centre will save you lots of money! Remember when you had that pressing need for hundreds of popsicle sticks? Or swatches of fabric? The Reuse Centre is like this storage room full of crap that you normally don't need until right after you've given it away -- cardboard boxes and 3-ring binders and yarn etc. It's like Staples for crafty people, only you pay $4 per visit and take as much as you want. This is a lifesaver if you have to plan crafts for kids, or design a theatre set on a budget. I'm sure there are many more scenarios, but those are the two that immediately come to mind. See for yourself.

Online Store!

2009-08-23T12:48:00.000-07:00

Sushi Papercraft now has an online store! If you can't make it to a craft sale, order a book through my Etsy shop -- click anywhere in that box on the right. A lot of the books here won't be available at markets; they've been specially set aside for you online shoppers. There aren't a whole bunch listed yet, but I'll be adding more items in the future.

To order a book, all you need is a credit card. The purchase is put through PayPal, a secure and reputable payment method. You don't need a Paypal account to use Paypal.

If you're from Edmonton, do send me an email before you order. You can save on shipping and currency conversion if we meet up instead!

Clearance Sale

2009-08-19T18:17:00.000-07:00

School supplies or otherwise, it's time to stock up on sketchbooks and journals! On Saturday, August 29 I'm having a clearance sale to find homes for my summer line of journals. Not to say I'm selling all summer-themed items, like a Winners trying to get rid of bikinis; I've just had these books for a while and would like to start with a fresh batch of books for the fall. So! There are lots of one-of-a-kind book designs fit for artists, writers, and dreamers – they also make fabulous gifts if you don't need one for yourself. Oh, and some items are up to 60% off, holy smokers. Find them in Axis Cafe’s stall at Edmonton’s City Market: Jasper Ave and 104th Street, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

In other news, Handmade Mafia rescheduled their September show. It's now being held on Saturday, September 12.

Cool Guys

2009-07-24T12:49:00.000-07:00

I love watching husbands/boyfriends helping their best girls succeed in the Makin' Stuff business. I'm honing in on the helpful dudes because most of the crafters I've met, or am stationed by at the market, are women. (I'm sure there are helpful wives/girlfriends too.)

At every event I see partners set up displays, deliver lunches, and even help run the business. One vendor told me her boyfriend quit his job to help with her full-time craft gig. Another lady's husband shows up at 7:30 a.m. on market days to assemble her booth, and again at 3 to take it down. Even if they're just picking up cornstarch for a certain glue recipe, I think it's fantastic how these guys support their partners' endeavors. Three cheers for you, cool guys.

Homemade Glue

2009-07-17T18:30:00.000-07:00

I made my own glue a few days ago, something I never planned on doing in life...turns out it's not only possible, but kind of important if you want your books to survive in a nasty world.

So this first batch looks like porridge. I don't know what it's supposed to look like. It was hard to find a glue recipe online; I thought the internet could help you make anything, geez. Anyway, I did some experiments, and the paste worked surprisingly well! Impressive stuff, really -- and it's only cornstarch and water. Crazy! You could eat it if you wanted to.

So why bother, you ask? Because all the other kinds of glue I've tried can't take much abuse. Abuse from the weather that is -- humidity is hell on paper/glue combos and causes book covers to ripple and bubble. Not that people keep their journals outside, but I want to make the books as durable as possible. Then someone told me that ripples and such don't happen when you have just the right paste, and you can make it yourself. Plus it's difficult to acquire...not many places sell "bookbinder's glue". Fabulous thing is, homemade glue is really cheap and really green -- no chemicals here. The books smell like potatoes, fancy that.

But I'd love to hear from someone who knows what they're doing. Got any tips -- better yet, recipes? Seriously, is it supposed to look like that?

A Note About Vinyl

A reader asked me about the vinyl books I made, whether the vinyl contains PVC -- a normally very toxic chemical compound. Here's an update: the vinyl is a PVC product, but it's a biodegradable version that, when decomposing, does not release any VOC’s (volatile organic compounds). And bonus: the inks used are an eco-friendly, corn solvent-based product.

Make It + Handmade Nation

2009-07-13T19:32:00.000-07:00

Of all the ways to Stick It to The Man, makin' your own stuff is my favourite one.

This Saturday the 18th there's the Make It craft show at the TransAlta Arts Barn -- and there's a reason behind this event besides the selling of crafts. Make It celebrates the premiere of Handmade Nation, a documentary about the growing popularity of buying and selling handmade goods (or the Makin' Stuff Movement, as I've just now decided to call it). Here's a blurb I found about the film:

"Faythe Levine traveled 19,000 miles to document what has emerged as a marriage between historical technique, punk culture, and the D.I.Y. ethos...Participants in this community share ideas and encourage ment through websites, blogs, boutiques, galleries, and craft fairs. Together they have forged a new economy and lifestyle based on creativity, determination, and networking."

As for the Make It sale, it's "not your granny's craft show," as a the website puts it. The Make It sale boasts a live band, a wine bar, and trendy/quirky crafts that especially appeal to hipsters and artsy folk. You'll definitely find cool, original stuff here! Show up between 10 and 5, and later at 8 for the movie. Visit their cool-looking website for more info: www.makeitproductions.com

2009-07-09T18:32:00.000-07:00

I'm trying a new thing, which is vinyl book covers. This is instead of paper, which usually decorate Sushi's handmade books. The designs on the covers are done by me, and this particular line of books is on the quirky side. The pages inside are still 32lb text with a smooth finish. However, the pages are lined and have design elements the reflect the cover. The books measure 5"x 7", nice and compact.

The vinyl is quickly growing on me because it's so durable -- I don't have to stress so much about spilling on or scratching the cover. These can take a lot more abuse than the paper ones, which is ideal when you can't leave your home without jamming a few notebooks in your bag like a writerly klepto. Plus, doing my own designs is an interesting break from using paper swatches designed by other people. They boast some really rich colours, thanks to some expert printing.

If you'd like to meet one, come see me at Edmonton's downtown farmer's market on Saturday, July 11, or at the Make It sale on Saturday, July 18. (More about that cool event later!)

Kids Making Books!

2009-07-05T16:21:00.000-07:00

I'm normally about as comfortable around kids as a birthday pinata. Then my friend asked me to teach some of them a craft, as kids camp activity. Scary as that sounded, I agreed to build some character (mine) and teach them how to make books. Because that's what I know! What I didn't know is that these particular kids are extremely capable with scissors and fun to hang out with. Here's what tomfoolery occurred.

To be specific, we made made "chapbooks", which are small books with just one signature (one folded stack of pages). The pages and cover are held together with a really simple stitch. Anyway, after presenting the kids with a mess of offcuts and oddball-sized papers, I had them go to town decorating the book covers. We had quite an age range, from tots to preteens, but they all held their own, even the small ones! I only helped with stitching, really. And word spellings. The result was some neato books, some with their destiny already chosen; one kid announced that his book was for "jokes and feelings." Awesome.

Time flew by -- pretty much incident-free, no less! Many thanks to my husband, who was my designated helper. Without him being around to supervise I'm pretty sure somebody would have lost an eye/caught fire. Not really, but he did fetch extra supplies and make the kids laugh. Thanks baby!

I brought the stuff, but these guys brought the fun. Oh, but I did not bring snacks, as the little girl with the tiara pointed out. Oops, next time. Because I might actually do something like this again! Maybe.

Have you guys ever done a craft with kids? Any tips for smooth crafting?

Sushi Anatomy: How I Make My Books

2009-06-30T11:07:00.000-07:00

Completely by hand, and it's no quick process my darlings. Good news is that I enjoy it! This post tells you a bit about Sushi books and how they're made. What's in these things, anyway? I take a couple of boards -- whatever material would make a suitable book cover -- drill some holes in them, and put together a unique design using fancy papers. These papers are usually high-end scrapbook swatches, but I've been known to recycle found print designs and use the paper from there. One of my books came from a city bus map. As long as the product looks cool and functions well enough, I love using recycled components.

The inside stacks of paper, called signatures, come from 24-32lb stock (this might vary as I venture into other new and unusual projects). It's FSC-certified, which means it comes from a responsibly-managed forest, and contains recycled content. Sandwich these signatures between two-of-a-kind book covers, and we're ready to sew it all together!

A million Egyptians can't be wrong

Sushi books are sewn together using the Coptic stitch, a near 2000-year-old bookbinding method. This style was developed by the Copts, a sect of native Egyptian Christians that popped up in the first century AD. Coptic-bound books were a heluva lot more convenient to port around than scrolls, being compact enough to tuck into one's priestly robes. This method stuck around (and so have the Copts, for that matter), and is mostly used by craftspeople for making specialty journals and books. Not only is the exposed stitching attractive, but the books can open 360 degrees (depending on how you embellish them). And it's entirely functional too! I sometimes get questions about whether the book will hold together; yes indeed, those Egyptians made a clever stitch and your book will not unravel.

When you buy a Sushi book, it's guaranteed to have been hand-sewn by me and that I stabbed myself with a sewing needle at least once.

Sounds time-consuming. Why you do this?

A lot of work goes into these babies, but its good times. I've always loved books for reading, writing in, and just plain having around. Also, as a graphic designer by day, I'm always on the computer. Bookbinding is a way I can ditch the mouse and monitor and be creative with other tools.

Your name is ridiculous.

I know. Around the time I decided to label this little venture, I was not up for pouring lot of thought into a brilliant, meaningful name or logo. I do that all day at my job, you see. Really, I was just going for fun and easy. And I had this cool octopus graphic I made sitting around. Apologies if you came here looking for instructions on how to make origami models of sushi; that what I found when I Googled Sushi Papercraft. While you're being disappointed, please check out the gallery.

2009-06-25T18:23:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Sushi Papercraft blog! Visit often to learn about Sushi's handmade books and how to get 'em. You'll also find posts about crafting, design, and anything else artsy.

For starters, here's where you can get your hot little mittens on a handmade journal or sketchbook:

July 4:
Downtown Farmer's Market
Jasper Ave and 104th Street

July 11:
Downtown Farmer's Market
Jasper Ave and 104th Street

July 18:
Handmade Nation screening & Make It sale
Trans Alta Arts Barn

2009-06-22T19:20:00.001-07:00

This is a test!