Scrapbooking - Custom Leather Scrapbook Albums by Marcia Engeltjes. Handbound Leather Scrapbooks, Portfolios, Journals, Wedding Albums, & Bibles.

During my Art Major studies in Iowa, a creative and inspiring college professor introduced me to Bookbinding. I was hooked from the first book I bound.

Initially, my book compositions included recycled class eight diesel truck engine parts as design elements - an influence from my father, a parts manager at a repair shop for semi tractors and heavy hauling equipment. I continue to incorporate mechanical parts, now expanding my interest to motorcycle, telephone, camera, typewriter, clock, & airplanes components ...recycling interesting found objects to create a new life & purpose for them.

In my Minnesota studio, I utilize cord sewn Bookbinding techniques, dating back to the 6th century, creating a synthesis of traditional bookbinding with contemporary compositions.

Fabricated metal designs intertwine with stained glass, carved and embossed forms, metal engine parts, handmade papers and prints.

The binding process includes folding acid-free papers in half, stacking them into ‘signatures’, and then hand sewing each signature around leather cords with a needle and thread. Random serigraph and intaglio prints on rag paper are bound within some books for added color and texture.

The spine is then clamped, brushed with archival permanently flexible glue, and immediately hammered to round and tighten it. The leather binding cords are affixed to cover boards, while in conjunction, two layers of 55 pound tensile-strength fabric reinforce the cover hinges for added structural integrity to ensure heirloom quality.

Handstitched dual color headbands consist of cotton or silk threads wrapped around leather cords and sewn directly onto the spine ends for protection, strength, and decor. I finish the outer edges of the bound paper by ripping each page individually to create a sculpted deckled organic shape. Or to achieve angled smooth edges, the book is squeezed askew and placed in a clamp. I then trim it, one page at a time, with a razor blade for a controlled crisp lineal edge or angled shape.

3-Dimensional cover designs are hand sculpted from Binders Board, 1 to 12 layers thick, using a razor blade, and then embossed under the leather. A press is not used to achieve the wrapped three-dimensional forms. Rather, glue is applied just one half inch at a time while the leather is handworked into each crevice of the sculptures with small tools until dry. This covering process requires selecting a precise starting point, and directional course, for the leather to smoothly cover. I regularly utilize this method of carving and embossing for personalized requests and Custom Leather Book Designs.

I fabricate copper, silver, and other metals with fine jewelry tools. These metal designs are wired through the cover for secure attachment. Copper elements are given a natural patina by utilizing lemon juice, salt, & vinegar to achieve various finishes.

Book covers consist of multiple layers of Binders Board to create deep three-dimensional qualities and to build the intricate internal structures needed to frame and secure leaded stained glass windows. All glass elements are individually cut and soldered.

I enjoy handmaking paper, from Kozo fibers for example (inner tree bark from the Philippines). These and other handmade papers are applied to the interior of the covers as endsheets - the final step which completes the binding process.

I encourage custom requests. A special one-of-a-kind book can be bound specifically for you as a Personal Journal, Scrapbook, Leather Wedding Album, Guest Book, Photo Album, Portfolio, or Leather Address Book. Or carry a refurbished leather and copper Recovered Bible. Request binding of printed materials such as your thesis or authored book. Lidded or Clamshell Leather Boxes can hold your treasures or will present your skills as a professional Leather Portfolio. And Refillable Bindings will allow ongoing use as a Presentation Book, Portfolio, or Sketchbook in a Multi-Ring, Screwpost or Slipcover format.

I am the sole creator of each handbound leather book and box. I do not have any employees or assistants. Let me create that unique keepsake binding especially for your life event or daily enjoyment.

I can be reached at marcia@leatherbooks.info

AWARDS
Invitational Award – Ann Arbor State Street Art Fair 2003-2008
Best of Show – Midwest Salute to the Arts 2006-2007
Award of Excellence – Laumeier Sculpture Park Art Fair 2005-2006
Best of Show 3-D – Brookside Art Annual 2006
Merit Award – Wausau Festival of Arts 1998-9, 2003, 2006
Best of Category – Midwest Salute to the Arts 2002-2005
Invitational Award – Krasl Art Fair 2005
Best of Category – Belleville Art on the Square 2004
Invitational Award – Uptown Art Fair 1998-2001, 2003-2004
Honorable Mention – Laumeier Contemporary Art Fair 2002-2003
Honorable Mention – Shaw Art Fair 2002
Best of Show – Wausau Festival of the Arts 1997, 2001
Award of Merit – Laumeier Contemporary Art Fair 1998-2001
Invitational Award – Ann Arbor Street Art Fair 1997-2001
Honorable Mention – Wausau Festival of Arts 2000
Best of Show & Best in Category – Uptown Art Fair 1999
Best in Category – Oconomowoc Festival of Arts 1998-9
Invitational Award – Madison Art Fair on the Square 1997-98
Artist Patron Award – Smokey Hill River Festival 1998
Best of Show – Uptown Art Fair 1996-7
Best of Show – Madison Art Fair on the Square 1996
Juror’s Award – Ann Arbor Street Art Fair 1996
Award of Excellence – Excelsior Arts Festival 1996
Best of Show / Honorable Mention – Fiber / Metal Arts 1995-6
Purchase Award – Minnesota Historical Society 1995

2009 SHOWS
This list will be updated throughout 2009
May 8-10, 2009 – Laumeier Art Fair – St. Louis, MO
June 6-7, 2009 – 57th Street Art Fair – Chicago, IL
June 19-21, 2009 – Lakefront Festival of Arts – Milwaukee, WI
July 15-18, 2009 – Ann Arbor State Street Art Fair – Ann Arbor, MI

EXHIBITIONS
Mills Gallery – The Next Generation Show – Central College – Pella, IA 2008
Ann Arbor State Street Art Fair – 2003-2008
Laumeier Contemporary Art Fair – St. Louis, MO 1998-2008
Uptown Art Fair – Minneapolis, MN 1995-2008
Belleville Art on the Square – Belleville, IL 2004, 2008
Wausau Festival of the Arts – Wausau, WI 1997-2007
Midwest Salute to the Arts – Fairview Heights, IL 2002-2007
57th Street Art Fair – Chicago, IL 1996-2007
Brookside Art Annual – Kansas City, MO 2000-2002, 2005-2007
Phipps Center for the Arts – Hudson, WI 2004-6
Back Door Gallery – Edina, MN 2004-6
Grand Hand Gallery –St. Paul, MN 2005-6
Dale Street Greenhouse – St. Paul, MN 2005-6
Hinsdale Center for the Arts - Adornments – Hinsdale, IL 2004-6
Wells Street Art Fair – Chicago, IL 2003-2006
Des Moines Art Fair – Des Moines, IA 2005-2006
Krasl Art Fair – St. Joseph, MO 2005
Susan Hensel Gallery - 'Readers Art 5'– Minneapolis, MN 2005
Riverstreet Gallery – Manistee, MI 2005
Afton Art in the Park – Afton, MN 2004
Minnesota Crafts Festival – St. Paul, MN 1995-2002, 2004
Oconomowoc Festival of the Arts – Oconomowoc, WI 1998-2001, 2004
Askew – Geneva, WI 2001-4
Artist in Residence – Central College, Pella, IA 2003
Morning Glory Art Fair – Milwaukee, WI 2003
Minneasota Center for Book Arts – Minneapolis, MN 2002-3
Columbus Arts Festival – Columus, OH 2002
Arts, Beats & Eats – Pontiac, MI 2002
Shaw Art Fair – St. Louis, MO 2002
Studio 56 – Lake Waconia, MN 2002
The Good Life – Wayzata, MN 2002
Hollanders – Ann Arbor, MI 2002
Lakefront Festival of Arts – Milwaukee, WI 2001
Cherry Creek Arts Festival – Denver, CO 2000
Art Resources Gallery – St. Paul, MN 1999
ART Studio One – Mason, MI 1999
Ann Arbor Street Art Fair – Ann Arbor, MI 1996-9
Madison Art Fair on the Square – Madison, WI 1995-9
Smokey Hill River Festival – Salina, KS 1998
Lakeside Fibers – Madison, Wi 1998
Terra Museum of American Art – Chicago, IL 1997-8
ACC Craft Fair – St. Paul, MN 1997
Frog and Peach Gallery –Clayton, MO 1997
Minneasota Historical Society – St. Paul, MN 1997
James Shore Gallery – Waukesha, WI 1997
Clay Gallery – New Smyrna Beach, FL 1997
Port Clinton Art Festival – Highland Park, IL 1997
Fiber / Metal Arts – St. Paul, MN 1995-7
Lapis Moon Gallery – Grand Rapids, MI 1996
Two Rivers Art Expo – Minneapolis, MN 1994-6
Excelsior Festival of Arts / Art on the Lake – Excelsior, MN 1996
Edina Art Fair – Edina, MN 1996
Two Rivers Art Expo – Des Moines, IA 1995

EDUCATION
Central College – Pella, IA B.A. Art 1990
Chicago Metropolitan Center – Chicago, IL 1989
Trinity College – Carmarthen, Wales 1989
University of Leiden – Leiden, Netherlands 1988