Last Wednesday I attended the monthly meeting of the Book Arts Guild of Vermont. The big difference at this meeting was that I was in charge of the evening’s program. I decided to teach folks the Panel Book, the structure I learned during my summer workshop at the Garage Annex School with Julie Chen. Below you can see my completed panel book, as I discussed in this post about Julie’s workshop.
Panel Book-front span view
The panel book was developed by Hedi Kyle – a book arts innovator and all-around genius (I took a fabulous class with her about 2 years ago). The structure is a modified accordion book that has cut-out panels that swivel. This creates interesting possibilities for presentation – content can be viewed from either the front or the back when the book is stretched open, or it can be read in a traditional manner (page by page) when the book is closed.
A confession – I suffer from performance anxiety. I worried about this workshop for weeks. Well, ever since I agreed to do the workshop. It comes from a reasonable place - I really don’t want to do a sucky job. I managed to acquire the all-too-familiar stomach ache as I drove up to Burlington.
Workshop supplies - neat at the beginning, at least
Luckily, my worst fears never materialized. Of course, I had a great time. I was surprised when I counted 18 people in the workshop. The beginning was easiest because everyone started in the same place. It was when folks started moving ahead of each other that I had to really hustle to keep everyone engaged. It was quite fun running around – it helped to burn off the nervous energy.
Busy panel book bees
I did some internet research on the Panel Book and was surprised that I couldn’t find anything on it with regards to Hedi Kyle. At the Book Arts Guild workshop I talked to Gwen Morey, owner of Stamp on It, a rubber stamp store in Essex Junction, VT. She told me that a variation of the structure had been used in the card world for years – they refer to it as a Swing Card.
Templates for the Swing Card were easy to find (thanks Google!)
It seems that the panels of the Panel Book move much more freely than those on the Swing Card. Decide for yourself – you can download my template for the Panel Book for your own use. The measurements are designed to accommodate a panel the size of an artist trading card (2.5″ x 3.5″).
Overall, I’m really glad I did the workshop. Even though I might complain, I enjoy being pushed to try new experiences, especially when I can share what I know with others. I’ve learned a lot from others in the Book Arts Guild and it felt good to finally give something back.
Filed under: Book Arts Guild of Vermont, Bookbinding | Tagged: book arts, Book Arts Guild of Vermont, Bookbinding
Congratulations on your class. I also have performance anxiety, and 99% of the time it’s completely unfounded. But it’s not an entirely bad thing. It ensures that you’ll be well prepared! Thanks for the template, too.
Clara
If there’s one thing I’m guilty of, it’s being extremely well- (and over-) prepared. At least I already have materials ready in the event that I teach the class again.
Of course, the class will be different based on the feedback I received from participants. Always learning…
Pleased to have found your blog. I’m sure I will learn a lot from it.
Hi Jackie -
Welcome! I just visited your blog and I love your felt work.
Elissa
[...] ATAV meetings. The structure I decided to teach to the members was the Panel Book, which I had already taught once to the Book Arts Guild of Vermont back in October. There were only 4 people there, which helped [...]