SOME OF OUR FAVORITE TOOLS
Daniel likes to use an 8" bone folder but I've found this to be my favorite because of the diverse edges and curves and that wonderful point that allows me to work in tight spots. It's also one of the least expensive bone folders I've found.
This is the tear bar we use to tear deckle edges on the pages of some of our books. It's a bit flimsy but if you hold it down well along the bar where you are tearing the paper then it works just great. I love that it's a natural watercolor deckle with an organic feel, unlike a lot of the scrapbooking rulers with deckled edges that have too much of a geometric feel to it. Daniel put cork tape along the back straight edge, this allows the ruler to angle toward the paper and also helps keep it in place a bit better.
This is a Pro Needle usually used for pottery but I've found that it's a great bookbinding awl. It's sturdy and I can use the very tip for small holes or even push the paper/leather/bookboard up onto the long shaft to give it a slightly bigger hole. I love using it especially for leather long stitch books and for punching holes through book board.
We purchase a lot of our artist papers from here: Rives BFK, Rising Stonehenge, Canson Watercolor Paper and Zurkall Nideggen. We also purchase Lokta on occasion as they get some fun prints that other stores never seem to have. They ship their artist papers flat and often have great deals on shipping. I recommend signing up for their email list as it gives great deals and ideas.
Hollanders
My favorites to buy from Hollanders are Jade 403, Super or Mull, Lokta, Italian Papers and double sided Unryu as well as many other things.
Talas
Great for bookboard, endbands in bulk and many little tools. If you order gold tooling brass tools beware it will take a few months to arrive as they order them from the UK. Everything else ships fairly quick.
PaperStudio
I purchase a variety of decorative papers from paper studio, mostly lokta and the Indian papers.
FIND SUPPLIES LOCAL
A variety of bookbinding supplies including a few flat file drawers of beautiful handmade papers and they now carry large sheets of the same text paper we use in our journals and sketchbooks (Mohawk Solutions). If you've taken a class from me, remember to ask for the student discount at the checkout.
Downstairs, in the art section, against the wall, you'll find large drawers with a variety of decorative papers that work great for bookbinding. They have quite a few fun Italian prints.
