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]

This is a custom scrapbook that I created for a dear friend whose son is getting ready to have his first birthday.  I included all the elements that she asked for including the state of KY and a star for where he lives, his name and birthday, and the scripture that was given to her and her husband before he was born.  It is made from reclaimed leathers, has recycled, archival pages inside, and is hand-bound.

These journals were created in celebration of the state of Kentucky!  While I've considered making state journals for awhile, it was my long-time friend and fellow Kentuckian, Megan Morgan, who really pushed for me to create these.  We both have done a bit of travelling and living elsewhere, but have surprised ourselves at how we continue to be drawn back here.  I've heard similar stories from others who grew up in this state.  There is something magical about the hills, the rivers, the pastures, the people.   There truly is a growing KY pride, and these journals are meant to celebrate that.

Not only are these iron buttons hand-crafted from by a Lexington artist, these iron buttons are also filled with Lexington history.  They are from iron rods that were in one of the barns at Hamburg Place.  While Hamburg Place is currently known for shopping, it was previously a well-know breeding farm for horses.  It was bought by John Madden in 1897.  Prior to this, he had tamed an unruly colt named Hamburg.  [Here is a little background on Hamburg:  His sire was Hanover, winner of Belmont Stakes and thirty-one other races and his paternal grandsire was Hindoo, a winner of the Kentucky Derby, the Travers Stakes and thirty of his thirty-five starts.  Hamburg’s dam was Lady Reel, half-sister to Domino and whose sire was Fellowcraft, a full brother to Spendthrift.]  Hamburg was purchased as a yearling by John E. Madden and proved to be one of the most difficult horses Madden ever broke.  Hamburg raced sixteen-times as a two yr old and won twelve of those starts.  Madden sold Hamburg after his first season, used this money to purchase land, and named it in honor of the horse that helped him buy it.  Madden went on to breed five Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winners and was later inducted into the National Racing Hall of Fame and the Harness Racing Hall of Fame.  Hamburg Place continued to be a well-known horse farm until 1996 when it was sold to be developed.

References:
Thoroughbred Heritage Portraits 
Wikipedia John E Madden
Hamburg Place 

"The Lexington Rescue Mission has reinvented a section of its thrift store at 720 Bryan Avenue to serve residents of the North Limestone community. In addition to providing a place for local artists to sell and display their work, The Bazaar and The Gathering Place at The Bazaar offer a free, creative space where members of this resurging neighborhood can come together...

Artist Melissa Oesch, owner of ReImagined by Luna, crafts journals from recycled material including old book covers and re-claimed leather. Oesch said members of the artistic community, who often experience difficulties supporting themselves while developing their craft, sympathize with the Mission’s efforts to fight poverty. She hopes her booth presence at The Bazaar will extend her passion for journaling to members of the North Limestone community."

Check out the full article here.  Thanks to Elizabeth Troutman for the write-up!