Cups of Conversation

Create a book with cups overflowing with conversations.

In a series of short missives to a loved one, a friend you haven’t seen for years, an imaginary friend or possibly yourself or a collection of people, we’ll create an illustrated book of the people you’ve written to.

The first day of the workshop will be an inspiring day of bookbinding with Helen Perry of Helen Handmade Books making a Secret Belgian sketchbook. This is a beautiful binding combining the best of western and Japanese bindings resulting in a closed spine which lies flat when open; a very versatile book. 

On the second day with Chrissie of Inkpot & Pen, you’ll be creating the content of your Cups of Conversation book. We’ll take the letters you’ve written and on each page will paint, cut out, collage cups for the letters and/or postcards to sit in. Then taking elements of the missive’s content we’ll create pages of illustrations and lettering that reflect the personalities of the people involved and the conversations.

The pages in your book will celebrate and tell a story/stories of your correspondence.

Booking via Chrissie's website  

My journey of 29.5 steps

This workshop is about slowing down and drawing your attention into the micro world around you where we notice the magic, even in the mundane.

In our haste what do we overlook?

Before the workshop you’ll be sent details of how to record in detail and take notes of a short walk of 29.5 steps, the length of the moon’s cycle. 

In the morning of day one of the workshop you will be making an A6 Leather Long Stitch Sketchbook with Helen of Helen Handmade Books, lined with a decorative Japanese paper and filled with heavyweight Fabriano paper. 

In the afternoon and on day two we will be bringing together the details of your short walk of 29.5 steps (29.5 days is the length of the moon cycle) to record all the tiny details of your walk you’ve noticed.

We’ll use lettering, collage, colour, drawing to expand the walk over pages in your Long Stitch sketchbook capturing the magical beauty in what could have so easily been forgotten and missed.

Booking via Chrissie's Website

The historic and beautiful 'coptic' binding is a very popular class.
The binding allows the book to lie perfectly flat and also to open to 180 degrees, making it popular amongst other things as a journal, travel book or artist sketch book. Also, the exposed spine stitching has enormous visual appeal. During the day you will learn how to prepare the pages for binding as well as decide on your own personal decorative style for board covering before getting to grips with the stitching. You will also have creative input on the appearance of the spine itself.
Suitable for beginners. Booking through Reef Make and Do

 During this one day class you will learn    how to make your own A5 soft leather  long stitch sketchbook, lined with a  beautiful Japanese paper.

 These gorgeous books will be filled with a  heavy weight Fabriano paper and  finished with either a leather tie closure  or a  metal stud.

You will have  the opportunity to design your own stitching patterns to make your book more individual but don't worry there will be examples to help you. The photograph shows a range of beautiful books made in a  class.

There will be a selection of coloured leathers and coloured threads to choose from. 

The paper used for the sections makes these ideal as both sketchbooks or journals and perfect for using if you come to the Sketchbook Diaries Class with Chrissie Nicholls.

Suitable for beginners. Booking through Reef make and Do

The historic and beautiful 'coptic' binding is a very popular class.
The binding allows the book to lie perfectly flat and also to open to 180 degrees, making it popular amongst other things as a journal, travel book or artist sketch book. Also, the exposed spine stitching has enormous visual appeal. During the day you will learn how to prepare the pages for binding as well as decide on your own personal decorative style for board covering before getting to grips with the stitching. You will also have creative input on the appearance of the spine itself.
Suitable for beginners. Booking through Cambridge Makers