A Book a Day? What's Up With That?


Hi, and welcome to this year-long project. So what's this all about and how did it happen, you might ask. In mid 2007, artist Noah Scalin decided to make a skull out of anything he could find, every day for a year. It stretched him in ways he never imagined, as an artist, a writer and a person. His experience turned into a blog that went viral, and then a book.

Others have picked up on the idea: 365 Hearts, 365 Masks, 365 Bears drawn on a cellphone, 365 paper napkin mustaches.
I wanted to play, too, and I chose books. I love books, I know a bit about making books (thanks to my talented book-maker sister, Marilyn Worrix), and they're broad enough in definition to give me a lot of creative leeway.

The whole point is not really the books. The idea is to stretch myself in many ways as an artist and a person, to set up a discipline, stick with it and see what that teaches me.

I hope you'll join with me and follow along on the journey chronicled here, and let me know what you think.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Day 60 - Mini "Booklaces" - Book Necklaces

Time for something both fun and commercial. These tee-tiny books are real, hand-bound books that will be hung on chains for "booklaces" -- or book necklaces. I've done many of these books before with quotations on various subjects. These three all have quotes about mothers--since Mother's Day is coming and that means these will be salable at the show I have coming up in a couple of weeks. I'll be making more of them for the show.

Each book  has two signatures with a total of 20 leaves (40 pages) with 18 quotations printed only on the right side pages. I think my favorite is "Dear Mother: I'm all right. Stop worrying about me." ~From an Egyptian letter dating from 2000 B.C.  Seems like some things never change.

I'll put some of these on chains, maybe with other beads; some will go on leather or hemp cords, depending on the style of the book. These have always sold well for me in the past. I expect they will again.




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7 comments:

  1. Jean BaardsenMarch 29, 2011 at 4:23 AM

    Donna, these are great! I imagine they will sell well. It is always surprising to see how things never really change.

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  2. ellenMarch 29, 2011 at 7:18 AM

    i am really enjoying your 365 project-keep up the inspiring work! i only wish you would link to directions to make some of these books.

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  3. CherylMarch 29, 2011 at 12:02 PM

    These are fabulous! I agree with Ellen...I do have a collection of book binding books but am always looking for sites/blogs/directions that others recommend. You would be a great on line teacher...maybe you will consider some tutorials?
    No matter, I enjoy droolling over what you are sharing and am glad there are 305 days to go!!!

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  4. Deb's Artful JourneyMarch 29, 2011 at 5:51 PM

    Hi! I recently found your blog and have been enjoying reading it daily. I too love making books and you have inspired me to try to make one a week.
    Here's my blog where I link back to yours xhttp://artfullydistracted.blogspot.com/2011/03/bookmaking.html

    My best to you!

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  5. Christine GantMarch 30, 2011 at 12:12 AM

    Wonderful! I'd love to know how to make these!

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  6. DonnaMarch 30, 2011 at 1:53 AM

    gant2 - They are made the same way as my larger leather journals, just tinier. After printing and cutting or tearing the pages, they are folded into two signatures and the holes are punched into t he fold (has to be an even number of holes). Matching holes are made in the spine of the cover and the signatures are stitched in a long stitch binding right through the leather cover.

    I made an extra hole at the top of the spine for the jump ring that will attach to a chain or cord.

    Hint: Printing the quotes or other copy only on the right side pages makes layout easy. Also, since the quotes can be in any order, I didn't have to worry about getting the right page in the right place.

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  7. MelodyMarch 30, 2011 at 3:30 PM

    I wish I could get one of these! I love them! P.S. I am a mother and an English major, thus books about moms equals love.

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