Workshop Fee (includes materials fee): $180
Click here to apply for a Windgate scholarship

Masks are no longer required for most workshops, though anyone is welcome to wear one if they wish.

Students will build a small 4-5" square box, then choose paper imagery to create a tiny, layered diorama inside, protected with a Plexiglas cover. It's an interesting and useful structure on its own, but with the addition of some tiny balls it can also become a puzzle box! (Known as a “dexterity puzzle” or “ball-in-the-hole” puzzle, this is a classic children's toy and most folks over 40 will have handled or seen one at some point, though they're a bit more rare these days. If you're still not quite sure what we're talking about, do a google search for “vintage dexterity puzzle".)

Students will have the option to leave their boxes as-is, or add circular divots so that balls can be rolled about by manipulating the box, with the goal of getting each ball to settle in a divot. It's harder than it looks.

In addition to being a fun and manageable project, this workshop is also an excellent introduction to simple box making, and good practice for some of our other workshops including the Box Making Core classes.

>> Prerequisite: None <<

Materials to Bring:

• Small objects to be used in your box, collage items, beads, pearls, coloring pens, pictures. Material for making these lively little boxes can be found everywhere: junk drawers, garage sales, second-hand shops, used bookstores, in the woods, at the seashore, the dollar store.
• Students are also welcome to bring any of their own favorite bookbinding tools or art supplies.

Date & Time: Sunday, June 2, 2024 :: 9:30am-5:30pm

Location: 375 Rhode Island St, San Francisco, CA 94103

NOTE: Please read over the SFCB Registration Policies before signing up for a class. Registration will close five days prior to the start date of the workshop to allow the instructor time to prep materials for class. 
 

About the Instructor | Bettina Pauly (she/her)

Bettina lives in San Francisco and works as both a book artist and a letterpress printer with Kim Vanderheiden at Painted Tongue Studios, Oakland, California. She loves books and boxes both as physical objects and as containers of meaning. She is interested in a variety of folded, sewn and woven structures in which she can incorporate her printing.

Past Student Reviews:

“Everything! I love Bettina's energy and encouragement and it was a great project.”

“Bettina is so creative and inspiring. I always leave her workshops full of ideas of what I can do with what she has taught.”

"Great, fun, very productive afternoon. Great handouts. Good explanations. Very helpful and attentive instructor. Very interesting and supportive people in the class. Got inspired to make more boxes at home.”

*cat not included