Hmmm...

Just took another order for pasta dinner bowls, sixteen this time. This in addition to sets of six and four in the firing before last, and another person expressing an interest on my Instagram. (Though she hasn't replied to my follow-up message.)

Maybe this should be a new regular item? Though where I'd display it in the booth is a question. There'd be room in the Holiday Market display, it's slightly bigger, though not on a regular Saturday. Is this something that would have year-round demand, or is it a cold-weather, comfort food thing?

Questions, questions. Have to decide this week whether to make more than the twenty (four extras) drying on the shelves.

Rolling in dough

Also got an order for another forty coffee mugs for Great Harvest bakery. I've run out the bread cards from an earlier order, so I'm glad to have a chance to get more.

Making book

We had a great time at our book-binding class last weekend. Started the two-day session making mono-prints for book covers. I've done them once or twice before, but never with a proper press. Now I'm wondering if I could adapt my slab roller as a printing press... No! No new hobbies!

We also folded and stitched our first text block on Saturday. I've done this before, but never with a curved needle, because Denise doesn't much like them. Me, though, I'm sold. It's much easier to chain stitch each signature to the previous when the needle curves underneath and back out again.

Sunday, we measured and glued covers for our hard-bound book, and also folded and stitched another, soft-cover book using more of our prints. I'm fairly pleased with the results, and learned a couple of new techniques I definitely will be using again. Mostly, though, it was just fun doing something that wasn't bound for the booth, a gallery, or a shipping box.

Denise had a little trouble with the mono-prints--she tends to take too long considering her choices, at which point, the ink is dry. She did get enough nice ones to do both book projects, though, and also brought in a handmade paper sampler to show on Sunday, which may get her more drop-in paper-making buddies next summer. (Including our instructor.)

I didn't remember to take any pictures Saturday--having two much fun smearing ink around--but here are a few from Sunday. First, the parts to assemble, including text block, pre-cut cover boards, and a selection of possible covers. Next, the cover laid out and partially glued--the flaps fold over and glue next.

On the left, my finished hard-cover book, and also my new favorite needle shape. On the right is my soft-cover book; I did not realize that I'd be using two prints for covers, so the fact that they match so well was a happy accident.

The instructor will be offering a different class winter term, and I think she'll get enthusiastic participation. For certain, the two other members of our book arts group who attended want me to let them know as soon as registration opens.