First Commission

A person (friend? associate? Cuban spy?) asked me to make a lined notebook for her. She gave me the paper she wants me to use and the rough size - 'about this big,' she said as she folded the paper. She also said she didn't want any pictures - especially pictures of me - in the book. Not even my logo. However, since this is my very first commission, I'm ecstatic.

Am I getting so much better at bookbinding that she trusts me to make a good notebook for her or does she just want a free book? (Yes, I'm not charging her for it. Trust me, though, this is my last free commission. Although it also might be my only commission....)

Here are three pictures: the paper 'neath a haniwa, ten printed folded signatures, and the same signatures sewed up. A haniwa is that thing you see but the originals are from western and southern Japan from the Jomon era - from 10,000 to 3,000 years ago.

New: Tedorigawa Bookmakers Podcast

If you look at the top of this post you will see a new tab titled: Tedorigawa Bookmakers Podcast. This is a podcast I make for Tedorigawa Bookmakers. That makes sense, doesn't it?

Currently it has 95 episodes. The more recent episodes have me talking about my current work or the work of other people. There is occasionally an Interview with a Bookbinder. This is followed by a Bookmaking Audio Drama that is a conversation between a fictional bookbinder and a fictional customer. The episodes are at most about five minutes long, many are shorter but I don't think any are longer.

Here is a the 95th Episode. I hope it plays. If it doesn't, click on the new Tab at the Top ~ Tedorigawa Bookmakers Podcast ~ or download here:

• Tedorigawa Bookmakers Episode 95 (right click and save)

Podcast Powered By Podbean

The Tedorigawa Bookmakers Podcast is also available on iTunes at Tedorigawa Bookmakers.

Thanks for dropping by.

Fold-Out Book

I'm working on making a fold-out book that, I hope, will contain a local artist's sketches. There will be nine 'pages' when it's open but 18 pages overall. What I have discovered is the thicker the book board, the bigger the gap between the middle page and the outlying pages, especially the first one that opens (which is also the last to close).

I'm looking for very thin wood or will use .5 mm ( or 1mm bookboard, if necessary). They will be connected with book cloth or sewn together using color-appropriate thread. The color will depend on the artist.

The pictures show prototypes and a half-scale mock-up. I'm thinking one page will be B5, at least. It will be a bulky book but worth every penny. Will we make an edition? Depends on my skill, the artist's intention, and, probably, the weather when things are finished...?

Pretty fun working out all the logistics and technical details of a structure I've never made before. Great fun. Of course, it's taking time away from my Calvado rewrite.... Hmmm.

Check out:

http://tedorigawabookmakers.podbean.com

for audio & more photos about my bookbinding.