Service Description

Introducing the VOLVELLE! The history of moveable books begins with volvelles. I like interactive books. There were books of paper instruments, secret codes and calendars (all forthcoming). I met a lady at a conference whose entire research career has been based on paper instruments. The astrolabe is a natural partner for the volvelle format. Paper instruments were like early calculating computers. The astrolabe has a long history as an astronomical instrument and navigational tool since ancient times. We will be making paper star charts based on real sources. If you can study a real one in a museum near you I encourage you to do so. I understood these by reverse engineering our various pop-up books, ie. the kids half destroyed them naturally anyway and I finished the job, what’s done is done. For the volvelles you need paper fasteners initially, and possibly some thread for future (ideally silk, but any thread will do). Also a compass to draw circles, and ideally a compass circle cutter or rotary cutter - if not, then scissors will do. And a scalpel, Stanley or paper knife. From miniature books to pocket books to small books that fit into the open palms of your hand: these books are the next size up, so more leather and materials are used. (Double, in fact, as I insist on a leather doublure inside rather than just paper, for the books to be truly luxurious works of art.) Since these are book classes, we will also be developing our bookmaking skills and learning new book cover techniques with the leather gradually. This is a slightly bigger book than previous classes and we will be getting bigger with time too. Class includes a bespoke handmade leather envelope-flap cover to paint and free postage to anywhere in the world. Sent separately depending on production schedules. Make your own library of handmade Islamic style books!