Handmade Books « BookSmithStudio.com | Nikki Smith Book & Visual Artist

Archive for the ‘Handmade Books’ Category

Dos-a-dos His/Hers/Ours Goals Journal

Saturday, September 18th, 2010

Finishing this His/Hers/Ours Goals journal has been one of my artistic goals this summer! =)

This is a completely handmade dos-a-dos journal, using acid-free paper, bound with a variation on the Centipede binding style over raised supports. It lays flat for easy journaling.

A dos-a-dos book (from the French meaning “back-to-back”) is a binding style where two (or more) books are joined back-to-back with the fore edge of one book next to the spine of the other, sharing a common back cover.

A detail view of the binding, showing the spine of the two outer journals, with the fore edge of the midde journal in between.

I’ve entered this dos-a-dos journal along with two other handmade books (my Alphabet Caterpillar Book and my Mini Music Booklace) into the Cloth Paper Scissors Artisan Search 2011. As I was on a roll, I couldn’t resist upgrading it from a 2-in-1 his/hers journal to a 3-in-1 “his/hers and ours” journal. Comments welcome! The finalists will be announced September 27th… Wish me luck!

Tags: dos-a-dos, handmade book, journal
Posted in Contests and Giveaways, Handmade Books | 4 Comments »

New mini-book: Book of the North

Monday, September 13th, 2010

This mini four-in-one book measures 1″ deep by 3 1/4″ round when closed. It was created from fabric, ribbon, ink-jet printed photos, and a snippet of a map treated with ice resin for the cover title. Inside, four mini-books interlace to showcase old family photos and life on a farm in rural Minnesota.

Each of the four mini-books follow a theme (winter and childhood play; old family portraits; outdoor activities and recreation; and farming life) and are hand-sewn to the ribbon closure. The covers include fabric-wrapped tin and tiny magnets are stitched into the ribbon ends to secure the book.

I really enjoyed making this mini-book, even if I missed a deadline with it! It was nice to get back in the studio again now that my toddler has started “school” (day-care). Feeling inspired, I’ve also started working on a few more books which will be posted shortly. Stay tuned!

P.S. That lovely painting glimpsed in the background of the first photo above is part of a beautiful oil painting of my childhood farm by fellow artist and friend, Wanda Hibbs.

Tags: handmade book, mini-book
Posted in Handmade Books | 2 Comments »

Music Charm Mini-Book, 3/4″ square

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

This charming little mini-book is 3/4″ square. It has covers recycled from a discarded bracelet, sheet music pages (love it!) and is coptic bound with a clasp for attaching to a necklace or bag.

The striking black, white and red makes it perfect for a night on the town. It is a beautiful one-of-a-kind accessory for a book or music lover! (That’s me!)

Tags: handmade book, mini-book, music
Posted in Contests and Giveaways, Handmade Books | 1 Comment »

Book of Home

Saturday, February 6th, 2010

This week has been productive for my art, if not for my job.

I created a mini-book for the OWOH giveaway (you can PEEK HERE or enter by leaving a comment on the OWOH giveaway post HERE by Feb 14th) which was lots of fun and got me back in my art studio again. I’m going to make two more mini-books in this series (and one is for me to keep!)

Next, I made this “Book of Home” with photos from my childhood farm in Minnesota as well as a few from my current home in Texas. (I was inspired by a similar book by Laurie Snyder.)

At the near right is the book open, showing the back side with a tree from a field on our family farm. At far right is the front side of the book. Images from top to bottom are: a copper shield; black birds in a tree; my parents looking at the old barn; my mailbox in Texas with icicles; an old photo of my sister, her friend and I walking through the fields; an arial view of Coffee Creek Ranch; and the old barn.

When open, the book is shaped like a house. When closed, the book is shaped like an envelope.

Here are a few more photos:

Thanks for looking! Remember, comments make me happy! =)

Tags: handmade book, home
Posted in Handmade Books | 6 Comments »

Travel Journal: “Doorways”

Saturday, August 25th, 2007

'Doorways' Travel Journal This is an elegant travel journal I created for my sister’s trip to Europe. It features a wrap-around cover with a chain closure, and a two-inch glass panel in the front cover to reveal a glimpse of the contents.

See more photos in the Book Arts Gallery, or jump directly to the first image for this book now.

Posted in Handmade Books | No Comments »