Orange Spiral Arts

June MN Visual Journal Collective Meeting-Sketching and Art Supplies

Greetings! This is a blog post about the fun things that happened at the June MN Visual Journal Collective meeting at Wet Paint in St. Paul, Minnesota. Our topic for the evening was sketching your favorite art supplies. Some people did that, while others did what they needed to work on in their journals or calendar planners. It's all good. We love it when people show up to sketch, learn, share, and create in community. 

MEETING TOPIC: SKETCHING & ART SUPPLIES

The idea was that we'd sketch our favorite art supplies, then have a sharing time at the end to hear what people like to use in their journals. Art supplies are just so delicious, after all, wouldn't you agree?

THE MEETING

After introductions, we had time to work in our journals and chat with the people around us. I love it when people get up to see what other participants are up to. It's so exciting to see the work of other journal keepers!

I like to go around and check in with folks to make sure they feel seen, heard, and important. I truly value each person who shows up to these meetings. The meetings would not be special without you! So, thank you for showing up!

WHAT PEOPLE SHARED

Briana

I (co-facilitator of the MN Visual Journal Collective with TJ Goerlitz) shared that I am really into watercolor, specifically using tube watercolor. I have been using pan watercolor for years, but after taking an online class called Tiny Adventure with Tammy Garcia of DaisyYellowArt.com, I am feeling more and more excited about tube gouache and watercolors. Here's a drawing of some of my favorite paints. I am loving Daniel Smith watercolor, Holbein watercolor, and the tiny tubes of Amsterdam Acrylic. Of course, you can purchase all of these at Wet Paint.

Briana (that's me!) has several classes coming up at Wet Paint in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Saturday, June 22-Getting Started with Visual Journaling, 10am-4pm

Saturday, June 29- Art-It-Up! Visual Journaling for Ages 7-10, 10am-12pm

Sunday, July 21-Alcohol Inks, 1pm-3pm

Saturday, July 27-Make Your Own Collage Papers + Collage Class, 10am-5pm

Saturday, August 3-Art-It-Up! Visual Journaling for Ages 11-15, 10am-12:30pm

Tuesday, August 6-Alcohol Inks, 5:45pm-7:45pm

That's a lot of classes! Please come take a class with me! It will be lots of fun, and it's good for us to create together! We need each other, you know?

JUNE MEETING-PARTICIPANT SHARING

Here's what this month's participants shared at our June MN Visual Journal Collective meeting.

Beth 

Beth had some catching up to do in her journal planner, so that's what she did! Isn't her planner so cool? I love it! I know you can't see the details, but that's probably preferred for a personal calendar, right Beth?

(Note: Please forgive me if I do not spell your name correctly. I am happy to make any needed changes. Just let me know!)

Kari

Kari did such a fun thing in her journal. She sketched her favorite supplies and journaled what bugs her about each one. I love this personal touch she added to this "assignment." 

Kari makes handmade journals. She will be at the Eagan Art Festival June 29 and 30, 2019. If you are in the area, stop by and see her!

Linda and Joy joined our meeting for the first time. We love new participants!

LisaMarie (aka LMNOP)

LisaMarie is working on this amazing accordion book. We are always so excited to see what she's done in it since the last time.

She also shared her favorite supplies with us. I tried to get a few photos for you, as her supplies are so inspiring to see! LisaMarie takes her supplies on the go, often so she has a really portable set up.

Molly

Molly did some sketching of some objects she brought from home.

She also brought her amazing altered book project she's been working on. Molly's collage art is so inspiring!

Molly will be teaching some classes at Artistry MN Visual Arts and Theater, in Bloomington, Minnesota.

Introduction to Art Journaling (Listed in the catalog under Painting and Mixed Media) is on Saturday, July 27, 9:30am-12pm. Register online at artistrymn.org or call 952-563-8575.

I believe her next class will be listed in the fall catalog.

Kathy

Kathy is loving her new bullet pencil sharpener.

 

She also sketched some tubes of paint and a brush. I could look at art supply sketches all day long! How about you?

Ryan

Ryan is enjoying her new TwinTone Tombow pens.

Lisa

Lisa also joined us for the first time. She was sharing how that inner judge often comes up for her. We can certainly all relate to that! Lisa did awesome at practicing (and it is a practice) letting go, so she could just enjoy sketching art supplies in her journal.

Barb

Barb brought some nature items to sketch. She just finished getting her Book Arts Certificate from the Minnesota Center for the Book Arts. Congratulations, Barb! That's awesome!

Lakin

Lakin shared the great tip of using a portable laptop stand for supporting her journal work on the go.

She's also been really enjoying creating mandalas in the Koala Circular Grid Sketchbook they sell at Wet Paint.

Cindy

Cindy loves scissors (and all things paper).

Nancy

Nancy also loves scissors and paper!

Deborah

Deborah shared her sketch of an object she got when she and her husband Steve were teaching in Alaska.

She also sketched Steve. I love that!

Deborah loves textiles, and she made an awesome journal cover using one of her weavings. Deborah suggests checking out Stitches by Julia on YouTube.

GRATITUDE

A big whole-hearted thank you to everyone who showed up, created, and shared the evening with us.

Last but not least, here are some amazing flowers I saw in the alley on my walk to Wet Paint.

Thank you so much for reading this post.

Our next MN Visual Journal Collective meeting is on Monday, July 15th. If you are local to the Twin Cities, we welcome you to join us in person, or in our MN Visual Journal Collective Facebook group. Request to join the Facebook Group here.

We also have a Google Group (MN Visual Journal Collective) for those who prefer not to use Facebook. You can learn how to request to join the Google Group here. (Here's the link to our MN Visual Journal Collective Google Group).

If you would like to attend a specific meeting, we request that you register through the Wet Paint Events link. This helps Wet Paint prepare the space for our meeting. Go to Wet Paint, click Events, and then select the MN Visual Journal Collective Meet-Up listed for that month. Click Register. Here's the Link to Register for the July 15 meeting. IMPORTANT NOTE: Please only sign up if you are sure you will attend. Space is limited.

 

Thanks again for being here!

Sending Blessings Out to You,

Briana, Founder of Orange Spiral Arts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

21 Secrets Retirement SALE is here-SAVE 50 Percent

Hello Creative People!

I wanted to let you know about an amazing opportunity. I have been a guest teacher, as well as a student of the many, many editions of 21 Secrets. Since the lovely Connie Solera is rebranding her website and making room for new things, she is no longer going to be selling the five pictured editions of 21 Secrets online art journaling workshops. I have a class in the 21 Secrets-Color, Color, Color edition. My class is called Draw, Paint, and Print Artful Color Patterns. I own all of the other editions shown here, as I am such a fan of these workshops.

Here's what makes 21 Secrets so great:

• There are workshops from teachers from all over the world
• The workshops cover an amazing amount of mixed media ideas and techniques to use in your visual/art journal
• The teachers are extremely generous in the amount of content they provide
• You get unlimited access to the content and videos all linked in the handy PDF file that you receive upon purchase
• You are supporting emerging and established artists when you purchase these 21 Secrets editions
• Last but not least, you are supporting me, as an artist, by purchasing through my affiliate link

So, the SALE is so awesome-you'll save 50 percent off each edition purchased when you use the coupon code RETIREMENT.

The sale runs Wednesday, May 8 (beginning at 3am PST and 5am CST) through Saturday, May 11, 2019.

To summarize, there are five editions of 21 Secrets that are going into retirement.

After May 11, 2019, the following editions will no longer be available for purchase.

• 21 Secrets Color, Color, Color
• 21 Secrets emBODY
• 21 Secrets Tell Your Story
• 21 Secrets Tools & Techniques
• 21 Secrets The Best of 2014 & 2015

Note: All owners of these editions will still have unlimited access to the content and videos.

Get them while you can and SAVE 50 percent! Simply enter the coupon code RETIREMENT at checkout.

May you enjoy these art making videos as much as I do. I return to these again and again. Sometimes our lives are so busy, we can't fit in all that we want to. That's the beauty of having unlimited access to these treasures. Seriously, there is so much goodness packed in to each 21 Secrets edition. If you are interested in art journaling or mixed media art, I highly, highly recommend these 21 Secrets online workshops.

Sending Love and Gratitude out!

-Briana

 

February MN Visual Journal Collective Meeting Summary

 

(Tags above are created by Kari)

Greetings and Welcome to Orange Spiral Arts. I am so glad you are here.

This post is all about the February 2019 MN Visual Journal Collective meeting. We are an eclectic group of artists, makers, and creative people who are interested in keeping visual journals. Meetings occur once per month, and they are free and open to any adults interested in keeping a visual journal. We are located in Minnesota, so this post is for those who live far away, or for those who wished to attend the meeting, but were unable. This post can also serve as inspiration for those who were in attendance at the meeting, as sometimes we can't get a good look at what everyone else is working on.

Meetings are held at Wet Paint, and participants must pre-register each month, as space is limited. Please register only if you are able to attend that specific meeting. 

Thanks in advance to everyone who agreed to have their work (and themselves) photographed for this post. You are awesome!

Before the meeting began, Briana was drooling over these and these colored pencils available at Wet Paint. Here's some eye candy for you art supply lovers out there! This is just one of the benefits of having our meetings hosted at the best art supply store in the Twin Cities! If you are not local, Wet Paint ships orders, too! These pencils are smooth like "buttah"!

February 18, 2019 MN Visual Journal Collective Meeting Summary

Theme: Tags

Collaborative Project: Create tags for a swap at the July 15 meeting. Participants will end up with a mini book of tags created by various artists, that can then be used for prompts, inspiration, and ideas for their visual journal explorations.

If you would like a free PDF of information on creating your own tag mini book, you may download the hand- out here. (This is the first time I am trying to link a PDF download, so if you have trouble, please leave a comment below this post.)

 

Welcome to the February MN Visual Journal Collective meeting!

Tag Art In Process

Here are some photos from the February MN Visual Journal Collective meeting when participants were working on their tags, or in their journals. Sometimes I took photos of people's supplies and containers, as that's always fun to see, too.

One of the beautiful things about a gathering like this, is that creative people get to be together. We chat, we share supplies, we share stories, and ultimately, we inspire one another to keep going, not only on our creative journey, but on our human journey, as well.

End of Meeting Sharing Time-Share Your Journal or Tags Created

(Above: tags by Kathy)

(Above: Journal page by TJ Goerlitz)

Photo credit: TJ Goerlitz; Photo of LisaMarie LMNOP

(Above: art by Sue Rowe)

(Above: Journal by Deborah; Photo credit: TJ Goerlitz)

I didn't get a great picture of Deanna's tags, but what I love about this photo is that we love to see each other's work. Deanna is a photographer in Hudson, WI. She used photos on her tags.

(Above: tags by Nell)

(Above: tags by Kim)

(Above: tags by Kari)

(Above: journal by Molly)

(Above: tags by Nancy)

(Above: journal by Kelli)

(Above: tags by Jenny)

(Above: tags by Ann)

(Above: journal cover by Heather)

Thank you to everyone who showed up, participated, and shared their art. You are an inspiration. Keep creating and sharing!

Please forgive any mistakes or omissions, as it is a challenge to move as fast as each of you. I am happy to make corrections. Please leave me a message in the comments section below this post.

Thank you to those of you reading this lengthy post. I hope you have felt inspired to create!

Meeting Summary

We talked about making tag mini books, either for ourselves, or for the optional tag swap happening at the July 15th, 2019 MN Visual Journal Collective meeting. 

We had time to work in our journals or on our tags.

At the end of the meeting, time was made for people to stand up and share what they've been working on, either in their journal, or on the tags created that evening.

A big shout out of thanks to Wet Paint for hosting our group!

Creative Opportunities for You

Briana offers a variety of affordable classes online via her Orange Spiral Arts website for beginning artists and creatives. Click the LEARN tab on www.OrangeSpiralArts.com, or go here.

Wet Paint has a wealth of upcoming classes, demos, and free events listed on their site. Go here.

Briana is thrilled to announce that she will be offering in person workshops at Wet Paint, starting in April 2019. The first offering is called Getting Started with Visual Journaling. Find out more and register here.

Do you prefer a smaller group for your creative exploration? Briana offers a "portable art studio" where she comes to your home to facilitate a workshop with you and a few friends. Download the Orange Spiral Arts Services PDF here.

 

In Gratitude,

Briana

 

 

 

 

 

 

January MN Visual Journal Collective Meeting-A Twist on Bleigiessen (A German New Year Fortune Telling Tradition)

Greetings Everyone! Thank you for visiting Orange Spiral Arts to learn about the January 2019 MN Visual Journal Collective meeting.

MN Visual Journal Collective Meets at Wet Paint

This year the Visual Journal Collective has a new name, a new meeting location, and a new meeting time. We had our first meeting in our new location on Monday, January 21st at Wet Paint. Let me tell you right now that we are going to learn a s*it ton from the knowledgeable staff at Wet Paint. They are right there, pretty much at our disposal, happy to answer supply questions, and even let us try some things out. It's quite nice! As a bonus for them, most of us in the group LOVE art supplies, so it is quite likely they may see their revenue go up on the third Monday of the month.

January Meeting Topic

The MN Visual Journal Collective currently has two volunteer facilitators; myself and TJ Goerlitz. TJ married a German, and lived in Europe for about ten years. She's back in Minnesota now (with her husband and son), and shared with the group about a German New Year's tradition called Bleigiessen. You can learn more about this fun fortune telling activity here.

TJ introduced us to this idea of Bleigiessen, but by way of using homemade walnut ink and a string.

We each had a turn to visit the ink and string station to create our own image in our journals. After we pulled that inky string through our journals, we went back to our spot and used our imagination to see something in the ink design. 

What everyone came up with was spectacular! It was so fun to witness all of the unique, personal, and artful journal pages come to life at our two hour meeting.

Below are some examples from the group. (If your journal is pictured here, and you'd like me to add a link to your site, I am happy to do so. Leave me a comment below.)

Jenny:

Kari:

Deborah:

Steve (Deborah's husband):

Kim:

TJ:

Kathy:

Molly:

Beth:

Lisa Marie (LMNOP):

And Lisa Marie's gorgeous portable paint palettes:

Peggy:

Gail:

Connie:

Lakin:

Londa:

Kaya:

Briana (That's me):

Nell (bottom left):

Sue:

Summary

The MN Visual Journal Collective January 2019 meeting was a success. We so appreciate everyone who was able to show up and share their wonderful journals. 

We thank Wet Paint for hosting our meetings on the third Monday of every month from 6pm-8pm. (If you'd like to come to the February 18, 2019, please register on Wet Paint's site, so we have an idea of how many people to expect. There is a limited number of seating, please only register if you are able to attend.)

Thank you in advance for your interest. Meetings are independent, so you may choose to come when the topic interests you, when your schedule allows, or come every month as a way to connect with other local creatives. We are cool and flexible like that!

If you can't make one of our meetings, I typically blog about them, so check back often, or at least once per month.

Also, Wet Paint has many awesome and interesting Events, Workshops, Classes and FREE Demos. Please take a look!

MN Visual Journal Collective February 18, 2019 Meeting

The MN Visual Journal Collective is an eclectic group for any adults interested in keeping visual journals.

Our February meeting will be the beginning of a mini book project. People can also sign up to create a certain number of tags for their mini book and then participate in a tag swap at one of our later meetings 6-8 months from February 2019. For example, if 20 people sign up to participate in the mini book tag swap, you will make 20 tags. More information to come at the February 18th meeting. Even if you don't want to participate in the swap, but would like to learn how to make your own mini tag book, that's what we'll be doing in February.

We announce meeting reminders on our MN Visual Journal Collective Facebook Group and through our MN Visual Journal Collective Google Group. Feel free to request to be added to these groups if you are a local visual journal keeper, interested in attending one of our meetings.

Gratitude and Blessings

Thank you for being here. Thanks for reading this post. May it inspire you to work in your journal, create your art, express yourself, heal, feel loved, and connect with others. May it be so.

-Briana

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's Why I am Signing Up for Life Book 2019

Here's the truth: I am not into creating faces and portraits. Even though 30-40 percent of the lessons in Life Book will have some sort of face, that leaves 60-70 percent of the content that does NOT focus on creating a face. What I appreciate about Life Book is that there is a focus on personal development and healing. I completely believe in the power of the arts to help us heal our emotional wounds. I know that imagery is a powerful tool that helps the subconscious deliver messages to our conscious mind. Once we are aware of what's going on inside our hearts, bodies, and minds, there is the opportunity to shift, change, and transform our lives for the better.

It is important to note that Life Book does not take the place of professional therapy. The offerings in Life Book are tools for personal growth and development. 

This year, I am particularly excited about Andy's offerings related to NVC (Nonviolent Communication). As an expressive arts facilitator, I am always looking to add to my own list of resources and skills that will help me to be a better facilitator. 

If you are interested in developing your mixed media skills, in being playful and experimental with art supplies, or in creating a Life Book for 2019, I hope that you will join us. You may click the image above, or click here. Don't forget to enter coupon code "LOVEBOMB2019" to save 20%, valid through December 31, 2018.

Sending Blessings to you,

Briana

PS I loved the Life Book Creativity & Wellbeing Summit, and that content is included once you register for Life Book 2019. It's truly a win-win.

Register for Mixed Media Paint Scraping-NEW Online Class

I am so excited! I am working hard on my next online class, Mixed Media Paint Scraping.

Go here for more info and to register!

Class opens on Tuesday, October 16th, 2018 and runs for five weeks through November 13th, 2018.

After November 13th, 2018, the class will be self-paced.

 

Sending Blessings and Creative Vibes your way!

-Briana

September Visual Journal Collective Meeting Summary-Gesture Drawing

Greetings! Thank you for being here!

In this post, I am sharing the pages I created during the September 2018 Visual Journal Collective meeting. We had special guest teacher, Erin Maurelli. Erin brought along one of the models she uses when she teaches gesture drawing to college students. Erin gave the Visual Journal Collective participants a crash course in drawing the figure. We had tons of fun, and we learned a lot, too! Thank you, Erin and Ashley (guest model).

We did a series of one-minute drawings, where the model switched poses every sixty seconds.

Drawing quickly is my preferred way to draw, as there is not time to think and critique your own work.

I decided to use a Tombow Brush Marker for most of the one-minute gesture drawings.

I worked on top of pre-colored background pages (most done by monoprinting with a Gelli Plate) in a large Canson Mix Media XL journal.

Other students used charcoal, pencil, or water-soluble graphite sticks.

After the one-minute gesture drawing warm-ups, we drew for longer periods of time, like ten or fifteen minutes. (Below I tried the charcoal that Erin had available for us to use.)

Below, I went back to my Tombow marker. I had extra time, so I sketched the model again using a Dixon crayon.

It's good to try out different sketching tools, as they can make quite a difference in your experience and results.

We had a quick sharing time near the end of our meeting, but I didn't get any photos. This was a new experience for many in the Collective, and I didn't want anyone to feel "on the spot." The drawings were truly amazing, though. Everyone's unique style came through, which was awesome to see!

We'll be doing another drawing activity at our meeting in October, so mark your calendar for Monday, October 15, 7pm-9pm, if you're curious. All you need to do is bring your sketchbook/journal and $5, which goes to space rental at MCBA.

Feel free to request to join our MCBA Visual Journal Collective Facebook group here. Also, we have a Google Group for those not on Facebook. Leave me a comment with your email, if you wish to be added to the Google Group. We send out meeting reminders a few days before each meeting. 

Thank you again to TJ, Erin Maurelli, and our guest model. We appreciate your time!

Sending Creative Vibes and Blessings to You,

-Briana

Gelly Roll Doodles on Purple Diamond-Plus a Giveaway to Rag and Bone Bindery

(Original post written for artistcellar, as a Design Team member)

Greetings, Everyone!

Have I told you lately how much I appreciate you? Well, I would like you to know it. I appreciate you being here, reading this post, and getting ideas for your art. I appreciate you supporting a small businesses like artistcellar, Orange Spiral Arts, and Rag and Bone Bindery. In fact, you are quite wonderful. You are shiny as a sparkling diamond, and as “glow-tastic” as the brightest neon Gelly Roll pen! Really, it’s true! You and your creativity matter. I just wanted to let you know that you are appreciated, sparkly, and “glow-tastic”!

Today I am going to use one of the Diamond Series stencils in my art journal. I am currently working in this amazing, Large Blank Page Journal by Rag and Bone Bindery. As one of Rag and Bone Bindery’s new brand ambassadors, you could be a lucky winner of a $75 gift certificate by entering my giveaway! Enter to win right here! (Pictured below are several sizes of Rag and Bone Bindery’s Blank Page Journals. Aren’t those deckled edges yummy??!!).

For this current journal spread, I am working in the Large Blank Page Journal with the bright orange patterned cover.

Above, you will see an Art Foamies stamp, some texture from a children’s texture roller tool, and rolled out acrylic paint, using a brayer. The Radiant Stencil from the Diamond Series is ready and waiting for paint.

I applied purple paint through the stencil using a cosmetic wedge. I created one on the left side of the spread:

And one on the right side of the journal spread.

From here, I pulled out my Gelly Roll pens and started to doodle, draw designs, and write on the page. I was sitting outside on a beautiful summer day, just enjoying the warm air and breeze. Moments like this are important.

The Moonlight Gelly Roll pens are my favorite. I seem to have the most success getting them to write.

After I doodled on the diamond, I extended the doodles around the page, too.

I enjoyed these moments in my journal.

May you find the time to take a break, work in your journal with some fun supplies, and enjoy some fresh air. May it be so.

In Summary

Art journaling is relaxing and fun.

If you like handbound blank journals, photo albums, binders, brag books or need a guest book, feel free to enter my giveaway for a $75 gift certificate to Rag and Bone Bindery.

You are appreciated! Thank you for being here!

Blessings to you,

Briana of OrangeSpiralArts.com

Visual Journal Collective June 2018 Meeting-Paper Toy-Cootie Catcher

Greetings to you! Thank you for being here.

For the June Visual Journal Collective meeting, we got a little playful and made a paper toy. The book, Magic Books & Paper Toys by Esther K. Smith was used as a reference. (This is such a great book! I highly recommend Esther K. Smith's books!)

 

We learned how to fold up a "Cootie Catcher" from a square piece of writing weight paper. Then we brainstormed as a group, how we might make use of our paper toy.

Some members of the group did their own Google Search to jog their childhood memories.

Also, co-facilitator TJ Goerlitz thought it might be fun to try to draw the Cootie Catcher in her sketchbook.

Working in our journals is always encouraged at our monthly meetings.

Artist, Theresa Harsma (above) decided to make a sketch of her Cootie Catcher she made at our meeting.

Theresa's Cootie Catcher looked like a map, due to the line drawing she did on her ledger paper.

Artist Sue Rowe also drew one of her Cootie Catchers. (See pink image in photo below).

Each participant had a unique idea on what could be done with the Cootie Catcher.

Book Artist, Kari Kruempel turned her Cootie Catcher into a poetry maker.

I tried to catch everyone's great ideas, but I unfortunately was too caught up in the moment to take notes. So, I guess I will just share the pictures.

 

As you can see, we had a great time!

Below are some of my work in progress photos I took before we had our sharing time a the end of our meeting. These Emoji stamps by Yellow Owl Workshop are so fun to play with. 

I am in LOVE with this eye stamp by Yellow Owl Workshop, too. And I've had this set by The Small Object for a long time. They were so fun to use!

And the end of each meeting, we try to have journal sharing. It is soooo inspiring to see other people's journals. We had time for a couple of peeks into Molly's, Sue's, and TJ's.

Here's a peek at Molly's current journal project.

And here's a look at Sue's journal pages.

However, TJ's journal pages are TOP SECRET, as her pages were about her upcoming workshop featured in 21 Secrets-The Great Outdoors. (You can also SAVE by signing up for the 21 Secrets Summer Studios Bundle that features Just Add Water, which starts July 9th, AND 21 Secrets Summer Studios- The Great Outdoors (starts Monday, July 30th)).

I LOVE 21 Secrets online art journaling workshops. There is great instruction, variety, and they are to keep forever! Also, you are supporting small businesses and artists when you purchase 21 Secrets online art journaling workshops. It's really a win-win!

I want to thank everyone who showed up to the June Visual Journal Collective meeting! It was so fun!

MCBA SHOP INSPIRATION

The SHOP at MCBA has so many great journals, zines, artist books, paper, book binding supplies, and cards. Some of my favorite cards featured above are by Twin Cities artist Jennifer Kunin.

IN SUMMARY

We made Cootie Catchers at the June 2018 Visual Journal Collective meeting.

It's great if you can support local businesses, shops, artists, and online teachers.

There's so much inspiration out in the world, and I feel grateful for it.

I am thankful that you are here, reading this post, too. 

Sending Creative Vibes and Blessings,

Briana

 

 

 

 

Enter to Win-Gift Certificate Giveaway to Rag and Bone Bindery

Howdy Everyone,

Thank you for visiting or reading this post via your email.

I am working on a brand new blog post series.

In my previous post, I shared the following info with you. 

I'd like to share it again, in case you missed it, and also to remind myself.

NEW BLOG SERIES PLAN

Here are my intentions for this blog post series here at OrangeSpiralArts.

1. I want to help promote and share the awesome blank page journals created at Rag and Bone Bindery.
2. I want to inspire you to open up a blank journal to express yourself creatively.
3. I want to share ideas for having fun and playing with blank books and journals.
4. I want to offer a giveaway for a $75 gift certificate for Rag and Bone Bindery.

So here we are with post number two. 

I am happy to share some information about the Large Journal by Rag & Bone Bindery. I also will be sharing the link for you to enter to win a $75 gift certificate to Rag & Bone Bindery at the end of this post!!

Let the fun begin!

The journal I am using is the Large Journal Paprika. The large journal measures 8.25 inches x 10.25 inches. It contains 144 bright white, acid free pages. I absolutely love the paper in the Rag & Bone journals. It has a smooth surface. It's sturdy and pliable. I will demonstrate this quality when I share my first two pages later in this post.

First, let's go over some of the special qualities of the Large Blank Page Journal by Rag and Bone Bindery.

FABRIC COVER

If you know me and my art at all, you know I love pattern and prints. 

I have a workshop in 21 Secrets Color, Color, Color called Draw, Paint, and Print Artful Color Patterns. (See the sidebar of my site or click the above link for more info). People had so much fun with this class, and there are tons of additional workshops by teachers from around the world when you purchase 21 Secrets Color, Color, Color. The Rag & Bone Bindery blank page journals would be perfect to use for 21 Secrets, too!

The reason I started talking about pattern is because of the fabric on the cover of the above journal. Those over at Rag & Bone Bindery attend fashion fabric shows, then have the fabrics converted into bookcloth. Isn't that awesome?!! No wonder why they have such unique cover designs. The fabric is made by fabric designers!

Here's some inside information straight from Jason Thompson, co-owner of Rag and Bone Bindery:

"FABRIC COVERS:

We choose the fabrics by attending fabric shows and visiting with fabric reps. We purchase fashion fabrics and have them converted into bookcloth for us, a custom process we utilize for all of our fabric covers - cottons, silks and linens. We have worked with the same fabric distributors, but we vary up the designers we work with. In the past we’ve used fabrics from Riley Blake, Amy Butler, Joel Dewberry, Kaffe Fassett and many others. When choosing fabrics for book covers, we have to consider availability, exclusivity, cost, and uniquely the size and direction of the pattern, which dictates the number of books per yard. Once converted, we cut down the yardage to manageable widths for production in the bindery."

INSIDE PAGES

Awesome paper, awesome fabric covers, and each book is handbound. Here's what the inside stitching looks like.

I asked Jason Thompson what he had to say about the paper in the journals.

"PAPER PAGES: 

The pages of all of our journals are a 65lb vellum finish paper which is acid-free and archival. We chose it after testing books myself - many many years ago! We still use the same paper we designed for Journals back in the 90’s. I chose it because it’s thick, but pliable, and it has a good ‘tooth’ which takes pen, pencil and a light wash very well. A little bit of history - we still employ the same person to ‘cut’ and sew our journals (cutting gives journal pages a deckled edge) since 1996. Ann is employee number one, my first ‘official’ hire, and she still works for us, cutting all of our album paper and our journal pages." -Jason Thompson

 

I love reading this little bit of history. Thanks for sharing, Jason!

 

BRIANA'S FIRST PAGE SPREAD IN THE LARGE BLANK PAGE JOURNAL

 

I decided to do some paint scraping with a Catalyst tool and acrylic paint.

 

The process was quite soothing, and also kept me curious, as I played with the paint scrapes layering on top of one another.

 

 

I often can't have orange without pink in my art, so I decided to add some pink paint, too.

 

 

Then I felt inspired to test the paper a bit, by adding some stitching.

 

I used an awl to poke some holes.

 

 

As you can see, the paper had no trouble handling this process.

 

I added lime green embroidery floss.

 

 

And stitched an X pattern.

I had so much fun, I decided to challenge myself with a spiral on the right-hand page.

I drew the spiral in pencil, then poked my stitching holes.

 

Here's the front side of the completed spiral.

 

And here's the back side, which also looks pretty cool.

 

I am very pleased with the paper in the Large Journal by Rag and Bone Bindery.

Thanks for taking a peek at my process. It was very calming and meditative. Stitching takes time, but that's the point. (Have you heard of the #slowstitching hashtag over on Instagram? There's a lot of beauty happening there.)

 

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

So, are you ready to enter to win a $75 gift certificate to Rag and Bone Bindery?

I am so excited for you!!!

 

All you need to do is follow this link. Fill in the info and hit submit! The giveaway will be open until the end of Monday, July 16th, 2018. I will announce the winner on my www.OrangeSpiralArts.com site a few days after that. You may wish to sign up to receive Orange Spiral Arts blog posts by email. On the sidebar of my site, look for "Art Inspiration in Your Inbox" and hit Subscribe. Or, simply mark your calendar to come back and check in. Good luck!

 

SUMMARY

Rag and Bone Bindery journals have great paper, designer fabric covers, and are handbound by dedicated staff. 

If you love to journal, and wish to explore color and pattern, you might want to check out Briana's 21 Secrets Color, Color, Color workshop called Draw, Paint and Print Artful Color Patterns.

If you'd like to have the chance to win a $75 gift certificate to Rag and Bone Bindery, go here.

 

Happy Creating!

 

Sending Love and Blessings out to you now!

 

-Briana of Orange Spiral Arts