Bookbinding | papercrafting tools - Teflon folder

bookbinding, paper arts, paper crafts, cool tools, bookbinding tools

If you are a paper crafter or book artist, you have most likely heard of the bone folder. I have a bone folder, but haven't used it once since I purchased a Teflon folder. The advantage of a Teflon folder is that, unlike a bone folder, it doesn't leave a shiny spot on your paper.


The Teflon folder is used for burnishing. If you are gluing a piece onto another piece, it is the perfect tool to burnish it down, making sure the edges adhere and that there are no bubbles or wrinkles. (Snowpea has decided to help me today.)


It's also invaluable for making folds nice and sharp.


And it is absolutely crucial when turning in the edges of the paper while covering bookboard for a hard-cover book.

I purchased mine here.


Until next time,
Sharon (and Snowpea)

Closed chapters and fresh starts

Hello all. I want to let you know about some changes to Secret Leaves and to this blog. I don't think I've mentioned it here, but 8 months ago I took a full-time job. I am working in the Office of Public Affairs at Washington University in St. Louis (which also happens to be my alma mater) and I love it. The downside has been that I am finding it far more difficult that I anticipated to continue operating Secret Leaves as a business. I sent an email earlier this week to friends, customers and supporters to let them know I will no longer be selling wholesale and plan to limit the number of custom projects I take on as well.

I will, however, still be selling items in my Etsy shop and maintaining this blog. Until now, one of the main reasons for the blog, frankly, has been to promote Secret Leaves. But since Secret Leaves is no longer a business and is now more of a hobby and personal pleasure, I want to change the focus here.

In the coming months, I plan to feature more how-tos related to bookbinding and paper arts; useful resources; artists whose work I admire, and the people, places and things that provide inspiration to me and, hopefully, to you.

I hope you will come back often, become a follower if it suits you, and tell others if you think they might be interested. The images below are a preview of what you can expect to see moving forward.

  
  Artists / Blogs / Websites - Robin paper sculpture by Anna-Wili Highfield


  
How tos / Tools - the simple, versatile, wonderful pamphlet stitch



  Resources / Materials - Linen ric rac from Papier Valise



 Stuff I've made / Etsy - Mini notebooks in muslin gift bag



 Inspiration - Hydrangea petals



Personal / Travel - Montmartre, Paris, France

Stay tuned...

-Sharon

My Hipsta studio

My friend Ria, of My Mommy Manual, visited the studio last week with her little ones. The kids and I made books while Ria took Hipstamatic photos of the studio. Here are a few of them:









Pretty cool, huh? For more information on the Hipstamatic iPhone app, click here.

Sharon