I went to Wayzgoose last Saturday, April 25 as part of the Book Arts Guild of Richmond Hill contingent. We’re getting quite sizeable, requiring 2 full tables PLUS space for the Pearl Press that belongs to the Grimsby Library but which we run as a letterpress printing demo. The book arts community can sometimes feel quite small and cozy, and everyone gets to know everyone else, even if only by name and reputation. It was good to see what everyone has been doing and to talk shop with people who get it.

Kevin manning one of the tables, with the 30th Wayzgoose broadside collection on the easel, plus an assortment of past Wayzgoose signatures and greeting cards.

Nadia and Daniella manning (womanning?) the other table, with broadsides and Wayzgoose signatures.

Nadia running the Pearl treadle press.

Some people have asked where they can take letterpress classes. There aren’t many places offering classes, partly because it’s not a widespread hobby, and partly because it involves some risk on the part of the teacher. The equipment is no longer being manufactured, so if the press or type is damaged, it may be difficult or impossible to get a replacement. It is not an easy thing to take up, so below are some resources you might find handy.

Akemi at Kozo Studio in Toronto, ON offers letterpress classes and might be starting up again in May 2009. Check her blog for updates.

 The Canadian Bookbinders and Book Artists Guild (CBBAG) also offers letterpress classes, but in Mission, BC and in Kingston, ON.

Don Black Linecasting in Toronto, ON is a great place to get letterpress equipment. Don and his son Craig are invaluable resources. They sold me my Kelsey; it was all fixed up and ready to go. Call ahead to see what they have on hand or ask to go in for a wander—you could get lost amongst all that equipment and lead.

Briar Press is an online letterpress community. It’s a good place to get advice, though be sure to search through the archives before posting a new question.

Things that I’ve learned today: no blogging from my computer, yes blogging from my husband’s computer. So, hey! Here’s a photo of my press from last year.

It’s inked up and ready to print birthday cards. The Kelsey was a great starter press for me. Enough to tackle beginner projects and small enough to figure out what was happening when things were going wrong. Now that I’m getting more ambitious, my projects are getting correspondingly larger. Many things are too large to cram into the 6×10 chase, which is never meant to be full, anyway, but I try. I’m lucky to have the Richmond Hill Book Arts Guild nearby — not only do they have a floor model C&P and a Vandercook to work on, there are friendly experts to answer my questions and help out with any problems I have.

My next big project is a poster for an upcoming artisan’s market I’m helping to organize. That is most definitely meant for the Vandercook. Cranking out 200+ broadsides is not as daunting as it used to be. I can’t wait to see it all come together.

Today was Sunday, and we all went to dim sum.

Finally got this journal back up and running. Too bad the post about my press is gone. I’ll have to recreate it some time.