Make a Commonplace Book

Join Janet Pyatt as she shows you how to make a commonplace book. This is, in a way, a companion to Saturday's workshop on Paste Paper but you don't have to take that workshop to take this one.

What is a commonplace book? It's tempting to call it a journal, but it's not quite. A commonplace book has bee used for centuries as a place to save interesting comments, inspirational quotes, book lists, any sort of wisdom you want to remember. These are not grocery lists, nor are they records of daily life or internal musings (although a few may find their way in). Instead it is a collection of wisdom that you can come back to again and again.

Commonplace books have been kept by many people for centuries, Thomas Jefferson kept one, Napoleon kept one, John Locke, Charles Darwin, Marcus Aurelius, and many more.

The commonplace book is most often a small, inexpensive, soft bound book that is easy to tuck into a pocket and take with you wherever you travel.

In our workshop, Janet will tell you more about the history of commonplace books and teach you how to make one, or more than one if there is time and material. If you take Paste Paper on Saturday you can use the decorative paper you made as the cover of your book. If not, Janet will have a selection of papers appropriate for the cover.

Workshop is limited to 10 peoples. Registration for the workshop cost $25 and all materials are included. Recommended for 12 and up.