Second Life Artistry is offering the sculptural form of blizzard bookbinding class on Thursday, January 15th from 6:00-8:30p.m., a lesson in handmade paper making on Thursday, February 26th from 6:00-8:30p.m., and an exploration into gelli plate printing on Thursday, March 19th from 6:00-8:30p.m. All classes take place at The Commons at First Presbyterian Church in Bellingham, WA between N. Forest Street and N. Garden Street.
See more detailed descriptions, as provided by Second Life Artistry:
Blizzard Book Binding – January 15, 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Create a Sculptural Book—No Glue, No Thread, Just Folds (Plus a Custom Hard Cover)
Discover the magic of the blizzard book, a clever, sculptural binding created entirely through folding—no glue, no stitching, no complicated tools. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to turn simple sheets of paper into a functional accordion spine with pockets perfect for holding tiny artworks, notes, or keepsakes. We’ll take it a step further by creating custom hard covers for your book. This simple upgrade transforms the structure—giving it presence and durability.
What We’ll Do
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Learn the fundamentals of blizzard binding
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Practice precise folding techniques to build an elegant accordion spine
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Craft hard covers that elevate and protect your structure
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Use recycled, found, and specialty papers to personalize your design
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Explore creative uses for your built-in pockets
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Leave with a custom hardcover blizzard book ready for journaling, displaying, or gifting
Perfect For
Artists, journalers, paper lovers, and anyone who enjoys slow, mindful, hands-on creativity. No experience needed—just curiosity and a willingness to fold.
Why You’ll Love It
Blizzard binding is wonderfully accessible and endlessly adaptable—and the addition of hard covers takes it to a whole new level. It’s satisfying, sustainable, and a unique way to give new life to old papers, all while creating in community.
https://secondlifeartistry.
Handmade Paper – February 26, 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Transform Scraps Into Beautiful, One-of-a-Kind Sheets
Step into the satisfying, tactile world of handmade paper. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to turn everyday paper scraps into sheets of textured, hand-pulled paper—perfect for bookbinding, collage, card-making, or simply admiring.
We’ll explore the full process from pulp to paper: blending your fibers, experimenting with inclusions, and pulling sheets. Each sheet becomes a tiny work of art, full of character, texture, and life. No two are ever the same—and that’s the beauty.
What We’ll Do
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Learn the basics of papermaking tools and techniques
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Transform recycled papers into fresh pulp
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Experiment with additives
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Pull your own sheets using traditional hand-papermaking methods
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Play with texture, thickness, and decorative elements
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Leave with handmade papers ready for your next project
Perfect For
Artists, crafters, journal makers, eco-creatives, and anyone who loves getting their hands wet and making something from nothing. Total beginners encouraged.
Why You’ll Love It
Handmade paper is pure magic—it turns scraps destined for the bin into something beautiful and useful. It’s sustainable, meditative, and deeply satisfying. And when you create in community, inspiration is everywhere.
https://secondlifeartistry.
Gelli Plate Printing – Exploring Textures – March 19, 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Play With Texture, Color, and Pattern
Dive into the wildly fun, endlessly surprising world of gelli plate printing. In this hands-on workshop, we’ll explore how to create vibrant, layered prints using acrylic paint, found textures and everyday objects you’d never expect to use in art.
Gelli printing is all about experimentation—there’s no right way to do it, and there are no mistakes. Each pull from the plate reveals something new: bold colors, ghost prints, unexpected patterns, and delightful textures.
What We’ll Do
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Learn the basics of gelli plate printing
- Explore textures using natural materials and unexpected everyday items
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Experiment with building layers of color and pattern
- Create a stack of prints perfect for collage, art journaling, card-making, mixed media projects, or your own personal stash of inspiration.
Perfect For
Artists, beginners, curious makers, and anyone who wants to loosen up, try new things, and enjoy the process. Zero experience needed—just bring a sense of adventure.
Why You’ll Love It
Gelli printing is fast, freeing, and wonderfully unpredictable. It’s a playground for color and texture lovers, a chance to experiment without pressure, and a fun way to repurpose items you already have. And when you create in community, the inspiration multiplies.
https://secondlifeartistry.
