Bench Notes: A Journey with Journals and Erin Harris!

Are you a lover of paper and journals? Can you be trusted unsupervised in an office supply store? (We can't.) If you love the idea of having a special journal for your bench or your computer bag or your desk ... this workshop may be for you!

You're invited to join Erin Harris, the Sentimenal Metalsmith, in a three day journey through the process of making a reusable journal. (Yes, we said REUSABLE!) We'll start with learning about how to etch a variety of metals to create decorative components for our covers, including how to transfer images from paper to metal. We'll combine our metal elements with leather and decorative papers to construct sturdy journal covers using a combination of metalsmithing and bookmaking skills, including a version of the Secret Belgian binding process, but with a twist! Instead of creating fixed pages inside our journals (called signatures), we'll create an interior capable of accepting multiple pre-made soft-cover booklets - so when you fill one up, you can remove and replace it without having to "retire" your personalized cover.

This workshop is open to makers of every level and discipline - no prior metalsmithing or bookbinding experience is required, although experienced makers will learn lots of new skills to add to their creative toolbox. As an added bonus, the entire class will be recorded and you'll get 30 days access to the same videos our online participants will get... at no additional cost!

Absolutely everything necessary to complete the project is provided in this workshop – all tools, materials, and equipment! A few weeks before the workshop, we'll reach out with instructions about what to do if you have specific imagery you want to include in your journal. Bring a pen and notebook for note-taking and eye magnification if required, but otherwise just come and have fun!