Wednesday 29 February 2012

Book Boxes

I always like my books to be presented in a book box, and usually this is a black card slipcase. I worked out a pattern for making them many years ago, after reading a book on Japanese gift boxes and adapting one of them, and I've been adapting and adjusting the formula ever since.
I use Canson card, which is fairly heavy (300 gsm I think) and I've always believed it was acid free, but I've since read an article saying that black card and paper can never be really acid free, so I'm no longer sure.

For the last few days I've been working on book boxes and it has been a bit of a challenge to get the pattern for these particular boxes just right, as I do everything by making and adjusting. This box is for my first BAO edition of books, and as it is an unusual shape, it's taken me a while to design the box and pattern to fit. Once done though, it was a breeze to make them up.
They're all done - 15 of them and the books are inside too! I've been working consistently on this project even though I usually don't do too much at this time of the year when it's so hot, and I wanted to finish it early before moving on to something else. I have been surprised how much I enjoyed making the edition and enjoyed working with the streamlined methods of production.

I will add a post about the making of the books at a later date, after they've been distributed and received by the members of my BAO group five.

6 comments:

jac said...

Wow You've been busy. I'm still at the trying to pin ideas down stage. Looking forward to seeing them in more detail

Helen M said...

Thanks Jac, I have been working like a slave for weeks, but I was lucky that I knew what I wanted to do with this particular title right from the outset. Not so with the second title I've chosen and at this stage I have no idea what the form or subject matter will be. I'll be 'working' on that one in my head while I work on other things for a while.

ronnie said...

these look FANTASTIC helen (and aren't you the busy bee!) I'm looking forward to your 'how-I-dun-it' post (I'm a nosey parker)

Helen M said...

Thanks ronnie, who said I was obsessed? I'm looking forward to posting about the making, but a little restraint is required here!

Vicki said...

OMG! Finished already...I can't wait to peek inside the boxes...they look so intriguing. Must be a nice feeling to be able to cross one off your list. Well done!

Helen M said...

Thanks Vicki, I do feel quite pleased with finishing off my first edition of 15 - it was much more fun than I thought it would be.