Thursday, August 25, 2011

Tools of the Trade

I've been making books non-stop this month, so I'm spending lots of time using all of these tools.  These are the tools I couldn't live without.  my non-stick scissors (top left), and I can't even recall the manufacturer, but they are a must-have, especially when I'm cutting super-sticky redline "commitment" tape.  Next to the scissors you can see my Corner Chomper, by We R Memory Keepers.  I've been using this so much lately to round journal pages that my right hand is feeling a little bit arthritic!  Bottom right is my Fiskars rotary cutter, which is meant for quilters, but I use it to cut the large pieces of beautiful paper that I use in my journals; it goes hand-in-hand with the long metal ruler on the far right.  Bottom middle is my handy little pair of Zutter wire cutters: I held out on buying these for a while, but I'm so glad I did.  Totally worth it.  On the bottom left is my "heavy-duty" craft knife that came from Harbor Freight Tools.  I use it for lots of different things, from taking books apart to cutting book board.  It was cheap and it works great.  And last, but certainly not least, is my paper cutter: it's new this year.  I used a cheapo plastic one for quite a while, but this one by We R Memory Keepers was affordable (thank you, Hobby Lobby 40% off coupon!) and it works well and I can cut multiple pieces of paper, which has helped me increase my efficiency and keep the carpal tunnel at bay a bit longer!  I think I could cut paper in my sleep......

Sunday, August 21, 2011

In the News...

Yes, this is two consecutive posts that contain the word "news" in the title, but I couldn't come up with anything better, and it really is pertinent. 
If you read The Des Moines Sunday Register (which I'm sure people everywhere in America, not just here in Iowa, do) you might have seen the "Handmade in Iowa" article on page 2 of the Iowa Life section.  Thanks to Paula Reece for including me.  And for spelling my name right.  I'm not kidding about that.  My name has been misspelled throughout my life.  Not to mention mis-pronounced.  So I was very happy for some good, free publicity.  Great timing, too: Market Day is this Saturday, Aug. 27.  And East Village Sunday Bazaar is just two weeks away!  Which means I've got to get busy and stay busy making more books. 

In other important news, I'm also pleased to announce that my journals and cards are now available at White Rabbit Gallery, at 109 South Linn in Iowa City.  You can find out more at www.whiterabbitgallery.com.  Definitely worth an in-person visit the next time you're in the Iowa City area.  You won't be disappointed.  I hadn't been to downtown Iowa City for many years and it was fun to have some time to walk around the ped mall and pretend I was nineteen again.

Back to my paper and glue!

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Big News!


Something very exciting happened a few days ago.....
I travelled south to Osceola to King's Canyon Fine Art and am proud to say that my journals and cards are now available there.  King's Canyon is a wonderful place to visit; there is a wide variety of gorgeous art and handmade items by many Iowa artists.  And they serve delicious lunches, Tuesday through Saturday.  You can find out more on at www.kingscanyonart.com.  If you like them on facebook, you'll even get their weekly lunch menus.  I had a great time talking with Sara King and her mom, Cheryl, on Tuesday.  Sara even invited me to teach a class this fall....wow!  I am very excited about that.  I am really lucky to meet people like Sara, who I met last year at the East Village Sunday Bazaar, which I am looking forward to doing again this year every Sunday during September and October. 

The other big news will be in your Sunday, Aug. 14 edition of The Des Moines Register.  I am going to be featured in the "Handmade in Iowa" series, which has featured several people I know from Market Day and as well as the ladies of Ephemera, so I feel quite fortunate to be in such good company!