Teaching Book Arts

I have been teaching at the Houston Book Arts Guild since 2008 when I taught Zine-making at a meeting. Fun to share!

Thanks! to Marjorie Silverstein for taking these photos of my cover gluing demonstration

HBAG was founded December 2005 by then Museum Curator, Todd Samuelson, at The Printing Museum in Houston. We had learning experiences at each monthly meeting. We now meet from September through June on the first Thursday of the month at 6:00 pm.

I enjoy putting together all the materials, receiving the RSVPs, and volunteering to teach and share my knowledge. Sometimes there is no fee for supplies and other times the fee is $5 to $10 for a kit. 

Storybook Theatre books I learned & taught from Alisa Golden's book: Making Handmade Books

I taught Halloween Star Books in 2009, Accordion Variations in 2010, twice in 2013: Storybook Theater in February & Calligraphy - Decorated Capitals in September, team-taught with Cori Austin & JF Gold: Altered Books in 2014. My favorite: I taught Carving Rubber Stamps in 2011 & 2016.

At the June 1st meeting participants learned the Guest / Photo Album for a $7 fee. The album kits, by Arnold Grummer, sell for $9 each or a dozen at $7 each.

I put together packets, providing the glue and asked the 12 students to bring scissors, bone folders and a glue brush. I tried to find metal spacer bars - now sold in sets by Volcano Arts. I wanted each student to have their own, so I cut 20 pieces of Davey board: 12 inches by a quarter inch.

Herb Craft with his completed Photo Album

Everyone had a good time making their albums! I had fun too - spending time with my book arts tribe.

Also at the HBAG meeting there was a changing of the guard with Lee Steiner - who has been a fabulous leader - passing her Presidential tiara to Janet Reynolds! I'm looking forward to more enriching learning experiences. Field trip anyone!?!

©Anne Rita Taylor 2017

Paris Shopping for Yarn

Baby blanket I crocheted with my French yarn

While in Paris go to the Passage du Grand Cerf and find a shop called Lil Weasel if you want to buy yarn - made in France of course. Going from the 1st District (or Arrondissement) near The Louvre, the Passage is about a half hour walk to the 2nd District.

The Passage du Grand Nerf was created in 1825, among the first shopping malls. Businesses are on the ground floor, storage areas on the second, and apartments are located on the third floor, very pretty & compact.

Close-up of my crochet stitches

Mostly yarn and buttons are sold at Lil Weasel. Other shops: eyeglasses, antiques, furniture, clothing, plus a cafe. The Passage has grown in popularity - now boasts 25 shops. 
I found pretty yarn and gave my business to the friendly French woman who also spoke English. We had a lovely time chatting. I also bought these Eiffel Tower buttons and plan to use them on a sweater.

These are about the size of an American quarter

Find Lil Weasel on Facebook here:  https://www.facebook.com/Lil-Weasel-127579470591966

The interior of the mall is the width of the street with a glass roof.

I bought several skeins - though it seems as if there is too much yarn to possibly choose.

Buy a tote bag in the mall - who doesn't need another bag when you are traveling?

You can spend all day in The Passage! Then walk back to the 1st District and go to the Air France office to get your Boarding Pass printed the day before your flight. They are very friendly. 

Bon Voyage!

©Anne Rita Taylor 2017