Oak Tree Book Arts

“Some Thoughts Along the Way” is now for sale at the gift shop in 3 different color combinations. I’ve been experimenting with my beloved new Adana tabletop letterpress to make these guided journals. My idea is to embed quotes and writing prompts among the blank pages, to give each book some focus.

This journal begins with a line from the book of John that captures my attention: it strikes me as really apt for a meditation journal, travel diary, or Bible study reflections. They’re small, however, so the prospect of filling them is not overwhelming like with larger blank books.

I’ll be designing some more guided journals in the weeks ahead and would welcome your feedback and suggestions.

Last month, I had the great pleasure of fulfilling an order of boxes, reading and nighttime journals, and blank books with matching clamshell boxes for the Friends Store at the Rochester Hills Public Library. They asked for an assortment of designs so I got to play with a variety of papers and colors.

And then yesterday, .estesphd was working at the library and sent me this photo of my work on display. Happy day!

Friday morning reflections about the mixed feelings that often accompany my artist bookmaking. Do others struggle with such conflicts and self doubt? It helps me to think of everything as always work in progress. The book is titled “Still We Stand in Flanders Field.”

So grateful to the Artists Market at for showcasing my work and encouraging my growth as an artist and bookbinder. Sometimes, all you need is for one person to believe in you and that makes all the difference.

Now in our Etsy shop: A postcard-sized art journal and album, filled with 8 removable pages of of blank, cold-press watercolor paper; can be used for painting memories of travel, gardening, family, and other memorable events. 4 ¾” x 6” x ½”

The self-enclosing cover is constructed from St. Armand Colored Papers, which are handmade and are ideal for printmaking, letterpress, pastel, drawing and painting in acrylic, gouache and watercolor. An internal concertina spine provides strength, flexibility and visual interest. Link in bio

A postcard-sized art journal and album, filled with 8 removable pages of of blank, cold-press watercolor paper; can be used for painting memories of travel, gardening, family, and other memorable events. 4 ¾” x 6” x ½”

The self-enclosing cover is constructed from St. Armand Colored Papers, which are handmade and are ideal for printmaking, letterpress, pastel, drawing and painting in acrylic, gouache and watercolor. An internal concertina spine provides strength, flexibility and visual interest. Etsy link in bio

We’re thrilled to be included in this year’s Holiday Art Market at the Paint Creek Center for the Arts and we’d love to see friends and neighbors at the opening reception this Saturday, Nov. 11 from 4-7.

Artist Market today! Local friends, please stop by if you’re able. Beaudette Park in Pontiac, 11-4. See you there!

Please come visit Oak Tree Book Arts at Art Fish Fun’s first ever Artist Market!

We’ll have an assortment of books and boxes for sale, lots of styles and price points to choose from.

Satisfying conclusion to several weeks of work. Variations on a pamphlet book with exposed drop link stitching; a cork skin covered garden journal; and a sweet little gold accented butterfly blank book, all now available at the Etsy shop (link in bio)
A new idea I’m playing with is to include writing prompts as a free add-on to blank book purchases. Thoughts?

Some inside studio pics from last week’s residency. I set myself the task of focusing on Hedi Kyle and Ben Elbel’s structures — so, lots of accordion folds. What a fun and deeply fulfilling time!

Just back from an outstanding residency at the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown. Sunny weather, a bright and glorious studio and a full week of happy bookmaking.

Packages from .book.and.paper.arts are always welcome — not only for bookbinders but especially for the resident studio cat.

I’m really excited to be working with Rosie Huart at the Connecting Art and Spirit retreat April 27-30 at the Spiritual Center of Maria Stein in Ohio. We still have a few openings left— would you like to join us? Message me or Rosie with questions.

I’m really excited to be working with Rosie Huart at the Connecting Art and Spirit retreat April 27-30 at the Spiritual Center at Maria Stein in Ohio. Rosie will teach collage and painting techniques, and I will teach a few simple book structures. Participants will leave with a handmade writing journal and many pages of original artwork, all beautifully enveloped in a handmade enclosure that will also capture the wisdom and insights gathered in a community of supportive women.

We still have a few openings left— would you like to join us? Message me for more.

Hooray! — My Illustrated Accordion submission is now on display at the . You can find it as the first entry in Gallery 2 here: https://kalbookarts.org/events/2023illustratedaccordion1/

It’s called Tell a Different Story, and I wrote an artist statement to accompany it: “The natural world continually revises itself; plant “volunteers” appear in unexpected places, while other flowers fail to reappear; each season, the land tells a different story. This book takes its inspiration from nature. With its bark-like texture, the accordion folded pamphlet enclosure
holds an array of eco printed botanical images that can be re-arranged to reveal an assortment
of visual progressions. The reader/viewer is invited into the book to order the images into
different visual narratives and thereby co-create their own stories. In this way, each interaction creates a unique opportunity to connect deeply with the book, its images and prints, and by extension, the visual echoes of the natural world itself.”

Added some new blank mini books now added to the Etsy shop, a few with text pages, some with watercolor. Great for Valentine’s gifting! Link in bio.

I made some DIY Valentine blank mini books for the Artist Market at Paint Creek Center for the Arts. You’ll find a variety of options - some text pages, some cold press watercolor and some hot pressed mixed media pages. Soon to be added to the Etsy shop. Just $10 each - check them out!

Some new items up at the Etsy store, large hinged boxes and a blank book, all covered in elegant marbled paper. Link in bio- check them out!

Custom work, gifts for a friend: matching photo album and divided box with removable tray. Both are covered in a wine hued French marble, the pattern of which originates from the 15th and 16th century. Green lokta lining and navy linen book cloth.

Some recent custom order work for a friend: a photo album and matching hinged box, both covered in a lovely Japanese silkscreen print depicting the Katazome-shi Mountain Range, accented with blue lokta paper and black suede book cloth.

We're thrilled to have our work included in the Holiday Artist's Market at the Paint Creek Center for the Arts! Stop by to see all the local artists' offerings.

Oak Tree Book Arts is offering custom designed photo albums, reader's journals, blank books and an assortment of decorative boxes.

TONIGHT! 🌟 Join us this evening at PCCA for our Holiday Art Market Opening Event, featuring our annual fundraising Silent Auction!

🥂 The fun starts at 5:30 p.m. - will we see you there?!

Online sales have ended, but you can still buy your tickets at the door! The price is $25 for PCCA Members and $35 for non-members. 🎄

Some new items added to the Etsy shop, with more on the way. Please feel free to share with anyone who might enjoy our offerings!
https://www.etsy.com/shop/OakTreeBookArts?ele=shop_open