06 July 2011

Giveaway: Book Binding Tutorial (PDF)

Future travel art journal!
Okay, I'll admit it: this is a giveaway with a catch.

I am working on a PDF tutorial for making the journal above. I developed the technique after not being able to find a tutorial available to make what I wanted to make: a hardback journal with a fluffy spine. I don't really know why I wanted to make such a journal, but I did, so I figured out how to do it. I took a bunch of picture of the one I was making last night, intending to make a tutorial for on the blog. I realized, looking at the picture this morning, that they would be perfect to turn into a PDF for me to sell, both on the blog and in my etsy shop. It's really too long for a blog entry anyway.

Future art journal... so pretty, right?
I have bought PDF tutorials from other artists, and I see people selling them online all the time, but I have never taken the time to write one, though there are plenty of projects I could do! [My next venture will be to make a tutorial for the tri-fold wallet I designed around Christmas time - I'm so proud of it!] After working on this one for several hours today and barely making a dent, I can totally see why I haven't made one before! Whew! It's a great thing, though, if it's done well, because you do the work once and theoretically sell it over and over again. I found comparable (but different!) tutorials selling on etsy for $15 - $25. I was thinking $5 - $10, when I started this project, but I might change my mind depending on how much longer it takes to finish it up.

I am doing a really in-depth tutorial. I have 38 high-res photographs and have already identified a couple of places where I need a few more photos to clarify my point. While this makes it sound like the journal is really complicated, it's not, once you get the hang of it. Plus, I have thought of a couple ways to adapt it so that it's like getting a few tutorials in one.

Here's where you come in: I need a tester (or a few) to try out the tutorial once I've gotten it finished. So by entering this giveaway, you are hopefully entering because you'd like to give the tutorial a whirl -and- would be willing to give me feedback on your experiences with it. I teach people how to make things in person all the time, but doing a PDF is a whole different ball game. I need to know what's confusing and what's overstating the obvious. I need to know what questions people might have that should have been answered in the tutorial and I need to know that the way I explain the steps makes sense to people other than me.

In exchange for this service,  you'll get a copy of the tutorial free of charge and, hopefully, a beautiful book made by you at the end of it. [I will be available to help you with anything that's confusing, naturally!] Plus, if you are selected and you get back to me with feedback within a timely manner (One week? Maybe two?), I'll send you any pocket mirror, bottle opener, or button you'd like from my shop or make you a custom one with your own image. Not bad, right?

To enter the giveaway, just leave me a comment telling me why you'd like to learn how to make this book. That's it. Being a follower is not required. If you have friends who might be interested, feel free to tell them! If you really, really want to win, tell me that in the comments, because I might choose a few extra people! I will choose a winner this weekend, or when the tutorial is finished, whichever comes later.

19 comments:

  1. I would love to try this tutorial. The book is gorgeous and totally different from any journal I've ever made.

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  2. I'd love to be a pattern tester. I test software as my day job, and have been wanting to try to see how well those skills translate to testing sewing patterns. I'm just starting to explore book making and recently made a fabric covered journal for my sister. It wasn't as easy as I had hoped!

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  3. I love the way the journal looks and would totally have fun making one to give some feedback. I like the fun fringe on the sides too and am curious what other types of yarns and things could be used. Looks like fun!

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  4. I'd love to try the tutorial - I'm a beginning to intermediate bookbinder and enjoy learning new techniques!!

    SongBird

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  5. O!
    Let me be a tester! I love making journals and anything new is more than welcome!
    Thank you!
    Lotus
    lootsvele@yahoo.com

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  6. Moira,
    I have just discovered art journals and am finishing up my Brave Girls club course in the next couple weeks... and now I am hooked on collaging and other arts. I will be needing a book to start working in. This is a gorgeous book that would be a great start for me. I have been a pretty avid scrapbooker for over 20 years... but art journals are new to me... so I would be a good guinea pig as I have experience in crafting, but not bookbinding. I'd love to let you know how it goes from a beginner.
    I love you blog by the way!
    Maggie
    soyprincesa2@gmail.com

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  7. This is a fabulous book and I would be thrilled to both create one like and and help you edit your tutorial to bring it to the point you are looking for! What a great idea this is! If it is doable, I would love to create these as holiday gifts!

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  8. I would be very interested in being a guinea pig for your pdf tutorial - it looks fab!

    x

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  9. Hi Moira .. I'd love to win your pdf tutorial. The fluffy spine got to me ... I love it! Thanks for the opportunity and btw, you have a great blog! Donna

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  10. Okay, this is scary but I'm gonna do it. I'm a scrapper who's fallen in love with art journals, art journalists, art blogs, etc. etc. I'm a little slower because I'm a little older, but I read directions well and would like to make my own journal. I've bought two handmade journals and prefer them to store bought. Did I mention I'm retired? Yeah, I've got lots of time to read tutorials. :-)

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  11. I admit it, I haven't made a journal in over a decade. I haven't because I don't really know/remember how to do it! I have all sorts of raw materials and would love the chance to win your tutorial - I KNOW it'll be very inspiring and I'm a great proofreader/attention to detail! Plus I like to make photos too so I would love to help out!

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  12. Why would I want to win this tutorial? Who wouldn't love a fluffy spine like that! And I've got lots of fibers looking for a home. Plus I'm new to book and journal making. As a former pattern and how-to article editor, I'd hope to offer you valuable feedback to help you polish your instructions. Thanks for the opportunity! Nancy
    quiltlegacy@juno,com

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  13. I would love to win this tutorial! I am an avid faithart journaler, and I teach faithart journaling as well as other crafty things as well in my home studio. I would be happy to make the journal via your tutorial I write tutorials too, so you would be getting someone with experience. Check out my blog to see my work and let me know if i can help you in any way! thanks for sharing so much on your blog!!!
    Diane
    http://dianemarra.typepad.com/

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  14. Hi Moira
    I would love to win this tutorial. I just started journaling and would like to make my own book too :-) I'd also love to provide you with some constructive feedback that hopefully would help you recognize areas to improve and maintain for future clients. A win win situation :-)
    laurie

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  15. I'd love to learn how to do this. I am starting an after school club for visual journaling and it would be great to have them make their own. We could use scraps, because I have no budget for supplies.

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  16. I just found your blog by way of Leslie and Art JOurnaling.ning and I am so happy that I did. I don't know how we've not managed to run into each other before...but we have now. I am an art journaling fiend and would love to test out your bookbinding pdf for you. I've been trying to find a good way to bind my next art journal and this looks like an awesome way to do just that!
    Peace & Love,
    ~Barb~

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  17. Moira, I would love to participate in your tutorial. I have made several art journals and always have to creatively cover the spine and existing covers. Like many of us artists on here I like to combine mixed media.. which makes finding a journal so difficult. Making one the way you describe allows for expansion and pre-planning for thicker pages!!!! The possibilities are endless! I have also done editing and web-design so I feel I have a knack for wording and conveying ideas briefly and clearly.

    Thank you so much for your classes and generous ideas!!!

    Lisa
    lkhale70@yahoo.com

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  18. Hello Moira I would really really love to try your PDF tutorial and give you the necessary feedback. It would make my year to be chosen because I never win anything. Please Please pick me.
    Dekida

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  19. I would love to try this tutorial. Looks like fun! I would be thrilled to both create one!

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