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

Missouri Botanical Garden Green Art and Craft Show

This weekend, November 13 and 14, Secret Leaves will participate in the Garden Gate Shop Green Art and Craft Show at the Missouri Botanical Garden. The event will run Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the upper level of the Ridgway Visitor Center.

If you've never been, the Missouri Botanical Garden is a wonderful place--one of my favorite places in St. Louis. And the gift shop, the Garden Gate, lives up to the standards of the rest of the garden. Beautiful plants, books, stationery, bath and body items, home and garden decor and more, expertly curated with a garden theme.

At the Green Art and Craft Show, I am focusing on affordable items and lots of holiday goods: gift tags, gift wrapping accessories, gift boxes, gift bags, etc. Here are some of the items Secret Leaves will offer:


Christmas stamp cards


An assortment of gift tags


Muslin gift bags perfect for small gifts like jewelry, candles, soap, etc.


Vintage Paper key tags


Gift enclosures and place cards


Greeting cards, stationery, journals, notebooks and more...

My friend Jen from Angelina Accoutrements will be there too, offering her lovely recycled cashmere pieces:







Lots of other vendors will be plying their recycled and eco-friendly wares, including jewelry, sculpture, handbags and more. I hope to see you there!

Sharon

An Etsy treasury or two

I have been featured in a few Etsy treasuries lately, which inspired me to create a couple myself. Here is my second treasury, Inkadinkadoo, which I like quite a bit. The theme is, of course, ink.

Here are a few highlights:


Pen and ink drawing from Nan Larson

 Vintage ink bottles from Sushipotparts


Vintage ink bottle from TwoVintageAvenue
Here's a look at my first treasury, titled, appropriately enough, Secret Leaves:
I paid a lot of attention to the color palette of this one.

Some highlights:


Fern leaf halter from Inleaf. This toddler tog was a collaboration between Inleaf and periwinklebloom.


Vintage leaf buttons from The Rusty Pig


Embroidered leather business card holder from Bees'Netta
I keep seeing such wonderful items while doing this post, that I am going to sign off now and do some shopping on Etsy.
Happy autumn to you,
Sharon