Get together for conversation and tips

We had an unusual meeting for the group this month in that we were not making anything, but simply sharing some of our work and best tips. 

Members brought along their favourite book, mostly made in 2025, and we were able to have a more in depth discussion about what we liked about the books, why they were a  particular favourite and what we had learned.  It made for an interesting session, and was followed by a round up of useful tips, which included the following:

Nuovo deluxe glue. Very precise nozzle, good flow and some slippage

Crease paper or card both backwards and forwards if the paper will allow, especially when using origami techniques

For card with colour all the way through for tearing and cutting  try Florence card on Amazon

Using poetry
Try poems in the public domain for copywrite-free poetry

Liquitex satin finish for varnishing, especially useful for collage. Matt also useful

Maquettes are worth making, especially if your book will use expensive or scarce paper

 ‘Mr Sheen’ polish sprayed on top of varnished collage, then wiped off will help avoid pages sticking together

File book edges with sturdy emery board to smooth

Use a bread knife, or butter knife, for cutting paper to achieve rough/ lightly deckled edging of pages. Bread knives give a rougher edge

Nori paste is good for precision glueing (available online or in good art shops). Can be let down with water, and if dampened can be lifted.

To transfer  text into made  books, you can use a gelli plate. Type or write or print onto copy paper. Trace,  then put tracing onto gelli plate face down.. No need to reverse text. Burnish. Put a thin layer of paint onto a roller, remove tracing paper, and roll onto the plate. Add the final page . Burnish. Leave 10 minutes or so before removing paper.

Our bring and buy table added some useful funds to our ‘pot’.

Frances will be leading the February meeting, template  to follow. We will be making:

 

 

 

 

Crackers

We had a great December meeting, very celebratory as we made crackers-shaped books courtesy of Chris’ die cuts and her guidance. Very effective and will be a real pleasure to complete.

 

Seasonal nibbles accompanied by wonderfully concoqueted mulled apple juice whilst we enjoyed seeing everyone’s current work.

We have decided on our themes for 2026, and begin with ’Borders' for the next two months.

There is an opportunity through Liverpool Book Fair to submit books for an upcoming event. follow lpoolbookart on Instagram for more information .

Our next meeting will be on January 10th as the centre is closed on the 3rd January.

 

 

Flip flop hinge concertina book

We had an enjoyable meeting trying out a new hinge method for concertina-type books, as discovered by Frances  from Automata making.  She  carefully led us  through the making of the flexible method so we all created an interesting collaged piece of work.

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Everyone ended up with a complete 4 page book.   After the making, we discussed how flexible the method  could be in making more complicated structures   and Jac has gone away to play and see what she can come up with. 

Our table , which ended up being two, at the Liverpool Book Fair was very successful, and good sales were made, plus the usual conversations with people interested in techniques. Lots of flyers were given out.

We discussed the possibility of a May event next year, and members were asked to think about whether we wish to exhibit at The Atkinson in Southport  next year.   More to follow once details are received

Our theme for the next two months will be ‘light’; this is an optional theme for anyone interested as there is no compulsion to make a book to this or any other theme.

Our last meeting of the year will be on December 6th, when we will be going Christmas Crackers!   We will enjoy our usual bring and share nibbles with mulled apple juice to drink.

Our October meeting was led by Marilyn, who reviewed with us a tied book structure ( Alisa Golden has this in one of her books). This was a request from a member, but it turned out that it was not the book that she had meant at all, so we’ll be making the one she actually wanted next year!

 

It was a relaxed making session, which was useful as the meeting was immediately followed by the Liverpool Book Fair at the Bluecoat Centre. 

We did very well at the fair despite atrocious weather conditions which we feared would not only put members off attending our meeting but also fair visitors.   All fears were in vain, and we had lots of interest in the group and our activities, with plenty of flyers handed out. We’ll see if this actually translates into new members of course.

Members had brought works in progress which is always interesting, and Frances has found a new binding method for board concertina books  which she will show us how to make at our next meeting in November.

Gelli Plate Prints

 

We had a messy but very enjoyable workshop this month, led by June. 

The focus was mono printing using gel plates to produce papers that are suitable for book pages, covers and many other things. June uses this methodology all the time in her work and her enthusiasm encouraged us all.

We will be exhibiting at Liverpool Book Fair over the weekend of October 4th and 5th.  Volunteers to look after the stall are as follows:
             Saturday afternoon- Julie  and Cath 
             Sunday - Jac, Marilyn
Marilyn will bring the set up equipment and take it away on Sunday.  

Please remember to complete a form with your books-I will bring more to our October meeting for those who don’t already have one.    At present we seem to have five exhibitors, each of whom will pay £5 , the remainder being paid by the group as agreed.

Details of what you will need for our tied books will be sent out nearer the October meeting.

 Banner flags for collaging were given out by Frances to be returned at the Christmas Meeting. 

It would be interesting if each  one reflected the makers personality and  interests.

 

 Glue tips for collage by June

I've tried loads of glues over time & the one that works for me & always gives me the best result is Golden Matte Medium, it works well & doesn't leave any shine or residue (unlike PVA), it can be let  down a little with water if you find it too thick, but I usually use it as it comes.   Tip for getting rid of any wrinkles would be not to put down too thick a layer, but make sure you don't miss any patches, then I smooth the paper down with my hand/fingers then immediately use the 'flat' of a palette knife to really smooth the paper, from the centre out to corners & edges, this will help to squish out any excess of glue & helps to avoid wrinkles.  It dries quickly, but you can reposition a piece if you look lively!   Occasionally of there is a 'bubble that won't smooth down, it might be that you missed little patches & didn't spread the glue evenly, if it's not possible to pull the paper up to re glue/re position, I have used a scalpel to cut a cross in the 'bubble, opened it up & carefully sparingly repasted that bit before smoothing down again.