Beginner’s Block Printing Workshop @ Yu & Me Books!
This past Saturday, I had the honor of running a first ever Beginner’s Block Printing Workshop in collaboration with Yu & Me Books!
In this beginner’s block printing workshop, 12 participants each carved their own 2”x2” rubber stamp and made fun bookmarks from their own handmade art!
example bookmarks from students!
Workshop Prep
With the help of Yu & Me Book staff*, an hour before the workshop we transformed the usual bookshop layout into an arts & crafts workshop space!
*thank you Theresa and Chloe!!!
The workshop format
15 minute welcome & intro of block print 101, including how to hold your carving tool and tips for creating a bold design
students then took ~30 minutes to sketch their ideas on a 2”x2” sheet of paper
once sketches were done, students transferred their designs and started the carving step! (roughly 45 minutes)
students then did test prints and refined their designs
in the last 30 minutes students printed and laminated their bookmarks to take home!
Once the workshop got started, you could really feel the energy shift in the room! Everyone was so focused and in their flow state, especially once they got to the carving step!
Workshop Highlights
Everyone’s favorite part was doing the block reveal at the end! This is when each student can see the final result of all their hard work (and funny enough, this is also my favorite part of the printmaking process!)
It was such a pleasure to see all the students’ reactions and the unique charm of each of their handmade stamps!
One of my favorite quotes from a student was:
I do a lot of these craft workshops, and normally I don’t like what I make. But I think this time I actually really like how it came out!
completed student stamps
For most of the group, it was their first time ever block printing — I was so impressed by their finished pieces and proud of their efforts!
In the end, everyone was able to complete their own handmade stamps and print multiple bookmarks to bring home to share with friends!
Takeaways
It felt rewarding to help others connect with their creative side and help guide them towards making their own one-of-a-kind handmade art!
There is something so special about witnessing students who are at first shy, nervous, and may be even afraid to call themselves “creative” — walk away with tangible proof of art that they made and can feel prideful about.
It was such an honor to bring the community together in this way, thank you so much again to Yu & Me Books for collaborating together on this event!
Interested to attend the next workshop event? Sign up below!
