Private Bookmaking Workshop with Cristina Hajosy
Workshop Title: Handmade Sketchbooks
Date & Time: Saturday, January 31, 2026 from 10am – 4pm
Location: Canton, MA
Limited to 6 students
Tuition: $140 includes all materials, technique handouts and lunch
Sign Up HERE
Spend a day exploring different approaches to creating a perfect sketchbook. We’ll create 2 versions with a variety of choices for paper type, size and bind. If you know your paper preference, you may choose to make both versions with any of the papers available.
The morning will begin with fresh brewed coffee and home-baked goodies at 10:30am, and we’ll break for a fresh, vegetarian lunch with homemade soup, salad and gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches.
Commercially available sketchbooks typically contain 65 – 80lb. paper made for use with dry media. We’ll use this type of paper as our starting point. We’ll make a pocket-sized, leather version that utilizes a basic chain link stitch to create a sturdy, durable travel journal with leather wrap closure.
A heavier weight of paper might be preferred for some artists. Mixed media papers provide a middle ground between lighter drawing paper and watercolor paper. Weight ranges 80 – 100lb. They allow for good wet media performance, yet have a smoother paper finish. With this type of paper, we’ll create a flexible, softbound Japanese puncture/stab sketchbook with covers from unusual materials like Tyvek, Kraft-Tex, Encaustiflex, or synthetic book cloths.
Many artists enjoy working with wet media to sketch, especially those who enjoy ‘plein air’ or outdoors painting and drawing.
Your custom cover designs will be chosen from book cloth and decorative papers from Cristina’s curated collection. Elastic wraps, unusual ties and found objects will be covered to add unique personal touches to your sketchbooks.
Open to everyone ages 18 & up. No previous experience required. All materials included.
