supplies and tools

Little book of whispers

Below is a list of suggested supplies for the class: click on the images to order from Amazon (affiliate links). Please also visit the "Encaustic Set-Up" page HERE. Very few "art" materials are needed for this project: it's all about gathering discarded things and giving them new life! I highly recommend that you use any materials that you already have.

To build the pages:

a variety of scraps of papers in neutral tones (look for left-overs from past projects!). Some good choices are: book-pages, handwritten letters, pages from your journal, postcards, library cards, recipe cards, kraft envelopes, mulberry paper, sewing pattern tissue, wrapping paper, teabag paper...
a few vintage papers (either originals or laser prints): ledger paper, letters... There are also lots of lovely vintage-looking scrap-booking papers. Check out the class's Pinterest board for a selection of free high-res printables!
a variety of fibers: lace, ribbon, cheesecloth, pieces of old linen and clothes. Ask around, go to the thrift store or to a garage sale... You can also find lots of vintage supplies on ETSY!

matte gel medium
medium-sized flat paintbrush
parchment baking paper or other non-stick paper to put between the pages while they dry

Matte gel medium

Parchment Baking Paper

Assorted Paintbrushes

To bind the book:

thin cotton fabric, ideally bookbinder's cloth, tulle, cheesecloth or other thin fabric from old curtains, thin t-shirt, ribbon...
for the stitch method: a needle tool (awl), a needle and some strong thread (quilting thread is good)
for the non-stitch option: nothing!

Cheesecloth

Quilting Thread

Bookbinder’s Cloth

Needle Tool

Needles

To create the covers:

for the plaster and wax option: plaster gauze, a piece of cotton fabric, encaustic medium, white encaustic paint or a white oil stick, natural bristle flat brushes (hake are my favorite).

NB: To set up your space (and even make your own encaustic medium), check out the encaustic page HERE.

for the no-plaster, no-wax option: a book-cover, preferably a vintage one, or you can also use a cover from a regular book and decorate/distress it. You could even print a vintage cover (again, check-out the Pinterest board) and collage it on some thick card-stock.
a crochet doily (not necessarily vintage): ask around or find lots on Etsy!

White Encaustic Paint

Plaster Gauze

White Oil Stick

Natural Bristles Brushes

Encaustic Medium

To add words & imagery:

some vintage images or other favorite images: botanical prints, natural history prints, postcards, photos... check out the class's Pinterest board for a selection of free high-res printables!
a few book-pages or copies of book-pages that we will use for cut-out words: favorite books, poetry, fairytales, children's literature, old dictionary...
a variety of fine-tip pens and pencils to journal with (white, black and brown are nice options): I'm using a regular HB pencil, a black ballpoint pen, sepia Pitt Artist pens, white and black Poscas...

For finishing touches:

tea, coffee or distress inks
white acrylic paint
some dimensional elements such as feathers, seeds, buttons, broken jewelry, label-holders or other embellishments
optional: brush-tip Pitt artist pens

White acrylic paint