Paperblanks Hummingbirds & Flutterbyes Hardback Guest Book – Plain, 144 Pages

Gather wishes, memories and signatures from weddings, celebrations and special occasions in this Hummingbirds & Flutterbyes hardback guest book from Paperblanks, with 144 plain pages.

Laurel Burch was a self-taught artist and “flower child” who created vibrant and moving themes with paint and paper. This Hummingbirds & Flutterbyes cover design, featuring dancing butterflies and flitting hummingbirds, comes from one of Laurel’s favourite themes to paint – Flutterbyes.

The Story Behind the Design

All art is a chance to experience a mood, an emotion, a feeling. The art of Laurel Burch (1945–2007) has an especially uplifting, joyful, nurturing quality. Designs from our colourful Laurel Burch Collection can take you on a flight of imagination, from the world of Fantastic Felines to a celebration of the Spirit of Womankind.

Born in Southern California, Laurel was diagnosed with a congenital bone disease which resulted in more than a hundred cases of bone fractures over the course of her life. She was raised in the difficult circumstances of a broken family and as a teenager chose to walk away from this life and take her own, independent path. She eventually found her place in San Francisco, and as a single mother sought creative ways to provide for her family.

Though not trained in art or jewellery making, Laurel began to put together interesting metal scraps she found in junk yards. She created quirky jewellery and developed her artistic style into what we see today. Her vibrant colours and joyful paintings became so popular that her works were licensed around the world. Through art she found her solace, her haven, her sense of spiritual restoration.

Laurel’s pictures are filled with imaginative visions, lively colours and living creatures. When she went to China in 1971 to start mass production of the goods she designed, she discovered cloisonné, a traditional technique of embellishing metal surfaces with enamel. This became a signature feature of her artistic style.

This cover design comes from one of Laurel’s favourite themes – Flutterbyes. Featuring dancing butterflies and flitting hummingbirds, this image echoes an uplifting poem written by Laurel, in which she urges us all to “pretend you have butterfly wings and use them!”

Laurel began as a self-taught artist who connected with others by giving them the pieces that she made. She went on to become a pioneering businesswoman at the head of a merchandising empire. And just as she always wanted, the jewellery, the fashion accessories, the household items adorned with her paintings keep on brightening people’s lives.

• Original artwork: Painting by Laurel Burch
• Era: Contemporary
• Region: San Francisco, United States

Product Details

• Size: Guest Book – 230 × 180 × 20 mm
• Interior: Plain
• Pages: 144 (72 sheets)
• Paper: 120 gsm acid-free cream laid paper
• Cover: Hardback
• Binding: Smyth sewn – lies flat and stays durable
• Corners: Rounded
• Design: Hummingbirds & Flutterbyes
• Series: Playful Creations
• Collection: Laurel Burch Collection
• Satin ribbon marker
• 100% recycled binder boards
• Decorative printed cover paper
• Threaded stitching and glue, as needed
• Cloth headbands
• Acid-free paper
• Weight: 532 g
• Product code: PB7245-4 | ISBN: 9781439772454

About Paperblanks

Paperblanks works with museums, libraries, galleries and artists around the world to faithfully reproduce remarkable artwork, historic bindings and treasured manuscripts. Every book is made to last, with binder boards crafted from 100% recycled materials, and the back endpaper tells the fascinating story behind the cover design and credits its creators.