Book Fair Prep

Book Fair Prep

I’m busy getting ready for the Codex Book Fair, which takes place February 8-11 in Richmond, California. If you are in the area, I hope you will stop by my booth! 

The highlight at my booth will be my new book, Interluceo. I am looking forward to seeing the first bound copy later this week! Here’s a sneak peak of one page spread (professional photos coming soon).

#4, the square: letterpress printing, hand coloring and watermark.

#4, the square: letterpress printing, hand coloring and watermark.

Back of watermark, with a glimpse of Beatrice Coron's paper cut through translucent green abaca.

Back of watermark, with a glimpse of Béatrice Coron’s paper cut through translucent green abaca.

Papercut, by Béatrice Coron.

Papercut, by Béatrice Coron.

The page turns again... and then we move on to #5.

The page turns again… and then we move on to #5.

I’ll be bringing my other artists’ books along too, ranging from broadsides and alphabet books to pop-ups and one-sheet books.

artists' books

And of course I’ll bring handmade papers. I have some additional watermarked pages left over from the production of Interluceo which I’m packaging in plastic sleeves with a colored sheet behind the watermark. 

Extra watermarked pages from Interluceo

Extra watermarked pages from Interluceo

This butterfly paper features a stenciling technique, and I’m bringing them in several colors: pink, white, blue and violet.

Look carefully: the top sheet is cotton on opaque cotton and the bottom two sheets are cotton on top of translucent abaca.

The top sheet is cotton on opaque cotton and the bottom two sheets are cotton on top of translucent abaca.

Various manifestations of hemp and abaca.

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These are one of my signature papers. The texture is somewhat leathery. I air dry the high shrinkage papers and then re-dry them under restraint to give them this crinkly texture. Yum!

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I must admit that I have a bit of a bag fettish, which I’ve combined here with my love of figuring out how to turn one sheet of paper into something new. Yes, this bag is made from a single sheet of paper.

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Last but not least, I’m working on a special Valentine’s Day card specifically for Codex! Here’s the watermark I’ve cut out. Wish me luck making the 5″ x 7″ paper cards today!

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And of course I’ll have my how-to books, films and Playing With Paper Kits for sale too.

Special thanks to Daria Wilber for coming up from Colorado Springs to help me get ready for the show last week. It is quite an undertaking when you think about all of the logistics! Here you see Daria working on a paper garment which I’ll be wearing at Codex.

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Stay tuned for a report from the event!

6 Comments

  1. velma says:

    here’s another reason why i wish i could go to codex: this work! beautiful, helen, the papers, the new book, and especially that bag!

  2. Jane LaFazio says:

    Wow! This post makes me want to get to your booth asap! (Unfortunately, I won’t be able to come.)
    Simply gorgeous books, and oh that paper! Yummy! It’s all so enticing!
    Best of luck, and I can’t wait to see pics of you in your paper dress!
    (And how smart and lucky you are to jave a friend to help with the prep)

  3. Your papers and book look great. I especially like the Valentine piece. I will I could be there at Codex. I hope you enjoy it!

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