Dive deeply and join Wanda for a 5 day workshop exploring techniques and demonstrations into making miniature bespoke handmade books using antique & vintage ephemera. Working in an intuitive, supported and enriching environment she will guide you through the process of making your own truly unique set of books whilst handling and working with historical ephemera. A stunning antique ephemera pack will be provided to all participants for this workshop which you are encouraged to use in the workshop/or keep for later use.
Explore various traditional binding techniques and discover Wanda’s own unique “rebellious stitching” binding as you become acquainted with sought after antique and vintage papers.
Wanda incorporates early Victorian sepia and black-and-white portraits, miniature fragments, dyed & eco dyed vintage textiles into her books to create entirely original, bespoke handmade books. “I employ printing techniques, intuitive mark-making, stamping and stencilling allowing each page to take root and grow organically and intuitively”.
This workshop is for all - beginners or creatives and artists with or without experience of creating journals who would love to create a set of unique miniatures books.
KEEPER OF STORIES - LESSONS IN PAPER ALCHEMY 14th-18th September 2026
A 5 DAY in-depth WORKSHOP delving into all aspects of making paper books using vintage ephemera and mixed media.
A 5 day in-depth workshop: 9.00am -midday & 2pm - 5pm
Workshop venue: The Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution set within the world famous Queen Square and just moments away from the Royal Crescent
PRIVATE WhatsApp group
Price £1500 UK sterling GBP - Please note that this price is for the workshop only. Hotel accommodation, transportation and meals are not included.
A £750 non-refundable deposit is due upon registration to secure your spot. The remaining balance is due 30 April 2026. My workshops are kept small and intimate, your reserved spot is transferable to someone else if needed and subject to there being a waitlist. However PLEASE NOTE that upon receipt of your registration and payment of deposit this becomes non refundable. When registering you are agreeing to these terms.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
This is a workshop only. All transportation costs, accomodation and food are NOT included. A list of hotels near the workshop venue will be provided.
For overseas attendees nearest airport is London Heathrow. Private pick up and drop off to airport can be arranged.
Travel options: Private car hire (approx 2 hours) to hotel in Bath. Not included but can be arranged,
Alternative route. Upon arrival at Heathrow, Heathrow Express train to London Paddington (approx 30 mins) Great Western Train from London Paddington to Bath Spa (1hr 30 mins)
Workshop Timetable
5 Full days- 9.00 am -midday & 2pm to 5pm
DAY 1 - Monday 14th September (Full Day) COVERS, WRAPS & BINDINGS
Today marks our first full studio day with Wanda. We will be making several handmade books using an array of both antique and vintage ephemera, mixed media, textiles to create journals, spines and bindings using both traditional techniques and Wanda’s unique rebellious stitching approach.
Handing out of Wanda’s amazing antique ephemera packs to use in the workshop . Please see supply list for a more in-depth description of these amazing bundles.
A selection of her handmade books will be available to view for inspiration during the workshop. Also available for use will be a selection of stamps, rusted objects, stencils and various paint & ink products to incorporate into your pages if desired.
We will consider sizes for our books, collate and gather pages, work on how to make interesting and unique book covers. Also an introduction on book bindings & spine work.
We will begin collating, sizing and mark making on our pages before Wanda demonstrates several traditional bindings to use for our books.
DAY 2 Tuesday 15th September (Full Day). - A DEEPER DIVE into intuitive mark making
We will be working on several books simultaneously developing your own intuitive mark making practice, working at your own pace with gentle guiding from Wanda. Tea dying, rusting & staining will be possible on site. Gathering and sizing your pages and working on book covers. Wanda will demonstrate through practical demonstrations various traditional binding techniques . You will be making and creating your own unique spines and bindings to hold your beautiful pages.
Day 3 Wednesday 16th September (Full day) REBELLIOUS STITCHING
Our morning will be spent in the studio continuing your creative journey with Wanda. Demonstration and explanation of a “REBELLIOUS STITCHING” binding, Wanda’s own unique method of creating a decorative yet aged spine using various materials. We will be hand stitching our signatures in preparation for binding.
DAY 4 Thursday 17th September - Full Day BOOKS & BINDINGS
Two different techniques for binding books will be used throughout the workshop which will allow you to work on several books simultaneously. You will begin to build up the layers of your pages, adding words, mixed media, photographs and personal objects. Wanda will offer useful tips to age your pages and her own unique way of working with historical and antique ephemera to create books. We will also be working with antique/vintage photographs and using a number of techniques to add more decay, disintegration and age.
Day 5 - 18th September - A farewell to the Crescent
Our Final day together is one of consolidation and bringing together all our pages and adding final touches.
ARTIST SUPPLY LIST
Workshop will provide, white/black gesso, textured clear gesso, Book binding and matte medium adhesive, book gauze, raw canvas drop cloth, thick card, stamps, acrylics, paints, items for rusting, PLUS……….
Wanda will provide an exceptional antique ephemera pack filled with material to use in the workshop including C17th & C18th manuscripts, speciality papers and ephemera from around the globe. This amazing bundle will include a selection of vintage photographs, a C18th French book, eco dyed textiles, French lace, embroidered textiles, vintage tickets, correspondence, invoices, French cabinet photo cards, a bundle of antique and vintage fragments and much more.
Just a note to mention my own colour choices from the Tim Holtz range are Vintage photo, Scorched timber, Walnut and black soot.
Participants to bring:
Favourite mark making mediums, ie. A mixture of acrylics, watercolours, oil pastels, crayons, pencils, Stabilios, whatever you like to use to make your own marks.
Various paintbrushes and brushes for glue
Tim Holtz oxides sprays in your preferred colour choice.
Tim Holtz oxide inks plus blending tool (feel free to use different brands )
Walnut ink or walnut crystals (optional)
Waxed threads
Vintage photos you may have (some are provided in the Antique ephemera pack)
Assorted paper could include vintage book pages, newsprint, tracing paper, glassine, up cycled papers, magazine pages, Kraft paper, interesting papers and pages, your own mixed media pages, vintage photographs or photocopies of personal photographs.
Assorted fabrics, lace, vintage textiles, eco dyed textiles (optional)
Strong cottons, embroidery threads, twine, raffia, wool, string, copper wire, sari silk, strips of textiles, for a rebellious stitching binding, or anything you would like to bind one of the books we will be working on. Let your imagination run wild with your ideas.
Interesting objects you have gathered or saved.
Various laser jet printed images you would like to incorporate into your books.
Scissors and ruler
Stanley box cutter/small cutting mat A5
Assortment of paint brushes, palette knife /spatulas, brushes for glue
Stapler/staples
Spray bottle
Binder clip
A variety of both embroidery and sewing needles to include a large eye embroidery needle.
Awl or paper piercer
Waxed threads
CANCELLATION POLICY
We understand that plans can sometimes change. Unfortunately we cannot offer any refunds for cancellations made within 90 days of the commencement of the art retreat. All our costs and arrangements have been made well in advance.
If you wish to cancel with more than 90 days, if there is a waitlist for the art retreat, we will connect you with the first person on it. You can arrange payment directly with them. Once this has taken place we will remove your name and transfer your place.
Please bear in mind that if there is not a waitlist and either your deposit or full fee has been paid, we will not be able to refund you. Sadly there are no exceptions.
Please also note that we are not responsible or liable for any personal travel expenses, ie. Airline tickets or hotel accommodation should the workshop have to be cancelled. You will be reimbursed solely for the deposit amount/full workshop amount, whichever is applicable. It is imperative and required that a comprehensive travel insurance to cover these eventualities be taken out and is mandatory for this workshop.
Thanks for your understanding. Please feel free to ask any questions in relation to this matter.
