Books Unbound (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Create handmade books like you’ve never seen before! Go ahead, break the boundaries of bookmaking—it’s fun and easy with Books Unbound. Using simple bookmaking techniques, you can turn an ordinary book into a handmade sculptural masterpiece.

Book artist Michael Jacobs takes you step-by-step through twenty innovative projects, including travel journals, modular books, wired books, and books within boxes. Inside you’ll also find:

• Project templates that make book construction a snap • Expert advice and valuable tips on bookmaking tools, materials and techniques • Imaginative variations to give each project a unique twist

The pages of Michael Jacob’s book constructions are filled with excitement. Featuring inserts, flaps, pockets and secret compartments, the books invite viewers to explore and experience the surprises hidden within. And now, with Books Unbound, you can create your own new and unexpected book creations!

About the Author

Also the author of Cards that Pop-Up, Flip & Slide, Michael Jacobs designs and produces papercraft kits. Michael is a book artist who has worked in mixed media and sculpture for over 25 years. His work has been widely published and exhibited throughout the USA.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: North Light Books (February 7, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 158180718X
• ISBN-13: 978-1581807189
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #302,272 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

63 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars These projects sizzle and pop!, January 21, 2006

By	Rhiannon Dent "lastmango" (New Mexico, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Books Unbound is the perfect title for this book since it is filled with unusual books, sculptural books and architectural books. The projects in this book are not the kind of books that sit still and quiet, no, these books happily announce to the world "Pick me up! I'm no ordinary book!" They are intriguing, the sort that you want to pick up and see what else is in them. The sort of books that will stretch your idea of what makes a book a book.

Written with Michael Jacobs trademark humor, the book projects begin with simple books and progresses to more complex structures. Michael's exacting directions and accompanying photos are here, as is the metric equivalent of each measurement given.

Possibly the most useful segment of the book is the section on techniques. This section has directions and photos for every skill you need to make any structure in the book. Included are measuring, covering boards, adding flaps, making triangular accordion fold books, creating two button ties, two kinds of stitches, making sleeves, making accordion fold inserts.....nothing has been left out, and there no assumptions that everyone who reads the book has those skills.

More experienced readers haven't been left out, The second section of the book is full of projects suited to advanced bookmakers who will find the projects both inspirational and challenging. There are directions for capacity folds, expandable spines, hinges, adding legs, throwouts, shawl closures, and a bit on wire work scattered throughout.

Having been through books and magazine articles lately whose directions on how to make something say "use a certain kind of die ` and "use this brand or that brand of something" I am delighted to see that the tools and materials needed for the projects in this book are readily available, don't have brand names and don't cost a lot of money.

Michael Jacobs is a 3D kind of guy, and nowhere is his expertise in this area more apparent than in this book.

The book is divided into two sections, with the easiest projects in the first section and the more complex in the second.
Most projects in the book have an "Add Some Kick" and "Alternate Endings" section which takes the project further and gives you ideas to go your own direction. Useful tips are peppered throughout the book, and templates are included for any project that needs one.

The book's first section contains projects under the headings "Super Simple Books", "Travel Journals", and "Books With Pockets". These projects, while simple, are in no way boring or traditional, in fact they are a lot of fun, to make and to look at.

The books in this section in particular would appeal to a wide audience; scrapbookers who want to add surprise elements to their pages, stampers who want something new to work on, and anyone interested in altered arts would enjoy these structures as they are easy to construct and there is plenty of opportunity for embellishments of every kind.

The second section of the book proceeds to books that are moremore sculptural and architectural. There are segments on "Boxes with Books", "Modular Books", and "Wired Books".
The Wire Edge Album is a welcome addition for anyone who is interested in Wire Edge Binding.
This section also contains books that have hidden compartments, various shapes and structures, and are very interactive.

The books in this section appear harder to make than they are. Assembly is broken down into small, easily understood steps. Combined with the technique section at the front of the book, almost anyone can create these projects.

While all 20 projects in the book are sculptural in some way, there are no pop-ups in this book. If you are looking for pop-ups and other fun elements that move, check out Michael's previous book, "Cards that Pop Up, Flip, and Slide".

39 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beauty and The Book!!!, March 14, 2006

By	Linda O'brien "Burnt Offerings Studio" (N. Perry Village, OH) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Absolutely Michael's best work to date and the book only he could do justice to. This book really has it all and is not only perfectly written with THE most concise instructions that one could hope for and anyone can follow ... each project becomes more exciting than the last.
As an author, project designer and workshop instructor, working with my amazingly talented husband Opie, we truly believe the success of a how-to book depends on the quality of instruction given and this book is like having Michael with you, 24/7.
The entire book appeals to us on every level and I particularly love the range of creativity shown in the alternate endings. Every project is eye candy and i'm totally blown away by both the Sky House and the Story House books. If you have an interest in bookmaking, paper, sculpture or just appreciate beautiful things in general, then this book is a definite must-have. Highly recommended by Linda and Opie O'Brien, authors of Metal Craft Discovery Workshop.

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exuberant and inspiring, March 8, 2006

By	P. M. Schrader (Rome, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

My book shelves are full of books on bookmaking. Many repeat the usual instructions for traditional bindings, sometimes with a little twist or inovation. However this book takes inovation a giant step forward. I have made matchbook drawers and pyramid boxes before but Michael Jacobs sent my imagination reeling. His creations are so exuberant and so inspiring but not beyond the capabilities of an average crafter. The illustrations and instructions are well laid out and easy to follow. This book is a "must have."