John Jacques


The new John Jacques shear arrived last night. Paul and Dustin, of Bindery Tools, LLC, came in last night. They were nice enough to take their time on the road so that I could put Felix to bed before the ruckus. Once they arrived and saw the stairs, they decided to take the machine apart outside to get it in and reassemble.




It is a 33″ John Jacques metal top shear from the 1800′s, painted blue, just like in my dreams. John Jacques and Sons used to be a Worcester, MA company, so this little machine really did make it closer to home.

Paul and Dustin also brought a nice chunk of lead they had poured for me in an aluminum pie dish. Very sweet.

For anyone looking for binding equipment, look toward the guys at Bindery Tools. They are a fantastic resource and quite helpful. I just wish I had met them a few years ago. I’m glad I finally did this past fall during the GBW Standards!

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Want to take a class?

There is still space available in the Wednesday evening class (starts Oct. 19). This class is a weekly class which runs from 6h30-9pm and costs $40/day.

This class is for 4 students maximum. Students attend class once a week and learn the process involved in traditional bookbinding. Students make 2 books over the course of 6-9 weeks, usually beginning with one book bound in cloth and one 1/4 leather binding. I guide each student through the process one-on-one as the levels of experience in the class sometimes vary. Some students can complete 2 books in two months or less while others need much more time. If a student chooses to continue, he or she can move on to more leather work, fine bindings, and alternative structures. No prior experience is required.

If you are interested, please contact me here.

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Opening Reception Friday

for
deFINEd BINDINGS
26 Bindings of the Pictorial Webster’s Dictionary
Opening Reception this Friday, October 7, 6h30-8h30 at Bromfield Gallery.
All are welcome!
With awards (one for me),
Chronicle Books,
and John Carrera of Quercus Press, the creator of the Pictorial Webster’s.

Bromfield Gallery
450 Harrison Ave
Boston, MA 02118
www.bromfieldgallery.com

October 5-29, 2011
Gallery hours 12-5, Wed-Sat
opening reception October 7th, 6h30-8h30

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Back to USA

Though I dread my return to the States (well, it is more that I dread leaving France and this




this

and this)

this fall is looking to be quite exciting. My first week back coincides with the GBW Seminar on Standards of Excellence in Hand Bookbinding, conveniently in Boston, MA. Also that week is the opening reception for deFINEd BINDINGS. One of my bindings will be exhibited along with 25 other works. Check out Bromfield Gallery where you can catch a sneak peak of a beauty by Patty Bruce.

I am also happy to have some eager prospective students ready to start up classes toward the middle of the month, and a limited edition of 30 for a super sweet cookbook called Kitchen Coquette by Katrina Meynink. It is due out this year; check it out at La Petite Miette.

deFINEd BINDINGS: 26 Bindings of the Pictorial Webster’s Dictionary

Bromfield Gallery
450 Harrison Ave
Boston, MA 02118
www.bromfieldgallery.com
October 5-29, 2011
Gallery hours 12-5, Wed-Sat
opening reception October 7th, 6:30-8:30

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deFINEd BINDINGS

Last fall, I submitted work to a call for entries for the New England Guild of Bookworkers‘ juried exhibition. The set book was the Pictorial Webster’s: A Visual Dictionary of Curiosities by Johnny Carrera at Quercus Press, and the design was up to each participant.

My binding was one of 26 chosen, and I found out last week that it was chosen (I believe by NBSS) for “best binding structure.” I am looking forward to seeing all works on display in Boston as soon as I get back to town in October! The exhibit travels to Chronicle Books on the West Coast this winter.

deFINEd BINDINGS: 26 Bindings of the Pictorial Webster’s Dictionary
Bromfield Gallery
450 Harrison Ave
Boston, MA 02118
www.bromfieldgallery.com

October 5-29, 2011
Gallery hours 12-5, Wed-Sat
opening reception October 7th, 6:30-8:30

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