It's getting hot in here

I got back to Bigfork, this time to the New Agrarian School to learn about Forging from the Natural World with metalworker/blacksmith Jeffrey Funk.

Thank you to John Huffstutter of Quailside Forge for the photo.

Bookbinding goes to Bigfork

On the occasion of Montana Poet Laureate's Chris La Tray's recent appearance at the new Bigfork branch of the Flathead County library, I was invited to help attendees make journals of the size that La Tray (shown in fourth pic below) champions in his writing and books.

Long live books and bookbinding. This blog is 18 years old, and I almost missed a year of not posting for it!

Looking forward to more bookbinding in 2025 now that I have a new dedicated "tango bindery" (volume 2) to do it in. Stay tuned.

Paper laid bare to the elements

If you are anywhere near Lincoln, Montana—or better yet, make it an art destination!—Blackfoot Pathways: Sculpture in the Wild is well worth your time. The free outdoor art park includes many wonderful works from local as well as international artists. Check out Steven Siegel's 30,000 pounds of newspapers that make up 2014's Hill and Valley.

A bespoke bookbinding belt? Be still my heart

Ace songwriter Izaak Opatz made me a belt! Although I would have been happy with anything from the tunesmith, he managed to get my favorite things on there, including (naturally) bookbinding and tango. Note the awl, bone folder, and knife plus a codex next to the dancers.

I can't wait to show the students in the second round of bookbinding classes at the Northwest Montana History Museum. 

Let's toast this drink

A favorite distillery in Butte puts old-school crafters in the mix.

Book lab launches at the Northwest Montana History Museum

Photo by David Vigil

In just a few hours we'll start a 12-session journey in getting to know—and making—the world's oldest communications device. Thank you to the Daily Inter Lake for the article last week.

Montanans make good bookbinders, too!

At Kalico Art Center in downtown Kalispell, a bunch of people spent part of a precious sunny Saturday learning to bind books with me.