Calling all fine artists, doodlers, and pen-wielding daydreamers! Have you heard about the Sketchbook Project? This bold undertaking encourages artists to create singular sketchbooks, which are then exhibited in locations around the world. In the words of the Sketchbook Project team, “It’s like a concert tour, but with sketchbooks.”
For this week’s How-Tuesday, the Art House Co-Op crew has compiled a round-up of their five favorite ways to embellish, reconstruct, expand, and fill the pages of a sketchbook for maximum creative exploration.
The Sketchbook Project is a traveling library of artists’ journals that is open to anyone, around the world. Participants sign up online to receive a blank sketchbook, then fill it with artwork and mail it back. The results are cataloged in the Brooklyn Art Library‘s permanent collection, displayed online in the Digital Library, and exhibited at art spaces around the world.
Anyone can be part of this, and we’d love to have more involved Etsians in the project! If you’d like to join the 2012 Sketchbook Project and receive your blank book right away, please sign up online to get started. Use the discount code: “ETSYHIGHFIVE” for $5 off the participation fee and feel free to share it with family and friends. The deadline to participate in the 2012 Sketchbook Project is October 31. We can’t wait to discover more Etsy artists in the stacks!
With more than 12,000 sketchbooks from over 100 countries and counting, we’re constantly amazed by the range of media, techniques and approaches that we encounter in the library. This year, we launched a blog series called “Tip Jar” to share some of the most inspiring processes and practices drawn from the collection. Here’s a round-up of our Top Five Tip Jars of 2011!
Five Sketchbook Tips
Sew Good: How to Rebind Any Sketchbook
This handy tutorial teaches you how to rebind any sketchbook. Add different types of paper, envelopes, maps, pockets or prints, then simply sew the cover back together.
Sketching With Needle and Thread
Trade a pen or pencil for stitches and textiles. These amazing sketchbooks bring handicrafts into the project.
The Incredible Expanding Sketchbook
Inspired by the Japanese technique of orihon, this Tip Jar explores the possibilities of accordion folds. Take a peek as a 5″ sketchbook unfolds into an entire apple tree.
Mirror Mirror: Image Transfer from Copy to Sketchbook
This step-by-step guide explains how to transfer any print or photocopy into the pages of your sketchbook. Experiment with size, texture and the destination medium to create compelling compositions.
Sketch Secrets: Puzzles, Tokens, and Other Surprises
These ambitious sketchbooks use three-dimensional elements, visual riddles or hidden compartments to let unsuspecting patrons in on a little secret.
If you try any of these projects, share a photo with us in the Etsy Labs Flickr group. And, don’t forget to check out the Sketchbook Project for all the sketchy details!
59 comments
Sign in to add your ownJeJeweled says:
Neat idea!
237 days ago
TwinkleStarCrafts says:
This is great. Thank you. I was looking for a crafting project for my daughter and her girlfriend to work on this weekend. Perfect!
237 days ago
quiensabeque says:
love at first sight!
237 days ago
Minervax says:
This is my second year for doing the Sketchbook Project It's a wonderful idea. The library tours parts of the US and you checkout peolpe sketchbooks to look at them.
237 days ago
artfields says:
I've been thinking about joining the project since last year. I just wish that the sketchbooks could be viewed in other countries too.
237 days ago
WhisperingOak says:
Love the idea of sharing through a sketchbook. I started planning my next year's line of products with the help of a sketchbook. Would love to participate
237 days ago
jackandjillwedding says:
I have an obsession with sketchbooks . I love a clean fresh sketchbook. It is almost like a fresh start for a new creative flow. I used to take print's of Vangogh's art and paste them to the covers of my sketchbooks. Love this idea.
237 days ago
chickfamilyink says:
I have my sketchbook library card!
237 days ago
JulieMeyer says:
I have several sketchbooks - this makes me want to dig some out or maybe make a new one!
237 days ago
WhisperingOak says:
Just signed up
237 days ago
jammerjewelry says:
Sounds like fun!
237 days ago
rozzie says:
Very cool! thanks for the article.
237 days ago
Iammie says:
Cool!
237 days ago
paramountvintage says:
oooh, i want to make this for my boyfriend. he's always carrying around a little sketchbook.
237 days ago
LayOffTheBooks says:
The map sketchbook is really neat. I like the idea of using old slides in the last sketchbook.
237 days ago
GalleryJuanaArt says:
I joined this for the 2011 tour and I'm working on the one for 2012 tour as well. The tour is great to see whether you have a journal or not. I have a tutorial on one the pages I did for the 2011 sketchbook on my website: http://juanaalmaguer.com/newsletter.html#Oak_and_Linden_II_art_tutorial
237 days ago
TheVintageApartment says:
This is all kinds of creative awesome! I've heard of the Sketchbook Project via other artists & blogs - this is a lovely post about the subject! And great links!
237 days ago
luciagphoto says:
love it!
237 days ago
iroirocrafts says:
In art college we are encouraged to make our own sketchbooks using interesting textures and 'found' paper, so the links will be really useful. I read about this project last year and would love to take part!
237 days ago
hereaftervintage says:
This is my second year participating in the Sketchbook Project. It's such a treat to work on throughout the year - and then send it off into the wild wild world for all to see. Sign up!
237 days ago
PaigeHeatherBoutique says:
What a great idea! I've never heard of this before, but I will definitely be taking part this year ;)
237 days ago
everythingok says:
Oh, how much do I love this idea!
237 days ago
myvintagecrush says:
Great collection, how fun!
237 days ago
TinyArtbyJMullin says:
I'm in! I finally have the time to really delve into my art. This seems like a great way to get me going. Woo-hoo!
237 days ago
MSCollective says:
This is such a fun and interesting idea! I'm definitely going to check out more about it.
237 days ago
shizendesigns says:
How cool! I always carry a tiny sketch book in my bag.
237 days ago
BrickWallViews says:
These sketch books remind me of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago's special library collection. I visited the Joan Flasch artists' book collection when I was in library school. This is a link to the website: http://digital-libraries.saic.edu/cdm4/about_jfabc.php?CISOROOT=/jfabc
237 days ago
SillyHilli says:
I LOVE the Sketchbook Project, after you participate once you can't stop signing up! Huge fan of all these tips btw!
237 days ago
TheScarfTree says:
Sketch books are amazing and will be keepers. Very special books! Love the pictures in your article! Thanks for sharing.
237 days ago
LittleWrenPottery says:
Sounds interesting, I stopped keeping a sketchbook a long time ago this makes me think perhaps I should try to pick it up again!
237 days ago
TheArtofKris says:
Already signed up months ago and working on it :)
237 days ago
OwlHill says:
So excited to be participating in the Sketchbook Project this year!
237 days ago
ddfoto says:
What a great idea! Will have to check it out!
237 days ago
lauraprentice says:
I love the sketchbook project! Here is one of the sketchbooks I created: http://www.etsy.com/transaction/56939665
237 days ago
BrittneyWest says:
Great idea! Thanks for sharing! "Let the beauty of what you love be what you do."--Rumi
237 days ago
MzLoca says:
I've been thinking of participate in the SBP, time to just Do It! Thanks for the ideas and etsy discount!
237 days ago
CathsKickassArt says:
Really cool idea!
237 days ago
EmilyCorrales says:
Wow! You did a great work, I would like to tell you that you can add your Etsy coupon to etsycouponcode.com . This will increase your sale chance up to 40%. Let me know if you have any question or suggestion!
236 days ago
MissHildebrandt says:
MANY THANKS for the tutorial.
236 days ago
prettystardesigns says:
fab idea!
236 days ago
violintide says:
I've always wanted to participate in the Sketchbook Project. Sketchbooks are my lifeblood!
236 days ago
creeperjess says:
Signed up last week and have been eagerly checking the mail every day since!
236 days ago
laKattun says:
Thank you! Interesting article! Great links!
236 days ago
anastasiamw says:
Great article! I've signed up to participate in the Sketchbook Project. I'm so excited! Sounds like so much fun!
235 days ago
kerriannshop says:
Neat idea, thanks for sharing!
235 days ago
PassThePretty says:
This is such a fantastic and creative idea to get people connected!
235 days ago
stepbackink says:
Great idea.
234 days ago
charcoaldesigns says:
I'm very interested!
234 days ago
JillianReneDecor says:
Awesome, awesome, awesome post! The sketchbook project is so fascinating - and sketching everyday is such a great way to store all of your random, brilliant, beautiful thoughts! Thanks so much for sharing!
234 days ago
ArgentTonic says:
Nice idea! Great work!
232 days ago
DearOhDeer says:
Ooh I did this last year it was fun!
231 days ago
ArtRecycles says:
So excited about this and just signed on! Thanks for introducing it to me.
230 days ago
ellolovey says:
This is my first year to do it! I need to get to work on it! Such a brilliant idea I must say!
229 days ago
yarnmoth says:
I rebound my sketchbook! http://shanellpapp.com/2011/09/18/sketchbook-project/
229 days ago
BrightonCrock says:
This is a great idea. I've seen those expanding books before. Beautiful.
213 days ago
madebylaurenb says:
I just signed up, I can't wait to get my sketchbook!!
211 days ago
LuckiiArts says:
I just got mine- so excited!
203 days ago
MumsCupboard says:
I'm a first timer. I received my BLANK sketchbook today!! And am very excited (and a little overwhelmed) about participating.
175 days ago
robjelinski says:
This post is awesome! The Art-House Co-op, the company who created the Sketchbook Project is also really awesome!!! I've met both of the founders, a bunch of the staff and have been a part of the community since last year and I don't have one bad thing to say. A must join for every forward thinking creative on a budget!
165 days ago