I regularly run private bookbinding workshops for groups of friends (birthdays, hen parties, get-togethers), business away days and community projects.
In pre-pandemic times these workshops took place in community centres, galleries, at people’s homes and in my studio. While in-person workshops and social gatherings aren’t possible, my virtual bookbinding workshops offer a great way to keep connected and experience some creative tlc in these particularly challenging times.
My bespoke bookbinding workshops are a great way to:
- Spend some social time with friends, family & colleagues online
- Learn new skills
- Get creative in a relaxed and friendly environment
- Experience the sense of wellbeing that goes hand-in-hand with making something with your own hands
- Create unique books that can be used for all manner of things, from notebooks and journals to sketchbooks and photo albums
- Share something special with friends/family/colleagues – I’m always happy to include extra’s in with the bookbinding kits I post out – chocolates, a special note to participants, party hats – you name it, let me know your ideas
How it works
My private online workshops take place via Zoom and can happen in a number of ways depending on the size of your group, the type of books you want to make and how much time you want to spend on Zoom / with me.
What can we make? My Layered Cross Stitch and Mini Bookbinding workshops work well in a group context but other book structures and bindings can be covered if you have a specific request. Take a look at my workshop programme and let me know your preference..
What are the practicalities? First we schedule a date for a Zoom live and I send out a materials/tools kit to each participant, with everything you need. On the day of the workshop, we meet on Zoom and I talk you step-by-step through the making process, share examples and answer your questions – with time for you to enjoy a cuppa/tipple of your choice, while we create our books together. If you are a large group, there is the option to go into smaller breakout rooms so you can chat while you make.
I recommend a Zoom session of between 1.5 and 3 hours – the length of the live session is dependent on the book structure you want to make, the size of the group, your preferences etc. We can discuss all this and come up with the best fit for your group.
Accompanying video tutorials will be provided after the workshop that your group can return to for a reminder of the process, useful if anyone didn’t quite get finished in the live session or you want to make more books after the workshop.
How much does a private workshop cost? Costs vary depending on the books you would like to make, the length of the live session and the number of participants. Generally I can make up kits for between £25 & £35 per person (this includes enough material to make one book each, including good quality bookbinding tools) and the Zoom Live session is charged at £36 per hour, with an extra charge for groups of over 8 people.
This group option generally works out cheaper than each person buying access to my kit and online workshop separately via my shop, plus you get some live tuition and I’ll be on hand to answer any questions and guide you through the process.
If you are based outwith the UK there will an additional charge for postage and a longer lead-in time will be required to ensure your kit reaches you in time for the live session.
Interested in booking a group workshop? I’d love to hear from you – get in touch with me to discuss and I’ll get back to you with a proposal and costings for you to consider – bookbindingwithcass@gmail.com
I also run one-to one bookbinding workshops online – get in touch to discuss what you’d like to learn and I’ll talk you through the options.
Recent clients for private workshops include – Creative Scotland, Edinburgh Council, Baille Gifford, Arts & Business Scotland, Inspiring Leith, North Edinburgh Arts, Edinburgh Volunteer Centre, Paisley Book Festival.
