{"id":4647,"date":"2013-03-04T01:00:33","date_gmt":"2013-03-04T06:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/?p=4647"},"modified":"2025-09-15T16:28:32","modified_gmt":"2025-09-15T20:28:32","slug":"my-hand-skype-workshop-with-benjamin-elbel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/2013\/03\/04\/my-hand-skype-workshop-with-benjamin-elbel\/","title":{"rendered":"My Hand: Skype Workshop with Benjamin Elbel"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"shrigley2-erinfletcher\"<\/a><\/p>\n

When I was presented with the challenge of binding a book for a set of photography prints that would need to open flat, I sent my former instructor, Jeff Altepeter<\/a>, an email to help me brainstorm. After discussing a few options, I received another email from Jeff showcasing the upcoming workshops at BINDING re:DEFINED<\/a>. All of the workshops looked intriguing, but Benjamin Elbel’s<\/a>\u00a0Onion Skin Binding<\/em> and\u00a0The Shrigley<\/em> appeared to be suitable solutions for my current project.<\/p>\n

My only problem was being in Boston and wanting to take a workshop in England. I contacted Benjamin through the help of Lori Sauer <\/a>(who runs BINDING re:DEFINED and will be featured on my blog through the month of March). Benjamin and I decided to experiment and run the workshop through Skype (a recent topic of interest on the Book Arts Listserv).<\/p>\n

The workshop was based on The Shrigley<\/em> structure and\u00a0ran for 2.5 hours over 2 Skype sessions. The initial session was half an hour long. During this time I received instruction on creating the folded frames and cutting the corners. Benjamin had a camera set-up directly over his workspace and it was incredibly easy to see what he was doing. Our connection never lagged and the video image stayed clear, making it easy for me to read any measurements or notes that Benjamin jotted down.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"shrigley7-erinfletcher\"\"shrigley8-erinfletcher\"<\/a><\/a>\"shrigley6-erinfletcher\"<\/a><\/p>\n

During our second session, Benjamin walked me through the sewing and a simple hardcover case to house the frames. We did a pamphlet stitch to connect the frames in a concertina style. The case was constructed with two pieces of millboard and a thin, flexible spine piece covered in cloth. Ribbon was inserted into the boards to aid in the closure of the book.<\/p>\n

\"shrigley4-erinfletcher\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Once the cloth lining was pasted in, the frames could be fixed to the case. Overall, I think the workshop was successful. It was easy for me to follow Benjamin’s instruction. However I had made a mistake while folding my frames, which I didn’t realize until the near end of the workshop. In hindsight, we discussed the importance of reviewing my work before proceeding to the next step. In order to do this with the built-in camera I was using on my laptop, I would have to hover my work in front of the camera and move it around so Benjamin could assess what I had done.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"shrigley3-erinfletcher\"<\/p>\n

I think performing workshops through an online interactive video platform such as Skype or Google Hangout could serve as a viable way for bookbinders to connect and spread their teachings further through the community. There are still some kinks that need to be worked out. I know within the Listserv there has been some discussion regarding this topic, but I would love to hear your opinions and whether you’ve been on either end of an interactive video workshop.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When I was presented with the challenge of binding a book for a set of photography prints that would need to open flat, I sent my former instructor, Jeff Altepeter, an email to help me brainstorm. After discussing a few options, I received another email from Jeff showcasing the upcoming workshops at BINDING re:DEFINED. All […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[68,8],"tags":[760,762,1867,173,744,761,763],"class_list":["post-4647","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bookbinding","category-my-hand","tag-benjamin-elbel","tag-binding-redefined","tag-bookbinding","tag-erin-fletcher","tag-lori-sauer","tag-skype-workshop","tag-the-shrigley"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2Btis-1cX","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":9772,"url":"https:\/\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/2015\/07\/01\/july-bookbinder-of-the-month-ben-elbel\/","url_meta":{"origin":4647,"position":0},"title":"July \/\/ Bookbinder of the Month: Ben Elbel","author":"Erin Fletcher","date":"July 1, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Boven Kamers\u00a0is a collaborative Dutch pop-up book between neuroscientist Gerard J. Boer, professor Harry B.M. Uijlings, paper artist Ingrid Siliakus and graphic designer\u00a0Moon Brouwer. The book contains a total of six laser cut pop-up spreads which send the reader on a tour through the human brain and its functions.\u00a0Printed in\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "binder of the month"","block_context":{"text":"binder of the month","link":"https:\/\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/category\/binder-of-the-month\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/BovenKamer7-BenElbel.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/BovenKamer7-BenElbel.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/BovenKamer7-BenElbel.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/BovenKamer7-BenElbel.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9803,"url":"https:\/\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/2015\/07\/12\/bookbinder-of-the-month-ben-elbel-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":4647,"position":1},"title":"Bookbinder of the Month: Ben Elbel","author":"Erin Fletcher","date":"July 12, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"I love this structure developed\u00a0by Ben Elbel, which he appropriately named Onion Skin Binding. A lovely description inspired by\u00a0layering effect that creates\u00a0the mesmerizing maze-like spine. In this post I talk about this structure with Ben starting with its development to how he's adapted the structure. The Onion Skin is another\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "binder of the month"","block_context":{"text":"binder of the month","link":"https:\/\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/category\/binder-of-the-month\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/OnionSkin2-BenElbel.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/OnionSkin2-BenElbel.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/OnionSkin2-BenElbel.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12127,"url":"https:\/\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/2020\/02\/10\/upcoming-workshops-february-april\/","url_meta":{"origin":4647,"position":2},"title":"Upcoming Workshops \/\/ February – April","author":"Erin Fletcher","date":"February 10, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"February: Secret Belgian Binding February 15 (Saturday) JP Knit and Stitch Jamaica Plain, MA This workshop will explore the Secret Belgian structure. Students will also be introduced to ways of modifying this structure. This binding style is simple and easy to construct; it opens flat and is perfect for thinner\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "workshops"","block_context":{"text":"workshops","link":"https:\/\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/category\/workshops\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Secret-BelgianPromo.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Secret-BelgianPromo.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Secret-BelgianPromo.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9790,"url":"https:\/\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/2015\/07\/05\/bookbinder-of-the-month-ben-elbel\/","url_meta":{"origin":4647,"position":3},"title":"Bookbinder of the Month: Ben Elbel","author":"Erin Fletcher","date":"July 5, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"For the\u00a0Designer Bookbinders International Bookbinding Competition\u00a0in 2009, binders were invited to produce a binding for the set book Water, a collection of poems and illustrations based on the the theme of water.\u00a0The set book was published by\u00a0Incline Press\u00a0in a limited, letterpress edition that included images from various talented illustrators and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "binder of the month"","block_context":{"text":"binder of the month","link":"https:\/\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/category\/binder-of-the-month\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Water2-BenElbel.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Water2-BenElbel.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Water2-BenElbel.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Water2-BenElbel.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12071,"url":"https:\/\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/2019\/06\/15\/upcoming-workshops-june-to-august-3\/","url_meta":{"origin":4647,"position":4},"title":"Upcoming Workshops \/\/ June to August","author":"Erin Fletcher","date":"June 15, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"June: Single Signature Variations June 23 \u2013 29 (Sunday \u2013 Saturday) Maine Media Workshops + College Rockport, ME There are still a few spots left! Books come in all shapes and sizes. Some may span only a single signature, while others become a thick tome. In this workshop, we\u2019ll explore\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "workshops"","block_context":{"text":"workshops","link":"https:\/\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/category\/workshops\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/EmbroideredLeatherWorkshop2-ErinFletcher.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/EmbroideredLeatherWorkshop2-ErinFletcher.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/EmbroideredLeatherWorkshop2-ErinFletcher.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/EmbroideredLeatherWorkshop2-ErinFletcher.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13429,"url":"https:\/\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/2022\/11\/15\/new-year-new-workshops-2023-winter-spring-workshops\/","url_meta":{"origin":4647,"position":5},"title":"New Year – New Workshops \/\/ 2023 Winter\/Spring Workshops","author":"Erin Fletcher","date":"November 15, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"FEBRUARY Dos Rapport\u00e9 Binding 2 Sessions \/\/ February 11 & 12 (Sat & Sun mornings) 9:00am \u2013 11:30am (CST) Register by January 31st Dos Rapport\u00e9 is an elegant binding created by Ben Elbel around 2005. Rapport\u00e9 loosely translates from French as something that comes back together. To create this unique\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "workshops"","block_context":{"text":"workshops","link":"https:\/\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/category\/workshops\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/IMG_1757-1024x1024.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/IMG_1757-1024x1024.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/IMG_1757-1024x1024.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4647","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4647"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4647\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14642,"href":"https:\/\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4647\/revisions\/14642"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4647"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4647"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4647"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}