Clamshell Boxes

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Examples of clamshell boxes by artist Maria Veronica San Martin.

Course Code: 25FBM200I

This in-person workshop takes place at CBA on Friday, October 10th, from 6PM to 9PM ET and Saturday and Sunday, October 11th - 12th, from 11AM to 5PM ET.

  • Friday, October 10th, from 6PM to 9PM ET
  • Saturday, October 11th, from 11AM to 5PM ET
  • Sunday, October 12th, from 11AM to 5PM ET

Please Note: Registration for this workshop closes on September 26th, at 11:59 pm.


About the Workshop:

Boxmaking is an essential skill for any bookbinder. The clamshell box is a terrific way to protect and preserve a first edition, an antiquarian book, an artist’s book or a suite of prints. It keeps out light, dust and prevents the wear and tear on the shelf. This class will focus on the basic techniques – accurate measuring, cutting, and gluing. The critical aspect of making a clamshell box is precision in measuring. The 1st tray needs to hold a book or sheets without rubbing but without room for movement. The 2nd tray needs to fit the first. And the cover needs to pull it all together so it opens and closes properly and stands up straight. Participants will come away with a finished clamshell box to hold a book — great opportunity for book artists and bookbinders!


Required Materials:

  • A book that you would like to make a box for 
  • Height: Anywhere between 1” and 2”
  • The book itself should be no smaller than 4”x6” and no larger than 11”x9”
  • Bone folder
  • Olfa Snap-off knife with replacement blades

All other materials will be provided by Center for Book Arts at no additional cost.


About the Instructor:

Hadley Vogel (b. 1987) is a second generation bookbinder who apprenticed from an early age under her father Paul Vogel of the Vogel Bindery in East Hampton, NY. In addition to her apprenticeship on Long Island, Hadley worked under master binder Martín Farfán Patiño, of Farfán Encuadernadores, Mexico City, MX, where she honed her skills, focusing on restorations of historic volumes from Mexican museum and institutional collections. Since the opening of Hadley Hill Bindery, she has focused on the development of experimental forms, including plush bindings and the use of recycled fur, melding contemporary aesthetics with traditional construction processes.


All images courtesy of the instructor.

Class size is limited to 12 participants to ensure an optimal participant to Instructor ratio. Register now before spots fill up! Registration for this workshop closes on July 12th at 11:59pm. Tuition for this course is $525 + a $25 materials fee.If you cannot comfortably pay tuition but are interested in taking this class, please consider filling out ourfinancial assistance application here. We will notify you if you are selected to receive a scholarship before the start date of the class. To view more information about our current scholarship opportunities, please visitthis link.

11 Remaining

$550