By DONNA LEE ANDERSON
Kitsap Weekly columnist
When I moved to the North Kitsap area, I looked around for resources for writers.
Field’s End Writers Community was one of the first names I came across. It was housed at the public library on Bainbridge Island and offered speakers, writing events, and classes.
Now, this wonderful organization is part of the BARN — Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network — located on Rolling Bay at 11272 Sunrise Drive SE.
This is a temporary facility and the new building is going to be on a two-acre site off of New Brooklyn Road, near the Madison Avenue fire station.
On their website (www.bainbridgebarn.org), you can see an artist’s renditions of the new building and floor plans, and find out how to make a donation and be part of this great organization and this new location.
Look at the events section to see a calendar of events that are coming up (like the Teen Writers meetings). The next speaker event is 9:30 a.m. July 30; Marlene King will speak about “Dream- Inspired Writing.” Sounds like something interesting, so sign up today to reserve your spot.
The BARN is a very active place. On a recent visit, I found weavers at work on the floor looms, and in another room woodworkers were putting finishing touches on cedar benches that will be part of the Japanese-American Exclusion Memorial.
There was also a class for advanced jewelry-making techniques and, in yet another room, a group of writers were holding a critique meeting.
This organization offers classes, workshops and open studios for Electronic and Technical Arts, Fiber Arts, Glass Arts, Jewelry Making, Kitchen Arts, Metal Machining, Printmaking and Book Arts, Welding, Woodworking & Small Boat Building, and Writing.
You may understand how writing groups interest me, and on a recent Saturday afternoon, BARN hosted a meeting for writers looking for a writing critique group. About 25 people came to chat and meet each other.
To break the ice and let people introduce themselves, Nancy Pearson (njjpearson@gmail.com), the leader of Writers at the Barn, had several subjects listed on slips of paper. A writer would pick a topic out of the basket, introduce themselves, and then speak about the topic (like, “How many words do you write a day?”). It was a fun way to meet everyone and find out a little about them. Many business cards were exchanged and meetings scheduled to talk further. A very lively and successful event.
A quote from the website: “Find out how BARN can add craft and invention to your life. Take a class, take a tour, or come to share your knowledge with others.”
* * *
THE BOOK SELLERS
There is a fun group that calls themselves The Book Sellers. They meet once a month for dinner and to discuss and exchange books they have found.
This group is unique in the fact that they are buyers and sellers of books, and also because they are particularly interested in antique and rare books. Let me introduce you to these special people I met.
Ed Smith is the contact and spearhead of this group. His interest lies in buying and selling literary first editions, photographic monographs, and screen- and theater-related material. He also offers appraisals for books and photographs.
He’s a member of ABAA (Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America), and active in the www.seattlebookfair.com. Look for Ed in one of the booths at the 2016 Seattle Antiquarian Book Fair, Oct. 8 and 9 at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall. You can also contact him at ed@edsbooks.com.
Ed showed me a pop-up book (you know the kind, where you turn a page and parts of the book that have been folded just so pop up to make it a 3D picture). It was “Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer.” The book was very old and so fun to read and see the pictures of the sled and reindeer flying over the rooftops and trees. It was meant for children but certainly would bring joy to anyone of any age who read it.
Cynthia (Cindy) Putt is a lovely, chatty lady and full of information about books. She started this group and she sells non-fiction books about northwest history, northwest sports and recreation, American history, military history and westerns. Her books can be found on ABE.com. And look for her in the Poulsbo Antique Mall, stall 23.
While we chatted, Cindy handed me a book and said, “This is a fashion book.” It surely was, but with a special effect — the pages were pull-outs to extend the page and show more. Every page held pictures of three or four models showing backs and fronts of whatever was being modeled on that page. These fashions were from the 1800s in a book much like a catalogue of styles, but it was a bound book with a hard cover. I think it might have been a salesman’s sample book. I especially liked the full length — down to the ankle. Satin coats and hats to match. The section about shoes (those that buttoned up past the ankle) got most of my attention.
George Hastings (email ghastings689@gmail.com) is part of Bennett & Hastings, a bookbinding and repair shop and publishing company in Chimacum. At this meeting, he was returning a book to Cindy that he had repaired for her. He did such a good job I couldn’t tell if the repair had been done on the front or back cover or the spine.
His books all looked equally old (but sturdy). His love of old books led him into repair; he can also repair old leather book covers.
Larry Ewing is the owner and operator of Barbarossa Books (www.BarbarossaBooks.com) on Bainbridge Island. His special love is for old non-fiction, military, aviation, and western America history books.
He said many times a customer has come in and, seeing he was reading a book, asked, “Is that a good book?” As a good owner/salesman/loves-to-share-books person, Larry would say yes and hand the book to the visitor so they could look it over.
“And,” Larry said, “most of the time the guy would buy the book and I never knew how it ended.”
Marilyn Olds is a very friendly lady and can be found at the Port Townsend Antique Mall, Stall 28 — Monsoon Books. From her conversation with the others, I only know for sure she likes old books and it seems she likes them all. I heard her talk about poetry books and old school books and several other groups of antique books. I think I’m a lot like her. I can’t pick out a favorite antique genre. I love them all.
Noriaki James Hood is located at the Port Orchard Antique Mall. He is interested in theology and religious books. He’s a friendly but quiet man with a ready smile.
Karen Graham owns and operates a bookstore called “Insatiables” on 821 Washington St., Port Townsend. She likes “old, rare and curious books” and her card says, “Always buying.” Karen’s smile is always ready too, as is her quick wit and responses to questions or statements. She expressed an interest in old/antique technical books like architecture or engineering or how-to from a past era.
Not all the members of this group were present at the meeting I went to, but those that did attend were ready and anxious to share their love of old books. I felt very privileged to be privy to their discussions.
Good luck to all of you and I’m sure I’ll be seeing each of you again.
— Donna Lee Anderson writes Bookends for Kitsap Weekly, circulation 65,000. She teaches writing and is the author of two adult fiction novels and one reference book for writers. Contact her at welltoldtales@aol.com.
