Craft Corner ~ Bookbinding?!?

Have any of you girls tried it? Is it difficult to learn and are there classes for book binding?

When I say bookbinding, I mean actually making a bound book, not tying pages together with silk strings or using a 3 ring binder.

I can't seem to find the right scrapbooking type photo album for my parents, and thus possibly maybe considering bookbinding...

Stef, more patience than the other craftsy stuff?

Well, then I shall continue on my search of photo albums!!! Perhaps I should take a vacation in Italy and buy them there, since I can't seem to find what I want here!!!

What are you looking for alina?

When I was in Italy there were some amazing albums but they are also amazingly expensive. Kates Paperie has some imported albums ... also expensive but beautiful.

Stef, I am trying to find an album that both Lenny and I like, for our parents (i.e. that means we should expect them to like it as well).

I like some of the leather albums at Kates, but Lenny doesn't (check out www.madeinitalyinc.com). Neither Kates nor Lee's Art shop are helpful with customization (i.e. they want you to buy what they already have, and are rather unwilling to show you options that the manufactureer offers).

I am hoping to find something along the line of http://www.kozoarts.com, with either paper or silk cover, black pages and white interleaving and in 8x8 or 9x9 size (something that Kozo doesn't offer).

Kolo albums, while versatile, are not 'formal' enough for a parent wedding album, in my opinion.

There is also www.elato.com, which just plain leather albums, but only a 7x8 size, and then 9x10 for black page options. And I like, but Lenny doesn't http://www.robertgreenfieldltd.com, with wooden cover sheets.

I am trying to keep the albums under $100 each maximum. And trying to achieve a non-scrapbookly look, rather a formal album look, just with photo corners instead of mountings.

Have you checked this site:

www.lightimpressionsdirect.com

They sells lots of photography stuff in general but a few nice leather albums that can can customize with your names. All archival quality.

Also might want to check out : www.albummart.com

Also - have you been to A.I. Freidman (i think thats the name of the shop) or Print Icon. Both are located on 18th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues in Manhattan (same block as Paper Access). They have a limited but nice selection of albums.

PS: Kolo also makes leather albums if you are interested.

Stef, thank you for suggestions!!!

I'll have to check out Kolo's leather in stores, although they seem to only have in large sizes on the website.

I'll also try to walk down 18th street and check out a few shops.

I wonder if albumart guy can customize the cover, b/c his sizing is right, so I may try to contact him.

Thank you!!!