Back in college I really got into bookmaking. I think I made every friend of mine that was graduating a handmade book as a graduation gift. I used mainly leftover matt board (from photography class projects) and miscellaneous paper I had lying around the house. I didn't have any of the fancy equipment, like a book press, binding tape, special glues or thread. My "equipment" consisted of sewing thread, Elmer's, and a stack of heavy books...I was a poor college student after all.
Fast forward oh 9-10ish years to when my brother, Jesse (aka mi hermano), mentioned to me that he was interested in trying bookmaking. I thought this was super cool so I went through my "library" and let him borrow a couple books I still had from back in the day. He has been making books for a while now, and learning as he goes, and WOW his results far surpass anything I made 10 years ago. I mean seriously... he has a press and all these other totally cool tools. He even has gold leafing and fancy papers (I did add to his collection on Christmas).
For my birthday back in March, he offered to make me a book and asked me what kind of book I wanted and what I would use it for. I told him I'd like a smaller sized square book for some writing. My favorite color is blue so I said a blue book would be nice. The results are AWESOME-SUPER-FANTASTIC! I've been meaning to post photos for a while now, but he recently wrote about the process over on his blog, so I will let him tell you the process. He shows step by step photos of how he put it together and I have to say I am seriously impressed.
{photos by Jesse Nash}
Gracias hermano! You ROCK!
I'm glad you liked it Jenn. I just wish I could have taken better pictures!
<3
Posted by: Jesse Nash | 07/21/2011 at 06:35 PM
Jess, check out how this guys does his photos of toys... looks like a big piece of white paper (from a sketchbook perhaps), which I am sure you have lying around... set it up near that big window in your work room and I bet it would work nicely.http://www.flickr.com/photos/35699504@N00/5848164082/in/set-72157626226613468/
Posted by: Jenn | 07/21/2011 at 07:43 PM
That is SOOO COOL! I should totally make a book. Thanks for the inspiration.
Posted by: Theresa | 07/21/2011 at 10:25 PM
Mighty fine idea.
Posted by: Jesse Nash | 07/21/2011 at 11:13 PM