Opportunities for Summer fun

Three opportunities for Summer fun Informal bookbinding workshop- for those wanting help with their own particular bookbinding projects Friday 29th June at Nant, Pantybwlch. SA389JF 10.30 - 4pm  £25 6 places only- booking essential. More information and Booking HERE

Memory Books with coptic bound spine and full of plain pages with envelopes to hold tickets, photos and your precious mementos. Take home a unique book, finished with your choice of handprinted papers, all in one fun day. Venue: Ceridwen Date: Monday 9th July Cost £95  Materials included . Book direct with Make it in Wales here Summer Fayre at Oriel y Parc Saturday 4th August 10am-4pm  Stalls throughout the courtyard from local artists, crafts makers and tasty treats. Live music and childrens Mermaid and Pirate Party (Extra fee applies). Fayre is FREE entry Picton Castle Summer Fair Saturday 18 & Sunday 19 August 2018  10.00 am – 5.00pm Later in August  are the annual treats of Art and Craft at Waunifor 18th -27th August  Pembrokeshire Craftsman Circle  at the Seion Chapel, St Davids during August and Ceredigion Art Trail

Bookbinding Study Day

Bookbinding Study Day Date: Wednesday 18th April Time: 10am -4pm Venue : Boncath village Hall – Lovely large space with easy parkingin the centre of Boncath.  What: A day to get help finishing or starting projects Have you got a bookbinding project that you is half finished in a drawer or an idea that needs some help to get started. Not meant as a specific, one project, taught workshop more an opportunity to discuss ideas, get help, network, and reminders about how to do things that you may already have tackled at a workshop.  I will bring a whole range of materials that you might find diffiicult to purchase locally or in small quantities but please bring anything that you might want to use, as well as my box of tools and various information and worksheets. I also have a pile of books you may like to look through. Tea, coffee and cake will be provided- please bring your own sandwiches. Cost : £20 depending on numbers It would be helpful if you would book as there will be a maximum of 10 places Pay now  This link will take you to the shop on my website where you will be able to purchase your place on the workshop http://nantdesigns.co.uk/shop.html#!/Bookbinding-support-and-networking-day/p/103863280/category=0 Please email with any questions mail@carolekingart.co.uk

Make it in Wales Workshops in February

Many of my bookbinding workshops are organised by Make it in Wales -  making craft workshops available in West Wales. I thought you might like to see  some of the variety of the courses and what else is on offer this month

Bookbinding

February 17th at Oriel Myrddin, Carmarthen One day workshop £95 Make an A5 casebound sketchbook with artists quality, acid free cartridge and hand-printed paper covers. In just one day tutor Carole will teach you all the necessary techniques to create a beautiful volume of your own design from start to finish.

Book here

Machine knitting

February 10th - 11th at Pendre Art, Cardigan Two day workshop £190 Learn the basics of machine knitting and create a gorgeous Fair Isle scarf or cushion cover with tutor Marissa. Whether you’re an absolute beginner or looking to refresh your skills, this course will give you a firm grounding in the basics of machine knitting and encourage you to experiment with designs.

Book here

Willow weaving

February 3rd - 4th at Ceridwen, Drefach Felindre Two day workshop £280 Weave your own willow basket with Cassandra. This is a unique opportunity to create a beautiful multicoloured log or storage basket with integral handles. Using Cassandra’s own grown coloured willow and buff/white willow, you will learn how to weave a base, stake up, and weave gorgeous patterns into your basket.

Book here

Book binding courses and workshops in 2018

Book-binding in 2018

New for 2018 is 'Introduction to Bookbinding '  a 5 week evening class commencing Wed 31-1-2018 Preseli Community Learning Centre, Ysgol y Preseli, Crymych, SA41 3QH Wk 1: Concertina books. Wk 2: Star books Wk 3: Pamphlets, tacket binding and long stitch. Wk 4 & Wk 5:Simple hardback sketch book with book cloth cover Booking Ysgol y Preseli Telephone: 01437 770180   In 2018 I will be working both with 'Make it in Wales' and with ' Make at Monteray'- both suppliers of excellent craft courses- one in Wales and one in Devon

17th February              Casebound Sketchbook at Oriel Myrddin, Carmarthen 30th March                  Coptic Binding at the Coach House, St Dogmaels 19th May                     Open Spine Binding at Oriel Myrddin, Carmarthen 9th July                      Coptic Bound Memory/Keepsake book at Ceridwen, Drefach Felindre 18th October               Square book with fabric cover, button and tie closure at Ceridwen, Drefach Felindre More details and online booking are at Make it in Wales Have a look at the other courses as well- from ceramics to dyeing to basketmaking and weaving

and at Topsham in Devon Casebound Sketchbook Workshop Wed 30th May with Make at Monteray Tunnel Books A days course on tunnel books will be coming soon Book binding materials, papers, thread and tools are available from my website www.nantdesigns.co.uk Any questions, suggestions for workshops or material needs please feel free to send me a message mail@nantdesigns.co.uk.co.uk

Memory book workshop

Memory book workshop at Oriel Myrddin, Carmarthen on May 12th

Make your own Memory or Keepsake book

All those special photographs​, invitations, reminders of amazing journeys-menus,bus and train tickets, programmes for long past concerts and events: bits and pieces will no longer have to reside in a shoe box when you make yourself a memory book With pockets and pages to hold them all  memory books can be made to your own requirements with coloured and plain pages, envelopes and pockets sewn into the binding so no more loose bits without a home. After a full days workshop you will be able to take home a complete A5 book filled with blank, white and coloured pages interspersed with envelopes, hardback covers decorated in handprinted papers (a choice of colours and designs from my stock) all coptic bound into one fabulous book.  This would make a very special present and give you a great day out where you learn new skills and make new friends. Booking is essential for this workshop and can be made online at http://www.makeitinwales.co.uk/course-details/bookbinding-carole-king/ Nant Designs website www.nantdesigns.co.uk now has a shop where you can buy papers and bookbinding thread as well as ready made books. Local buyers are welcome to make an appointment to call.

Coptic Binding in March 2017 at Crymych

Looking for a course in Coptic binding- this might suit you

Make a coptic bound book with hard covers and a decorative stitched open spine, suitable for use as a sketchbook, notebook, diary or journal.

During this one day workshop participants will complete an A5 size book (portrait format) filled with drawing quality paper.

Coptic binding secures the pages so that they will open flat on a table : it enables you to combine multiple types of paper within one book.

Skills required: Just accurate measurement, a bit of patience and simple sewing skills required

Tools /Materials suggestion list

I will provide

pieces of thick greyboard for the covers

book cloth for the book spine

140gsm white acid free cartridge

glue

thread

Please will you bring:

Essential tools- scissors- I use a big pair for cutting paper and a small pair for fiddly bits

a ruler – both for measuring and as a cutting edge

darning size needle

a paintbrush suitable for glueing

Materials-

To make a book that is more personal I ask that you supply your own wrapping papers for the book covers eg interesting paper bags, packaging, gift wrap, advertising flyers, pages from magazines..... etc almost anything paper could be used- you will need enough to cover two A5 pieces of card on both sides. The reverse could be a different or toning piece.

information about other bookbinding courses can be found here

open spine binding, make a sketchbook and others all with Make it in Wales

Waunifor 2016

Waunifor has come around again.

Always worth a visit, this years exhibition has a special focus on sculpture and three dimensional art.

As well as my usual books and handprinted papers you will find my recent series of silkscreen prints. Each one is a skyline silhouette with variable background colours - various versions to choose from.

Gwanwyn Festival Bookbinding Workshops

I have been running a short series of bookbinding workshops as part of the Gwanwyn Festival, which is being held nationwide throughout May. The aim of this festival is to encourage more people over 50 to take part in the arts – art, craft, performance, etc – and to increase the number and range of activities on offer.

We have made Concertina books ( whilst being recorded by BBC Radio Wales ) and will be completing our sketch books this week. Each book has been constructed from simple materials and finished with various papers provided from home to create a very individual finished product. Everybody  has their own ideas about the purpose of their books- one is for a special present, another is to keep a record of their granddaughters visits with pictures and scraps stuck in.

On Tuesday 17th May we will be having a small exhibition of the books we have made- some may still be 'in production'.

 If you would like to see what we have been doing or find out about future workshops we will be welcoming you with Tea and Biscuits to find out more: We will be in the Radley room at The Cardigan Guildhall between 1 and 3pm.

We would also like to hear from you if you have any ideas of what else you would like to see running at the Guildhall - arts, crafts, or otherwise – in the future.

If you would like to see more about this festival take a look at the website www.gwanwyn.org.uk

Make a sketchbook

Today there was a gathering of bookbinders at Preseli Community learning centre in Crymych for more bookbinding challenges and fun.
After a long day of glueing, sewing, cutting and folding everyone went home clutching beautiful sketchbooks.

More bookbinding opportunities are coming soon

book now with http://www.makeitinwales.co.uk/course-details/bookmaking-course-with-carole-king/

Bookbinding with 'Make it in Wales'

In 2016 I will be running a variety of courses in Cardigan Castle, organised by  Make it in Wales



Bookbinding for Beginners
March 12th

Spend a fun day learning how to make simple books.

Participants can expect to return home with three books having learnt the basic techniques used to make simple pamplets with soft covers using longstitch, concertina books with hard covers and ribbon ties and books with stab-stitch bindings.

For this workshop a few oddments of beads/lace/coloured sewing threads or wool may be useful to decorate and finish your books

Casebound Sketchbook
June 9th

Make a A5 sketch book or notebook (portrait orientation) containing around 160 writing or drawing surfaces of good quality, acid free cartridge.

In just one day you will learn all necessary techniques to create a beautiful volume to your own design. The functional hardback covers are decorated with your own choice of paper before the spine is reinforced and bound with a matching cloth binding. Optional finishing touches include reinforced corners, place markers and fly leaf.

Coptic Binding
July 16th

Coptic bound books are constructed with decorative chain stitching across the spine and open flat when laid on a table. A little looser than a casebound book this allows for the addition of photographs or pictures to be added at a later date without stressing the spine.

We will be making an A5 book (portrait orientation) containing around 160 writing or drawing surfaces of good quality cartridge, maybe adding some coloured or patterned sheets to create dividers and all contained within hard covers.

Participants are asked to provide an A3 or two A4 sheets of suitable paper to wrap the cover boards- this will give their book a really personal finish.

Tunnel Books

September 20th

A magical, miniature world contained inside a book.

This workshop re-cycles pictures from magazines to create an intriguing tunnel book. Let your imagination run wild as you combine pictures to create unlikely scenes using found images.

Concertina folds of paper support collaged scenes to create a miniature theatre. Viewed through a single window an imaginary 3 dimensional landscape is revealed.

Venue: Cardigan Castle

For more details and booking http://www.makeitinwales.co.uk/course-details/bookmaking-course-with-carole-king/

Bookbinding: I day course at Preseli, Crymych on 27th February 2016

Bookmaking Workshop

Make a complete book with hard covers and a stitched and covered spine, suitable for use as a sketchbook, notebook, diary or journal. Learn techniques for including storage pockets or envelopes, place markers and retaining ribbons for closure.

During this one day workshop participants will complete an A5 size book (portrait format) filled with drawing quality cartridge paper.

Tools /Materials suggestion list

I will provide

pieces of thick greyboard for the covers

book cloth for the book spine

140gsm white acid free cartridge for the pages

thread

Please will you bring:

Essential tools- scissors- I use a big pair for cutting paper and a small pair for fiddly bits

a metal ruler – both for measuring and as a cutting edge

darning size needle

a paintbrush suitable for glueing

If you have one

a craft knife / stanley knife

board to cut on

a bradawl with a point

you will need

wrapping papers for the book covers eg interesting paper bags, packaging, gift wrap, advertising flyers, pages from magazines..... etc

on Sat  on 27th February 2016

place: The Art Room, Preseli, Crymych

Time: 10-3pm

Booking: preseli.learning@pembrokeshire.gov.uk

Coptic Binding

A one day workshop today in the sunshine at Nant ( well the sun was coming through our big windows!)
Coptic binding was the task in hand and todays group succeeded in producing some creditable efforts on their first attempts. Its not easy to keep everything at the correct tension, cope with long threads and multiple parts of the book to hold whilst sewing so well done....
Here are two of the finished books-

More printmaking courses coming soon -see http://nantdesigns.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/autumn-courses-at-nant.html

for details

Autumn courses at Nant

Courses at Nant Studios Autumn 2015

BOOKBINDING with Carole Essential materials are included but a list of suggested optional extras will be provided. COPTIC BINDING 24th September  £25 This attractive method of creating books can be adapted for photo albums, books containing envelopes for precious items, scrapbooks and sketchbooks. These books open flat when laid on a table and can contain a variety of paper and card types of your own choice. OPEN SPINE BINDING 27th September  £25 using tapes and a variety of decorative stitches. Make an A5 portrait format book with hard covers constructed using tapes and ribbons sewn with coloured stitching to secure the pages. The tapes neatly wrap around the sides of the covers adding extra interest and strength. PRINTMAKING REDUCTION LINO PRINTING October 12th £25 Create a multi-colour print using either traditional or 'easy cut' lino using the reduction method. Tips on creating a design, cutting and inking your plate, registration and printing.Materials provided. A set of beginners lino cut tools may be purchased for £5- please order when booking.(led by Carole) DRYPOINT  October 14th £25 Competent with a pen or pencil? Exchange a 3B for a needlepoint and give drypoint a try. Incised perspex plates produce line-based prints with a character all their own. Work from one of your sketchbook studies and develop it into a print suitable for framing! Using a professional printing press, Glenn and Carole will guide you through the process. Price inclusive of all materials required to produce [6] prints   SILKSCREEN PRINTING September 20th £35 A beginners introduction to silkscreen printing, using paper stencils and acrylic ink on paper. Participants will be guided through the processes and techniques used to create their own print using 2 layers of ink. Guidance will be given on choosing a suitable image, mixing ink, printing, registration and trouble shooting.All specialist materials and equipment provided: just bring a scalpel with a sharp new blade and a selection of ideas.Maximum of 3 people. MONOTYPE October 17th £25 Confident with charcoal or paint? Exchange the willow and brush for the rag and cotton bud! A tonal-based medium ideal for conveying atmosphere, light and shadow. Using a professional printing press, Glenn and Carole will guide you through the wide range of possibilities this versatile medium offers.Price inclusive of all materials required to produce [6] prints

DRAWING Portrait Drawing   from the life model September 22nd £25 Using Carole King as our model, we will investigate proportion, form and structure using drawing media of your choice graphite, charcoal,  conte etc to produce a tonal study. Portrait painter and draughtsman Glenn Ibbitson will provide guidance and suggestions Bring drawing media of your choice Paper and easels provided BOOKING: is essential and may be made online at http://artwagon.moonfruit.com or reserve your place by email: mail@carolekingart.co.uk or phone 01559 370276 and pay by cheque Non returnable payment in advance secures your place. Tea and coffee will be provided but please bring your own lunch.