LaPlantz Studios

Official announcement — Shereen LaPlantz’ “Innovative Bookbinding: Secret Compartments & Hidden Messages” 2013, Third Edition Reprint is ready for purchase! Here’s how to order: http://bit.ly/18lwlVy

Shereen LaPlantz’ popular how-to book titled, “Innovative Bookbinding: Secret Compartments & Hidden Messages,” was a massive hit that sold out instantly in two hand-bound editions in 1997 and 2000. After multitudinous requests, we are pleased to present this 2013 edition. Shereen’s premise was that “we can take our books one step further, hide something extra in them, then they will be so much more dynamic!”

The first and second editions included four hand-bound “Secret Compartments and Hidden Messages.” This third edition, using today’s technology reproduces these books photographically in new special sections that illustrate Shereen’s original book and her very original vision.

Shereen LaPlantz made her final transition in 2003. Thanks to the dedication of her husband, David LaPlantz, this 2013 edition has been very carefully recreated and is lovingly dedicated to Shereen’s memory and all of the magic and love she gave to the Book Arts world.

As Shereen always said, “Make fun books!”

In case you missed the order link above: Here’s how to order Shereen’s “Innovative Bookbinding” 2013, Third Edition Reprint: http://bit.ly/18lwlVy

One cannot always succeed. One outa two is’t bad. And, along the way we learn how to be better at being a human being. Isn’t that the idea: learning, changing and improving? It is important to look back, so that the forward can be seen with more wisdom and compassion…

“1 Outa 2 Isn’t Bad” Brooch. 2″ diameter, fabricated industrially painted aluminum, engraved & cold connected with sterling silver rivets. © David LaPlantz, 2013.

Will nuclear power, its greasy finger print and horrific implications be the ultimate crime against humanity?

“Crimes Against Humanity Print” Brooch. 2″ diameter, fabricated industrially painted aluminum, engraved & cold connected. © David LaPlantz, 2013.

Now there’s 2 “T’s” for drinking tea, 2 “T’s” in title, 2 “T’s” in that. As you examine your thought process, how you view, pronounce and respond to words, consider the “T” and it’s consequences. Tarter (the sauce, not from wine casks) comes to David’s mind. How about you?

“2 T’s” Brooch. 2 1/8″ diameter, fabricated industrially painted aluminum, engraved & cold connected. © David LaPlantz, 2013.

Head lights on the highway,
Tiny Dancer can’t be far behind…

The apple, the garden, the so-called temptation, the curiosity and the finding out. Now, where do we go? There is always curiosity and wonder as life presents temptations and options we’ve never considered. Then, what to do?

“The Core” Brooch. 2″ diameter, fabricated industrially painted aluminum, engraved & cold connected. © David LaPlantz, 2013.

Not all love is visible. Some forms of love are simply a feeling of safety, an unseen, but yet known in the heart & soul as reality and comfort. Bless the person who understands and dwells within what they feel in their heart.

“Stealth Love” Brooch. 2″ diameter, fabricated industrially painted aluminum, engraved & cold connected. © David LaPlantz, 2013.

Each road or pathway invites the foot-faller to take a chance, to wonder by the journey. We learn so much from the pathway we choose, yet wonder about the path that was not chosen. Chose wisely…

“The Road” Brooch. 2″ diameter, fabricated industrially painted aluminum, engraved & cold connected. © David LaPlantz, 2013.

The incandescent glow seemed to emanate from without rather than within. As chance encounters, leaps of faith, flying off protective branches and stepping away from comfort zones occur, the options for happiness and success lay out like a yellow brick road. The question is, when presented with such positive possibilities, do we take the first step?

“Incandescent” Brooch. 2″ diameter, fabricated industrially painted aluminum, engraved & cold connected. © David LaPlantz, 2013.

“Architects may come and architects may go…” “When I run dry, I stop awhile and think of you.” So said Paul Simon. Funnels seem to populate David’s mind lately and here are the most recent in a family photo. The act of everything going in a large end and slipping out the smaller, more controlled end is kinda like life. Is it the controlling of the movement that is so scary or just the fact that we seem to lack the control to control the controlling?

“Dos Funnels” Brooches. Each 2″ in diameter, fabricated industrially painted aluminum, engraved & cold connected. © David LaPlantz, 2013.