Workshop Fee (includes materials fee): $400
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Masks are no longer required for workshops, though anyone is welcome to wear one if they wish.

Clamshell presentation boxes are a staple of the binder's trade.

In this class, students will learn to construct a clamshell box from pre-cut parts. By focusing on construction and covering, the focus of this class will be on building hand skills and gaining a general understanding of the clamshell box structure.

Students will learn critical aspects of tray construction, cover making, casing in, and options for labels and inlays. Also addressed will be various alterations and enhancements of the clamshell structure. 

Students in this class will not have the opportunity to make a custom-sized box. They will be working from pre-cut pieces, but will complete the class with some understanding of how to approach boxmaking on their own. More experienced students who wish to learn how to measure and cut for a custom box should watch for Advanced Box Making classes in the future.

>> Prerequisite: None <<

Materials to Bring: All tools and materials will be provided. Students are also welcome to bring any of their own favorite bookbinding tools.

Date & Time: Saturday & Sunday, October 5 & 6, 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 approximately three days prior to the start date of the workshop to allow the instructor time to prep materials for class. We recommend you not wait to register, as workshops that don't meet our minimum enrollment will be canceled, sometimes as much as a week in advance.
 

About the Instructor | Brian Lieske (he/him)

Brian wandered into SFCB several years ago and continues to haunt the place. He completed both the bookbinding and letterpress cores as well as several of the summer historic structure classes. He enjoys making fully hand-sewn books and still fights to not over-tighten his kettle stitches. He’s lived in San Francisco for more than 20 years having arrived shortly after completing an MFA at the University of Texas at Austin.

Past Student Reviews:

"Box making is fun to do. And actually building all the structures and seeing how they all relate to the the finished work gives the hands and fingers the experience as well as the brain. Very pleasing.” 

"Brian's directions were very clear and comprehensive. He gave a lot of great information about box making in general, and was very helpful and an engaging instructor."

"Brian is patient, kind, and always willing to go out of his way to be helpful."