The 10th Manchester Artists' Book Fair

Manchester Artists' Book Fair is one of my favourite fairs I do.  The hall it's set in (The Holden Gallery) is just lovely, with a great big sky light giving everyone natural light to display their products in.  The people are awesome, sellers and shoppers alike - everyone is friendly and asks questions about my work.  It's really nice to think I'm helping to inspire todays art students - young and old alike!

Best sellers this year - book marks and magnets!  Lucky Dip bags went down well, and my buildings all got a lot of attention.

I've signed up for more Artists' Book Fairs next year so fingers crossed you might see me in a city near you!  If you have one to recommend, do leave a comment and let me know.


You can find more information for the fair on their website : www.manchesterartistsbookfair.com

A new book - HURRAH!

This has been a long time in the making...sorry for the delay folks!

As always this book is based on my travels.  I haven't been able to get away properly for a while, so short, sweet and perfect city breaks have taken priority.  Back in June I had a lovely long weekend in Paris with my sister and a friend of ours (met in Melbourne Australia, many years ago!).  It was fantastic as we saw a Parisian's Paris rather than a tourist one - makes a nice change seeing a city with a local.

I'm pleased to say that this book has had a great reception at book fairs and craft markets a like!

Book Print

Three colour ways - fluro pink, gold and blue all with a purple outline

This book pattern print came about because I wanted to make some nice bags to give out with purchases at Manchester's Artsists' Book Fair.  Turns out it's actually quite versatile!

 Various colours and sizes of bags

 I stuck to one colour with the tote bags and aside from trying to print it in lime green, am really chuffed with how they've come out.  The more I print the more I learn!

 Drying in the rack and being folded into books

I've printed this amazing folding style book before (back in uni, see the background of the blog, and in this post here) and I've often felt that people buy it a lot for the fun of the fold!  I've been selling them rather cheap for the amount of design work and concentration that goes into them - just £5!  So, as I'm coming to an end of my stock of the current book I've given this fold a re-vamp for those who are interested in the fold, and perhaps print, but weren't too keen on the illustrations.  For £5 you can now grab one of these beauties!  In either 2 or 3 colours, an edition of 30 books with the book print on them are now available - hurrah!

I had a few off cuts and hate to see paper go to waste so I'll be popping these book marks into people's bags when they purchase something at book fairs and craft markets.


Keep an eye out for this pattern popping up on other items as well :)

Book Fair coming up in October!

The Eighth Manchester Artists' Book Fair

My table at last years fair.

HURRAH it's back again!

The Manchester Artists' Book Fair happens every year and this is my 3rd year exhibiting - I'm excited to be going back!

Read about previous years here:

2011

2012

The Hot Bed Press - a printmakers studio in Salford - organise and put on a great 2 days of Artists' Books.  The Holden Gallery is full of creative loveliness spread over each Artists' table.  It's lovely to see everyones different take on the 'Artist Book', meet new people, catch up with customers and friends and enjoy little bits of Manchester for the weekend.

2013 will be held at The Holden Gallery on the 18th and 19th October - come say hi!

Have a browse on the website and keep an eye out for updates on Twitter - find me @charlsvallance.

www.manchesterartistsbookfair.com

It's nearly the 7th Manchester Artist's Book Fair!

Not long to go now - YIKES I best get on with making books so I have something to sell!  Every year I think I should of had time to get up to Manchester so I could screen print a 'Manchester' book.  Yet again, I have not!  However, I will hopefully have one ready of York which is at least in the right direction eh?

Oh and also Lisbon, which is a newbie and an old favourite, my '(Delft) Blue' Amsterdam book will be available too.  I will also have some pocket mirrors, screen prints, limited edition prints of watercolour illustrations and a few cards too.