The Making of Six Small Leather Journals from the Riddles Collection

The “RIDDLES” Collection is a fusion of methodical construction and experimental decoration.
In the process of working, the hands are kept busy but the mind sometimes tends to wander. Questions emerge, doubts creep in and contradictions begin to make sense. What is the best way to bind a book? What materials to choose? To simply decorate or to express oneself? Isn’t expression art? Am I an artist or a craftsman? Do I win or lose if I choose to call myself one or the other? When do I become a Master? When others say it or when I start to believe myself? To create for others or for myself? Embrace tradition or push it away? Impulsive or methodical? Proud or humble?
In the end, the storm in the mind doesn’t hinder the drive of the hands to create something, whatever it is. They just make. The end result however is a riddle in need of an answer.
The small journals burst with abstraction on the outside but offer calm and simplicity on the inside.
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#Bookbinding #Craftsman #ContemporaryCraft

[@SeaLemonDIY]

I wish I had your bookbinding tools. And your skills.

[@Stopan]

Thank you for the kind words! About 6 years ago, I made my first ever journal, while watching one of your coptic stitch tutorials. Your work has a tremendous impact of sparkling the interest of people into this craft. Many thanks again and have a wonderful rest of the week!

[@nigelwylie01]

Sea Lemon did you get encouraged by Stopan’s comment? I thought it was great to see how one craftsperson/artist inspires another.

[@HieuTran-pw9ck]

2 years ago i also make my first journal from your videos mrs. Sea lemon, then i saw mr. Stopan videos and i was amazed. You guys really have inspired me, now im really stepping into the arts of binding. Thanks you for sharing your knowledge.

[@marsbeads]

@@Stopan You've come a long way. Beautiful work!

[@cutienerdgirl]

Sea Lemon, did you see his comment!! He said you inspired him to start his craft 6 years ago!!

[@cmedicinehorse]

These are wonderful. Because of watching your videos I am now a beginner bookbinder. Thank you for sharing your art...Colin

[@Stopan]

Glad you like them, Colin! Thank you for watching and have a great week!

[@seasonforassault]

Perfect craftsmanship and editing. So relaxing!

[@Stopan]

Thank you!

[@buckbundy8642]

Awesome books friend!

[@icaliver]

Between the wood turning videos and primitive technology videos this right up there with great videos. old world craftsmanship videos is criminally under appreciated.

[@Stopan]

I'm a big fan of both those categories! I'd add lockpicking videos into the mix for the perfect recipe.

[@icaliver]

Stopan I’ll add glassblowing, metalwork and old world cooking to make it a full meal and dessert.

[@Bildgesmythe]

You mix the practicality of a usable object with the ethereal beauty of fine art!

[@Stopan]

Thank you for the wonderful compliment! It really warms my heart. Have a great weekend!

[@eyesofthegoddess2967]

Stopan, your are such an artist and a visionary. I just love your books and they are always of the outmost quality and craftmanship. Thank you for sharing your beautiful work.

[@Stopan]

I'm humbled to hear these kind words! Best wishes!

[@thefoxiestbutt]

I could watch you work for hours. Simply beautiful.

[@georgemayhew8513]

I love putting these videos on while I do my own work, theres something about having the "company" of a fellow craftsman :)

[@Stopan]

I totally get what you mean! I do the same thing myself. Glad to keep you company, my friend and best of luck with your work!

[@georgemayhew8513]

@@Stopan And to you as well!

[@wolfofbees]

Such a wonderful video and your work is so exceptional. I really love your work, thanks for another great look at your art!

[@Stopan]

It's a pleasure to hear such words! Thank you for the appreciation, my best wishes!

[@dinanathmathura2607]

incredible!

[@user-wj1tj2ko9q]

Благодаря ти от дъното на сърцето ми. имате фина душа и златни ръце. Наслаждавам се на твоето творчество.

[@Stopan]

Много благодаря!

[@jennyellen2606]

Stunning work as always. I so look forward to your videos. It's magical watching you create you're beautiful books.

[@Stopan]

Thanks for following through! Have a great week!

[@MyDearCharlie]

Thank you for producing another great video. I get so inspired watching you work, so much so that I have just ordered my very first laying press and sewing frame. If I can ever make journals half as good as yours I will be super happy. Looking forward to your next bookbinding adventure!

[@Stopan]

I'm very glad! Some cornerstone pieces of equipment! I guarantee you'll grow fond of them quickly. Have a great time binding and great weekend!

[@IchigoDeFolie]

Beautiful work as always

[@Stopan]

Thank you!

[@master-azazel]

pretty cool stuff, also im digging the background music

[@rogerbradley7509]

Absolutely beautiful!

[@SkullyWoodMetal]

Excellent video, beautiful journals, skillful work and great tools!

[@Stopan]

Much appreciated!

[@AlmightyLeathers]

Fantastic video and beautiful work. I just started my leather crafting back in January and it's video's like these that keep pushing me to the limit. Thanks!

[@josealvim1556]

Wonderful work as per usual

[@Stopan]

Thank you very much!

[@dumbgenious1960]

I absolutely love this! I hope maybe one day I can do something similar like a hobby. This is really just so awesome and such art Xx

[@Stopan]

Thank you! I guarantee it's a fulfilling way to keep yourself busy! Have a great weekend!

[@KletosMinistries]

You've inspired me to take up this craft. Thank you.

[@Stopan]

I'm humbled! Best of luck with your future projects!

[@Kamomilla]

Love love your work. So inspiring.

[@GypsieT17]

Beautiful books 💕 spoiled at the last hurdle 🤨

[@joaopaulooliveirakaluf6065]

You are just the best! I'll comission something soon!

[@Stopan]

Thanks for the appreciation!

[@user-sp7js4ss2g]

JUST BEAUTIFUL WORK!!!

[@danielrowsey7667]

I have followed you for a while now, both here and Facebook, and I get excited with each new endeavor. You are simply amazing.

[@arunanabanana3159]

i really love you vibe and aesthetics sir

[@ioanaberbece8137]

Besides the amazing work, I watch your videos because it always relaxes me. The music is always beautiful too. 😊

[@Stopan]

I'm very glad! Thank you for watching!

[@charleshuggins7072]

Most Beautiful

[@cl4ptr4p_exe64]

I am so glad that i found you and this channel. I hope i can bookbind one day, not well as you, ofcourse :)

[@Stopan]

Thank you and you should totally go for it! I wouldn't mind if you did a better job than me. At the end of the day is us just doing what we like to do. Have a great week!

[@bess2rui]

Admire your work. Outstanding！

[@Alyssa_ehrenberg]

*BOOK PERFECT*

[@frankgyori2740]

I love this channel. You are amazing. I am hoping to learn to make books in the proper way and watching these Vlogs has made my feel as if I could actually do it. Do you have any suggestions for someone who has no tools or even basic skills to begin to learn your craft? One thing, I do believe I have ever seen you smile. It would be nice to see it. Best to you

[@Stopan]

Thank you so much, Frank! I used to have an advice for beginners article on my website but it became a bit outdated and I removed it. In short, start with minimalist structures, read a few handbooks and you'll know what you need to add at what time.

[@frankgyori2740]

@@Stopan Thank you so very much for your advice. I most certainly my every effort to research this wonderful and beautiful craft. Although, I must say, the word 'craft' does not really give your patience, work ethic and determination to always achieve greater heights, does not do justice to what you do. Best to you and your family and all those people you love...

[@papasonipapasoni6331]

Дякую, дуже гарна робота Степан.

[@PanginooTV]

I havent seen the whole video but I just wanna say that I have been waiting for your new upload! Hurray notifcation squad!

[@Stopan]

Many thanks! It took about 3 weeks to make and film these. These making of videos turn out great but they do tend to take a lot of time. Thanks again for keeping in touch! Have a great week!

[@blackrose2962]

Your books a perfect :)

[@makitajazzqueen7794]

I love your martenitsa!! ♥ Adorable

[@Stopan]

Haha, thanks! I was wondering if people get confused about those. Glad to hear you know about them! Have a great weekend!

[@makitajazzqueen7794]

They are the best! A couple of years ago a Bulgarian friend sent me some by mail ❤️ I kept one and gave the rest to my friends 😊😊 обичам мартеници

[@abrcadabr9802]

Спасибо.

[@themaninthebox9382]

So good. Every video is better than the previous. Don't know how you manage to keep one-upping yourself every time. Wish you didn't shave / cut your hair during the whole process so that we would have a better grasp of the patience and perseverance that went into these masterful pieces.

[@Stopan]

Thanks for following through and for the kind words! I was wondering if the haircut would be too noticeable, sorry for ruining the immersion, haha. It took a bit more than 3 weeks to film it all and I guess I just couldn't wait for that haircut.

[@dianerichard-pierson9269]

Bella!

[@privatenineNaturalWoman]

Great Craftmanship! 💗 Most definitely a new sub and will keep watching!💗💗

[@guguinha246]

Do you use homemade glue or paste? if so, would you ever maybe show a tutorial of how you make it here on youtube or on your Instagram? Hope i'm not coming off as demanding, because i'm far from it.

[@Stopan]

Hey and thanks for reaching out! I use mostly an adhesive called Planatol BB, a cellulose despersion adhesive made specially for hand bookbinding. I basically dilute it according to the task I'll be using it for. I don't feel very comfortable in using homemade paste, so to be honest I'm not eligible to be of help on this matter. I tend to experiment more with lacquers (like on this collection), some animal glues, moisturizers for leather and dyes for sprinkling edges. I'm still not certain how I would go about if I decide to make a tutorial but I do have it in mind. Thanks again and have a great week!

[@HellgaProtiv]

Очень умиротворяющие видео у вас

[@vaidoo]

Beautiful work ! I have a question about order steps. After sewing, you trim the fore-edge before gluing the spine ? If yes, i would like to know the reason because usually the trimming process is performed after the gluing of the spine.

[@Stopan]

Thank you! Well, I round and back the books shortly after the gluing and trimming the fore-edge after this would make it flat, rather than convex. I usually smooth it out with some sandpaper but prefer to do a trim before that to remove the big irregularities.

[@vaidoo]

@@Stopan Οk. But what do you do first the gluing or trimming fore-edge ?

[@carolgunnerson6930]

I love watching you work. I noticed that you have book press by Olive and Oak. I have been thinking about purchasing one and wonder how you like using it?

[@Stopan]

Thank you! The press is excellent and has become the most used piece of equipment I have. It's absolutely worth its price, in my opinion!

[@taken-for-pomegranted]

Is that just square pieces of linen you're putting between the bands at 14:30 or something else?

[@Stopan]

Yes, it's just that. I try not to over-complicate the spine lining although there are lot of other methods to this.

[@alpeulpe]

How are you doing? Can you please tell me the name of the enband sewing technique you employed here? It looks beautiful.

[@SeanZ482]

Beautiful video, like always. I feel sleepy and relaxed after watching, lol. What kind of paper do you use? Where do you get it from?

[@Stopan]

Hello and thank you! I'm using blank, unlined, smooth cream colored Clairefontaine Trophee paper. It possesses great qualities for writing with fountain pens and ink as it exhibits no feathering, no bleedthrough and only faint show through. It is 80 g/m2 thick.Also, it is guaranteed permanent paper and meets strict requirements in terms of resistance to aging according to ISO 9706 and suitable for long-term archiving (over 100 years). I buy it from a local supplier and unfortunately can't help you with how you can get it internationally.

[@JaredaSohn]

@@Stopan Whar is the initial size, A4, A3, etc..?

[@vaidoo]

Wonderful work ! Where could i find the nipping press you are using at 18:30 ?

[@Stopan]

Thank you! I bought it some time ago from ratchford.co.uk/, I think but I didn't see any nipping presses listed now in their stock. I remember seeing this one and other models on eBay but the search didn't return anything now. It says on the front "ROBERTBUILT MODEL 4". I don't know anything else of the creator or how to contact him, unfortunately.

[@lisajarvis3820]

How many papers do you usually have in a average signature please?

[@Stopan]

My signatures consist of 32 pages, 80 gsm paper.

[@CavaloBranco]

♥

[@bridiedrain3722]

beautiful. Just wondering what it is you " spray" onto the edges ? and is it permanent .

[@user-gi8cq3bo8p]

Огромное спасибо за такое класное видео. Хочу к Вам в ученики....

[@cl4ptr4p_exe64]

What kind of paper do you use for craftmanship and where do you get it ? I really want to make my own :)

[@lisajarvis3820]

What board is your cover boards made from please?

[@Stopan]

I believe it's common millboard.

[@user-wj1tj2ko9q]

наистина хареса инструмента. Искам да направя това сам.

[@vaidoo]

Great Work ! Where i found this plough ?

[@iSim0641]

Almost 200 likes, no dislikes.

[@Stopan]

I'm quite surprised myself, given my choice of such unorthodox methods of decoration. I guess the people watching are really understanding and kind.

[@iSim0641]

@@Stopan You give to us high quality content. The editing, not talking, very unintrusive music and fantastic work.

[@khalilullah9929]

Really awesome. How I contact you i want to make book cover for my book.

[@kleinaca1]

Why the stern look?

[@Stopan]

I said to myself then "Look normal." and I guess that was the result.

[@OldPathsChannel]

I pray that one day you will restore old Bibles and get to read the word of God. He gave you an amazing talent! May He bless you and keep you in Jesus name!

[@oatwizard]

0 dislikes, yay!

[@KRMR75]

When I win lotto I would love for you to teach me this amazing craft.

[@alecto7926]

I know its not the point of the video but am i the only one who thinks hes hot?

[@syedmoheelraza4161]

Music, my dear?

[@NColinCorfixsen]

I love your work. You are truly an artist in your own right, however while the books in this video looked great(at first), your chose to give them such a poor gold and silver leaf job, baffles me. You turned beautiful books into books that looked as if toddlers had painted them with gold and silver permanent makers. It is however the first books that I have ever seen you mess up. So as a fan of yours, I implore you to either get a lot more precise with your leaf work, or to do it as sparingly as possible.

[@TheLupulalb]

Same thought, sin of the final version

[@Stopan]

Hello and thank you very much for the honesty! It comes as no surprise that people might feel this way, I certainly had my doubts when the books were finished. To add a bit of context, when designing the decoration for the last five books, I was constantly throwing away sketches and taking everything too seriously. A task that left me exhausted and a bit bored of conventional ornamentation. This work here was a long needed exercise in play. I'm preparing now for a bookbinding competition in which again, I'll be doing a strong structure design but now I have my breath of fresh air and can go a bit more light footed into the endeavor. Not to scare you but I'll probably be doing some of these "sins" from time to time, haha. Creativity is a cruel mistress... Thanks for being a fan and for taking the time to write up a polite criticism. Best regards!

[@NColinCorfixsen]

@@Stopan I completely understand now, I know of the ways that one can find themselves stuck. Unable to overcome the desire to do something new, and in disregard for once own rules. And how doing so can lift once creative burdens and bring it back ten times stronger. Thank you so much, for curing me of my confusion. It lifted my spirits to know that you feel refreshed, and that you can now do what you do best. Thank you again for giving me this answer. Best regards, and happy crafting.

[@nigelwylie01]

NColinCorfixsen I have seen your reply below, so I know what you’re saying, but as a bookbinding beginner and artist, I personally loved these. I find formal work stifling.

[@NColinCorfixsen]

@@nigelwylie01 To that I can only say, to each his own my friend :D

[@galiyasaduakasova6725]

Это конечно моё мнение, но кажется было бы лучше без патали. Лучше бы оставалось в чистой коже

[@user-ni2nd6fu8u]

ليتك تشغل نفسك بما ينفعك .. فلا تظن أنك إنما خلقت لهذا العبث فقط .. أرجو من الله أن يهديك للإسلام

[@rogerbradley7509]

Absolutely beautiful!