DAY 1 – SCULPTURAL PAPER BOOKS
A display of Helen’s complex paper books set the mood for the weekend with 14 enthusiastic participants looking forward to learning the intricacies of construction of these works of art.
As instructed we had all arrived with our circles and squares already cut. Helen explained that the complex forms were a build up of multiples of any of the three basic shapes – circular page/quarter circle book, square page/square book, or square page/triangular book and proceeded to demonstrate each shape.
Watching Helen crease and fold may have seemed a bit elementary but we soon found out differently. There was silence for a while we began our books with great concentration, but it wasn’t long before exasperated groans began emanating from different parts of the room. Obviously respect for Helen’s skills in this area increased dramatically as the morning wore on and our frustrations at mastering these seemingly simple exercises increased.
However, Helen’s calm, patience, encouragement and ever readiness to repeatedly explain the processes kept the lid on our frustrations, and surprise surprise at the end of the day we produced a collection of interesting presentable sculptural books with slip cases.
Each book was unique as the combination of colours, patterned papers, and calligraphic marks all added extra interest and diversity to the three basic shapes.

DAY 2 – PERSPEX BOOKS
The wide display of Helen’s Perspex books showed a variety of etching, decorating, and joining designs in a stunning array of very professional art books.
And as one is unable to crease and fold Perspex a complete new set of skills needed to be learnt for this session. Helen’s demonstration of scoring Perspex ready for snapping, bought back memories of teachers running fingers down blackboards to gain the class’ attention.
The larger perspex sheets were measured into equal parts, scored and snapped for eventual construction into a seven page book which could be etched or otherwise decorated and then joined by fishing line or twine in any number of different configurations.
The noise of the scoring tools screeching over the Perspex was soon ignored as we became engrossed in our tasks.
Different etching tools were tested on offcuts supplied by Helen, and participants’ creativity came to the fore in the range of marks and designs created.
The day endedall too quickly, and we all took home interesting examples of what could be achieved with a little patience, ingenuity and calligraphic skill. Some books were completed on the day while most were taken home to be finished.
A special thank you to Helen for a very enjoyable and informative workshop; to Maxine for organising the workshop; to Vanessa for supplying materials and equipment, and to all the other participants for a friendly and fun working environment.
As always for Judith Kilburn and myself travelling to Coffs from the Gold Coast for a workshop is a memorable experience.
*Barb Austin – Gold Coast

THE UNCIAL HAND
Tutor: Robyn Lawrence

The group that attended this afternoon consisted of some very new beginners and a mixture with varying calligraphic experience. Robyn Lawrence who conducted the lesson came prepared for all contingencies, and we all embraced our own challenges with enthusiasm.
For the beginners the challenge was to write the Uncial script using the handouts provided. For the others, it was to use the Uncial script in a project.
The project was to write the names of the Zodiac in a circular design incorporating a Zodiac graphic. With some attractive finished examples of designs prepared by Robyn and choosing one of the many zodiac graphics she had provided, we all set out to create our own design - using double pencils to first lay out the words to fit the circle and then place the graphic inside the circle.
This was indeed a challenge, as there are design difficulties to consider when using words of varying lengths such as Libra or Sagittarius. For short names many chose to repeat the word to fit the design. For longer names, some chose to write it once and position the graphic in such a way as to complete a circular shape.

Later, at home, the design was to be finished in colour and brought back to the next club meeting for ‘Show and Tell’ and then used for designs on bookmarks.Robyn will then use her skills on the computer to copy and reduce the size of the designs to fit the size of a bookmark, and print them off to be sold at future Craft shows.

This was a great afternoon and a wonderful way to engage all members in practising their letter shapes; gain experience in creating a design; and produce something together as a club project.
It was also gratifying to see many members helping out the newer members throughout the afternoon.

Robyn’s attention to detail, preparation and easy-going pace made this afternoon workshop, as always, very enjoyable and achievable.