Book Arts

 

3 books with Japanese Stab binding

When I first moved to Rexburg, I was interviewed for an adjunct teaching job at BYU Idaho in the arts department, to teach Book Arts. This is a skill that I have only recently learned, and feel that I am still learning. I love books and the history of them. When I was studying archaeology, I learned that when monks in Scotland began making and writing books, the local population was amazed. It was a magical, powerful thing to them. It's exciting and challenging to teach students the art of making books, and the joy and magic of them as well. 

A book I made in the Coptic style, for one of my brothers-in-law

I used postcards with Shakespeare quotes for the decorative inside cover.

My first semester teaching coincided with my wedding - classes started the week after we were married. That was a crazy thing to do in hindsight, and there were some challenges during that semester. But I'm grateful for what I've learned, and for the chance to teach again this new semester.

I have some blank books that I've made that I've been hesitant to use, but just a couple weeks ago I decided to use one as a personal/ creative journal, and it has been really exciting writing in a book that I made by hand. 

The bound book I made which I'm  writing in, on top of another Coptic book.

The outside of the bound book. I think Coptic books are my favorite to make, but it's very satisfying to be able to make a bound book too. 

I'm grateful for the unexpected things in life: learning this new skill and having the opportunity to teach it at a university isn't something I necessarily planned in my life. I am blessed to be able to have two jobs where I can use my creativity, knowledge and passions.