Participant Info

How You Got Involved In Letterpress Printing: While editing a newsletter, I went back to school to finish out degree and took a few offset classes. One of the instructors told me about the San Jose museum, with its was a working print shop. I visited, found out I could play with waaaaay better toys than offset, and signed up to volunteer the same day.

Juggling BA/MA studies while volunteering, I finished my MA and worked briefly at the museum. Decided the career possibilities were nil and about the same time had to leave home due to spouse's mental illness. Fast forward to when I inherited my childhood home in 2003. I am now restoring it and adding a print shop.

Presses & Equipment: 10 x 15 C&P; 7 x 11 Pearl No. 3 (two) Vandercook No.3; 4.5 x 6 Baltimorean; 3.5 x 4 Chicago No. 9; Triumph cutter, 24"; Rouse miterer & slug cutter; plus a copy press for bookbinding efforts. Type cabinets all double-laid.

Education & Training: Has little to do with letterpress printing, and I have now chosen not to work. I've spent a lifetime learning 19th century skills, all of which seem to converge in printing and layout in some arcane way.

MA US history. Grew up hanging over my Dad's shoulder as he fixed things, begging him to teach me how to do it too. Learned a fair amount that way. My current philosophy is that everybody needs both a "clean" hobby and a "dirty" hobby. In my case, needle arts is the clean one. Printing, of course, is the "dirty" one.

Other Interests & Hobbies: Other avocations include historical costuming, tatting, crochet, knitting, quilting, soapmaking, genealogy, Bible study, beachwalking, singing, and generally making what I need, rather than shopping for it. I love doing things the "old" way, and will happily share what I've learned with others. We learn from one another, so sharing skills is the way to keep them alive. I've probably forgotten a hobby or two. I've stopped counting. Also beginning to finish restoring my Dad's project, a Model T that needs a body and a top!

Letterpress Group Memberships, If Any: APA, San Jose (CA) Printers Guild; Leather Apron Guild (International Printing Museum); Coast Letterpress Guild (Central Coast, California)

Predefined Group Memberships