Forays into Perfect Binding

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

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

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

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

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!