Altered Books

 

 

Class: Altered Books

Instructor: Karen Beal-Crosby

Medium: Handmade Books, Public Art, Paper Arts:

Date(s): Monday, Tuesday, January 12, 13, 2026

Time: 9am - 4pm, 9am - 3pm

Cost: $125.00

 

Class Description:

Altered Books
Transform a beloved book into a mixed media masterpiece.

In this two-day workshop, you'll turn a previously loved children’s board book into an altered book brimming with creativity, texture, and meaning. Beginning and experienced participants alike will find ample opportunity to explore a wide variety of techniques, materials, and ideas—while inspiring each other along the way. (turning reclaimed, older or antique books into an altered piece of art will also be discussed.)

You’ll begin by preparing the “pages” of your board book, then build up layers using mixed media methods including painting, inking, collage, low-tech printing, hand-cut stencils and stamps, dry embossing, creative lettering, and more. You’ll also have access to a wide selection of artist papers and are encouraged to incorporate saved or found ephemera—like reclaimed postage stamps, security envelope patterns, phone book or dictionary pages, ticket stubs, and personal memorabilia.

The altered book you create will serve as both a finished artwork and a sampler of techniques—a valuable reference for your personal creative practice and future projects.

And the best part? With altered books, there are no mistakes—just new directions. One technique leads to another, and a new material can spark an unexpected idea. It’s all about discovery, play, and the joy of transformation. Come explore and create with us in reckless abandon!

Supplies:
Children's board book (not too small)
Glue stick and/or PVA
12-inch ruler
Pencil w/ attached unused eraser
Scissors
Self-healing cutting mat
X-Acto knife
Bone folder
Stamp pad/s
Notepaper
Ephemera to personalize your book:

Ticket stubs
Snippets of paper
Photocopies
Photos
Memorabilia
Favorite quotes
Reclaimed postage stamps
Security envelope linings
Pages from old books or dictionaries, magazines
Watercolor or acrylic paint
Variety of brush sizes
Water container

 

Instructor Biography:

Karen Crosby is an artist and educator with more than 40 years of experience teaching elementary, secondary, university and adult education classes.

She has been fascinated with paper and all things related. She is currently focusing on the creation of one-of-a-kind handmade books often incorporating paste paper, marbled paper, calligraphy, scherenschnitte, and repurposed items not usually associated with books.
Her teaching philosophy is driven by the belief that everyone has inherent, creative ability and she encourages you to "come explore and revitalize your creative endeavors."

 

Cancellation:

Full refund if cancelling 2 weeks before class, half refund before class, no refund once class begins.

 

Supply List:

Supply list to be listed on the website for the class.

 

Class Sizes:

Minimum Class Size: 5

Maximum Class Size: 10