Ready, Set, Fold! with Karen Hardy (Online)

Schedule: Tuesdays - 
Apr 6, 2021: video tutorials posted 8:00am (ET); live conference start 7:00pm (ET)
Apr 13, 2021: video tutorials posted 8:00am (ET); live conference start 7:00pm (ET)
Apr 20, 2021: video tutorials posted 8:00am (ET); live conference start 7:00pm (ET)
Apr 27, 2021: video tutorials posted 8:00am (ET); live conference start 7:00pm (ET)

Learn the secrets of unique and intricately folded book forms that don’t rely on sewing or adhesive. This workshop will focus on binding techniques that take the architecture and action of the book to new levels through masterful paper engineering. We will begin with a simple accordion book and learn how to make a suite of books folded from a single sheet of paper. We’ll then build on this basic foundation with more advanced projects, covering several inventions by renowned artist and conservator Hedi Kyle: the blizzard book, fishbone fold, tree fold, and triangle fold. Inventive folded cover designs for each of these will be included in the instruction. We will analyze the merits and limitations of a variety of materials, tools, and papers, and discuss the ways that each structure is uniquely suited to creative expression. By the end of the four weeks, each student will produce a collection of books that can be used as motivation and reference for further projects. A great advantage of these folded books lies in their minimal use of specialized supplies; they can easily be made at home, or even when traveling, with just a few readily available small tools.

In this course you will:
- Develop proficiency with the skills and tools for measuring, cutting, and folding paper precisely.
- Complete at least six folded book models (plus any optional variations or duplicates you wish to add).
- Discover the attributes of, and sources for, various papers, materials, and tools used in making folded book structures.
- Consider examples of how these folded structures have been used by accomplished book artists, and how they might be used in your own creative practice.

Level of Experience / Skills Required: All levels; no prior book-making experience required. Some comfort with accurate measuring, folding, and cutting with blades/knives is needed to master the skills taught in this workshop.

Location/Venue: Online with Book Paper Thread
For more info & pictures: http://bookpaperthread.com/ready-set-fold
Cost/Fee: $250 workshop registration ($295 with paper kit)
Material/Studio fee:

Their workshop calendar: http://bookpaperthread.com/online-workshops

Instructor and bio: Karen Hardy is a visual artist based in western North Carolina. Her practice is centered on an experimental approach to materials and process, with particular focus on using innovative hand papermaking techniques and a variety of non-traditional materials in artist books, prints, sculpture, and installation. Karen’s award-winning artist books are widely exhibited and held in collections across the country and abroad, including Yale University, Savannah College of Art & Design, Rhode Island School of Design, and Columbia College Chicago. She received an MFA in book arts & printmaking from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, and has taught book arts at Western Carolina University, Warren Wilson College, the John C. Campbell Folk School, the Southwest School of Art, and other centers for contemporary craft and art. Since 2008, Karen has designed and printed ephemera for both retail and commission as the proprietor of Hardy Letterpress. See examples of her artwork at khardy.com