This course is part of our Books and Conservation (Book Con) Summer School, a themed series of short courses exploring the making, meaning and preservation of books, print, ceramics and archival materials. The week brings together bookbinding, decorative techniques, letterpress, illumination and conservation practice, offering an opportunity to experience both traditional craft skills and contemporary approaches to working with books and related cultural objects.
This one day course is aimed at those who are curious about conservation, and would like to find out more about ceramic conservation. Through discussion and practical tasks, you will learn about the discipline, treatment considerations and exercise manual dexterity by engaging in exercises such as handling and assembly of broken shards.
At the end of the course, it is anticipated that you will have gained a basic understanding of the role of a ceramics conservator and attributes needed for performing the role. It is aimed at those working in associated areas who would like to have an understanding of some of the methods used or those interested in gaining an insight into what is involved.
The course is run by two practising conservators with varied work experience, both in the private and public sector, who will share their experience of working in the field, with ample opportunity for questions.
About BookCon Summer School
All courses taught during Book Con Summer School are taught by practising makers and conservators, offering insight into the processes, materials and decisions involved in both the creation and care of books, ceramics and archival objects. Through practical workshops and guided instruction, students are encouraged to develop confidence in handling materials, understanding structure, and exploring the relationship between making and meaning. The programme is suitable for beginners as well as those wishing to build on existing skills or explore routes into further study.
Across the week, participants will work with a wide range of techniques and materials, including sewn and non-adhesive structures, decorative paper processes, traditional gilding and finishing, letterpress printing, and conservation methods for books, archives and ceramics. Alongside these practical skills, the courses encourage experimentation, material understanding, and reflection on the role of the handmade object in both historical and contemporary contexts.
A central theme of the week is the dialogue between construction and conservation: understanding how books are made informs how they are cared for, while conservation practice reveals the histories embedded within objects through use, repair and time. The programme also considers sustainability, personal archives, and the continuing relevance of material practices in a digital age.
Students who book onto a Book Con Summer School short course are invited to attend a very special evening talk and Q&A on Wednesday, 19 August (6pm-8.30pm) which centres around Making Design Work: Bookbinding and Book Conservation Perspectives. A conversational evening event exploring the relationship between book design, making and conservation practice (entry is completely complimentary for students booked onto any of the courses during the Book Con Summer School). Hosted by Victoria Stevens and Mark Cockram, the session invites reflection on how different disciplines interpret original intent in books and bindings, and how design decisions are negotiated across making and preservation. Includes informal discussion with a glass of wine, Pimms & Lemonade and canapes.
The following short courses are part of Book Con Summer School
Bookbinding and Book Arts
Decorative Papers and Long Stitch Bookbinding
A hands-on introduction to decorative paper techniques including Sunago papers, paste papers and flottage processes, combined with the construction of a long stitch binding. Participants will explore the relationship between surface, structure and material experimentation, producing decorated papers and a finished bound book.
Reloved and Recycled - Bookbinding from Reused Materials
An introduction to sustainable bookbinding using reclaimed materials, offcuts and recycled papers. Participants will create a personalised book that combines sewing, surface design and experimental material use, developing an understanding of adaptive design and creative reuse in book structures.
Make Your Own Journal or Sketchbook
A beginner-friendly introduction to basic book structures, combining decorative paper techniques such as marbling, paste papers and dendritic printing with the construction of a simple flat back case binding. Participants will create a finished journal or sketchbook while developing foundational binding and design skills.
Conservation
Introducing Conservation of Books and Archives
An introduction to the care and preservation of written heritage, this course explores the materials, structures and environmental factors affecting books, archives and photographic collections. Participants will gain insight into preventive conservation, basic handling, and simple repair and housing techniques.
Introducing Ceramic Conservation
This introductory course explores the principles and practice of ceramic conservation through discussion and practical handling exercises. Participants will learn about treatment considerations, material sensitivity and manual techniques involved in stabilising and reassembling ceramic objects, alongside insight into professional conservation practice.
Traditional Kintsugi - A Five-Day Intensive Course (The Complete Process)
An immersive introduction to Hon-Kintsugi, the traditional Japanese art of repairing ceramics using natural urushi lacquer and gold. Participants will follow the full repair process across multiple stages, developing an understanding of structural repair, material behaviour and the philosophy of visible restoration.
Looking After Your Memories -Caring for your Books, Personal Archives and Photographs
This course introduces the care and preservation of personal and domestic collections, including books, photographs, film and audio-visual materials. Participants will learn how to identify material types, understand environmental risks, and apply simple storage and housing solutions to support long-term preservation.
Print, Lettering and Surface
Fun with Foil (Hot Tool Foiling)
An introduction to foil tooling on paper, cloth and leather using traditional and contemporary tools. Participants will explore temperature, pressure and control in decorative finishing, developing an understanding of materials and processes used in book decoration and surface enhancement.
An Introduction to Illumination
This course explores historical illuminated lettering through the use of gouache, gilding and fine brushwork. Participants will study traditional techniques and produce a decorated letter inspired by historical sources, gaining insight into medieval methods of image and text production.
An Introduction to Letterpress
An exploration of the fundamentals of letterpress printing, including setting type, working with wooden and metal type, and combining text with image. Participants will experiment with composition and printmaking processes, producing a series of prints that explore the expressive possibilities of type.
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