SUMMER CLASSES AT OTTER POND BINDERY

UPDATED JUNE 21ST, 2021

GREETINGS! Otter Pond Bindery is open for classes again!.I am offering two workshops this summer, described below. All who are vaccinated are welcome. Please call if you have questions. (802) 257-0003.

Saturday & Sunday, JULY 17th - JULY 18th from 10am to 5pm:SEWN BOARD BINDING. In this workshop, we will make two beautiful little books using the sewn board technique first documented by Gary Frost. Each book opens flat for ease of use, with a drum-leaf style binding. Two different sewing techniques for the text block will be demonstrated. Cost includes two delicious lunches and all materials, though you are also welcome to bring favorite cover paper of your own. Total cost $180.

ANNUAL OPB BOOT CAMP! Thursday, AUGUST 12th through Sunday, AUGUST 115th, 10-4 daily(with time to work on your own in the studio before/afterwards if desired).We will start by making painted paper of various kinds on Thursday (including paste paper, suminagashi marbling, and other techniques), and then create a beautiful "Book of Cards"--a hard-bound book with pockets that we will fill with a variety of cards you can use or save as models for future card-making. We'll explore origami forms, old Victorian cards, and techniques by binders such as Claire Van Vliet and Hedi Kyle. For artists from out of town, you are welcome to stay at Schoolhouse No. 10, neighboring the bindery. Total Schoolhouse cost for 3 nights is $600 (divided per person however those staying there choose). Cost for 4-day workshop is $400; 3 days $300, 2 days, $250. (Preference will be given to those who come for 4 days.) Price includes all materials and printed instructions along with most meals. Limited to 6 or possibly 7 students.

I will probably teach other classes in the fall; I will send out another email when these are scheduled.

Email me (Susan) at susan.bonthron@gmail.com to reserve space in workshops. Feel free to ask questions. I look forward to hearing from some of you soon! (As always, the options below are also available for scheduling a private workshop for you and your family or friends.)

PAGE DOWN FOR DIRECTIONS TO BINDERY AND SCHOOLHOUSE NUMBER 10.

Design Your Own Workshop

Imagine sharing our cozy two-bedroom Schoolhouse with a friend or three in beautiful southern Vermont, and attending a book arts workshop of your own choosing. In addition to the regular classes listed on this website, you could design anything from a 2-night stay with a single day-long workshop to a 3 or 4 night retreat with a day-and-a-half to 3-day workshop. Weekdays or weekends -- your choice. Make paste paper or marbled paper, then use it to create your own journal. Or delve into pop-ups or tunnel books. Or treat an affianced couple to a weekend at the Schoolhouse where they can make their own wedding album. The Schoolhouse offers all the amenities (fully equipped kitchen and bath, wraparound decks with hot tub) in a secluded, beautiful rural setting a short walk from Otter Pond Bindery. Organic breakfast fixings provided, and gourmet lunch for each workshop day is also included. Call or email for details and rates.

Here are a few of the many possibilities:

* The Tunnel's End: Imagine & construct a tunnel book with your own images (2 day wkshp).

* All About Accordions: Make 3 to 4 different accordion structures and create images to fill one of them (1.5 day wkshp).

* Rounded and Backed: Make a hardbound book sewn on tapes with a rounded back cloth-and-board case (minimum 2 day wkshp)

* Casing In: Make a hardbound book and slipcase (minimum 2 day wkshp).

* Book Arts for Teachers: Learn a variety of techniques for using book arts to enhance learning in the classroom.

* A Slim Volume: Create your own collection of favorite poems (written by you or others, collected by you) in a limited edition chapbook (2 days with prep ahead).

* Paper Decoration I: Paste paper and three-section hardbound journals (2 day wkshp).

* Paper Decoration II: Marbled paper and two portfolio structures (2 day wkshp).

* 3 Books, 3 Sewings: Make three hardbound books using pamphlet stitch, Japanese 6-needle binding, and Coptic sewing techniques (2 day wkshp).

* Illustrated journals for beginners: Make a simple hardbound journal and learn 6 techniques for filling it (1or 1.5 day wkshp).

* The Drop Spine Box: Make one small and one large drop-spine box to store special objects, photos or papers (2 day wkshp).

* Out in the Field: Making and Keeping Field Journals (1 or 2 day wkshp).

* Books in the Classroom: Three techniques for teachers who want to integrate book arts into their curriculum (1 or 2 day wkshp).

* Chinese Sewing Box: Make a drop-wall etui of boards and book cloth to hold your sewing needles and findings (2 - 3 day wkshp).

* Fun with Pop-Ups: Make a boxed set of pop-up forms and then pick one to elaborate and encase it in a folded box (1day wkshp).

* Boxed In: Make a multi-section box for your bookbinding or sewing tools, decorated with marbled paper and covered with book cloth (2 day wkshp).

FROM THE NORTH: take I-91 South to exit 1, go south (right) on rte 5 toward Guilford, and in less than a mile, turn right in front of the Guilford Country Store onto Guilford Center Rd. Follow that for a little less than 2 miles, and turn left onto Weatherhead Hollow Rd. Follow that for about six miles until you pass Weatherhead Hollow Pond (a large pond on your left). You will see the Franklin Farm (and farm store) on your right. Just after that is Packer Corners Rd on the right. Take that for 1.6 miles, then turn right onto S. Belden Hill Rd. You will pass our small refurbished schoolhouse on the corner ("Schoolhouse No. 10"), then a gray barn on the right, then you'll see a white house and red barn. That's me! Park on the side of the road or near the barn.

FROM THE SOUTH: Take I-91 North to Exit 28b in Bernardston Massachusetts, and go right from the off-ramp. Turn right (North) when the road dead-ends into Route 5. After several miles, turn left on Keets Brook Rd. and follow it through the valley until it comes to Weatherhead Hollow Rd. Turn left and pass the Franklin Farm, then take a right on Packer Corners Rd. and follow that for 1.6 miles. Turn right onto S. Belden Hill Rd. Our refurbished schoolhouse ("Schoolhouse No. 10") is on the corner, then a gray barn on the right, then a white house and red barn. Park on the side of the road or near the barn.

For a charming local accommodation, see Schoolhouse Number 10 (our 2-BR refurbished 18th century schoolhouse).

For additional local accommodation nearby, see the Cabin at Bear Meadow (http://www.vtcabin.com/).