“Because I make journals, I hear so many stories of what people are going through. These books are containers for traveling to new places, memories from a grandparent, every kind of grief, gratitude journals, a journey through healing cancer, and countless others. I really appreciate that I can create a concrete tool for others to use. It can be a tool for healing or remembering or processing or recording or learning or painting, etc. I also appreciate the connection that it creates…between my customers and I but also my customers with themselves or their friends or family. A handmade journal is a rather intimate and thoughtful gift. It’s an honor to get to be a part of that.”

Read the full interview here.

Thanks to Kristen Edwards from LEX 18 news for this interview. She asked what it’s been like as an artist during 2020 and also had me share excitement about the opportunity to be at Julietta Market with the Lexington Design Collective. The full article along with other interviews from the Julietta Market is here.

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It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Just kidding- the sun is out and it’s 68 degrees here in KY. I have just about caught up on all fall custom orders and have a few openings left for Christmas custom orders. If you are wanting to have a custom order by Christmas, let me know by Nov 11. I will have two online shop updates to be announced (mid Nov and early Dec). I will also have a local in-person shopping option, which I will announce as soon as the date is set. If you are hoping to see a certain design available online, let me know!

I'm excited to announce that I have a couple of bookbinding workshops coming up in Lexington.  They will be at the Bread Box Studio, which is right behind West Sixth Brewery (same building).  The address is 501 W 6th St, Lexington, KY 40508.  They have a parking lot with plenty of free parking.  To prepay for the class, you can send payment via Paypal to reimaginedbyluna@gmail.com or call me with a credit card at 859.420.6536.  If you have any questions, just let me know!

March 18: 10-1 pm 
Bread Box Studio
Lexington, KY
Long-stitch Leather Journal using Reclaimed Materials
$55 prepaid by March 14/ $60 at door

This book-making class will teach a variation of long-stitch, which dates back to at least as early as the 18th century. We will use reclaimed leather and recycled paper for materials. Materials will be included. There will be several finishing options available (as shown in the photo).  Feel free to bring your own bead or something you would like to add to make it more your own. Suitable for ages 13 and up.  [ALL LEVELS WELCOME] 

April 1: 10-1 pm
Bread Box Studio 
Lexington, KY
Coptic Stitch using Reclaimed Materials
$45 prepaid by March 28/$50 at door

This book making class will teach a variation of Coptic Binding, which dates back to the early 2nd century. We will use repurposed book covers and recycled paper for materials.  Materials will be included. This book binding technique is suitable for ages 13 and up. [ALL LEVELS WELCOME]

Thanks for all the support this season. Wishing you much merriment and brightness!!

Thanks to The Lane Report for including one of my journals in their promotion of the Kentucky Arts Council's Give a Gift from KY! To learn more about Give a Gift from KY, go here.

You can see more of the Lane Report here.

 

Thanks to everyone who came out for all the holiday shows!  November and December was full of shows and Christmas gift orders.  Thanks to each of you!

 Thank you to Artisan Made Decor and Gifts for sharing this! You can see the full article and photos here.

"In a world filled with lots of external noise coming at us from all directions, it can be difficult to listen to that inner voice that is trying to help you find your way. Our next Maker heard that voice, and heeded it’s call. Meet Melissa Oesch, the creator and owner behind Re-Imagined by Luna. She tells us of her story... “In college, someone asked if I wanted to learn book-binding. I have always been drawn to books. I read them voraciously growing up — as a way to travel, escape and imagine. I've also kept a journal since I was six years old, using it to reflect and process, even at that young age. So, the idea of creating a book to write in was appealing. The invitation was to an evening workshop where we learned to bind using the Coptic stitch. When I finished, I swore I would never make another book. It took more patience than I anticipated and was the floppiest book ever. Little did I know…. I started entertaining the idea of beginning a book-making business while I was working on an organic vegetable farm. I remember thinking, "What if I could DO this?" I knew the only way to find out was to try. The name for the business had already been given to me. It came one night when I was reflecting on the past few difficult years. A lot had happened that made me fearful of the future. I felt like I had been holding my breath waiting for some relief. It was that night that the word "re-imagine" was given to me. I had the poignant thought that I needed to re-imagine the way my life could be rather than assuming that it would always be the way it had been. It could be more wonderful than I had ever thought. I could not shake this concept. At the time, I was creating journals out of vintage book covers and recycled paper. The word "re-imagine" continued to echo inside me even in regards to beginning a business. It shouted to me that I was capable and quietly reiterated my desire to be eco-friendly through "re-imagining" my materials."

I participated in an artist appreciation fair at the University of KY today and had help from this young lady. I shared about how I got started, what my process is like, and did some demonstrating.  It was great to share with everyone who came through.  Thanks to the student activities board for having me!

"For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free."

-from The Peace of Wild Things by Wendell Berry

At Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest

This was early one morning before Colorfest began.  Sometimes, it is important to sit quietly in nature.  Observing.  Listening-inwardly and otherwise.  

About a month ago, I got to participate in the Kentucky Fried Zine Fest for the first time. I really enjoyed being there and appreciate them inviting me so last min. You should try and come by next year if you can. They even had a table where you could make a page to add to a community zine, which was fun to contribute to.

A group of ladies in Louisville invited me to teach a bookbinding class.  These women do a variety of art workshops together and were very enjoyable to teach.  I taught the leather long-stitch binding, and each participant left with a journal that they created.  Thanks to all of you ladies for having me!

Thanks to James Haggie and NAMI Lexington for having me lead a journaling workshop at the 2016 KYSTARS Annual Consumer Conference.  We talked about different ways to use journaling and how it can assist the healing process.   I am glad to have had the opportunity and was inspired by so many of you.

This gal took her travel journal with her on her Spring break adventures. Looks nice and relaxing!

Ky Crafted: The Market is such a fun show and tends to kick off my festival season each year.  I love being able to share new designs and get feedback.  Because we've just finished up the winter, its a great place to see everyone again and meet new folks as well.  The first day is always for wholesale, and I met some new buyers this year as well as saw ones that I've been working with for awhile.  You can view the stores that my work is available in under "retailers".  Saturday and Sunday is retail.  There were around 200 artists, KY Proud food, and a stage with music.  If you missed it this year, mark your calendar for next year.  Thanks to everyone who came out!!

These girls were so excited to each have their own journal.  They were delightful!

This little one is a daughter of a regular customer who has quite a collection of journals, including one that his wife had me make him for their anniversary.  His daughter seem to take notice for the first time and was pretty enchanted with them all.

Happy New Year, everyone! I hope you made it through the holidays with as much ease as possible. I stayed busy and grateful throughout it and was also grateful for a little breather afterwards. I've been quietly getting paperwork, new designs, and such in order for this new year. While I get new designs solidified and ready to share, I will be posting some of the custom pieces from last year. These below are custom sketchbooks made as Christmas presents for a couple of brothers from their mom.

My love for old books most days tends towards re-purposing the ones that are being discarded into journals and sketchbooks.  However, I try to take time to play with them in a different way around the holidays.  I love old text blocks.  The pages themselves are enchanting and the uses for them are endless.  This year, I experimented with creating a paper garland for the Christmas tree.  It gives the tree a vintage feel, which I personally enjoy.  I just took the inside out of an old discarded book and cut the pages up in strips.  I lucked out with some of the pages having this nice red line on it, which was a nice touch.  I did discover that I liked the links a little bigger.  Initially, I made them small, but it quickly became more time-consuming than I wanted.  Once it was on the tree, I found that I actually prefer the aesthetic of the longer links.  You'll figure out what you like, too.  Happy holiday creating!

Thanks to the KY Arts Council for their all their amazing support...and especially to Chris for this write-up...

Here's today's #giveagiftky staff pick by KAC's Chris Cathers, our program branch manager: He chose items from ReImagined by Luna.

Price range: $10-$90

"Once you take a look at these journals, it becomes a fun challenge to find the perfect gift among the assortment of designs and colors. These hand made, hand stitched books are a wonderful gift for anyone that you want to inspire to put pen to paper. I have given these as gifts already, and I get just as much enjoyment out of the expression on a person’s face when they examine it as they do writing in it. The artist is enthusiastic about her designs and will work with you to personalize your gift. I’ve had names and dates stitched on mine. This is a lasting gift that is guaranteed to delight!"

http://artistdirectory.ky.gov/Pages/KentuckyCraftedArtistPage.aspx?ArtistID=439

 Book Arts:  Japanese Stab-binding using Non-traditional Materials

When: Saturday,  July 19th, 10-1pm

Where: Centered in Lexington, KY

Cost:  $45 includes all materials

Register:  Here

This book making class will teach a basic variation of Japanese Stab Binding. We will create paper bag books that can hold memorabilia and be decorated using a range of mediums. Suitable for ages 13 and up. Bring buttons, scraps or other materials if you like for decorating at the end.  Limit 12 participants.

Book Arts: Coptic Stitch using Recycled Materials

When: Saturday,  November 15th, 10-1pm

Where: Carnegie Center in Lexington, KY

Cost:  $55 includes all materials

Register: Coming soon at the Carnegie Center

This book making class will teach a variation of Coptic Binding, which dates back to the early 2nd century. We will use repurosed book covers and recycled paper for materials.  Materials will be included. This book binding technique is suitable for ages 13 and up. Limit 10
participants.

I was invited once again to demonstrate at the Kentucky Artisan Center in Berea.  I used the Coptic Stitch on upcycled books, working with recycled paper and mostly old Reader's Digest covers.  It was a really fun day with a variety of people streaming through-mostly people traveling on their way somewhere else.  Such rich conversations emerged.  One guy walked up to me and said, "You are costing me alot of money".  My eyes grew wide as I waited for an explanation.  "My granddaughter fell in love with one of your books here yesterday, and we ended up staying an extra night in the area so that she could come back in get it."  The granddaughter was very cool-shy with intelligent eyes.  She is interested in horses and writing.  Her grandparents took her picture with me.  It was all too fun!  I appreciate the Artisan Center for these kinds of opportunities, for carrying my work, and for being so supportive of artists.  Do stop by if you are every traveling down I-75.