Blog on the Move

This is the last blog post under the heading of bookbindingbairn.
To coincide with the re-launch of the main website, all blog posts will now appear in the main website www.carronvale-bookbinding.co.uk
We look forward to seeing you at our new home.

Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh - Adopt A Book Scheme

As part of their efforts to raise funds to assist in the conservation of their vast and extensive collection we were asked by The Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh, on Monday this week, to take part in an evening designed to raise awareness of the collection and its conservation needs.

We laid on a display of some of our work, tools and materials and were on hand to discuss the ins and outs of bookbinding and how we can assist in conserving the library's collection.
The evening was well attended and the guests went away with a better idea of the needs of the library and how and funds raised would be employed.

These images show our display as well as the library's own display of volumes










If you want more details of the scheme go to the Royal College of Surgeons Website at http://www.library.rcsed.ac.uk/content/content.aspx?ID=18

Journals Get a Face Lift

During one of many clear ups, and if you know me then you will know that tidying up is a big thing with me, I came across a selection of marble papers that were left over from previous jobs. What better use for them than to incorporate them into our new journal designs.
The marbled papers, some modern and some with a bit of history to them, add another level of individuality to the journals.
They are currently being uploaded to the shop so why not check them out and let me know what you think.
We have also been looking at the shape of the journals and have now started to incoporate a rounded spine to the text block. This gives the journals a more "book" feel to them.
We will offer this text block shape along with the more traditional flat spine shape throughout our range.

Shop Update

The shop has now been running for over 3 months now and I am pleased with how it has been going. Sales have been good and this in turn has increased the visitor numbers to the bindery.

Beaded Designs



I am always looking for new styles and materials to add to our range of styles and finishes.
With this in mind you will find now on the shop a range of journals with various wooden bead design emelishments. These are avaiable in both A6 and A7 sizes. So have a brouse and see the
new designs.



Belted Journals


To go along with the limited edition launched in December, I have also made available journals using the same belted design in both A6 and A7 sizes.

Paired Journals
If you are looking for a particular style but not sure of the size you want I have now made some matching pairs in both A6 and A7.

Now Selling to USA

With the journals now having been on sale for over 2 months, I decided it was time to widen the market. So as from today the journals can now be purchased in the USA.
The feedback has been favourable so far, so here's hoping.
I would be happy to hear your comments and if you having suggestions regarding pricing/shipping/payment/the shop or indeed anything else I will gladly take them on board.

Limited Edition - Square Journal - Update

This limited edtion of 10 journals is now available to buy on line at www.carronvalebindery.co.uk.

Book Style Journals & Limited Edition

With our online shop now up and running for over 2 months I have been playing around with several new ideas for cover styles and design. Too much time on my hands I hear you say. If only that were true. Needs to get out more then I hear you cry. Well that's as maybe but you have to think about something to while away the time whilst driving to and from London.
Anyway the result of this brain rummaging has been the development of our new range of "book style" covers for the journals.
For these we have temporarily done away with our wrap around style and designed the covers with a soft flexible binding of leather and weaving a "belt" of leather through the cover to form the tie and to compliment the over all design.
We have used either goatskin or calf for the covers and the belts.
These are currently available in both A7 and A6 sizes, with our usual 120gsm high quality writing paper.

NEW LIMITED EDITION SIZE

We have also produced a limited edition, currently 10 only, in a larger square size (15 x 15cm). These have a good solid feel and would be ideal for sketching. The leaves are made fom a heavier 135gsm, slightly textured off-white paper.

Depending on the popularity of this size we may expand the range to include this as standard. So if you have any thoughts please let me know.

I am in the process of uploading them to the online shop (carronvalebindery.co.uk) but they are already available at our shop in Larbert.

Let's see what the next long drive to London can produce.