Making a Set of Three Leatherbound Books. The WELKIN Book Collection by Stopan and his Father

The “WELKIN” Collection is once again standing on the firm shoulders of traditional structures and decorative practices, while at the same time leaving space for more dynamic tooling patterns.
These works are another step forward in my quest to achieve a balance between tradition and my personal contribution to the craft. We are back in a time before the printing press, when the work on creating a book was slow priorities were robustness and longevity. The three books of the collection are designed with the ambition to be the most suitable vessel for the family history, personal achievements, and the cherished dreams and thoughts of connoisseurs of literature, writing and art.
With my father, we were able to improve on every aspect of our work. The body is sewn in a new, slower but much stronger way around double cores of twine, and the thread behind it passes through three holes. The uniform sealing and positioning of the stitches behind each signature allows for an even distribution of the pressure during movement of the spine. Further work is on both the shape of the spine of the book and the shape of the cover. We took a lot of time to improve the shape of the silver fittings, to be as tightly fastened as possible with the least possible breakthroughs in the covers.
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www.etsy.com/shop/HouseOfStopan
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Almost in F - Tranquillity by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artist: incompetech.com/
#Bookbinding #Craftsman #ContemporaryCraft

[@carrieolson3352]

I know I save lives as a nurse, with an advanced degree, but this kind of work, well, this book should be worth $$$$ for the amount of time, effort, and creativity/thoughtfulness that goes into it. I find this amazing.

[@MsTom2511]

That's so perfect, I think I'm gonna cry...

[@bearcub4472]

I've watched it over and over again and each time I'm moved to emotion by your art. Thank you so much for the beauty you bring into our world.

[@RedmarKerkhof]

I've done a bit of bookbinding myself so I appreciate the effort and concentration it takes. Well done, sir. Very well done indeed.

[@Stopan]

Thank you very much! Have a great week!

[@mathieuvart]

Stopan, you makes not only books but real pieces of art. I wish I had more money to buy you something.

[@MariaPNW]

WOW, WOW, just WOW!!! You (and your dad) are truly one of the last great artisans!! I wish I could travel to your country to be an apprentice! Your videos make me cry (with joy and envy), and your equipment just makes me watch in awe!! I just started book altering (to save old books, make them new journals) and I have two old boards, some clamps, and very dry hands from lots of glue and stitching. Thank you for sharing your craft and talent (and ideas)!!

[@velschulz1713]

Undeniably stunning and well crafted ❤❤❤❤

[@tracey-leeappel7052]

I sat watched your, purely because I had a curiosity of the craft of book making. I so glad I did because now have a greater appreciation of the craft you have. These book are beautiful and lovely made.

[@Stopan]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@newfynate4611]

Sirs, where did you learn to apply the skills of your craft? I'm barely 20 years old as I'm writing this, I feel like I've been wasting my hours away at video games and things without meaning as of late, and I'd like to try my hands at making something beautiful too. I always struggle with the starting part though - I never know where to go, what to get, who to talk to, where to learn, kind of at a lack of an inspirational figure in my life in the crafts department. Thanks for your time and for keeping these beautiful arts alive.

[@Stopan]

I can quite understand what you mean. My start with this kind of work began when I was about 22 and most of my teenage years were spent no different than what you describe. I'm 28 years now. So it's never too late, however cliche it may sound. My father had a more formal education in silver work, while I'm mostly self taught. A strong drive to be good at something can overcome many hurdles. Please feel welcome to have a look at this article I've written for such occasions. You can find it on my website here: www.iostopan.com/considering-bookbinding-a-short-first-step-guide/ It offers some words of advice and links to suppliers of tools and materials. I've also began compiling and reformatting some of the best handbooks related to this craft, although this project is still in its early stages and there are a lot more books planned: www.etsy.com/shop/HouseOfStopan?ref=seller-platform-mcnav&section_id=26682323 I hope I've been of some help! I wish you days filled with motivation and inspiration! Best of luck and feel free to write if you're in need of assistance.

[@cheechwizard7564]

Nate, go for it my young friend. Printing, paper making and bookbinding are almost lost arts and they are something I too want to learn and I'm 60. There is a growing market for books bound in the old style, so don't hesitate to follow this dream.

[@Thiscouldbeyou]

Your headbands are incredible!

[@Stopan]

Thank you!

[@AlittleSprite]

This is just beyond stunning. You and your father are both amazing. Thank you for sharing.

[@Stopan]

And thank you for the kind words! Much appreciated!

[@jamespeters5913]

That is out of this world craftsmanship!!! VERY impressive work showing here....paper, leather,, gold and silver....all elements of beauty combined into pure art!! I pull my hat!!

[@Dean-rs2nt]

Stopan.. I cannot tell you how much joy it brings me to see the love and thought you put into your works.. while everything has been left up to machines, automation and "progress" these days.. you have still managed to give me inspiration because in my mind, your love for this art produces something so unique there is nothing automated that could ever replace it. Keep it up and i look forward to your future crafts

[@lisajarvis3820]

If anyone is interested ~ most of the the items used can be purchased at Amazon 🇬🇧

[@cheechwizard7564]

Thank you for that information.

[@disouinon8455]

I found myself here after watching BBC Ancient Art of preserving books. This was perfect. Unintentional ASMR

[@babayagx]

the level of craftmanship... im atonished

[@OMEGATEAM473]

You have outdone yourself this time! Truly inspiring. I have purchased The Archaeology of medieval bookbinding per your recommendation off of IG and it has answered a lot of the questions that I’ve had. But watching your video shows me how the methods work in action and I very much appreciate it. Through you , I am slowly becoming a better binder. Thank you for a longer more complete video on the steps of putting the book together.

[@Stopan]

I'm very glad and thank you as well! I really appreciate you liking the longer video. To be honest, I left out a lot of steps from the video because I couldn't get a proper shot of them. I wish you many accomplishments with your future projects. That book is such a gem. I'm sure you'll be going back to it many, many times. Have a great week!

[@Shifterwizard]

You could make the entire channel nothing but this. Quietly making a book to calming music. And then offer the book up for auction afterwards.

[@Katzztar]

Utterly amazing. Your work in book binding has always impressed me, but seeing you make the silver clasps from scratch was very impressive. Were those papers home made as well? To think part of me didn't want to give a thumbs up because the ?marbling?painting? of the edges wasn't shown. JOKING! I'm only joking there. You'd get that thumbs up regardless. ...but can we see you do those edges one day?

[@Stopan]

Thank you! Yes, I made the paper from all the leftover scraps from ploughing and other processes. As for the edges, as you can imagine, its a messy business and I do it in a small room with tiles where I do most of the wet work, including paper making. Unfortunately, the lighting there is so low that my camera can't make a proper shot even on max ISO. So someday if I get professional lighting or maybe decide to mess up another part of my workshop, I'll get that nice shot of sprinkling the edges. For now, it stays a mystery, haha. Thanks for watching and have a wonderful week!

[@vikingchad44]

This unintentionally an ASMR video. Love the sound.

[@cl4ptr4p_exe64]

This new green/blue cover is also awesome !

[@Stopan]

Thank you!

[@adeelmalik77]

So beautiful :)

[@lisajarvis3820]

😎✊ ~silver attachments are FANTASTIC!👏🏾👏🏾😍👌🏾💗

[@georgemayhew8513]

Beautiful as always!

[@yopyopu3258]

Amazing work

[@avalon5957]

They are simply amazing. Real pieces of art. Beautiful work

[@laikacamehome]

A pleasure to watch!

[@vanessahonorato6138]

Perfeito! Muito bom ❤😍

[@jimmeridda]

Absolutely fabulous! Such ongoing impressive craftsmanship. Just keeps getting better all the time. This design of this series feels particularly magical.

[@Stopan]

Thank you for the kind words! I really enjoyed including the footage of my dad working, it really makes the process more complete. Have a great week!

[@harpodjangorose9696]

This was so wonderful, I watched it twice in a row.

[@toddsheffield4271]

TRULY AMAZING..

[@lindadoss6521]

Simply amazing!

[@tbelsom]

Mesmerizingly beautiful!!!!

[@tishsmiddy71]

Thank you 😊

[@IchigoDeFolie]

Yay! Good to see more of your content. I'm curious if you'd ever incorporate some type of lock and key mechanism in your books.

[@Stopan]

Thanks for watching! To be honest, me and my dad have been considering locks for some time but it's not that easy to design. Especially if we don't want to use a padlock, it would have to be a sort of microlock. In short, it's not out of the question but we would certainly need some more time to think of how exactly to execute it.

[@lisajarvis3820]

Stopan I would also be interested in knowing how to do locks on books too!!

[@inkland2003]

such a beautiful work, amazing!

[@NomadePlayFGC]

You are my master!

[@marsbeads]

beautiful!

[@shahinmonschizadehtehrany3902]

Absolutely marvelous again! :-)

[@Stopan]

Thank you, Shahin!

[@vickywatkins1421]

Those are beautiful

[@ZahraAljaberi]

11:36 the green leather on the left is so beautiful 😍 and the final results are so stunning, i wish i could buy one of them

[@aspektx]

Thank you.

[@lisajarvis3820]

ABSOLUTE PERFECTION!! WOULD LIKE TO SEE HOW YOU MADE THE LOCK SECTION IN MORE DETAIL PLEASE!!

[@badstate]

You've outdone yourself yet again.

[@Stopan]

Thank you!

[@ozvucinik8591]

This is truly very beautiful, the process, the result. It's full of details but not too much it;s just right and it's unique and the color combos are so satisfying. Seriously a round of applause for you.

[@russelpasamontehabla]

Wow! That's nearly perfection of the art!

[@Stopan]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@sketchist460]

Your skills are admirable and stunning. I find the journey to a good book; starts with the will and determination of the craftsman who has a story to tell. Whether that is through creating the book, or writing it. Your work is impeccable! From one craftsman to another, well done!

[@Uniquely-You]

Wow stunning ♥️

[@Stopan]

Thank you! 😊

[@sophiaamaly1235]

A WORK OF ART

[@fludrbywest3886]

Exquisite work!! To say the least. The beautiful tools you work with could create, with your imagination, nothing less than extraordinary works of perfection! Your headband is created with equal imagination and perfection. Bravo 👍✨💖 Thank you for Sharing #Stopan

[@alex_sphinx]

Хоспади, всё полностью, даже уголки. Огонь просто!)

[@Stopan]

Спасибо!

[@elizabethwatson71]

Have you ever considered using silk in the paper making process? It gives amazing strength and varying colors can be used to adjust the look you may want to imulate

[@phoenix3211]

OH MY GOD WHERE CAN I LEARN THIS!!!!!!!!!! 😭😭😭❤️❤️❤️😭😭😭

[@CavaloBranco]

♥ ♥ ♥

[@charleshuggins7072]

Absolutely stunning my friend I'm in the middle of moving my shop but as soon as I get it sorted and layed out again I'm gonna try some of your technic I don't know when I watch you work it almost hypnotic man great work tell me how can I purchase your binding stopan?

[@Stopan]

Thank you, Charles! It's a pleasure to hear such kind words! Best of luck with the moving and the upcoming projects! You can find everything I have available for sale on my Etsy shop here: www.etsy.com/shop/HouseOfStopan Have a great week! Stopan

[@ashleyjohnson4784]

Honestly this video just makes my heart happy, thank you for sharing!! Also, a question: When you were thinning the twine used on the spine, were you using a metal comb? I'm looking to add hubs to my books' spines and would love a recommendation for the tool you used. Thanks! You are seriously so awesome!

[@Stopan]

Thank you! It's funny but it's actually a flea comb you'd find in a pet store :D It works wonders though!

[@lisajarvis3820]

Have you ever put ribbon bookmarks in your books ~ would 💗 to see how you would do this?!

[@BexMcInulty]

You glue them to the spine of the textblock

[@rahmatsyahpulungan]

This video makes me wanna listen to haruomi hosono’s muji soundtracks

[@jennglow4647]

😃

[@muhammadsaquib8268]

I extremely love and enjoy your work Stopan. Its so relaxing keep it up. What is the name of the music, you used in this in video?

[@mohammadasad7602]

oh my god

[@frankgyori2740]

You make your own paper. Another thing I would like to master, if possible...

[@cheechwizard7564]

Wow. That's all I can think of to say, just WOW. I'm guessing from some of your comments in other videos that your father is a silver or goldsmith? Is that where you learned the metalwork that you do? And where sir, did you find those marvelous tools?

[@soggybandaid1869]

so beautiful! the twine looks so much like human hair its terrifying

[@woolywonders5546]

Enable closed captioning

[@izaccsgansit3507]

I'm afraid I would probably never read that book/journal. I'd worry that I'd foul it up by handling it!

[@user-lf7nc9wl3c]

Mas o menos master

[@katyaruthvenrumambi5968]

i realy want to know all the tools..... sorry :""" the book its so amazing

[@vaidoo]

Very special work ! I have some questions about some techniques you use. The handmade papers you are making made only from plough papers or use and fiber ? Also the sprinkled edges you use make it with spray or brush sprinkled ? And last the dyed of goatskin is made from you ?

[@Stopan]

Hello and thank you! The paper is only from plough papers, yes. I currently don't add additional fibers. The sprinkled edges are done with a spray. I've used a brush before and for now I prefer the more even method with the spray. Lastly, the leather is purchased from harmatan.co.uk

[@mparis130]

Oh my god, you guys have outdone yourselves. This collection is really beautiful. Are you guys accepting applications for an apprentice? hahaha Learning these techniques would be a dream come true.

[@Stopan]

Thank you for the kind remarks! To be honest, it really is a dream of mine to start educating properly at some point but I'm afraid it would take a few years more to get to that level. We would need a proper studio to accommodate more people and additional sets of working stations and tools for the apprentices, which we currently don't have. Last but not least, I'm still not that good as I wish to be and should take some classes myself to sort out my mistakes before I pass them down to unknowing innocent people, haha. A humbling request, nonetheless. Thank you!

[@lisajarvis3820]

Stopan Please don’t talk yourself down and TRUST ME ~ you ARE READY AND GOOD ENOUGH TO TEACH OTHERS ~ I TOO WOULD 💗 TO TAKE CLASSES FROM YOU AND YOUR FATHER!!

[@frankgyori2740]

Quick question. Do you place your name, symbol or other type of mark that identifies you as the skilled bookmaker who created your books? If 'no' please start. It would make your most current books recognizable and more sought after. As you mentioned in another post, your work and expertise continues to grow with each passing year. Folks wise enough to purchase early works, when as you are more and more noticed and appreciated in the bookmaking world will be thrilled to have your wonderful books.

[@Stopan]

Of course, Frank. Each book is stamped with my initials, either with a smaller or a bigger logo. Usually on the back covers or the letters somehow incorporated in the design.

[@magicattic]

how do you put the ink splatters onto the outer edge of the pages?

[@JaredaSohn]

What type of saw blade are you using for sawing the spine of the pages? Do you know roughly how thick it is ... or maybe roughly how thick a saw blade for this application should be?

[@Stopan]

You need something thin with very fine teeth just enough to get the needle and thread going through the cut. My saw isn't the best example as it's a bit rough for the books. I use it only on thicker books now that are properly tightened for sawing.

[@brianaschmidt910]

Question. Why not fray the ends of the twine after you put it through the covers?

[@tuisterfokerdogefeed7042]

What kind of paper do you use?

[@rahmatsyahpulungan]

Okay, i got some questions ! When you make decorations on the cover, did you just eyeball it? Is it just something you hoon over the years? Or did you use guidelines? And umm...where did you started? I currently making some coptic bookbinding, and want to step up my binding “game”, but dont have the tools to start this traditional book binding

[@Stopan]

In my first works I was quite impulsive in the designs and over time I switched to planning beforehand. I now take quite of lot of time sketching and drawing the designs before I even start making the book.

[@Edmund_Mallory_Hardgrove]

Hello, what is that tool you used to shave the books pages? Where did you get it, and how does it work? How does it advance?

[@Stopan]

Hello, it is generally called a bookbinding plough or plane. It is basically a laying press, equipped with a rail that the plough can use to move. You use the screw on the plough to drive the knife inward with each swipe. Mine's from oliveandoak.com/

[@RafaelToscano]

Is there a name for the process on 5:23? And what is it for? To level the pages? Like (roughly) applying sand paper?

[@RafaelToscano]

aaa forget it Found in another video kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2rZfKpma7CUrsk :)

[@lisajarvis3820]

What is that liquid you rubbed on leather at beginning please?

[@Stopan]

Just water, to moisten the leather and make it flexible.

[@christianlemos9975]

Belo trabalho, oficio magnifico gostaria de aprender mais sobre isso, poderia me dizer qual o nome da ferramenta de corte que aparece no video 5:14 min ? não sei o nome Fiz minha própria prensa artesanal......... é pena que aqueles marcadores usados para detalhar os dourados nas capas não acho aqui no Brasil.

[@tyn999]

Amazing! But I think you should show the finished book in more detail; so we can better appreciate your art.

[@kyststudio-epicartadventure]

Hi, I’m curious about your linen thread. Can you tell me what size that is?

[@ariesletigre8762]

Where did you get the protective corners can you post a link

[@Stopan]

Hello, it's shown in the video that we make them ourselves.

[@lisajarvis3820]

For some reason you’re site wouldn’t let me leave a comment ~ it kept saying I already left a comment on there even though I’d never wrote on there before!

[@Stopan]

Hello, I have to approve every comment myself, before it's posted. Basically, to prevent spam.

[@etlapin2244]

I have had an impossible time trying to track down the name of the hammer you use to round your book's spine. Can you please tell me what it is called?

[@Stopan]

It is a bit of an exotic hammer. Search for backing hammer or cobbler's hammer. You'd generally want a hammer with a round and nicely polished head, as well as with a short handle. Good luck!

[@lydiemonchou2845]

Oh my gosh.you made the paper by yourself? Incroyable

[@85LAETITIA]

I wld like the same...there is some one living belgium 🇧🇪 liege to help me to have on little notebook like this?? Tkx

[@lapatigra]

Делал, делал переплет, старался, апотом взял - и все накладками металлическими испоганил (.