Making decorative books by hand in Salisbury

SALISBURY — Artist and educator Lilly Rand showed nine adults and two teenagers the basics of making a small decorative book from scratch in a workshop at the Scoville Memorial Library Tuesday, Aug. 4.

Rand, who teaches art at Housatonic Valley Regional High School, had supplies galore spread across tables in the children’s area of the library.

There were wallpaper samples, wax, various kinds of string, binder clips, envelopes, pencils, markers, awls and many different types of paper.

Rand said children of artists often donate “whole studios’ worth of supplies” to the high school when their parents die.

She got the group started with a basic design she called the “Japanese four-hole binding,”

using three stiff pieces of paper folded to create six pages.

Rand demonstrated techniques for folding the paper, creating a sharp edge, using an awl to create the holes, and how to use the wax and string. She also pointed out the advantages and disadvantages of having the knot inside or outside the finished book.

The class worked diligently, with the occasional raised hand to ask for assistance.

After about an hour, everyone was admiring each other’s handmade books.

Rand noted that almost everything she used is readily available. Now that the group has the basics down, she said, there was no reason not to continue making books at home.