Tradition

Bound to Impress: Oriental Soft Binding

Yinghua Jiang

Maybe you have something special you want bound into your very own book: an album for your wedding photographs, a unique journal in which you can write about your travel adventures, a sketchbook, or a few copies of the family history to give to your children.

Here’s your chance to learn from one of the best. Yinghua Jiang is an expert in her craft, having dedicated more than 20 years to perfecting the art of bookbinding.

Using the 1,000-year-old traditional Chinese style of binding, you will be able to finish your very own book in the class with a beautiful handmade Japanese paper cover. You will also leave with plenty of ideas to develop your newfound skills!

Other classes available from Yinghua include single section Western-style bookbinding and French-style exposed spine bookbinding.

• • Skill level: ROOKIE – no experience necessary
  • Time:  9am – 11am, Sat 5 & Sun 6 June 
  • Cost: $69 including all materials

Wood you Like to Learn a New Skill? An Introduction to Marquetry

Katy Cottrell

In this class taught by local artist Katy Cottrell, you will have the opportunity to work with blocks of wood and inlay veneers in your own designs or using pre-engraved blocks. You will learn about the history and application of marquetry, different types of veneers and the tools used to cut. Take home your own small sample to show off your new skills!

The image shown here is one of Katy’s many gorgeous pieces she has created using this technique.

• • Skill level:  Novice – basic beginner skills required (you don’t need to have mastered them yet)
  • Time: 9am – 11am, Sat 5 & Sun 6 June 
  • Cost: $79 including all materials

Hirameki: Drawing from Anything

Nick Cottrell

‘Draw what you see! An introduction to Hirameki’ introduces us to a traditional Japanese term, meaning ‘flash of inspiration’ and used as the basis of books by artists Peng & Hu. Here Wellington artist Nick Cottrell guides us on methods to create artworks from everyday things around us. From bird poop to coffee grinds Nick’s eye sees forms in the most obscure and inane objects. You’ll spend a relaxing while with watercolours and Japanese brush pens finding your own artistic side, even if it’s as hidden as the images you’ve yet to discover.

• • Skill level:  Novice – basic beginner skills required (you don’t need to have mastered them yet)
  • Time: 11:30am – 1:30pm , Sat 5 & Sun 6 June
  • Cost: $79 including all materials

Bound to Impress: Single Section Soft Cover Book Binding

Yinghua Jiang

Maybe you have something special you want bound into your very own book: an album for your wedding photographs, a unique journal in which you can write about your travel adventures, a sketchbook, or a few copies of the family history to give to your children.

Here’s your chance to learn from one of the best. Yinghua Jiang is an expert in her craft, having dedicated more than 20 years to perfecting the art of bookbinding.

Using a traditional western style of binding, this is a very simple and useful style to learn. You will be able to finish your very own book in class. You will leave the class with plenty of ideas to continue developing your newfound skills!

Other classes available from Yinghua include Oriental soft binding and French-style exposed spine bookbinding.

• • Skill level: ROOKIE – no experience necessary
  • Time: 11.30am –1pm, Sat 5 & Sun 6 June 
  • Cost: $69 including all materials

Bound to Impress: French-Style Exposed Spine Book Binding

Yinghua Jiang

Maybe you have something special you want bound into your very own book: an album for your wedding photographs, a unique journal in which you can write about your travel adventures, a sketchbook, or a few copies of the family history to give to your children.

Here’s your chance to learn from one of the best. Yinghua Jiang is an expert in her craft, having dedicated more than 20 years to perfecting the art of bookbinding.

Using a European style of hardcover binding, you will be able to finish your very own hardcover book with beautiful results. You will leave the class with plenty of ideas to continue developing your newfound skills! This will be a three-hour course as this style is slightly more challenging than the other binding styles.

Other classes available from Yinghua include single section Western-style bookbinding and Oriental soft bookbinding.

• • Skill level:  Novice – basic beginner skills required (you don’t need to have mastered them yet)
  • Time:  2pm – 5pm, Sat 5 & Sun 6 June 
  • Cost: $89 including all materials

Kokedama Japanese String Garden

Kirstee Griffiths

Learn the art of the kokedama (Japanese string garden) and join the indoor plant trend. Be guided step-by-step through this moss and succulant ball technique – no pots required here! Mini makers are welcome too.

Kirstee Griffiths of Hibiscus is passionate about repurposing items into new and beautiful creations and is Christchurch-famous for her Kokedama pieces!

• • Skill level: ROOKIE – no experience necessary
  • Time: 2pm – 4pm, Sat 5 & Sun 6 June 
  • Cost: $82.50 including all materials