The Art and Craft of Handmade Books

There have been lots of books on how to make books. Even books on how to make art books. So this book could be just another instruction manual What sets it apart is its depth. By depth I mean the time the author put into the little details. There has a full glossary at the beginning, as well as details on what goes into making books, what types of materials to use, and various binding techniques. It talks about the difference between books and art books, as well as archival and non-archival. Overall this is a very well written book. Will it hold together as long as the books described inside, we shall see.

A fantastic book that seems so appropriate in terms of ‘saving’ the book in this digital world. With a glossary, description of how to make wheat paste in a microwave (!), gorgeous photos, and ideas – The Art and Craft of Handmade books makes for a great reference book/gift book.

Since one of my hobbies is bookbinding I jumped at the chance to review this book and I can definitely recommend this one it would be great for even a beginner. There are very clear instructions and explanations with plenty of pictures for those that are more visual learners. So if you want to start creating Book Art this would be for you.

An informative book on making books and other things. Good instructions easily understood by the beginner

What a beautiful book. The picture galleries are exquisite and very inspirational. The instructions are very thorough and detailed, but for me the success of the book is in bringing together examples of what is possible. Some of the books pictured I would to own - but not sure if I would ever be able to make anything so beautiful myself. Definitely a big success, and anyone purchasing the book will be delighted with it. Thank you

This book is a good primer for book making. Overall the information is good, although some of it differs from how I was taught and prefer to bind books. I wish that the samples of books were more varied. While they show a variety of binding types, the artistic style of the books are all very similar and limit the range of people who might look at the samples and relate to them.

However, I focus mainly on sewn bindings so the wide variety of folded bindings was interesting to see. Personally I prefer copic or link stitch bindings, and the sections on these stitches would have been much easier to follow with larger illustrations or photographs. If I hadn't already know the stitches I don't think that I could have followed along.

Including work by nearly 60 contributing artists, this book consists of 124 pages of lovely photographs of these very beautiful and very unique books.

Also including 20 pages of basic introductory information, the tools, the techniques, materials, etc. and divided into seven Project Sections:
Concertina, Slit Concertina, Star Tunnel, Pamphlet and Running Stitch, Tacket Binding, Coptic Stitch, and Recessed Skewer Binding.

These are all Artist’s Books, most are not something you would use in a basic, utilitarian way, but the emphasis in this book is more about the visual art of these creations. These are meant to be displayed like the work of art they are, typically, although some are more useful, the majority are works of art. Lovely to look at.

Included are such helpful things as: Making Wheat Paste in a Microwave – and while this is not something I’ve ever had a recipe for, I suspect if you are making one of these books it would prove extremely helpful. Archival vs. Nonarchival Quality Materials. Diagrams. Boards: archival board, four-ply museum board, heavy noncorrugated cardboard. Thread. Tools: a “Basic Book Artist’s Tool Kit.

If you’re looking for inspiration, information or some basic ideas for how to create something as simple as a pamphlet, this is an excellent book, with fairly thorough instructions and beautiful illustrations of the finished work of approximately 60 artists.

Pub Date: 20 July 2016

Many thanks to Dover Publications, NetGalley and to author Shereen LaPlantz for providing me with an advanced copy for reading and review.

I came across this while I was wondering if I should create a book for Prince Brat, while I had decided against making him a book, I had learned a lot from this edition of Handmade Books. Shereen LaPlantz has another edition that dates back in 2003, but this is a new edition, but I don't knot what is different between the two.

Our page flip book is never ever going to die, despite critics saying that the digital era will usher in the age of ebooks and audiobooks. The way I see it, books are here to stay for good, because it is not only a book, it is also a great way to share special stories with someone you love. You can't really hand an ipad or a Kindle and go: "here, read this! This is great!"; you email it, and sometimes the enthusiasm doesn't get transferred through email the way physical contact does. I digress, this Handmade Books is a great idea for a lot of things, most importantly it is a way you personalize a gift that a person can keep for a long time. The author explains a lot of about book making, aside from how to create a book. I have learned to appreciate book making as an art form, which is a new thing for me. I always thought that only the contents were special, but the physical binding of the book can be beautiful as well.

The Art and Craft of Handmade Books is a book that I will likely own, even if I am not a fan of scrapbooking myself, but I can see myself creating beautiful books to become my portfolio or gifts to people whom I value. If you like books and keeping memories, this is a wonderful way to keep your memories and how versatile the techniques are when it comes to archiving important information.

Truly a great find from Netgalley.

I have often gone to galleries and seen the most amazing handmade books, and always though I would love to know how to make those. Well this book gives you a taster of the various techniques of the different styles of hand making art books. Certainly there is enough in this book for you to explore and make your own pieces of art, with a lovely gallery, displaying ideas for further exploration, this book ticks all the boxes for me to make a start. Well written, simply explained with hand sketch diagrams, it covers the materials and making of many different styles all divided into sections. A very good start.

This book is FULL of information about making books. I think it would be such a valuable resource for someone interested in this craft. The sections are written very clearly and were easy to get into. The scope and depth of the information was a little intimidating, but if you just take each section as is, it makes it easier to deal with.

**I received this copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

I received a free digital copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for my review.

The book describes many different ways to bind a handmade art books. There are photos of finished art books and drawings and hand drawn patterns for making them. There is also a pattern to make your own sewing cradle, which is not actually for sewing the book up, but for poking the holes for sewing in the right place later. There are step by step instructions for the projects, and they are quite clear, but there were a few places that were not clear what the author wanted to say, and I had to reread over and over to figure out what was meant in a particular step, and illustrations were not always of much help.

The projects are all for artsy books, not for regular bookbinding, but for when you care more about the outside than what is inside in the book. You will not need any tools beyond very basic, particularly, bookbinding press is not used for any of the projects.

.The book looks to be a reissue from 15 years ago, and there seems to be no new projects in the new edition - the page count is the same, and none of the gallery pictures in my digital galley are dated after the original publication date.

It's a great book on book binding, covering a range of folded and sewn binding styles going all the way from simple to more complex designs. The galleries provide lovely inspiration too. The only drawback is that for some of the techniques, the instructions don't seem to be too clear - it assumes a certain level of comfort with book binding already. But that's just a small thing that can be easily worked around by looking for videos online. I enjoyed this book and have a lot of projects planned and one done already!

A gentle introduction to making some simple personalised books. No complicated or specialist equipment needed. A springboard of photographs to try or develop your own ideas.

Don't Miss the "Six-Armed Star Tassel Book"

THE ART AND CRAFT OF HANDMADE BOOKS is one BEWILDERING book, full of astonishing creations. Books are dull things, right? No way!

When you open the cover of this book, you are in for a SHOCK. I had no idea whatsoever of the many creative ways to make a book. My favorite is the “Six-Armed Star Tassel Book."

"Skewer" book--no problem; "Coptic Stich"-we got you covered. What about "Two Signature Pamphlet Stitch"--of course! And one type of book is like a TUNNEL! What??

Each method of book creation is illustrated with color photos or illustrations. Then, the author presents detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to create the binding. There are also "Tip" sidebars that give more information.

For example, under the section for Coptic Stitch, the author recommends one "Sew from the middle outward. It's easier to fish the needles out that way." Excellent tips!

So all in all, I thought this was an outstanding book. Well-written, imaginative--and just plain FUN to read. I learned a LOT about ways to make books that I never dreamed of. Ms. LaPlantz is a creative genius.

On a special note, the author points out many people who helped her out whilst she was undergoing treatment for cancer! Bravo, Bravo to those kind assistants!

Advance Review Copy courtesy of Netgalley.

This book is a wonderful book for making handmade books. The finished projects are gorgeous. I wanted to have a reference book showing the different types of books and stitching. While I do love having easy access to books on an iPad, this would be a nice one to have in print. Either way it is a useful tool. . I was learning many things as I flipped the pages. I look forward to spending time creating some handmade books.

THE ART AND CRAFT OF HANDMADE BOOKS Written by Shereen LaPlantz 2001 (reissue JULY 20, 2016); 128 Pages Dover Publications Genre: arts, crafts, nonfiction

(I received an ARC from the NETGALLEY in exchange for an honest review.)

★★★★

"This innovative approach to bookbinding demonstrates an array of creative techniques that elevate handmade books into extraordinary works of art. Easy-to-follow, well-illustrated directions for more than 25 patterns explain how to make seven different kinds of books with pop-up panels and pages that "explode" from the spine as well as slipcases, tassels, and other distinctive features.
The guide begins with instructions for a simple accordion-fold book. Successive projects build on methods readers have already mastered and introduce new skills, including the pamphlet stitch, ideal for photo albums and scrapbooks; tacket binding, the versatile stitch of medieval Europe; and the Coptic stitch, employed by Christians of ancient Egypt. A full-color photo gallery, with contributions from more than 60 artists, offers further inspiration for enhancing and personalizing projects by using alphabets, bestiaries, botanical illustrations, and other designs. The author includes a glossary of terms as well as information on materials and tools." (From Amazon)

I enjoyed looking through this book as it has very creative ideas and great pictures. I would really like to try at least one or two of the techniques listed in the book. If I do I will definitely make sure I let you all know! And maybe post pictures if it looks okay.

k (My Novelesque Life)

My Review:
I was really surprised by the books in this guide on book making. Usually, you see regular books and how to stitch them and it's really basic. I was so pleasantly surprised to see art! These little gems created by the author and her assistant were lovely. They used the traditional techniques, well explained, to create pieces of art. The idea that totally caught my imagination was the bestiaries. The idea of creating a modern bestiary is really a great idea for someone just starting out bookmaking. There were several ideas presented on how such a projected could be approached depending on the person's level of expertise and talent. I found myself impatient to get into my studio to work with my supplies and create! I definitely found this book to be inspirational and instructive at the same time! I would strongly recommend this book to a beginner or more advanced bookmaker. The beginner would learn a lot, both historically and skill-wise. And the more advanced bookmaker would definitely be inspired by both the text and the pictures. This is a book that will see some use in my studio!

This book was provided to me by Dover Publications and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I am not being compensated in any way. All opinions are fully my own.
~ Judi E. Easley

The Art and Craft of Handmade Books by Shereen LaPlantz is a beautiful handbook on different types of ways to make very artistic creations. With full descriptions and instructions, making handmade books has never been more fun or easy to do. Lots of examples of previously made works that will definitely inspire your creative side! If you love making things with paper, you'll want to get this book!

I have recently got back into crafting in a BIG way. I use it as therapy to help with depression and stress - creating something, no matter how small, is such a positive use of time and stops me dwelling on the things that make me anxious. It was with this renewed enthusiasm in mind that I opened The Art and Craft of Homemade Books in the hope that I'd find some projects to inspire me. I wasn't disappointed.

I thought that Ms LaPlantz would be teaching me about bookbinding, how to make small books to use as art journals or sketch books. Instead, I was encouraged to totally rething what a book was and to see them as an art form in themselves. I think it's fair to say that none of the books shown in the book are particularly practical, but they are expressive, artistic rather than artisan, and a gift that anyone would be pleased to receive as a gift.

The instructions are detailed and have diagrams to ease understanding and the author's passion for her craft is apparent throughout the book. I loved the gallery of books made by other artists and learning the 'lingo' of bookbinding.

While I have to say that the more complex books were of little interest to me - I aspire to be a Jack of all trades rather than a master of any - I can't wait to try out the simpler concertina fold books and to incorporate them into altered matchbox and altered altoid tin crafts.

A beautiful and worthwhile book if you are interested in exploring book making as an art form in itself.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Shereen LaPlantz was a wonderful creator and experimenter in the art book form, and continues to be an amazing inspiration to anyone interested in the craft of bookbinding and the art of the book. This volume of her work is an updated and corrected edition of a previously published book but it all feels new and exciting, bursting with ideas, extensions to those ideas and tips on how to realise them more easily and skilfully. It has certainly got my creative juices flowing and, although it has been a while, I can feel my bone folder and other bookbinding equipment are going to be dug out, dusted down and put to use. This book is an inspirational joy and a treasure trove of techniques.

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review.

What a beautiful book! The photos in it are very artistic and interesting to look at regardless of whether you intend to use the techniques in the book or not.

Very useful and informative guide to making books by hand using a variety of techniques. As a complete novice in this area it was interesting to see the different ways you can make a book.

Lovely.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me with a PDF of this book to review.

What a cool book! This book is great for beginners and advanced book makers. I'm not sure that I'll ever get into that craft but this was a neat one, for sure. There's so many pictures and such amazing books.

There are a lot of diagrams that show you the steps on making books and lots of detail. This is a book full of information. A must have if you have a knack for making books of all kinds.

I thought that this book provided clear and concise directions and wonderful pictures! I look forward to trying some of these projects with my students.

Very beautiful book about beautiful books. As a librarian I adored the historical aspect and learning about where the various book forms came from. The pictures were lovely and the instructions were very clear.
The narration style of the instructions wasn't too technical and made it a genuine pleasure to read.

What a fun book about making books. Easy & clear instructions make this book easy to enjoy.

I found this book to be one of the best books on how to make handmade books. This book has step-by-step instructions from beginning to end on how to create your own personalized handmade book. I wanted to learn how to bind a book for a friends birthday and I used this book and created a beautiful book she just adored! I recommend this book to anyone at any level!