This fuzzy, furry building is the UK Pavilion at the Shanghai Expo. It’s open now, so if you’re in or near Shangai, check it out. I would LOVE to see this in person. The interesting thing about the view of the pavilion from the outside, is that other bloggers have mentioned seeing the Union Jack in the structure. I sort of see it too, the vertical, horizontal and 45 degree lines are visible in some photos. Was this intentional? Either way, the building is magnificent. And a little apocalyptic too, in a ‘we better save all the seeds for the end of the world” sort of way. Maybe someone will write a futuristic sci-fi story with characters salvaging seeds from the pavilion.

Designed by thomas heatherwick studio the 20 meter high cube like structure is pierced by 60,000 slim and transparent acrylic rods. the centerpiece of the pavilion is the seed cathedral, where visitors will be able to explore a variety of seeds of different plants featured on the end of each rod.”

UK Pavilion on Wiki
UK Pavilion homepage

The 2009 invite for the Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair arrived in the mail this morning. The Boston Book Fair is one of the oldest and most respected antiquarian book shows in the country. It takes place November 13 through November 15, 2009, at Boston’s Hynes Convention Center. I usually go with Faye and we spend our money on lunch and blind boxes. Admittedly, we can’t afford much at the show, but I look for Polar Exploration books. Last year I met Antipodean Books who had just purchased a large polar exploration collection with memorabilia - gloves, news clippings, etc. The show doesn’t seem to be getting any smaller, though there are fewer buyers to nudge shoulders with. Here’s my review from last year’s show.

Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair
Hynes Convention Center - Boston, Mass.
Friday November 13 - 5pm to 9pm
Saturday November 14 - 12noon to 7pm
Sunday November 15 - 12noon to 5pm

The Boston Book, Print & Ephemera Show also takes place on Saturday, November 14, 2009 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM at the Radisson Hotel just down the street. See you there!

The Pawtucket Foundry Sale opens tonight. The opening night is always a blast - music, food, lots of people, dancing and art & crafts. The show this year will be open for two weekends. Hope to see you there!

Opening Reception
Thursday, December 4th, 5-9pm

Show and Sale
Friday, December 5th, 12-8pm
Saturday, December 6th, 10-6pm
Sunday, December 7th, 10-6pm
Thursday, December 11th, 12-8pm
Friday, December 12th, 12-8pm
Saturday, December 13th, 10-6pm
Sunday, December 14th, 10-6pm

Visit www.foundryshow.com

The annual Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair took place at the Hynes Convention Center in Downtown Boston this past weekend. I love going to this show and looking at all the rare books, but I left this year’s fair with the feeling that it’s not a great time to be a book dealer - “Atiquarian Book Dealer” might have another meaning these days - book dealers are themselves becoming antiquarian: rare and hard to find.

The 2008 fair was billed as having “…a record number of featured exhibitors … the ‘crème de la crème’ of items available on the international literary market…” true, but there were definitely less buyers. I collect Arctic and Antarctic books and met a friendly seller who recently purchased a collection from a {much more} serious arctic collector - he even had a copy of the “South Polar Times” on display for $20,000.00 {wow!}. But even he was willing to cut prices on two books I was looking at by $100.00 and $150.00. Another seller tracked me down in the aisle after locating other books he thought I might be interested in.

I’m not a dealer, just a casual collector & bookbinder, and I don’t have the kind of money some of the guys with the fancy shoes have. But this year, everyone was getting special attention.

We met Priscilla Juvelis, a dealer of book art & artist books - she had Laura Davidson books on display {pictures below}. It’s great to see book art displayed alongside antiquarian books, giving artists’ books relevance by proximity to such expensive bindings.

We also stopped by the North Bennet Street School booth and met Jeff Altepeter, who I’ve mentioned before from last years’ Brickbottom Open Studio. They offer the best bookbinding classes and teachers in New England.

After the show I took Faye to Newbury Comics to buy toys and we had lunch in the city. We stopped by Paper Source and saw our books and the new Amy Butler book. We narrowly made the train back - practically sliding down the escalator and jumping the train. This weekend it was Brickbottom Open Studio, I’ll post photos this week. Cheers!

Dealer Pricilla Juvelis’ booth

Dealer Pricilla Juvelis’ booth

Dealer Pricilla Juvelis’ booth

Dealer Pricilla Juvelis’ booth

Dealer Pricilla Juvelis’ booth

Dealer Pricilla Juvelis’ booth

North Bennet Street School

Lunch in Boston

Train ride home

Boston Book Fair
North Bennet Street School
Priscilla Juvelis

Photos from the Fall River, Massachusetts Open Studio event last weekend. Enjoy.

Hijacked Ceramics

Nate is our Rag & Bone studio assistant - he binds books and manages our materials, fabrics & paper - but in the evenings and weekends he’s a potter and sculptor. You can visit his Etsy site here.

Hijacked Ceramics

Hijacked Ceramics

Hijacked Ceramics

Beehive Kitchenware

Beehive Kitchenware

Beehive Kitchenware

Beehive Kitchenware

Roseberry Winn

Roseberry Winn - A Rag & Bone Digital Photo Album in the wild…

Roseberry Winn

Roseberry Winn

Next up: Brickbottom in Boston.

Faye and I drove up to Boston and walked the Fort Point Open Studios last weekend. It was fun, fun, fun! The new studios off of “A” Street are beautiful. We met our friend Chris Watts and played foosball for about an hour on a “Bay Of Pigs” foosball table, the men were little Castros and the playing field was a beach. Faye met an artist who was creating clay vessels along the sidewalk, sort of a public art exhibition - anyone could play along. We took the opportunity to get our hands dirty and if you ask Faye, I think this was her funnest part of the day - even more fun than foosball I think.

We met Rob Charlton of Goosfish Press again, he has a new studio in South Boston too, so he will be open for the South Boston Open Studios as well. I wish we could have met with Laura Davidson again, but either her studio wasn’t open, or we missed her.

As usual, I didn’t take as many pictures as I should have, but I met a new paper artist {new to me} who I’ll write about next. In the meantime, here are a few photos of us having fun!

We’re heading out to the Fort Point Open Studios in Boston on Sunday. Here are the details:

Fort Point Open Studios
Friday, October 17th 4pm-7pm (Opening Reception)
Saturday, October 18th 11am-6pm
Sunday, October 19th 11am-6pm
Details & Directions

This is a walking tour, the buildings are all pretty close to each other. It’s usually a cool day, the weather says low 60’s so bring a light jacket, but the buildings are usually pretty warm. There are LOTS of artists with open studios - painting, installation, textiles, paper, bookbinders, etc. See our earlier posts here, here, here and here. I’ll bring my camera on Sunday. If you’re in our near Boston, this is a great way to spend your Sunday. Bring the kids too!

And then next weekend, Nov 1st & 2nd, is the South Boston Open Studio event:

South Boston Open Studios
Saturday, November 1st 12am-6pm
Sunday, November 2nd 12am-6pm
Details & Directions

This is where Rag & Bone was started, our first bindery was at the Distillery Building in South Boston. It’s is an old Rum factory that is really a bunch of buildings connected to each other so the floors don’t always meet (Third floor on one building is the second floor to the one connected to it). We worked there in 1993 and there are still a few folks there when we were there. It takes a few hours to walk the whole building and look at everyone’s work. This is another open studio even that we recommend.

Fort Point Open Studios
South Boston Open Studio

Buy Handmade! We’re all for that. A few Christmases ago, this was two houses ago so I guess it was 2003, we kept a list of all our gifts and where they came from. We were shocked, SHOCKED I tell you, to find that more than half were “Made in China”. I don’t think we made a pledge or anything, and it’s not a conscious effort really, but we try to give handmade for the holidays. It helps that we make handmade books, so we attend a bunch of craft shows and holiday sales during the season, so have lots of stuff to buy (and trade!) from our fellow artists.

www.buyhandmade.org is a site you can go to meet like-minded gift buyers, crafts people and artists who have made a pledge to buy handmade goods for the holidays and beyond. Here’s what they have to say:

Buying handmade is better for people.
The ascendancy of chain store culture and global manufacturing has left us dressing, furnishing, and decorating alike. We are encouraged to be consumers, not producers, of our own culture. Our ties to the local and human sources of our goods have been lost. Buying handmade helps us reconnect.

Yes, yes, yes! No “Product Recalls”, no lead paint, no “Melamine”, no harm and it’s all good. We’re taking the pledge and I’m adding the “Buy Handmade” button to our blog. Visit their website for more information.

Visit www.buyhandmade.org

It may be early March, but it’s already time to start thinking about the Spring & Summer craft show season. We just received our application to Paradise city (which I don’t think we’ll be attending, too busy) and we’re scheduling our first open studio of the year.

Sarah over at The Small Object Steno Pad just wrote up an awesome pre-season craft show post with links to show directories and her thoughts on a few of the shows she attends. If you happen to sell your craft at outdoor shows, you should read her informative Q&A post.

Read our previous Craftland report here.
Read our previous RISD show reports here and here.

Visit www.thesmallobject.com

Rag & Bone Bindery at the annual RISD Alumni Sale
If you’re in or around Providence, Rhode Island this weekend, please visit us at the Rhode Island School of Design Alumni Sale on historic Benefit Street, between the RISD Museum and the Providence Atheneum.

It’s free to get in, and there’s lots of stuff to buy - glass, ceramics, paintings, jewelry, funky art and of course books! Usually there’s music on the grassy terrace and food vendors in the streets. We’ll be there all day. If you stop by, be sure to say hello to Ilira, she’ll be working the booth. I’ll be taking care of the kids for the morning but will stop by sometime during the show. See you there!

Rhode Island School of Design
Alumni Sale
Saturday, October 6
From 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

More information

The South End Open Market in Boston, Massachusettes is now open for business. Check out crafty folks and funky art every Sunday through October.

South End Open Market
Every Suinday, 10am -4pm
May - October
[excluding holiday weekends

540 Harrison Ave, Boston MA
Admission and parking both free!

Visit www.southendopenmarket.com

The Providence Open Market is up and running. We spent a lovely, though hot, afternoon at the show. We met a woodworker who makes large dining tables made from reclaimed wood, and as we have lots of wood left over from our renovation project, we might have a custom table made for our loft as a barter for leftover wood. Rag & Bone’s very own Keri and Nate will be showing their work next weekend at the market. Be sure to stop by and say hello!

Photos courtesy www.providenceopenmarket.com

Providence Open Market
Every Saturday, 11am - 5pm
May through October
At Westminster and Union Street
Downtown Providence, Rhode Island

Visit www.providenceopenmarket.com

Artfest

Artfest is just around the corner: March 28th - April 1st. What is Artfest you ask? Well, not having been to one personally, I can only comment on what I know about organizer Teesha Moore and the wonderful artists / teachers she coordinates to teach classes.

Teesha is quite simply the most creative and talented and generous and down-to-earth journaling artist I know. I first met Teesha while writing my book and was enthralled by her and husband Tracey’s amazing journals. But there’s more to it than that. Teesha has been an inspiration to many artists in the journaling field, and continues to inspire and encourage many of us through her work, personality and Artfest. Have I gushed enough yet? Pul-leeze, not even. But lets let her tell the story of Artfest.

Artfest

[Jason] What is artfest?
[Teesha] I usually tell people that artfest is a shot of creativity adrenaline right in the arm. It consists of 3 full days of workshops, an evening market of artists who sell their work, a journaling party, a show-n-tell at the end to see what 500 attendees made in all their classes, a room full of supplies for attendees to play with, and perhaps most of all, it is great way to mingle with other artists…people who think just like you do. Friendships are always made here that extend way past the artfest weekend. It’s really great to see how well everyone relates to each other. This year we have 520 attendees. It starts on a wednesday afternoon and is over on a sunday morning. It is held at Fort Worden (the movie, An Officer and A Gentleman was shot there) which is in Port Townsend…about 2 hours north from seattle.

Artfest

Tell us about the first Artfest event.
Well…I got my first standing ovation which I will never forget as long as I live. But it was also the most harrowing week of my life. I clearly had no idea of half of what would be involved in running an event and our group of about 6 were running and running and running the whole time trying to keep everything afloat. It absolutely drained every last drop of energy I had in my body. But when it was done, it was exhiliarating. Tons of people were thanking me in the end with tears in their eyes about what a life changing experience it was. That alone made me realize that as much work as I had just been through…I HAD to do it again. There was no question when I looked in people’s eyes.

Artfest

How has Artfest evolved over the years?
The first year we had 250 attendees. now we have doubled that and it still runs fine. The extra people are barely noticable. We really haven’t changed it much in the 7 years. We now do show-n-tell and we have a gallery that allows attendees to make art to sell to help pay for their trip…but on the whole it works the way it is and everyone seems to love it.

Artfest

What kind of classes can attendies participate in?
Whew! everything. bookbinding, metal work, jewelry making, assemblage, painting, encaustics, drawing, artists books, polymer clay, journaling, altered photos, etc… But all these mediums have a funky spin to them. These are not the same classes you see at your local community college or art school. All my teachers are picked on their creativity and their out-of-the-box style’s. We used to include textiles but that category is so big that we now have a little sister retreat called ArtFiberfest which happens at the same place and has the same schedule but is in october and draws a smaller crowd of about 150-175.

Artfest

Who are the teachers at Artfest?
They all are artists first and foremost. Then they are teachers. I think this is important. I also pick them not based on their technical expertise but rather their understanding of the creative process. I really look for artists who are always pushing their own boundaries and who seem to exhibit a complete understanding and involvement with true creativity. My teachers are leaders and not copiers of another person’s style. There is a difference between being inspired by another’s work and perhaps incorporating elements into their own work but keeping it their own style and downright copying another’s work. To me, this is easy to see and is another factor in determining my line-up every year.

Artfest

What about extra curricular activities?
This is what makes Artfest what it is and is also the reason I do not allow folks to come for only 1 or 2 workshops. There is something that goes on each night at artfest and you can choose to participate or not. One of the activities that is always open is the Art Asylum room. This is where we unload a ton of boxes of leftover art supplies for the attendees to play with. Folks clean out their art supplies and donate a box to Artfest every year. You never know what you will find to create with but you always see people making cool stuff out of what you would have discarded. So essentially when you aren’t in class, you can still create 24 hours a day. We also have a journaling party down on the beach in a cabin one of the evenings. we build a bonfire and provide s’more fixin’s as well as hot dogs and beer. People bring their journals down and just sit around and talk to folks while they journal or look at other people’s journals. This is usually a small group and provides something different for those who choose to participate.

Artfest

The classes are the draw to Artfest, but do participants take away more than new art techniques? Is it a learning experience for artists to find themselves, their own style, maybe reveal their own artistic and inner vision?
Absolutely. Every year, I have people telling me what a life changing experience artfest was. I think it opens your eyes and you have a lot of aha! moments. Your head gets filled with all sorts of inspiration and you start thinking about your own style’s and modes of working differently….which is always good for an artist to do so they don’t get stale. Sometimes an artist completely changes his or her medium and goes down a different road after artfest. There is a dynamic at artfest that I can’t put my finger on…but it’s real and energetic and yet nourishing.

Artfest

While the event is happening, what are you doing? Do you get a chance to attend any classes?
Ha ha ha! This is THE most draining week of the year for me. Even after all these years when I think I’ve finally got in down, things pop up that we have to deal with. There is no possible way to take a class myself as each day we prepare for the evening activities while the attendees are in their workshops. Even if I had a larger crew to handle everything, I wouldn’t be able to sit in class and concentrate. But I don’t want to be relaxed about it because the minute I do, I might forget a detail that needs to be done. That said, in the last 2 years we try to take an hour here or there where Tracy (my husband) takes me down to a park in town and we just stand at the waters’ edge and soak in the calmness of the waves and the birds chirping and the swaying of the trees in the wind. Then we go back to the fort and jump into the next thing on the list of things to do. It really helps.

Artfest

How many vendors are participating in the trade show event?
About 35 each year. Many of these people only sell at artfest and there are some amazing things to be had every year. It’s a highlight.

Artfest

Where does artfest go from here?
It keeps on truckin’. As long as people want to come and teachers want to teach at it, I will organize it. Every year I get new teachers who are amazing and we fine tune things based on what the attendees tell us. It keeps evolving and staying fresh while simultaneously keeping with some traditions that is what makes artfest what it is.

Teesha’s Studio

Where can we find more information about Artfest?
On my website at www.teeshamoore.com

Teesha’s Studio

Teesha, you have been an inspiration to me any so many other artists. Thank you for doing what you do and just being you and providing an invaluable resource for all of us trying to build a creative life outside of the cookie-cutter mold. Here’s my standing ovation to you! You’re a dear. Keep up the good fight!

Teesha’s Studio

Registration is closed for this year’s Artfest, but keep in touch at www.teeshaslandofodd.com

More on Teesha at www.teeshamoore.com
More Artfest Images

Providence, Rhode Island will soon have its own Providence Open Market. It’s being run in coordination with the city and the organizers of the successful South End Open Market in Boston.

The Market will take place every Saturday, May 12 - October 27 on Westminster and Union (across from Tazza), from 11am- 5pm. That’s downtown, up the road from Design Within Reach. The Market consists of artists, designers, diy artisans, musicians, students, antiques and a small organic farmer’s market. How wonderful is that? Art, design and locally grown food? I’m there!

More information at www.providenceopenmarket.com

The 40th California International Antiquarian Book Fair opens today at the Concourse Exhibition Center, San Francisco. The show is open through Sunday and features seminars and events such as:

Book Collecting 101
What’s This Book Worth
Calligraphers Panel

Over 200 rare book dealers will be on hand in the exhibition hall selling books, manuscripts, maps, stamps, posters, etc.

More information at www.sfbookfair.com

Read our report from this years Rhode Island School of Design annual Alumni Holiday Sale over at Decor8.

Read our report at Decor8

Please stop by the Armory in Pawtucket, Rhode Island - just down the road from Rag & Bone Bindery - for the annual Foundry Artist Sale. Our booth is towards the back of the middle aisle, just follow the music, we’re near the band. We’re scheduled to be on site all day Sunday. The show is run by the exhibitors who volunteer for committees and shifts throughout the show. This is our first year exhibiting in the new Armory space. Hope to see you there!

What: Foundry Artists Sale
Where: Exchange Street Pawtucket Armory
Where: 172 Exchange Street, Pawtucket, Rhode Island
When: Friday 15th 12-8pm
When: Saturday 16th 10-6pm
When: Sunday 17th 10-6pm
Information: Website

While in Pawtucket, also be sure to check out Craftland, just a few miles away in Downtown Providence, Rhode Island. read our Craftland report over at Decor8

What: Craftland
Where: 70 Eddy Street, Providence, Rhode Island
When: Wednesday - Sunday 11am - 6pm
When: Thursdays 11 - 8pm
When: December 1st - 23rd!
Information: Website

And if you’re in the area tonight, be sure to visit the Mill Craft show over at the beautifully renovated Monohasset Mill complex in the Olnyville section of Providence. Stop on by for art, music, and drinks, plus a demonstration by Santa the Smithy!

In 2002, the Monohasset Mill Complex was slated for demolition when four local artists stepped up and purchased the buildings. The mills now contain 37 live / work units, currently subsidized for working artists. The complex is as funky as it is beautiful, a stark difference from most of the renovated lofts in the Providence and Pawtucket area which provide the “artist lifestyle” at a premium price beyond the reach of most working artists. Both Providence and Pawtucket have many of these old mill buildings which are part of our cultural and manufacturing history. We own one of them and we know first hand how much work they can be. But old mills make perfect renovation projects for artists and creative types and it’s great to see what these guys have done with the Monohasset Mill Complex. More information here.

What: Mill Craft
Where: Monohasset Mills
Where: 532 Kinsley Ave. Providence Rhode Island
When: Friday, December 15th, 6-10pm (opening reception)
When: Saturday, December 16th: 12-8pm
When: Sunday, December 17th: 12-6pm
Information: Website

Monohasset Mills:

Beautiful spaces at Monohasset Mills.

We’ll be selling Rag & Bone Bindery books at the Rhode Island School of Design Holiday Art Sale on Saturday, December 9 at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence, Rhode Island.

Alumni Holiday Art Sale 2006: December 9
10am-5pm, Rhode Island Convention Center
One Sabin Street, Providence
Admission: $5; children under 14 + current RISD students: free

RISD Holiday Sale Website and directions

We visited Providence, Rhode Island’s Craftland art & craft show this weekend, the “glittery, seasonal, retail wonderland”.

Plenty of work from If’n Books + Marks, Tiny Showcase (check out the Tiny Showcase Printing Machine - only $1.00!) Scraps of Paper & Jen Corace. Jen was very sweet to autograph the Craftland postcard [which she illustrated] for our five year old daughter. We left with a generous goody-bag from opening night and have been back shopping again already.

Hats off to Deb Dormody for putting together the hippest, glittery holiday shopping in downtown Providence!

—————————–

Jen Corace Journals from If’n Books + Marks

Scraps Of Paper Journals

Blank Journal, Recycled Cover • by Scraps Of Paper

Tiny Showcase. There were quite a few of the unsold Tiny Showcase prints for sale.

Tiny Showcase Print Machine. Only $1.00 each.

Tiny Showcase Print Machine.

—————————–

Craftland is open Wednesday through Sunday until December 23rd.
Visit the Craftland website for more information

The rest of the photos are over at decor8. Thanks Holly!

If you’re in New York this weekend, check out the FREE Art Book Fair (not to be confused with the Book Art Fair). This is the first annual fair of contemporary art books, art catalogues, artists’ books, art periodicals, and ‘zines offered for sale by over 70 international publishers, booksellers, and antiquarian dealers. And as stated earlier, it’s a free event so make it if you can.

LOCATION
548 West 22nd Street (10th & 11th Aves), New York City

FAIR HOURS
Friday & Saturday, November 17 - 18, 11am - 7pm
Sunday, November 19, 11am - 5pm

WEBSITE
Art Book Fair