Expressive Handmade Books

by Alisa Golden

An increasingly popular craft trend receives awe-inspiring treatment by a major artist. Alisa Golden ( Creating Handmade Books ) has created a spectacular guide sure to enlighten both beginners and more advanced students. She provides invaluable instruction on structure—which is where newcomers will focus their energies first—as well as design and content, for those who already have some experience. From measuring and scoring to folding and cutting, from tools for bookbinding to useful media for writing and image-making, there’s a rich store of information on the craft—and a wonderfully wide range of projects, too. Make accordion and flag books, including miniature volumes; side bindings, with cross stitching or laced edges; sewn signatures; portfolios; pop-ups; and other creative styles.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 28, 2006

Reviews

[Linds · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good book for anyone not only interested in book Binding techniques but would like some inspiration, themes, and starting points to create artists’ books.

[Marcie Lovett · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are lots of projects with detailed instructions, although I find it difficult to get all the information needed (sometimes it seems like Golden skips a step or she refers to another page with another project). Along with ideas for books, she also instructs the reader to write about specific feelings or events, which I found less helpful, but where the "Expressive" in the title comes from. Not a book for beginning book makers; if you're interested in expressing emotions through your books, you will enjoy this one. If you're just looking for unusual book shapes and concepts, and can ignore the other writing, you might pick up some ideas here.

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not exactly what I thought

[B · Rating 2 out of 5]

Prettu pictures, not really applicable for my style.

[Lydia Rose · Rating 1 out of 5]

The reason I didn't like this book was because I was looking for actual books that I could make myself and write stories in, not little card type things with pictures and single words on each page. I disliked her style, and mostly just flipped through the pages just to see what she had. These were not what I was hoping for when I picked out the book. You may like it, but I wasn't very impressed.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Need to reborrow from Hastings

[Elie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author is really interesting and this book is an enjoyable read. I would have given more stars, except that most of the directions are for things I am not interested in making.