Shop Update | April '25
Better late than never.
I am not great at keeping this newsletter. I will try to be better about it. If anyone has great scheduling tips please let me know. A lot has happened since the July ‘24 update.
The bookbinding area is now open for use, and has been a great addition to the shop. We brought back equipment from Arkansas, and it was living in the main space for a few months before we could move it over to this new room. I am grateful that this has come together, and although the space is still tight, it is great for the bookbinding study group to have its own area to work in.
I assume a lot of the folk who are reading this post for the first time are doing so because of a post I recently put up, calling for people who are interested in printing and bookbinding to reach out. I found the response overwhelming. I had done this roughly every year for the last few years, and never gotten that kind of a response before. So thank you for doing so.
The reason I make this post is, because as time goes on, less people are getting into the Book Arts than the folks that are leaving. I believe that part of the reason that this happens, is because people don't know how to find a community that is engaged in these things. It makes sense. Printing and bookbinding is largely a non-digital thing, and many of the elders in these communities aren't very active on the internet. The way I was fostered into the printing and bookbinding world was through the kindness of my elders. My teachers kindly taught me how to make work, told me how to start a shop, where to find equipment, and continue to give me advice as I get older. So what I encourage everyone to do is make good community, and these are the first steps that I would take.
I hope that you will all join Briar Press is the site where the Letterpress community, and to some extent the Book Arts community, talk to each other online. It's also where people talk about buying / selling / trading / giving equipment, give advice, make connections with one another. The site is currently scheduled for a major overhaul, so it should see some expanded features in the near future.
Seek out local groups. I belong to the Monks & Friars, which is a printing group in the Detroit area. There are many such groups, and through it you can meet with people that have similar interests. If you have no such group, consider making one whether in person or online.
Find some people who are local to you who practice, and befriend them. Make a plan to take lessons from them. Be dedicated, and consistent. Teaching people is a tremendous amount of work, and take a lot of time and energy. But most people who are willing to teach will give you back as much as you give them.
In any case, reach out with what your hopes are for a practice. I’m always glad to talk.
Things You Should Know
Tyler Lofton was accepted to The Center for The Book graduate studies program at University of Iowa, with a fellowship. Please congratulate them when you next run into them. Tyler is in the bookbinding study group at the shop, and will be co-hosting open studio with Lucy in the near future until they leave for studies.
I am away at the end of the month, studying with Karen Hanmer in Chicago. If you don’t know their work, you should take a look. In May, I’ll be at the Paper Book Intensive for two weeks. If you haven’t heard of the program, you should look into that as well.
Shop Update | Open Studio
I have officially stepped away from Open Studio, and Mariana has taken over the responsibilities of managing the community. I am grateful for their willingness to help. Open Studio days will be limited for a while, until we find enough people to cover Open Studio and train them. For the month of April:
Mariana will host Open Studio for Riso & Bookbinding on Wednesdays
Lucy & Tyler will host Open Studio for Riso & Bookbinding on Tuesdays
I am still looking for someone to cover Open Studio for Letterpress. Until then, Letterpress equipment will be by request only.
Shop Update | Classes
Classes are full for the month of April, but there are a few in May before I leave for the Paper Book Intensive.
Duplicator Basics — Monday, May 5th, 5pm–8pm
Letterpress Basics — Monday, May 12th, 5pm–8pm
I will not be teaching bookbinding in May, but there may be a new class with a new instructor up by then, so I would look out for that.
Equipment Notifications
In Pennsylvania there is a free Kluge and a free C&P. The listing is on the Type High Letterpress Discord. You can join through the link here.
In Metro Detroit, there is two 8x12 C&P, and two 10x15 C&P for free. I can connect you to the people looking to rehome them.
In Ypsilanti, there is a small tabletop proof press for $300, a beautiful challenge 8x12 for $400, and a free C&P paper cutter. There is a good amount of metal type as well. Reach out for a contact number.
Free cases, cabinets, and presses in Ohio found here.