Button Hole Book
Joelle Webber
Mermaid Bindery
One of the newest traditions in hand book binding!
Saturday, February 28 from 2 - 5pm
Join us to bind a multi-gathering book that includes decorative papers stitched into a paper cover. This class will touch on the vocabulary of book anatomy, the tools needed for hand book binding, and material considerations for making beginner book structures. Great for beginner binders with no glue needed to make your new journal, poetry, recipe, or guest book.
Hosted by Village Handcraft, Wiscasset, Maine
Full details below.
Japanese Stab Binding
Joelle Webber
Mermaid Bindery
One of the oldest traditions in hand book binding!
Sunday, March 1 from 9am - 12pm
In this class we will bind the Japanese Stab Binding with western materials, while discussing original eastern tools & materials. An older tradition than the western styles of hand book binding, together we will explore multiple decorative sewing patterns. A tidy book for the list writers, which can also be used as a journal, to collect favorite recipes or poems, and more.
Hosted by Village Handcraft, Wiscasset, Maine
Full details below.
3D Box Basics
Richard Reitz Smith
Saturday and Sunday, March 21 and 22, 2026, 9:30am-4pm
Monroe Center for the Arts, 1403 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA
Early Enrollment: until February 12, for discounted NEBA member price
Deadline to Register: March 1, in order for kits to be assembled
(Must receive payment by 3/1)
$275, Discount for NEBA Members until February 12
$350, non-NEBA members and after February 12, if space is available
There are a few spaces left and NEBA members get priority until February 12 and then it is open to the public to sign up.
Payment to New England Book Artist via PayPal or Check
NEBA member, Richard Reitz Smith, will provide all the materials (included in the fee) for this two day workshop. Spaces are filling up fast! Sign up soon.
Day One - Learn the Modules: Folio (1), Cover (2), Tray (3);
Day Two - Slipcase (4) and Clamshell (5) with diagrammatic plans that when combined with slight variations, make presentation box construction more manageable.
With these simple structures, Richard will show you the many variations and options to present and protect your work. Precut supplies will be provided and are included in the fee.
Bring a lunch and the following tools: Exacto or Olfa knife, scissors, pencil, 12" metal ruler, 12 x 18 cutting mat or similar, roll of waxed paper. And a bag to take your creations home!
Sign-up HERE: nebookartistsmembers@gmail.com
USM Summer Book Arts
Richard will, also, be part of the 2026 USM summer program. The 2026 summer class will run from July 6th through July 17th (Monday through Friday, no weekends).
Richard will be teaching two days (July15 & 16) : One day of binding (Folded vs Sewn) with some unusual options and one day of boxmaking (Boxes from two structures) using my system of folio and tray templates to build multiple structures.
Please see the 2026 Summer workshop info for more information 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.