Beginner Book Binding
Joelle Webber
Mermaid Bindery
The basics of hand bound books.
Tuesday, December 2, 9 & 16, 5:30 – 7:30pm
This class introduces the vocabulary of the book, the tools and materials needed for making beginner books. On the first evening we will hand decorate our papers, using different mark-making tools in calligraphic ways. The second night we will stitch two pamphlet books, binding them with soft and hard covers. Finally we will create pocket accordion books and begin to consider how to fill them. A materials fee of $20 payable to the instructor is due on the first night. Tools will also be provided.
Merrymeeting Adult Education, 35 Republic Ave, Topsham, ME 04086, 207) 729-7323
Full details below.
DIY Paper Holiday Ornaments
Joelle Webber
Mermaid Bindery
A 15min drop-in workshop.
Sunday, December 7, 12 – 3pm
Drop-in to Lay Lines' cozy shop with family & friends to make paper ornaments during this years Wiscasset Holiday Marketfest. Come create with Joelle for 15 minutes of kid friendly, paper making joy! Her $10 kits are created with handmade decorative papers from Mermaid Bindery. Tools will be provided for instruction. She hopes you will try one or more of the different ornament styles. Extra kits will also be available for purchase, to share the handmade fun at home!
Hosted by Sophia Klapischak at Ley Lines on 64 Main St, Wiscasset, Maine 04578
Full details below.
Make a Simple Holiday Box
Joelle Webber
Mermaid Bindery
The basics of hand bound boxes.
Saturday, December 13, 1 – 4pm
Together we will learn the basics of box making with this perfect beginner's box. Gaining experience using wet adhesives with papers, book cloths and book board. We will learn techniques that also apply to making more complex boxes, while learning the importance of grain and archival materials. Ending the day with a hand-bound box that you can collage and decorate in your own style. Perfect to use for that extra-special holiday gift!
Water Fall Arts, 256 High Street, Belfast, Maine 04915, 207-338-2222
Full details below.
Italiana Tours - Paper Sculpture
Karen Olson
Transforming paper into captivating forms and textures
June 21-27, 2026
This workshop focuses on paper sculpture, teaching you how to transform dry papers into captivating forms and textures. You'll explore both ancient and contemporary techniques from across the globe and learn innovative ways to create armatures that elevate your work from wall to tabletop displays.
You'll work with a diverse selection of materials—including Karen's handmade papers harvested from the Maine landscape, alongside Japanese and Korean papers. Drawing inspiration from the Le Marche countryside, we will experiment with Japanese dyes and Italian pigments to color papers either before or after sculpting. Photographers will have the opportunity to print their work on handmade paper to use in their sculptures. We'll conclude by exploring display techniques as we prepare for our class exhibition in the studio.
Full details below.
Wild Light Retreat
Karen Olson
Paper Sculpture and Artists Books in San Miguel de Allende.
October 7-13, 2026
San Miguel de Allende offers a wonderfully diverse culture and a thriving arts scene, and I’m delighted to return to teach this workshop.
This immersive, retreat-style workshop invites participants on a transformative creative journey—one that opens the heart-sense and awakens intuitive awareness. Through discussions and demonstrations, we’ll discover ways to let the inherent qualities, textures, and characteristics of each material guide the creative process and shape unique compositions.
Linda Laino will be our host in San Miguel. Full details below.