The craft of bookbinding relies heavily on the tools we use and no one made wooden bookbinding equipment better than Frank Wiesner. Before Frank died, we talked about how we could continue to provide the quality handmade tools in this country that he had tirelessly made for so many years. Now it is my pleasure to introduce you to Matthew Dwight.
Continue Reading2023 Bookbinding Events
Hi folks,
Cali here from Andersen’s bindery. It has certainly been a while since I managed to correspond with you. I am so excited for the year to come. There are so many great bookbinding events coming up. We are starting with some classes in book repair at the NSW Guild of Craft Bookbinders with the extremely knowledgeable Karen Vidler (Karen & Nicky Oliver have a fabulous booklet available here on board attachment). Then in June the “Dynamic Duo” are back, that’s right, Dominic Riley and Michael Burke are coming out from England again after a busy schedule of teaching around England and over at the San Francisco Centre for the Book. We are hosting them at Andersen’s Bindery and at the NSW Guild. Then in July the Queensland Guild are hosting Bind23 at the University of Queensland. The conferences are always fun and informative and of course you can enjoy the opportunity of seeing & touching the goodies for sale on the trade tables where all your favorite suppliers will gather to show off their products. So many bookbinding opportunities in the coming months!
Glaire and other news
Well, what a time to be alive. I hope that you have been finding time to work on your bookbinding. We have been busy here even when we were locked down. Orders have been rushing in, most popular have been our kits, Long stitch binding, Japanese binding & of course the Deluxe Kit is a favourite paired with Kathy Abbott’s book for a fantastic gift.
Continue ReadingNew Products
We have added a great deal to our product range lately, here are just a few to wet the appetite.
We have received a nice collection of second-hand tools for re-sale, they are sold “as is” so take a look at the printed impressions we have provided to get a good idea of the imprint for finishing tools. There are also some lovely type holders, both newer and older versions. I have a soft spot for the old tools, I love the feeling of history, thinking of who may have worked with a tool and where that may have been.Continue Reading
International Competition – Designer Bookbinders
Have you heard of the Designer Bookbinders society in England? Along with the Society of Bookbinders and the Guild of Book Workers it is one of the foremost groups devoted to the craft of fine bookbinding. Designer Bookbinders began over fifty years ago and runs regular exhibitions and competitions. They are dedicated to the encouraging the highest standards in bookbinding. Its membership includes some incredibly talented and highly regarded makers in the fields of fine bookbinding, book arts and artists’ books, each with a passion for presenting the bound text as a unique art object, encompassing text, structure, illustration, print and paper. Since 2009 Designer Bookbinders have had an International Competition where impeccable technique, individuality and innovation are highly regarded and encouraged.Continue Reading
Recent bookbinding publication – Board Attachment by Nicky Oliver and Karen Vidler
Recent bookbinding publication
Board Attachment by Nicky Oliver and Karen Vidler
Published by the Society of Bookbinders, 2019
Bookbinders Nicky Oliver and Karen Vidler decided to write the Board Attachment pamphlet after conversations with Bookbinding teacher Maureen Duke and the many students they have taught over the last 10 years. All agreed there is a need for short, easy to follow bookbinding manuals as unrefereed YouTube videos are not meeting the need in providing guidance to learning bookbinding techniques to a high standard. The authors were seeking to meet this need by writing this manual of some foundation skills in hand bookbinding that they would loved to have read during their early bookbinding education and training. Continue Reading
Paper Repairs
Hello everyone, I know it has been a long time since I last posted here. You all know the reasons, fires, pandemic, life. I thought I would have a chat about paper repairs and the things you need to repair tears in your books.Continue Reading
The Straight Edge
Hooray! You asked for it and we got it. The steel straight edge is finally here. We have been meaning to stock these for some time and the number of students in the recent classes held here and at the NSW Guild who asked us to get them in just gave us the push we needed.Continue Reading
The Festival of the Book
Well the Australian Bookbinding Conference, Bind 19 is over and was a great success. The NSW Guild of Craft Bookbinders did a fantastic job organising the conference. The venue was beautiful, right on the water and even the food was great. The speakers/presenters were all wonderful and all of us in the trade room had a fabulous time. The courses which we held both before and after the conference went very well too and the feedback was excellent!Continue Reading
Bind 19
Wow! I can’t believe how fast this year is flying by. We are getting really excited about the Bind 19 Conference and all the amazing classes associated with that. If you don’t already have your tickets click on the link above and grab them now! You won’t regret it.Continue Reading