It’s been a long few months, but here at last I’m happy to announce the opening of Re:Paper Studios North!  That’s right, I’ve arrived in Chicago safe and sound, with dog and husband in tow.  What’s more I’ve finally unpacked enough of my studio to get some work done, so send those custom order requests my way- whether you’re looking for a new journal, wedding album, photo album, address book or any other kind of custom-bound custom-made book, I can help!  More news to come as I continue to settle in.  Welcome to the new studio!

Buy Handmade, Uncategorized, custom order, etsy, festivals, hackbooking | No Comments »

Perhaps you saw them in the Green Upgrader Handmade Gift Guide written by the lovely Becky of Glue and Glitter , or maybe you caught them on Nerd Approved. Either way, there’s no denying- beer box books are the must have journal for eco-conscious beer aficionados with a writing habit. The demand caught me by surprise and the initial batch of books sold fast, but rest assured I’m working as fast as my fingers will go to whip up and new round for you all.

So what do you do if you’ve just got to have a beer box book? There are a few options. If you want a book and are not too picky about the box used for the cover drop me a message either using the contact me link to the left or the contact RePaper link on my Etsy site and I’ll send you a note when the new set of books has been listed in my Etsy store. If you have a request for a specific brand, drop me a line at either contact and let me know what you’re in the market for- I’ll keep any eye out when I hit the neighborhood bars (or rather, their recycle bins), but I may not be able to fill every request. If you have a must-have brand that I cannot find locally you can send me a box (contact me for shipping instructions) and I’ll create a custom listing for you in my store when it’s ready.

Please keep in mind that Christmas will very soon be upon us, I’ll do my best to fill orders by then but if you can wait until after the holidays let me know, you will win my eternal gratitude and save a little bit of cash. All must have by Christmas special orders carry a rush charge and will cost $12, special orders that can wait until after Christmas delivery are still only $8. And, if you can catch them, the ready made books I’ll be listing in the shop will also sell for $8 and will make it to you by Christmas if purchased by December 20^th (US delivery only, sorry). How do you know when there are more books ready in the shop? Keep an eye or the Etsy widget to the right there for images, or contact me to be sent an update.

Happy Holidays, and remember- once you do have a beer book in hand, write responsibly.

Buy Handmade, Uncategorized, custom order, etsy, festivals, hackbooking, methods and materials, odds and ends, press | No Comments »

The holidays loom.  You’re on a tight budget, but you’re crafty.  Hope is on the horizon (or perhaps more appropriately, the book shelf)!  Check out this awesome new release from Lark Books, Eco Books: Inventive Projects from the Recycling Bin an inventive tome of bookbinding projects using things you’d usually toss in the trash or recycle bin.  Craft journals and the like for friends and family using everything from discarded office supplies to used coffee filers and egg crates (no joke)!  Projects range in difficulty and I’ve found the instructions to be clear and easy to follow.  There’s even a few projects in there from yours truly- including my ever popular game board journals.  The Lark Books site even has a free project pdf for the Java Journal up on their site now- check it out, who can beat free?!

For more in-depth learning (and to prepare for holiday seasons for years to come), why not join me at the Atlanta Printmaker’s Studio this January/ February for my popular Book Arts Class?  I’ll be teaching 5 different book structures, including Japanese stab-bound (great for photo albums) and a variety of hard and exposed spine formats.  Classes meet Sunday afternoons and total up to 24 hours of instruction- more than enough to start you down the addictive path of bookbinding, a skill comes in handy whether you’re an artist/ crafter looking to take your skill to the next level or a a novice hoping to pick up a fun new crafty skill.  All skill levels are welcome, but this class is best geared towards beginners looking to learn the basics and work their way up to making some pretty awesome books!  Register now at the APS website, and I’ll see you in January!

classes, hackbooking, resouces | No Comments »

That’s right, it’s almost time for ICE!  Be sure to stop by booth #21 to see me (that’ll off the right hand aisle by the kitchen, near the yummy goodies from Just Add Honey and Dulce Vegan Bakery).  I’ll have plenty of 2010 day planners, photo albums, address books, blank books, diaries, travel journals and other goodies to fill every stocking on your list!  I’ll also be taking custom orders at the show if you’re looking to create the perfect one-of-a-kind gift for the holidays.  So be sure to join me and over 100 other super talented artists for the best holiday market in Atlanta!

Buy Handmade, appearances, custom order, festivals, hackbooking, methods and materials, odds and ends | No Comments »

Thanks everyone who voted in the BEST Zombie Award over at the BEST blog- it was a tough fight with so many awesome entries, but I managed to retain my title!  Check out the BEST Blog here for a wonderful write-up on my Vampire Diary.  Best of all, I get to share the “horrors” (ahem, pardon the pun) or rather honors this year with Rhonda on MyHandBoundBooks and her super cool (and super creepy) “Trapped Inside a Haunted House” tunnel book!

You may well ask, Sara Hindmarch, you just won the BEST Zombie Award two years running- what are you going to do next?  Well, here’s a hint.  And here’s another one!  Keep your eyes here for more info soon!

Buy Handmade, Uncategorized, awards, classes, custom order, etsy, festivals, hackbooking, methods and materials, press | No Comments »

I just got back from Italy- a month ago. Like most of you out there I’m terrible at gathering my photos, thoughts and momentos from a trip together once the reality of being home and catching up with all of the laundry and e-mails hits. So this time I tried a little experiment, I whipped up a little travel journal for myself before the trip, with text paper in the front and drawing paper in the back- and a handy little elastic closure to keep it all closed and tidy as it got tossed from suitcase to camera bag. I jotted down notes at museums, lists of what I ate (turns out, lots of gelato and prosciutto), sketches of my fellow train passengers, and bad late-night wine induced poetry- all that good stuff. Now that I’m home I have a pretty good record of my trip, even if most of my photos are still sitting on the hard-drive of my computer rather than out on Flickr to share (some images have made it to Flickr, check it here if you’re curious).

Inspired, I’m happy now to offer a new Re:Paper format book- the little travel journal. The covers are made from upcycled scraps of map and travel themed papers, so whether you’re going to Paris or just around the corner the book is “appropriate” in theme. I’ve also “upgraded” my field test version with a little flat pocket in the back cover, perfect for stashing you train ticket or hotel key card when you’re on the go. One journal is currently listed in my Etsy store, but I’ve got a few more sitting in stock on my shelves. And as always I’m happy to make a custom version if you have a particular map/ size/ color/ paper-type/ etc. in mind. Happy trails!

Buy Handmade, etsy, hackbooking | No Comments »

April 22nd is Earth Day!  Part of Re:Paper’s mission is reuse and redirect paper that would otherwise be junked, and turn it into beautiful works of art.  All of my books feature at least recycled text papers (acid free, post consumer waste), any may feature recycled paper covers from old games, calendars, maps and other sources.  Here are some quick tips from my studio to help you conserve paper every day of the year…

•  Buy an accordion file and save beautiful bits of paper that you come across (from magazines, calendars, wrapping papers, even your crafting scraps).  Use these treasures to make collages, cards or other crafty projects to gift or keep.
• Like the idea of keeping scraps but think you’ll never get around to using them?  Save them up and gift them to kid you know (along with some glue, glitter, pens and other “crafty” necessities) as an art kit.
•  Save one sided sheets of paper bound for the recycling bin.  At the end of the week, cut them in half and “bind” with a binder clip to make a handy scrap pad (and remember to recycle those scraps!)
• If you have recycling at work but just hate to get up constantly to place every little scrap in the bin, try placing a little “recycle bin” at your desk (I use and empty file box top).  Toss used paper in as you go, empty into the big recycle bin at the end of the week.
• Visit Catalog Choice to opt out of catalogues still showing up for old roommates, boyfriends and other previous inhabitants.  The service is free!

hackbooking, methods and materials, odds and ends, resouces | No Comments »

Edible books: wonderful or just plain weird?  You decide.  Wordsmith Books in Decatur is hosting the 5th Annual Edible Book Festival next weekend, Saturday March 29^th.  The Literacy Volunteers of Atlanta and the Southeast Chapter of the Guild of Book Workers invites you to “unleash your imagination as you cook up a culinary creation with literary inspiration.”  Participants are asked to make edible art that has something to do with books, shapes or content.  Entries will be exhibited to the public at Wordsmith Books and judged base on relevance and creativity.  Prizes will be awarded to winners and (best of all?) after judging all “suitable entries” will be eaten.  Entry fees are $5 for amateurs and $25 for professionals (what qualifies as a professional edible bookmaker I leave you to ponder), and all proceeds benefit Literacy Volunteers of Atlanta in its effort to increase adult literacy.  I’m cooking up an entry (pardon the pun) and am looking forward to deciding where the event falls on the wonderful/ weird divide in person.  To find out more or to register check out the Wordsmith Books website.  And if you’re not in the Atlanta area do yourself a favor and Google “Edible Book;” you may be surprised how many festivals of this bent (Edible Book Festivals, Edible Book Teas, etc.) pop up around the country every Spring!

festivals, hackbooking, odds and ends | No Comments »

Check out the latest edition of The Chick’s Guide for a tutorial by yours truly! There’s easy step-by-step instructions for making your own leporello or concertina scrapbook. Be sure to check out the rest of the site for instructions on other fun projects while you’re there.

hackbooking, press, tutorials | No Comments »

Looking for something special for everyone on your Holiday list, but not sure what? Custom Re:Paper books make gifts for just about anyone! The possibilities are nearly endless, let me know what you’re looking for and I’ll work with you to design the perfect gift. Here are some ideas to get you started. . . 

Custom Scrabble book: Spell out something meaningful on the cover of their very own book! Great for writers, word-freaks, and Scrabble lovers.

Game book: Do you know somebody who likes to play games? Old game boards and boxes make great book covers!

Packaging book: Does Dad have a favorite beer, or little Sis a cereal that she just can’t live without? Have a book cover made from the packaging with their very own custom journal.

Travel journal: Journals filled with a combination of writing, sketch and heavy photo pages are perfect for travelers.

Drop me a line and we’ll get started on making something for even the toughest person on your Holiday gift list!

custom order, hackbooking | No Comments »