Shawn Sheehy: A Trio of No-Glue Structures

Workshop Description

A bonefolder, a microspatula, and tweezers. Those three tools—and a little time—are all students will need to assemble this deceptively simple trio of no-glue, no-thread books. But despite their simplicity, these structures are elegant, flexible, and altogether ready for further play and experimentation.

Outfitted with a kit of pre-cut pieces, students will crease folds and lock tabs until they have built a slipcase accordion book, a tablock codex, and a 7-spread pop-up book. There will also be discussion on the process and considerations of developing novel structures, supported by physical examples.

All levels are welcome and beginners are especially encouraged. Templates will be available for further exploration.

Materials/Equipment to be Provided by Students

• Bonefolder
• Microspatula
• Tweezers
• Optional:
  • Self-healing mat
  • X-Acto knife

See Materials Glossary for definitions and images

Materials/Equipment to be Provided by Instructor

• Kit of pre-cut materials for assembling three books, cut from stock ranging from 80 lb. cover to 140 lb. cover

Instructor Biography

Shawn Sheehy has been teaching book arts courses and workshops since 2001. His broadsides and artist book editions have been collected by such institutions as Stanford University, Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Chicago, the Library of Congress, the University of California–Los Angeles, and Harvard University. Sheehy’s trade pop-up books Welcome to the Neighborwood and Beyond the Sixth Extinction (both mass-market versions of previous artist books) were published by Candlewick and have won numerous awards. Sheehy served as director of the Movable Book Society from 2018 to 2023. Aside from degrees in education and design, he holds an MFA in Book Arts from Columbia College Chicago.

Instagram: @shawnwilder