The world of paper arts is exploding with creativity and new ways to expand upon tradition. You will begin the week by creating beautiful papers, using marbling techniques with acrylic paints, carrageenan and traditional marbling tools. You will explore other ways of enhancing papers, then use your papers to create handmade books, boxes and journals, using book board, mat board, archival glues, Tyvek, embellishments and hand-screened papers. During class, you will learn traditional cartonnage practices, as well as bookbinding and folded paper techniques.

Bring large and small scissors, utility knife with a snap-off blade, 18-inch metal ruler with a non-slip backing, bone folder, self-healing cutting mat no larger than 18 by 24 inches, apron, roll of paper towels, gallon of distilled water, old bath towel and box of unscented baby wipes. Wear clothing you don’t mind getting paint-spattered. Bring any of your own treasured papers, pretty napkins, vintage documents, beads or other embellishments. If you have a paper trimmer, iron or blow-dryer, bring them as well.

Nancy Akerly is a lifelong origamist, folk painter and paper artist, concentrating for the past 18 years on creating boxes, binding books and making marbled papers. She is passionate about sharing her skill and knowledge with others, inspiring them to explore their own creativity. Nancy lives in Sister Bay, Wisconsin. She created Liberty Grove Paper Arts in 2006, after 40 years as a public school teacher. She teaches through Zoom around the world, and for institutions such as San Diego Book Arts and Sonoma PaperWorks, teaching in-person classes at The Clearing and Sievers School of Fiber Arts, as well as in her home studio. 

Level: All Levels