Art Camp for Women welcomes Carol Sloan as our Guest Blogger this week. Carol will be teaching mixed-media bookmaking at Art Camp for Women in June 2012. She will be teaching at Deluxe Camp as well as “The Works!” Camp! Welcome Carol.
Carol Sloan Spirit book - Wanna make one too?
I am so excited about teaching at Art Camp for Women this year!
I think that we, as women, have so many responsibilities in our lives that we often put our need to express ourselves creatively last on the list. We spend our days meeting the needs of everyone but ourselves.
It’s so important for each of us to be able to tell our stories…to express what we have lived through, what we are dealing with or how we are feeling. And doing this in a creative manner is often just what the doctor ordered!
Everyone has a story to tell, whether it’s about your own life, a loved one or a made-up tall tale. It’s there just waiting to be shared.
Imagine being surrounded by caring, loving women that truly understand your yearning to express yourself creatively. Being in an atmosphere where your lack of skills (or your imagined lack) is no longer an issue.
Imagine having every tool, every little item that you need to create a stunning piece of artwork right at your fingertips…everything.
Every tool, every little item at your fingertips.
Gourmet food waiting at the table. Wine poured for you.
Dinner is Served!
Smart, talented and funny instructors that understand your fears and hesitations. We have a knack for helping those that think they can’t be helped…
Imagine finding your tribe. That special group of women that share your likes, your experiences, that love the same things that you do. You speak the same language when it comes to being creative.
THAT is what Art Camp For Women is all about.
It’s about connecting with like-minded women and spending a few days wrapped in the cocoon of creativity away from all the distractions of everyday life.
I’ve spent the last couple of months creating a special class for the June camp. I wanted everyone to be able to create a book that they can use for whatever purpose they choose to use it for, whether that is an art journal, sketchbook, writing journal or as a piece of art in itself.
Carol Sloan Painted pages
I also wanted to consider the brand new book maker as well as the experienced one. I did a lot of research on binding stitches and feel that the combination I worked into the book will be perfect for our purpose and range of experience. It lies completely flat when opened, goes together beautifully, incorporates found items or treasured keepsakes and the paper is heavy enough to use watercolor paint on.
I wanted to keep it simple enough so that everyone could go home and put another one together on their own and not feel frustrated.
I also wanted to include more than one binding stitch. In planning the workshop book, I’ve included three different stitches in the binding. All easy as pie but beautiful!
They really show off the thread color too. I’ll be bringing lots of thread colors to choose from too!
Here are a couple of photos of sample books that I’ve been working on.
Carol Sloan Handmade Books - Don't you want to take one home?
I had received an email or two asking about what could be expected from the class – what will we learn kind of questions. So I thought I would list that out.
Here’s a partial list, as I tend to include all kinds of extras when I teach. I’m one of those teachers that like to share as much as they can. It’s not in my personality to hold things back…
Basic book structure
- Building a cover with various elements
- Designing and creating a cover collage (to make it uniquely yours)
- Differences in bookbinding threads (and how to choose what to use)
- Using household items as art supplies
- How to use acrylic mediums (what, when and why)
- Making your cover durable/waterproof
- Using vintage linens/laces in collage & bookmaking (great ways to use those vintage linens that you’ve been hanging onto)
- Making signatures
- Collage methods to create beautiful book pages
- Three different bookbinding stitches with resources for more
- Discuss paper differences (with samples of each)
- Pulling it all together (the book, that is)
- Using power tools (small ones!) in bookmaking
- Using non-traditional supplies in bookmaking
- Proper measuring/marking for binding stitches
- Discuss different binding structures for different types of books
- Background painting for book pages
That’s the list that I can think of just sitting here…there will be more but not in an overwhelming way. I also provide several pages of instructions to take home with you – complete with hand drawn stitching details.
We will have lots of book making books for you to look through also.
One thing that I still find so exciting is that the participants don’t have to bring their own supplies to the retreat! How cool is that??! Everything is provided for you, with many things to choose from and make the book special for you.
You owe it to yourself to investigate those creative urges that you feel. Art Camp is one of the few (if not the only) retreat that pampers you the way that they do. No carrying a huge stash of art supplies, no wondering and second guessing if you’re taking the right tools… It’s all there – waiting on you.
So, if you’re looking for a retreat that allows you to investigate your own creativity in a safe and nurturing environment, then this is your place.
You give so much of yourself to the other people in your life, it’s time that you started treating yourself the same way!
Carol Sloan Antelope Book
