Zine Making and Book Binding: A Beginner’s Guide in 25 Projects by Lauren Simkin Berke

 

Reviewed by Jeanne

Way back in the olden days, when mimeograph was the standard and off-set printing an expensive proposition, I discovered zines.  Short for “magazine,” these were largely fan-produced publications with assorted content, depending on the fandom: they could have stories, poems, reviews, news, etc.  Flash forward a few decades and all at once it seemed people were talking about zines again. This time many seemed to be the product of a single author/artist, but still a creative outlet.

When this book first came in, I didn’t examine it thoroughly because I am not the creative type and didn’t think it applied to me.  Some time later I picked it up and discovered that it’s actually more about the physical creation of a personal book and was intrigued.

I was very impressed with the first chapter, which went over the parts of the book, tools, needed, and some terms to know.  I had no idea what a “bone folder” was, so had to look that up. (It’s a tool used to score paper, and is indeed traditionally made of bone.) The book press was like the flower press that the Jones Center for Creative Arts, Technology, and Workforce Development helped folks make a year or so ago.  Some of the tools are ordinary things (a ruler, glue cup) while others are more specialized like, well, the bone folder.

Berke also talks about the different types of bindings, including perfect bound (glued) or other sewn bindings as well as coil binding and other methods.

All this is just to get one started in the process of making a book.  The rest of the chapters are devoted to step by step instructions on how to make your own sewn book, on how to do the paper folds, creative pop-ups, or expandable book forms.  The section on making accordion book forms includes how to make book ornaments.

In short, this is a very good resource for anyone interested in making their own books or zines.  There are also other resources listed, and the information is up to date. Alas, there is no index but there is a pretty thorough chapter list in the front of the book.

The Cat Lover’s Craft Book: Cute and Easy Accessories for Kitty’s Best Friend by Neko Shugei

Reviewed by Kristin

Are you crafty?  Are you catty?  Are you cattily crafty?  Do you just love cats so much that you want to surround yourself with as many fluffy felines as possible?  Well I have the book for you.

This volume includes many original crafts such as “Applique Coin Purses,” “Cat-Shaped Door Stoppers,” and even “Umbrella Handle Covers.”  Just imagine mackerel tabby and calico cat tails designs covering your umbrella handle.  Most of the projects look fairly simple, but simply adorable.

Cat face cross-stitch buttons?  Sure!  Homemade shrinky-dink designs?  I’m in!  Fabric cat dolls with button eyes?  I can see myself getting lost in a local craft store for hours just buying supplies.

The designs are folksy, and just quirky enough that they look original.  If you can half-way follow instructions (like me,) or are just bold enough to adapt patterns to make your own unique crafts, pick up this book and create your new feline friends.

I was curious about an author named Neko, which as Jeanne pointed out, means “cat” in Japanese. Looking up “Shugei” revealed that it means “handicraft.”  An author named “Cat Handicraft” as the author of a book on cat handicrafts was just too good to be true, so I went to the publisher’s website. According to Tuttle Publishing:  “Neko Shugei is a collective of cat-loving crafters comprising Yumi Ooami, Miko Ogura, Miyuki Hayashi, Chizuko Kojima, minou 14, Naoko Suzuki, Kyoko Maruoka, Yoko Kobayashi, Hitomi Hanaoka, rie, Kanade Isshiki, Marupoleland, and nekogao along with their many feline muses.”

Bonus:  these cats do not shed, use litter boxes, or need to be taken to the vet.  The only snipping these cats need is when you finish up the project and tie off that last thread.  They also don’t knock things over, although (speaking from experience,) they probably are in danger of being knocked over by the real cats.

(a long ago project; two of the three cats depicted are gone but not forgotten)