This is our recent project we made for a talented photographer Kristin Sweeting. Kristin wants to provide non-traditional wedding albums for her clients. She contacted us to see we could make her sample album. At first, we were a little worried about using coptic binding for wedding album, we asked her ” Are you sure you want to use coptic binding, because no one else use coptic binding for wedding album?” She said she knows this is very unconventional for wedding albums, but she wants to have something different than what’s is out there”
Couple weeks later, she sent us her prints, now here is her beautiful wedding album is born. Check out her blog about her wedding albums.
The packaging we made for her book to add a little personal touch to it
How nice to see this little notecard from Storenvy in my mail box today!
This is another Oak Tree guestbook we made for Kylee and Adam. Kylee wanted a button to keep her guestbook close for easy storage. We couldn’t find any button that can match the book cover, so we made one for her.
We made these wooden buttons from a one inch round wood stick, cut it with our handheld jigsaw. Then we sanded the sharp edges then finish the wood with burn finish. Of course there were many trials and errors in the process, we picked one of the best of it.
We used the burning tips to draw the Oak Tree on the wooden cover. This process of making this Oak tree requires a lot patient, but it can be a therapeutic process especially with the Pandora music.
We letterpress printed names and date, then embossed 4 corners, oak tree and initials under the tree on the front page of the book to complete the piece.
hmn…..yes…it’s unfortunate that we misread Kylee’s email. In fact this wedding guestbook is for 2013 not 2012. Opps…mistake does happen ..yeah…now we have to redo this guestbook again, but we thought it’s still a beautiful piece to share here.
May 9th,2012
My Work | tags:
Coptic Binding,
custom made guestbook,
hand letterpressed,
Handcrafted book,
handcrafted guestbook,
handmade,
handmade book,
letterpress printing,
letterpress printng,
Pyrography,
rustic book,
rustic wooden cover,
wedding guestbook,
Wooden Cover,
Wooden Cover book,
wooden wedding guestbook |
No Comments
Want to know us a little better? Check this interview we had with Storevyn! You may also click the link below to link to the original Storevyn’s blog page.
Tell us a bit about yourself ?
My name is Mai Kong and I live in San Francisco. I moved here 17 years ago from Malaysia to study and earn a degree in photography and minor in graphic design. I fell in love with the city’s eclectic culture the moment I arrived and lived here since.
During college, I met Maria Ha who was studying interior design at the time and now working for an architecture firm in San Francisco. As our friendship blossomed, we discovered our undeniable shared passion in the arts and crafts. After graduating, I’ve worked as a desktop operator, production artist and graphic designer in various scales of production for many design firms in the bay area.
After ten years of experience working for numerous companies, I decided to work independently to create and design my own products and there was no better partner in mind than Maria to embark on this journey with me. Although it is difficult when Maria and I don’t always agree with each other’s ideas, I found even greater difficulty working without a best friend’s honest constructive criticism, so together we formed M-square Press in 2010.
What inspired you to start your brand?
Given our first initials, Mai and Maria, M2 led to M-square which became M-square Press.
As I’ve traveled to different parts of the world seeking inspiration, handcraft artists continue to amaze me with their high quality creations. One particular man in Florence, Paolo Carandino nearly caused me to miss my flight back home! As I stumbled upon a hidden gem in 2006 to pick up some last minute souvenirs, I was so fascinated with what he had in his tiny shop that there just wasn’t enough time to fully give the attention it deserved. Images of his shop are constant reminders of what one’s craftsmanship and creativity can do to inspire the other side of the world.
San Francisco City College is where I met another great inspiration, Bob Pinetti, my letterpress instructor. He was a fun character who’d make jokes to liven up the class as letterpress printing can be tedious and stressful for those who would yawn at the sounds of repetitive mechanics at work. One night, he said that one of his students had become the founder of one of the best letterpress design studios in town: Hello Lucky! I thought from that point on, I could end up like that and possibly have him mention me to his classes in the future! So with utmost determination I brought a behemoth 8×12 letterpress home before the semester ended, shocking my housemates as they thought, what in the world is that?!
What is your favorite item in your store and why?
Our favorite item is our wooden, Coptic-bound books. Each book is hand-bound and hand-engraved upon request. No two books would ever be the same as each has its own personality and charm.
What’s your advice for someone who wants to create their own brand?
It may have been said many times in many ways, but seriously, do what you love, and love what you do! Given the amount of time and effort, your clients will see it in your products.
What’s your favorite thing about Storenvy?
Free listing! …As it can be a financial struggle for any independent artist to get started.
(BONUS) Would you be willing to share a special discount code with our readers?
Sure, send us an email, discount code will be provided through emails individually.
Make sure to visit M Square Press and pick up your very own customized coptic notebook at msquarepress.storenvy.com
Picked up this antique sewing machine from our neighborhood Flea market back in January. The wood condition was not that great, but the cabinet design of this sewing machine is just beautiful. We didn’t have time to restore it until now. She had been sitting in our garage for months and waiting for us to bring her back to life. We sanded the wood first, then used Lake one walnut wax to buff it. No sealer..no paint needed, the wax buff made the beautiful wood grain shine it through. This sewing machine now can be our beautiful table as well.
