Unconventional Paper

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

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

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!

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

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.