Instructor: Bari Zaki

No group Zoom workshops are currently scheduled. That said, the full-length live recording is available, either on its own, or with the option of scheduling a private or semiprivate workshop (in addition to the recording). No previous boxmaking experience is necessary; a bit of glueing experience is a plus. See the dropdown below for pricing.

This workshop was inspired by our perpetual desire for lovely desk accessories: pleasing shapes to hold our favourite writing implements and jotting papers.

What you’ll make: One pencil caddy (2¾ x 2¾ x 4½), which can be used for all manner of writing implements (as well as letter-openers and/or bonefolders). Two different sizes of memo holder, 1 medium (4¾ x 6½ x 1½) and 1 long (4½ x 7¾ x 1½).

We begin with an overview of materials & tools that we’ll be using throughout the workshop. You will construct a pencil caddy & 2 sizes of memo-holders from pre-cut pieces of binders board. Both your pencil caddy and your memo holders have a bonus “base” for extra support and decorative delight. You will cover the memo holders & bases with Japanese paper and bookbinding cloth, and learn my tips & techniques for covering a 5-faceted tray with tight nooks & corners. (Everything is pre-cut for you, so you can focus on finessing your fingerwork.)

Next you will cover the inside as well as outside of your pencil caddy with a single piece of Japanese paper.

Nota bene: The bases for the caddy & memo holders need to press overnight. I explain and demo how to weight them.

Workshop fee includes an incredibly extensive kit of materials:

Pencil caddy: 6 pieces of precut binders board; 2 pieces of Japanese decorative paper (1 is 9¼ x 12¼, and 1 is 2⅜ x 2⅜); 1 piece of bookbinding cloth (4¾ x 4¾); 6 standard pencils for wrapping (#2B); 6 pieces of Japanese paper to wrap your pencils (1¼ x 6¾)

Medium memo holder: 7 pieces of precut binders board; 2 pieces of Japanese decorative paper (1 is 3½ x 23½, and 1 is 4½ x 5¾); 1 piece of bookbinding cloth (6 x 8¼); 1 beribboned sheaflet of Cat B’s favourite drawing paper (1 inch thick)

Long memo holder: 7 pieces of precut binders board; 2 pieces of Japanese decorative paper (1 is 3½ x 23½, and 1 is 4 x 7½); 1 piece of bookbinding cloth (6½ x 9½); 1 beribboned sheaflet of Cat Bennett’s favourite drawing paper (1 inch thick)

Tools needed: Bonefolder, X-acto knife, glue and a glue-brush. These are available for purchase, and I offer a 20% discount on any tools ordered for the workshop (via refund after your workshop purchase).

Other tools needed: Cutting mat, a small cup for your glue, scrap paper on which to glue, and a small cloth to keep your fingers glue-free. And a bit of washi tape.

Nota bene: If you have the necessary tools but are in need of the glue & glue brush, you’ll find them in a separate shop listing here.

Class fee includes the materials (but not the tools) to make 1 pencil caddy & 2 deluxe memo holders. The papers in your kit are very vintage, from my years of collecting; they are in limited supply, and each kit is individually assembled for a complementary combo. If a particular colour or pattern catches your fancy, please e me and I will do my best to grant your wishes.

If you’d like to purchase an additional set of materials, you certainly can. However, you cannot accomplish this in the dropdown menu (because one set of materials is included with the workshop fee). To order additional sets of materials, please e me and I will be in touch extremely promptly. It’s $175. per additional set of materials. (No shipping fee if you order at the same time as your workshop registration.)

This recording is 4-ish hours in total. It includes the “natural pauses” from the original workshop sessions, giving you time to complete the various steps. You can pause the video wherever and as often as you’d like, but you may not need to at all.

To schedule a date & time, add this class to your cart, and then email barizakistudio@gmail.com with your preferred date(s) and time of day. Feel free to call or e me with any questions (773-294-7766 or barizakistudio@gmail.com).

I look forward to sharing my long-standing love of papers & desk beautification with you.