Eco-print, Dye & Stitch: Creative Retreat
By Bookbinding with Cass
Date and time
Sat, 25 May 2019 10:30 - Sun, 26 May 2019 16:30 GMT+1
Location
Bridgend Farmhouse
Edinburgh EH16 4TD United KingdomRefund Policy
Contact the organiser to request a refund.
Description
Join Edinburgh-based Bookbinder Cass Barron and Textile Artist Elisabeth Viguie-Culshaw for a hands-on weekend exploring the creative potential of botanicals and bookbinding.
Our base for the two days will be the fabulous Bridgend Farmhouse - a beautifully restored farmhouse and community project near to Craigmiller Castle Park, easily accessible by car and public transport.
Over the weekend we'll be taking inspiration from the surrounding woodland and community gardens, working with local flora and fauna to create natural dyes, paints and eco-prints. We will also experiment with geli plate printing, ink stamping and calligraphy using handmade calligraphy pens/brushes.
On day 1 we will explore with a range of mark-making techniques under the guidance of Elisabeth, the output of which will be a body of hand-printed work onto paper and fabric. We'll also experiment with some polymer clay relief printing to create leaf press buttons that can be incorporated into your books.
On day 2 Cass will introduce a range of decorative and functional bookbinding techniques, and assist you in selecting and binding some of your creations into journals and artists books, including an eco-print sample book and creative journal.
This weekend retreat builds on our popular day-long collaborative workshops but has been designed to allow more time and space to introduce and experiment with a range of eco-printing techniques, binding methods and materials.
From this workshop weekend you can expect -
- Beautiful surroundings
- Passionate and friendly tutors with long-term expertise in their field
- The chance to experiement and get creative without judgement (we believe in creativity for everyone)
- Access to a range of specialist tools and materials
- The opportunity to gain an understanding of eco-dying and bookbinding techniques, plus get hands-on with a number of different mark making processes
- Woodland walks on the doorstep for fresh air and inspiration
- At least two finished handbound books to take away
- A body of prints on cloth and papers for you to take away
- An eco-print and bookbinding starter kit so you can continue your creative play at home
- A wealth of information on where to source materials and where to go for further inspiration
- Good coffee and sweet treats!
- Sunshine (ok, we can't promise this but fingers crossed)
We will provide drinks and sweet treats on both days to fuel your creativity but ask that you bring your own packed lunch on both days. There is a cafe on site but it is hard to say if this will be busy or not at the times we decide to break for lunch so it is recommended that you bring your own food.
The venue is fully accessible but if you have access requirements, please get in touch so that we can be sure to accommodate.
For more info about Cass and Elisabeth, see below. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to get in touch.
My work find its sources in traditional well executed crafts techniques associated with witchcraft. Hot cauldrons, needles and thread and sand paper are side by side on my worktable. In my personal work I am forcing a relationship and a personal narrative between nature and nurture.
My work takes place in the circular local economy, I remake discarded objects drawing on botanical witchery and industrial texture building. For those who want to learn my craft I have endless passion and skills to pass on.
Cassandra Barron - Bookbinder - "I began making my own sketchbooks while studying Fine Art Sculpture at Art School but have really honed my bookbinding practice over the past 7 years. I create artists books, as well as undertaking commissions, which include visitor books, wedding guest books, travel journals, photo albums and bespoke sketchbooks, for a range of clients and have also developed a dynamic programme of bookbinding and mark making workshops.
I use and teach traditional bookbinding techniques, which I combine with more contemporary processes, using everyday materials and found objects to create one-of-a-kind books. I particularly like the challenge of working with scrap and pre-loved materials, giving them a new lease of life by transforming them into unique and usable books.
I am continually inspired by nature, more specifically the ephemeral quality of water, flora and fauna, which I incorporate into my books through processes such as relief printing, pyrography, cyanotype and eco-dying. I get a real buzz out of sharing my skills and passion for bookbinding and deliver workshops both independently and in collaboration with artists from other disciplines, as well as community organisations, zero wate charities and art institutions. Scotland, and Edinburgh in particular, has a rich history of bookbinding and papermaking and I am passionate about keeping this craft alive and relevant – inspiring others to experience the sense of satisfaction that comes with creating your own hand-bound books."
**Spaces on this class are limited and there will be no refunds or transfers once a booking has been made, unless your place can be filled from a waiting list, in which case the full fee will be refunded. If the workshop is cancelled for any reason, you will be offered either a cash refund or the option of being transferred to an alternative event.**
Organised by
I am passionate about making books and transforming everyday, remnant materials into unique and usable notebooks, journals sketchbooks and more experimental Artists' Books. I take much of my inspiration from nature and love experimenting with new stitches and creating workshops to share the joy of bookbinding with others.
I regularly work in collaboration with other artists and community organisations across Scotland to devise fun and welcoming workshops, ensuring that everyone leaves with their own finished book and the skills to make many more.