Helen Hiebert's Blog, page 20
December 18, 2021
The Shortest Day, Illuminated
December 19, 2021
Happy Solstice! Are you celebrating the change of the seasons, however dramatic or subtle they are? I swam outside in a snow squall this past week (not intentionally, and the pool was warm) and our snow base is starting to build up after a long snow drought.
Last Wednesday, I hosted a Winter Solstice Lantern making event on Zoom. You can watch the recording on Youtube and make your own solstice light! It was a delight to see everyone’s rendition of this woven paper design. Here you see my version, and you can take a look at my instagram to see a few more.
We had a bit of a discussion about the science behind the solstice too. Here’s a great article about the nuances of this annual event.
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Check out this interactive pop up book by Matthew Reinhart and Toby Leigh. You can read the book and then fold it up into a bull dozer. What clever paper engineering, and a clever title too: What’s Up, Construction Truck? My son would have loved this when he was little (he’s 22 now).
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This is a cool concept – Fosnot Gallery in New London, CT is highlighting the work of emerging artists, and several of them are working on paper. Here’s my favorite, but click through to see more.
Sono Kuwayama, “Untitled” (burnt circle blue) – Japanese paper, milk paint made with earth pigments, cotton wicks, wood 6x6x6 or 12×12
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I had the pleasure of talking with Radha Pandey on Paper Talk. Pandey is a papermaker and letterpress printer. She earned her MFA in Book Arts from the University of Iowa Center for the Book where she studied Letterpress printing, Bookbinding, and Papermaking with a focus on Western, Eastern and Indo-Islamic Papermaking techniques. She splits her time between India, where she grew up and Norway, where she and her partner Johan Solberg run Halden Bookworks. Enjoy our conversation!
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This is pretty exciting! A seaweed-based paperboard looks like it is moving into the real world. Hand papermakers, let’s see if this starts a movement.
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Paper Tidbits:I’ve created a fun holiday gift idea for the paper artists and crafters on your list this season: save them an autographed first edition of The Art of Papercraft! It’s too late to get the reservation card in the mail, but I can send you a PDF to print out to gift your loved one, and the actual book will be mailed in mid-February. You’ll save 15% if you order two or more copies.If you have pre-ordered The Art of Papercraft elsewhere, you can now get the free downloadable pop-up alphabet with proof of purchase through my publisher, Storey Books!Weave Through Winter is coming!———————————————————————————————–––––––
In the Studio:My membership program, The Paper Year, is now open for registration! This is the only time of the year when you can sign up for the annual plan and get 2 months free (you can also join and pay by-the-month). The Paper Year is like a year-long online class. We explore a new technique for working with paper each month, and it is an inspiration to see how each participant approaches the projects in our online community.
I’m adding some new features this year: a paper twist, monthly motivations, surface design workshops online and open studio sessions on Zoom. Hop on over to the registration page to watch the video and learn more about The Paper Year. I hope you’ll join us, and by the way, you can also gift this to someone on your list. Please contact me if you’re interested in this.
I am currently working on the instructions for the Star Box you see in the image below, designed by guest artist Isabel Uria, and it… is… so… cool! You should see the interlocking feature on the back of the box – maybe I’ll share it here after we make it!
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Featured this week in my Studio shop:The Art of Papercraft, Playing With Paper, The Papermaker’s Companion, and The Papermaker’s Studio Guide, a film download.
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If you read this blog regularly, would you consider making a donation to support the research, writing, design and delivery of The Sunday Paper? Or, perhaps you’re interested in promoting your business in The Sunday Paper.
Thanks to everyone who has already pledged your support!
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SHARE THIS blog post with your paper-loving friends!
I occasionally have affiliate links in my blog posts – links to products in which I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase. Thanks for your support!
The post The Shortest Day, Illuminated appeared first on Helen Hiebert Studio.
December 11, 2021
Meet Your Makers Showdown
December 12, 2021
My hubby and I went to Aspen for a short getaway to celebrate his birthday and the publication of his first issue of Aspen Sojourner Magazine, which he is now editing (in addition to Vail/Beaver Creek Magazine). We stopped at the Powers Art Center in Carbondale, a lovely museum with a permanent, extensive collection of Jasper Johns’ works on paper, along with rotating exhibits of other artists. Currently they are showing works they own by Andy Warhol. We participated in a 15 Minutes of Fame interactive activity, and we also visited the Aspen Art Museum, which is the sole U.S. venue for the major international retrospective Andy Warhol: Lifetimes. Both shows run through October 2022. Fun fact: the architect, Shigeru Ban, designed the museum with his cardboard tube and composite material structural elements.
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NYC artist Fred Tomaselli was forced to change his work when Covid-19 hit and his studio assistant fled the city. The paintings in his studio – on wood panels – were too heavy to lift, so he started working in a guest bedroom at home, where he scanned front pages of the New York Times, printed them on watercolor paper, and painted and collaged over them. Eventually, he began to move components around, mismatching headlines and photographs. A number of these works are being shown by the London-based gallery White Cube, in a digital exhibition that runs through December 26th.
March 17, 2020 (2020)Art work by Fred Tomaselli / Courtesy James Cohan Gallery and White Cube
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I was delighted to see this children’s book, by the former owner of our local bookstore, Nicole Magistro, and to discover the unique illustrations by Alice Feagan, who is known for her distinct cut-paper collage style. Here’s the synopsis: Join a very brave girl and her furry friends on an adventure to Read Island! Through the power of imagination and the pleasure of reading, this curious trio set sail for a magical island made of books. On their way they discover a joyful collection of animals converging by sea and land, just in time for an unforgettable story hour. This would make a great holiday gift, and Read Island has some fun products, like cards and gift wrap, to round out your holiday gift giving.
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Artist and entrepreneur, Janna Willoughby-Lohr, is competing on the new discovery+ television show, Meet Your Makers Showdown, hosted by Chrissy Metz with judges LeAnn Rimes and Mark Montano. The first three episodes of the show are streaming now on discovery+ and the episode she is featured on began streaming yesterday (12/11/21). The show is a crafting competition, featuring a different art form each week including paper art, soap making, candle making, polymer clay art, stained glass art and fluid art. Janna will compete against three of the best paper artists in the country for a chance to win $10,000. I interviewed Janna on Paper Talk awhile back. Good luck, Janna!
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This is a great story about keeping a lantern-making tradition alive through the generations in India.
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Paper Tidbits:I’m hosting a free Zoom workshop on December 15th. We’ll be making a woven paper lantern and I’ll tell you all about The Paper Year 2022, which opens for registration that day.I’ve created a fun holiday gift idea for the paper artists and crafters on your list this season: save them an autographed first edition of The Art of Papercraft! I’ll pop a reservation card in the mail once place your order, and the actual book will be mailed in mid-February. You’ll save 15% if you order two or more copies.———————————————————————————————–––––––
In the Studio:I started a new batch of paper this week, and I’m planning on making several colors in this diamond pattern. When I took this photo, I noticed the way the light was hitting the paper and turned to look at the windows in my studio. Of course I knew this, but had forgotten: the protective screens on my windows are in the exact same pattern. Too funny – I’m definitely influenced by my surroundings.
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The Art of Papercraft, Party Lights Try It! online class, Papermaking with Plants, and The Papermaker’s Studio Guide, a film download.
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If you read this blog regularly, would you consider making a donation to support the research, writing, design and delivery of The Sunday Paper? Or, perhaps you’re interested in promoting your business in The Sunday Paper.
Thanks to everyone who has already pledged your support!
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SHARE THIS blog post with your paper-loving friends!
I occasionally have affiliate links in my blog posts – links to products in which I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase. Thanks for your support!
The post Meet Your Makers Showdown appeared first on Helen Hiebert Studio.
December 4, 2021
Support Makers Shop Small
December 5, 2021
Thank you to those of you who have already pre-ordered copies of my new book! This is a page spread featuring a few papermaking techniques, along with a profile of Green Banana Paper. Although the book is not a book about hand papermaking, I couldn’t leave it out! I’m excited that we’re getting closer to the publication date – February 15th – save that date for a virtual book launch party at 12 noon MST.
In the meantime, I’ve created a fun holiday gift idea for the paper artists and crafters on your list this season: save them an autographed first edition of The Art of Papercraft! I’ll pop a reservation card in the mail once place your order, and the actual book will be mailed in mid-February. You’ll save 15% if you order two or more copies.
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Speaking of holiday gifts, check out the Craft Industry Alliance’s Holiday Gift Guide, featuring handmade items ranging from craft kits, papercrafts and home goods, to knitting, sewing, weaving and woodworking novelties. One of my favorite makers, Elissa Campbell from Blue Roof Designs, has her handcrafted books made with love in the guide (look under papercrafts).
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Check out these charming paper illustrations by Elly MacKay, who shares a bit about her work and process in this article.
©Elly MacKay
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Polly Verity folds paper in incredible ways!. You may be familiar with her paper kisses. Click through to see those and hear her talk about her process and influences.
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Whoa, what will they do with these next? A total of 38,105 ninja stars were displayed at the Koka-ryu Real Ninjakan museum in the city, which is the birthplace of ninja warriors of the Koka school, setting a Guinness world record.
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Paper Tidbits:I’m hosting a free Zoom workshop on December 15th. We’ll be making a woven paper lantern and I’ll tell you all about The Paper Year 2022, which opens for registration that day.This is a fun video tutorial on making paper bows.Have you listened to my interview with Susan Kristoferson on Paper Talk?———————————————————————————————–––––––
In the Studio:I’m planning for my next online class, Weave Through Winter, which will take place during the month of February, 2022. This is the fourth annual session, and each year, I add a few new elements. This year (or should I say next year?) I will share unique ways to display or house weavings (like the Australian book structure pictured below, which was inspired by a participant in the course last year). We’ll also explore new structural and thematic prompts. I can’t wait!
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Featured this week in my Studio shop:The Art of Papercraft, Party Lights Try It! online class, Papermaking with Plants, and The Papermaker’s Studio Guide, a film download.
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If you read this blog regularly, would you consider making a donation to support the research, writing, design and delivery of The Sunday Paper? Or, perhaps you’re interested in promoting your business in The Sunday Paper.
Thanks to everyone who has already pledged your support!
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SHARE THIS blog post with your paper-loving friends!
I occasionally have affiliate links in my blog posts – links to products in which I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase. Thanks for your support!
The post Support Makers Shop Small appeared first on Helen Hiebert Studio.
November 27, 2021
Free Winter Solstice Lantern Workshop
November 28, 2021
We’re wrapping up the first year of my online membership program, The Paper Year. I can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed this adventure and seeing how this amazing group responds to the monthly projects. We’re heading into another Paper Year in 2022, and I’ll be kicking off registration on December 15th at 12pm MST with a Winter Solstice Zoom Workshop. We’ll be making the pictured lantern and exploring paper weaving. Let’s illuminate our spirits and our homes, and create some holiday gifts! Click here to register for this FREE Zoom event. It will be recorded – so you can sign up even if you are not available, and you will receive the recording by the next day.
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I had a lovely conversation with Susan Kristoferson on Paper Talk. Susan specializes in surface design processes on paper such as itajime (Japanese fold, clamp, and dye) and hand painted paste papers, She lives and works in Turner Valley, Alberta, in Canada, on a hilltop with a view of the foothills and Rockies, along with her husband and a small farm of chickens and sheep. She is inspired by the long-distance view from her home and studio where she creates unique landscape “paintings” and abstract images using the papers she has made, painted, dyed, and collected during the past 40+ years. Enjoy our conversation!
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Paper on Skin, Tasmania’s wearable paper art competition is now calling for entries. The competition invites Australian and international artists to embrace the challenge of designing a wearable garment made from at least 80% paper. The biennial event originated in the city of Burnie, on the beautiful North-West Coast of Tasmania. Paper on Skin embodies the region’s transformation, shifting from heavy industry (there used to be a paper mill there) to a destination celebrating innovation, sustainable enterprise, food, culture, and the arts. The entry deadline is January 20, 2022 and there will be prizes totaling $AUD 10 000. Works will be exhibited at the Devonport Regional Gallery 23 June – 30 July. And new this year, Paper Off Skin is another competition that will expand the artistry and innovation seen in the works of Paper on Skin – without the works needing to be wearable!
© 2020 Brielle Killip, Chris Geissinger and Jennifer Garber (USA), Flower of Life, photo by Grant Wells Photo
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Hand Papermaking Magazine is the journal for our field. Each year, they do a year-end fundraising campaign. This year, if you donate $125 or more, you will receive a broadside that I’m delighted to have made the paper for. Akua Lezli Hope’s evocative and ruminative poem “Why Paper” inspired me to create a custom batch of lightly pigmented, highly beaten, handmade wild abaca paper for this broadside, which is illustrated and printed by Anna Benjamin.
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I’m a big fan of the work of Susan Ruptash, who is currently showing her work at Propellor Gallery in Toronto. Click through to read more about what she has to say about her work: ” My work is process based. I research traditional Japanese techniques for treating washi, often used in the past for utilitarian purposes, then adapt parts of those processes to embed bits of history into the piece.”
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Paper Tidbits:Arnold Grummer’s is having their Annual Press Sale, with discounts on their paper and book presses!Weave Through Winter is coming….!I’m a member of the Craft Industry Alliance, a wonderful resource for small business owners in the industry. They’re having a membership sale through tomorrow which will safe you 25% if you enter the code CRAFTPOP. Full disclosure: I’ll receive a small commission if you sign up.———————————————————————————————–––––––
In the Studio:I’m excited that we’re getting closer to the publication date of my new book, and I’m really looking forward to giving you a glimpse into the 40+ projects that can be made with a single sheet of paper. In the meantime, I’ve created a fun holiday gift idea for the paper artists and crafters on your list this season: save them an autographed first edition of The Art of Papercraft! Thank you to those of you who have already pre-ordered!
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Featured this week in my Studio shop:The Art of Papercraft, The Papermaker’s Companion, Curated Paper Collection #4, and Water Paper Time, a film download.
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If you read this blog regularly, would you consider making a donation to support the research, writing, design and delivery of The Sunday Paper? Or, perhaps you’re interested in promoting your business in The Sunday Paper.
Thanks to everyone who has already pledged your support!
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SHARE THIS blog post with your paper-loving friends!
I occasionally have affiliate links in my blog posts – links to products in which I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase. Thanks for your support!
The post Free Winter Solstice Lantern Workshop appeared first on Helen Hiebert Studio.
November 20, 2021
Tatting and Giving Thanks
November 21, 2021
My mother, who lives in an assisted living facility near me, has a couple of trunks (and many boxes) filled with my grandmother’s papers. Neither she (nor I) have had the energy to look through these (grandma died over 30 years ago) but a couple of weeks ago, I opened one and started rifling through it. I found some really interesting things: hand colored black & white professional photos of my mother and aunt as children, letters I wrote home from college, and a folder of these tatted cards. Tatting is a lace making technique, and I remember my parents mentioning that my paternal grandmother Ellen actually did tatting. My mother’s mom, Margaret, knit and crocheted. She collected these tatted cards that she received in the mail and kept them in a hand crafted folder, along with some blank cards created by a woman named Viv (there’s a hand written byline on the back of the folder). The tatted areas are actually glued onto the cards, and the stems and leaves are hand drawn. We didn’t see our grandparents that much as children, because they lived far away, but I love knowing that both of my grandmothers did handwork.
I get nostalgic during the holidays – do you? This year, my mother, husband, dogs and I will spend the day together on Thanksgiving. I’m sending warm wishes to those of you in the states for a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with old and new memories!
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I saw the title of the film, Paper & Glue, in The New Yorker Magazine and got curious. Lo and behold, it is a documentary about the artist JR – I’ve featured his work here before. The title refers to the paper and glue that are the basis of his graffiti, and his work is powerful. His giant murals are rooted in the process of interpersonal connection and exchange, and he engages with art in public, especially among marginalized communities. The film is in limited theaters now and will premiere on television (MSNBC) on December 10th.
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I felt like this writer took me on a tour of the exhibit that is currently on view at the Seattle’s National Nordic Museum. “Paper Dialogues: The Dragon and Our Stories” features a collaboration between papercut artists Bit Vejle from Scandinavia and Xiaoguang Qiao from China. The theme is dragons — mythical creatures that manifest in both cultures in different ways.
The dragon Xiaoguang Qiao created for the exhibit is 30 feet long and is the colorful centerpiece of the exhibit. (Courtesy of Museum for Papirkunst and ArtHouse Jersey)
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Jane Ingram Allen collaborates with students and communities to make paper quilts impregnated with wildflower seeds. Completed quilts are laid on beds of earth, where they bloom and grow in harmony with local ecosystems. So cool!!
Photo by Timothy S. Allen
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Paper flowers have been all the rage for awhile, but here’s a twist I haven’t seen: paper flower walls by Paper & Petals.
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Paper Tidbits:I’ll be announcing pre-sales for my new book here on the blog next Sunday! Maybe you have paper-loving artists or crafters on your gift list this season? You’ll be able to save them an autographed first edition of my new book, The Art of Papercraft.Save the Date! ‘ll be kicking off registration for The Paper Year 2022 on December 15th with a FREE Winter Solstice Zoom Workshop.Weave Through Winter is coming….!———————————————————————————————–––––––
In the Studio:I’m still enjoying the paper engineering course I’m taking through Cooper Union, and I am thankful that I’ve had the time to spend on homework and explorations! Here’s a flexagon I made (click to see the video). I might title it Looking for the Secrets of the Universe. I wasn’t really that interested in the structure, but Kelli Anderson has a brilliant way of observing structures, contemplating about how they work, and encouraging us to explore them in an open-ended way.
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Featured this week in my Studio shop:Playing With Paper, The Papermaker’s Companion, Curated Paper Collection #4, and Water Paper Time, a film download.
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If you read this blog regularly, would you consider making a donation to support the research, writing, design and delivery of The Sunday Paper? Or, perhaps you’re interested in promoting your business in The Sunday Paper.
Thanks to everyone who has already pledged your support!
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SHARE THIS blog post with your paper-loving friends!
I occasionally have affiliate links in my blog posts – links to products in which I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase. Thanks for your support!
The post Tatting and Giving Thanks appeared first on Helen Hiebert Studio.
November 13, 2021
Rag Paper
November 14, 2021
I’ve enjoyed putting together a Curated Paper Collection for each quarter of 2021. The Q4 Collection is now available, and I’ve been highlighting each paper over on Instagram. Here’s a favorite from this collection: this 100% cotton rag paper was made by Jackie Radford in North Carolina (look her up on Etsy). She told me this story: “An old friend from Penland contacted me during COVID to offer the costumes she had purged from the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale. The theatre department was using the time during quarantine to clean out their costume storage area. I jumped at the offer and three huge boxes arrived filled with textiles from the 1900-1920’s! After I picked myself up off the floor, I got to work enjoying the beautiful bounty. These vintage fabrics have told me many stories and their mere presence enriches my studio. I hope you enjoy these fibers as they begin their second, new life as beautiful, cotton rag paper.”
This paper was a labor of love: the textiles were first torn into 2-3” squares, then soaked in water for 2 days and beaten in a Critter beater for 2.5 hours. The roll was then raised incrementally for 1 hour to remove lumps. This paper is one of 11 unique papers featured in my new quarterly collection. Click through to read more about all of the papers and purchase a set, while supplies last. There are still a few sets of CPC #2 and CPC #3 left, if you’d like to grab those as well.
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Speaking of handmade paper, there’s a Timothy Moore mould up for auction on Ebay. Fair warning: I’m bidding against you, but don’t let that stop you – let’s see how much money we can raise for the University of Iowa Center for the Book! They are closing in on an amazing challenge, and the funds from this sale benefit the Center for the Book Windgate challenge grant. I have one of Tim’s moulds already, and it is by far the most superior mould in my studio. Don’t delay! The auction ends today.
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This is a lovely profile of Maria Amalia Wood, whose art in handmade paper connects with the theme of home. While her art is largely abstract, Amalia tells stories based on her personal memories of growing up in Honduras, time with her grandmother and her connection to Costa Rica, her mother’s birthplace.
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Need an advent calendar? Here’s a DIY set of patterns for a sweet set of little houses from Emily Dawe Design.
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I’ve featured James Lake on the blog before, but his cardboard sculptures and process are worth a second look.
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Paper Tidbits:Have you had a chance to listen to my interview with Jerushia Graham on Paper Talk?———————————————————————————————–––––––
In the Studio:I attended several sessions of World Origami Days over the past couple of weeks. What a cool event – they highlighted instructors who do various types of origami over the course of the program, and it was exciting to see the expansive offerings. I really enjoyed the session with Jannie van Schulenberg from The Netherlands (who was up in the middle of the night to teach it). This is what I made in her Cathedral Origami Quilt workshop. Everything connects mechanically – no glue was used!
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Featured this week in my Studio shop:Alpha Beta, …, an artist’s book, The Papermaker’s Companion, Curated Paper Collection #4, and The Papermaker’s Studio Guide, a film download.
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If you read this blog regularly, would you consider making a donation to support the research, writing, design and delivery of The Sunday Paper? Or, perhaps you’re interested in promoting your business in The Sunday Paper.
Thanks to everyone who has already pledged your support!
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SHARE THIS blog post with your paper-loving friends!
I occasionally have affiliate links in my blog posts – links to products in which I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase. Thanks for your support!
The post Rag Paper appeared first on Helen Hiebert Studio.
November 6, 2021
Every Book is a World
November 7, 2021
I had the pleasure of interviewing Jerushia Graham on Paper Talk. Jerushia is the Museum Coordinator for the Robert C. Williams Museum of Papermaking and a working artist. Graham is interested in creating spaces for socially-minded introspection and empathy through her artwork, workshops, and curatorial projects. The Atlanta-based printmaker, papermaker, book artist, and fiber artist who exhibits both nationally and internationally, and is a member of the Book/Print Artist/Scholar of Color Collective, the Movable Book Society, and the North American Hand Papermakers.
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Check out this show of works on paper at the Cantor Arts Center in Palo Alto, CA. I love what curator Elizabeth Mitchell says about collecting: “Start with prints because they are so much fun you won’t want to stop. So much is possible with print collecting that you can really make it your own. Print collectors can develop a broad view of artists, movements, or subject types and themes, or focus their collecting very narrowly. A thoughtful collection can be built with a modest budget over time, and the pursuit of rare objects can take days or years. The hunt is part of the fun!”
“Cassette Grid No. 10,” a 2009 cyanotype by Christian Marclay is featured in the Cantor’s “Paper Chase” exhibit. Photograph by Will Lytch/courtesy Graphicstudio, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, and Paula Cooper Gallery, New York.
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Have you heard about Artists Book House? It is going to be an amazing facility in Evanston, IL, and they are currently raising funds to renovate an old mansion. Here’s a great quote about the power of books from founder and well-known author Audrey Niffenegger: “Every book is a world. Books are vessels, ideas; they sit at the heart of civilization, where philosophies and visions converge. A book can be intimate and personal; it can change the fate of nations. Books speak to us and connect us across time and distance.” Read the full article here.
Niffenegger continues: “And if this speaks to you — and I must wonder, how can it not? — please consider a donation to Artists Book House and help make this vision a reality.”
Author and Artist Audrey Niffenegger in front of the Harley Clarke Mansion, the future home of Artists Book House in Evanston, Illinois. Photo by Julie Chernoff.
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Sheroanawe Hakihiiwe’s drawings condense nature into a graceful, powerful essence. Hakihiiwe is an Indigenous Venezuelan artist who lives in Alto Orinoco. The subject of his drawings on handmade paper is the Amazon jungle where he lives, and its intricate and endangered ecosystem.
Sheroanawe Hakihiiwe, “Wakari (Sweet fruit of the jungle)” (2019) (all photos by Roberto Ruiz, all images courtesy Ana Mas Projects, Barcelona)
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This is a fantastic profile of book artist Timothy C. Ely, who speaks eloquently about the book, which, among other things, he describes as a machine. His profile begins at 14:33.
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Paper Tidbits:The Paper Year opens for registration again in mid-December. Details about our kick-off event on December 15th are coming soon. You can click here to read more about The Paper Year and Hold Your Spot.World Origami Days is still going strong. I’ve attended five sessions and enjoyed the projects immensely! I have a few more on my calendar. There’s one every evening (stateside) through November 11th, which is officially World Origami Day.We’re exploring language as our theme over in The Paper Studio (my free FB group) this month. Here are some samples of LAYERS, which was the October theme.———————————————————————————————–––––––
In the Studio:I’ve enjoyed putting together a Curated Paper Collection for each quarter of 2021. The Q4 Collection is now available! Here you see one of my favorites: The Secret Language of Flight (8 1/2″ x 11″). This paper was created specifically for this collection by Julie Johnson in Portland, Oregon from paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera) bast fiber and wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) secondary flight feathers. The feathers swirled in the pulp and seemed to form letters, and that’s how this paper got its name. It is gorgeous! Click through to view the 10 other amazing papers in the collection. They come from all over the world, and many are handmade. I’ll be featuring a paper-a-day over on Instagram this week (I’m @helenhiebert).
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Featured this week in my Studio shop:The Papermaking with Plants, A collection of Word Broadsides, Playing With Paper, The Ppaermaker’s Studio Guide, a film download.
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If you read this blog regularly, would you consider making a donation to support the research, writing, design and delivery of The Sunday Paper? Or, perhaps you’re interested in promoting your business in The Sunday Paper.
Thanks to everyone who has already pledged your support!
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SHARE THIS blog post with your paper-loving friends!
I occasionally have affiliate links in my blog posts – links to products in which I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase. Thanks for your support!
The post Every Book is a World appeared first on Helen Hiebert Studio.
October 30, 2021
Happy Halloween + Dia de Los Muertos
October 31, 2021
My membership group, The Paper Year, has been exploring this Pop-Up Skull Lantern structure, designed by a guest artist, Shawn Sheehy. He created this pop-up skull lantern in simple colors, and it look amazing when illuminated, and I decided to turn mine into a day of the dead tribute with a patterned paper. Click on the image here to see what participants did with this – it’s fantastic! Happy Halloween, Day of the Dead + All Saints Day.
Skull Lanterns by Luise Gündel
The Paper Year opens for registration again in mid-December. Details about our kick-off event on December 15th are coming soon. You can click here to read more about The Paper Year and Hold Your Spot.
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Here’s a great review of the show Movable Medley, curated by Alicia Bailey in conjunction with the Movable Book Society conference that was held in Denver earlier this month. The show is up through November 7th at the Art Student’s League in Denver.
Jan Dove, The Book of BonBons, 2015, book board, cotton, mylar, and paper, 13.25 x 11 x 13.25 inches. Image by Maggie Sava.
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I noticed these DIY vases by Ecogami over on the All Things Paper blog this past week. They have patterns available for a small fee for all kinds of cool objects!
Flower Vases by Ecogami
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I’m a big fan of the work of Matt Shlian, who produces affordable paper multiples in a series called Eight Emperors. This piece is created with 36 sheets of acid free / archival 80# cover; each cut and glued to carefully reveal a sweeping pattern of form. As light travels across its carved surface, texture and repetition is revealed.
© Matthew Shlian, Fiilament, 8 1/4″ x 8 1/4″ x 1/2″
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Did you know that the actor Tom Hanks owns 120 typewriters and tries to type on at least one a day?
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Paper Tidbits:Listen to my interview with Matt Shlian on Paper Talk.World Origami Days is about half-way through. I’ve attended two sessions and enjoyed the projects immensely! I have a few more on my calendar. There’s one every evening (stateside) through November 11th, which is officially World Origami Day.———————————————————————————————–––––––
In the Studio:I’m gearing up to build a giant paper lantern, based on the traditional chochin lanterns in Japan. Here’s my 1/4 scale model.
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The Papermaker’s Companion, Playing With Paper, LandEscape, an artist’s book, and Water Paper Time, a film download.
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Thanks to everyone who has already pledged your support!
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October 23, 2021
Digital Printing Paper Made from Hemp
October 24, 2021
As with many events, the 21st annual Oak Knoll Fest will be virtual this year. Throughout the pandemic, I haven’t had many opportunities to share my artist’s books, so I’m taking this opportunity to exhibit them at this event, which runs October 28th through Saturday, the 30th. Oak Knoll Fest is multi-faceted, and you might want to attend! The theme is Women in the Book Arts, and there will be speaker presentations on Zoom, as well as the book fair. Click through to find out how to register to attend (it’s free). And I’ll be sending my newsletter out on Thursday, to remind you to visit the virtual book fair and see my books.
Here’s a sneak peak at what my booth will look like. When the event goes live, you will be able to click on each book and see more photos, and then contact me if you’re interested in a particular book.
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I have a fascination with the Japanese chochin paper lantern structure, which has been used to make everything from shop signage to balloon bombs, so it was so fun to see this variation used for socially distanced dining in Tokyo.
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So interesting! Think about the paper industry and how it started out: it was back breaking work as handmade sheets were created one-at-a-time and progressed to machine-made papers created from pulp to dry sheet on one machine. Now Hahnemühle in Germany is working with more sustainable fibers to create a digital printing paper from hemp.
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Check out these paintings made with coffee. Several years ago, Ekene Ngige knocked over his cappuccino, making a mess on his notepad, but the beverage created random patterns on paper, and he started using coffee ink/paint to create his art.
[image error]© Ekene Ngige. The artist mixes coffee grounds with water, creating a jelly-like paste that allows him to paint with it — sketching with a pencil first and then layering it with different shades of his coffee mixtures.
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Have you signed up for World Origami Days? Origami USA is hosting this event that features 19 days of online origami classes, October 24–November 11, 2021. Each day will honor a different category of origami (e.g. tessellations, modular, representational, etc.).
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Paper Tidbits:Have you had a chance to listen to my podcast interview with Nicholas Cladis?———————————————————————————————–––––––
In the Studio:I went to my local library the other day, and as I was perusing, I noticed a couple of bookmaking books on a shelf with furniture and construction books, and then my book, The Papermaker’s Companion, appeared as seen below with these books about paper. I’m used to seeing my books in the craft section, so I got curious and asked the librarian about how these books are catalogued. She explained that they make a distinction between craftsmanship and paper crafts: these particular books are about making things, whereas my other books (Playing with Paper and Playing With Pop-Ups) are filed under paper crafts. I went on to ask whether my books have the same Dewey decimal number in all libraries. Her answer was ‘yes and no’ and I have to admit that I didn’t quite follow her explanation. But how fascinating to think about how libraries organize books on various subjects! And there is nothing like wandering around and organically discovering books on the shelves (that does not happen online). I picked out 4 books to bring home with me, and I think I need to schedule a weekly visit to the library.
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Featured this week in my Studio shop:The Papermaker’s Companion, Playing With Paper, LandEscape, an artist’s book, and Water Paper Time, a film download.
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If you read this blog regularly, would you consider making a donation to support the research, writing, design and delivery of The Sunday Paper? Or, perhaps you’re interested in promoting your business in The Sunday Paper.
Thanks to everyone who has already pledged your support!
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SHARE THIS blog post with your paper-loving friends!
I occasionally have affiliate links in my blog posts – links to products in which I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase. Thanks for your support!
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October 16, 2021
Women in the Book Arts
October 17, 2021
I had a lovely conversation with Nicholas Cladis on Paper Talk. Cladis is an interdisciplinary artist and papermaker who lives and works in Iowa City, IA. He is the papermaking specialist at the University of Iowa Center for the Book, where he lectures and manages the Oakdale paper research facility. Cladis is an active researcher and practitioner of traditional and non-traditional papermaking processes. For six years he lived and worked in Echizen, Japan — an area with over 1,500 years of papermaking history — and continues to maintain an active relationship with the papermaking community there. He regularly contributes to the Future of Craft Villages research group at Fukui Prefectural University, and serves on the executive committee of Imadate Art Field, a non-profit arts organization based in Echizen.
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As with many events, the 21st annual Oak Knoll Fest will be virtual this year. This is not a festival I’ve attended before, but I’m taking this opportunity to exhibit my artist’s books October 28th – 30th. The event is multi-faceted, and you might want to attend! The theme is Women in the Book Arts, and there will be speaker presentations on Zoom and a virtual book fair. Click through to find out how to register to attend (it’s free).
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Rabbit hole warning: this article about kites in the NY Times is fascinating, touching on history (kite flying used on military missions) and kite art (there are artists who make conceptual kites). Scott Skinner, who co-founded a kite foundation in Seattle to elevate (no pun intended) kite making beyond the toy level, co-founded the Drachen Foundation, and he also contributed a project to my upcoming book. Let’s go fly a kite!
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The Allentown Art Museum is currently exhibiting Washi Transformed, featuring a range of techniques—layering, weaving, and dyeing to shredding, folding, and cutting—as nine artists embrace the seemingly infinite possibilities of washi. There’s an exhibition catalog available for purchase.
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As the backlash against single-use plastic packaging grows, the market for paper packaging is increasing—but the demand for paper also means more logging, some of which still happens in old-growth forests. Some companies are beginning to turn to materials other than wood for paper. One option: Making paper partly from grass.
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Paper Tidbits:Here’s another rabbit hole to wander through: The House of Embroidered PaperHave you checked out my Youtube channel? I’m creating short Papermaking Tip and Paper Tip videos.Bookbinding Out of the Box hosted an expandable slipcase competition. Check out these creative design solutions and vote for your favorite!———————————————————————————————–––––––
In the Studio:My local library has been offering Take & Make Kits for their patrons throughout the pandemic, which is such a clever idea (maybe your library is doing something similar)! I’m currently assembling Luminaria Kits for their December offering.
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Papermaking with Garden Plants, Playing With Paper, Collage Packs, and Water Paper Time, a film download.
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If you read this blog regularly, would you consider making a donation to support the research, writing, design and delivery of The Sunday Paper? Or, perhaps you’re interested in promoting your business in The Sunday Paper.
Thanks to everyone who has already pledged your support!
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SHARE THIS blog post with your paper-loving friends!
I occasionally have affiliate links in my blog posts – links to products in which I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase. Thanks for your support!
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