Peachey Conservation

May 24, 2023May 25, 2023

The Weighty Wedge

There are dozens of book wedges on the market; the Weighty Wedge is intended for book conservators to use during treatments. It conveniently holds books open in a variety of positions. At 1.9 pounds, or 850 grams, the steel base stays put, and the friction hinge is easily adjustable with one hand from 90 degrees to almost flat. The Volara lined contact surfaces are safe for contact with artifacts and easily replaceable if they become soiled.

These wedges are useful when working on the insides of books for page repair, board edge consolidation and sewing extensions. They can be used to support books open when measuring for display cradles, photography, examination, etc.

Size: Average 4 x 2 x 2 inches. Materials: Steel, Delrin, and Volara. Weight: Average 1.9 pounds or 850 grams. One wedge per order.

$150 each. Order here!

October 6, 2022October 6, 2022

The Craft of Hand-Paring Leather: An Upcoming Zoom Presentation for the American Bookbinder’s Museum, Saturday November 12, 4:00 pm EST

Are you leather curious? Interested in larger issues of hand craft? Then you will enjoy this zoom presentation on the craft of hand paring leather. Both practical and theoretical aspects of hand and tool interaction will be explored. Leather is a three dimensional material, and selectively reducing the thickness is essential for making a well functioning binding.

I will begin by showing some historic examples of leather paring, then to demonstrate the process of paring vegetable tanned leather using just one knife. Have a seat, make yourself comfortable, grab your beverage of choice and a snack, then enjoy watching the relaxing progress of gradually paring leather. While working, I will attempt to narrate — like a homunculi in my head — some of the complex decisions that go on in this process. As the leather gets thinner and thinner, excitement will mount: will I ruin the skin by tearing it? Towards the end of the demo, there will be time for Q&A and comments from the audience.

This presentation is based on my recent article, On Tool Embodiment, and I encourage everyone to read it beforehand.

Jeff Peachey: The Craft of Hand-Paring Leather. Sponsored by the American Bookbinder’s Museum. Saturday November 12, 4pm EST. Zoom. Attendees will have access to a recording after the event.

July 12, 2022July 12, 2022

New Article in Decorating Dissidence “On Tool Embodiment”

I’m very pleased to see my article, “On Tool Embodiment” published in the online Journal Decorating Dissidence. I’ve been refining these ideas for a while now, since I began exploring them in the inaugural issue of The Bonefolder back in 2004.

Using leather paring as an example, I explore some of the complexities and often subconscious hand actions that allow us to pare leather. If you are a beginning bookbinder who is interested in paring leather, this article contains some valuable practical tips. If you are an experienced binder, you will likely find some similarities to your own experiences, and perhaps some contradictory ones! If you are interested in craft or technology in general, embodiment is common in all tool use.

Decorating Dissidence is a thoughtful, inclusive, craft-positive online journal. Their mission is succinctly summed up on their homepage:

“The decorative is political. Craft is powerful. We host workshops, curate exhibitions and facilitate discussions on the topics of decorative art. We trace the lineage of modernist making legacies to the contemporary and bring to light stories of marginalized makers.” https://decoratingdissidence.com

The theme of Issue 15 is Tools, Use and Mastery. There are many articles of interest to anyone with involved in craft. Issue 14 focuses on Craft and Education, another rich important, and complex topic. It’s worth poking around through the archives, too. Enjoy “On Tool Embodiment”

Thanks to the rock star book artist Miriam Schaer for bring this journal to my attention!