This workshop meets on four Tuesdays: March 9, 16, 23 & 30, 2021, 4-7pm Pacific time.

In this four session online course, students will learn the fundamentals of blind and gold tooling on leather using two simple brass tools - a line and a dot - that when combined form the foundations of many traditional and contemporary designs. This class will build a solid foundation for further practice. 

Students will start by making blind impressions, then learn to precisely apply shellac glaire and tool with gold in a methodical and repeatable manner. Gold leaf can be tricky to handle, and significant time will be spent demonstrating proper techniques in handling gold, using finishing tools, having correct posture, and understanding the ideas behind these kinds of decorative leatherwork.

Four class sessions will allow ample time for demonstrations, Q&A, and in-class work time. Breakout rooms will be used to give each student one-on-one time with the instructor, allowing for personalized feedback. An extensive handout will be provided.

Students will be expected to execute some homework between sessions.

The course fee includes an extensive kit containing: one brass line pallet tool, one brass dot tool (sourced from Revenga in Spain), three leather plaquettes (Harmatan fine leather), one booklet Manetti dukaten double gold 23.5k leaf, bottle of shellac glaire, tool polishing pad, cooling pad, pumice, cheesecloth, manicure stick, extra cotton pads.

There are additional materials that students will need to source, see below for details.

Because of complications with international shipping, this class is only open to US students. Previous bookbinding experience is preferred but not required.

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Materials to Bring: 

Mailed kit (see description of contents above)

Students must also supply:

• Inexpensive electric burner, for example
• Gold cushion, for example (However, the instructor strongly recommends making your own, as it will be cheaper and better than any pre-fab gold cushion. Instructions will be emailed after student registration)
• Gold knife, for example Sepp item GK/S (Recommend you call to place order)
• Rapidograph pen .60 or inexpensive 00 paintbrush
• Ronsonol or Zippo brands lighter fluid (best purchased from a local hardware store rather than online; not BBQ lighter fluid)
• Vaseline (a 1.75oz container will last a long time, find it in the travel aisle at your pharmacy)
• Plastic triangle with no inking edge, for example
• Thin, pointed bone folder 
• Spring dividers
• Cotton balls (ideally triple size)
• Shallow dish with water to fit cooling pad
• Pencil and notebook for personal notetaking

Students will be welcome to bring/incorporate any of their own personal tools but the class exercises will all be executable with the supplied line and dot tools.

Workshop Fee: $475

Date & Time: 4 Tuesdays :: March 9, 16, 23 & 30, 2021 :: 4-7pm Pacific time

Location: Online over Zoom

Please read over the SFCB Registration Policies before signing up for a class.

REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE ON FEBRUARY 19 TO ALLOW TIME FOR KITS TO BE SHIPPED.

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About the Instructor | Samuel Feinstein

Samuel Feinstein trained formally at the North Bennet Street School program under Jeff Altepeter and Martha Kearsley. Since graduating in 2012 he has been in private practice specializing in fine bindings, luxury clamshell boxes, new bindings in period style, and gold finishing for other binders. His work can be seen on his website: www.SamuelFeinsteinBookbinding.com

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Past Student Reviews:

“I now feel that I have a good base so that I can continue to practice and improve my skills in finishing.”

“Sam is an excellent teacher. Titling is a difficult skill to master, and Sam explained and demonstrated the process in a very methodical and patient way.”

“When is Samuel coming back?”