In this workshop, you’ll learn how to create a very special homemade valentine (or galentine—or palentine!) with secret messages hidden inside!
In this workshop, you’ll learn how to create a very special homemade valentine (or galentine—or palentine!). Inspired by a 19th century craft adapted from much older Japanese paper arts, these valentines are card and envelope in one, and contain secret compartments that may be used to hide additional messages. After first creating a model or sample, you will construct a Valentine that conceals its contents and reveals them when opened like a magical flower.
Materials and basic tools will be provided, and we will be using scissors, ruler and/or right angle, and bone folder (or other folding tool like a letter opener, wooden spoon, tongue depressor). If you have favorite tools, feel free to bring your own.
Note: The entrance for this program is 50 E. Erie, the Museum’s security entrance.
About the Instructor
Lesa Dowd is a book and paper conservator, a design binder, and teacher. She has over 25 years of experience in bookbinding and conservation, holding positions at Northwestern University, the Chicago Public Library, and the Newberry Library. She has studied fine leather binding in both the French and English styles. Lesa left the library world in 2022 to launch her own bookbinding and conservation practice and to spend more time tending her vegetables and flowers.
