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A New Spin on the Classics: Do it Yourself Book Covers by Christen Olivarez

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It has become quite popular for designers to redesign covers of classic novels. Usually the new designs are a bit trendier than the originals, and they always come at a high price. I’ve always wanted to purchase newer, prettier versions of the books I already have in my bookshelf, but couldn’t justify spending the money. A recent trip to Anthropologie, where I spotted new versions of the same 10 books that are consistently being redesigned, almost had me ready to fork over the money. I’m glad I came to my senses. After all, how many copies of Emma does a girl really need?

I realized with just a few tools I could quickly make my own covers. I grabbed a couple of my favorite classics, some plain paper, and my Sakura Koi Watercolor Pocket Field Sketch Box, and had a little fun on my lunch break. The recent redesigns that caught my attention were just simple shapes and doodles, so I covered one sheet of paper with polka dots and the other with x’s. When they were dry I covered them as you would any book. I then created hand-lettered labels for them, and adhered them to the front. Though my humble little books don’t look professionally done, as those at Anthropologie, I’m still really happy with them. My tastes change constantly, and I know it’s only a matter of time before the books get redesigned yet again. When that happens, I’ll toss the current covers and create new ones.

About the Artist:
Christen Olivarez is the Director of Publishing for Stampington & Company and editor-in-chief
of Somerset Studio, Somerset Life, Mingle, HandCrafted, and Artists’ Café.

Interests: art, slow food, writing, books, yarn, authentic living

Follow Christen on Her Blog: thedeliberatelife.typepad.com

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It has become quite popular for designers to redesign covers of classic novels. Usually the new designs are a bit trendier than the originals, and they always come at a high price. I’ve always wanted to purchase newer, prettier versions of the books I already have in my bookshelf, but couldn’t justify spending the money. A recent trip to Anthropologie, where I spotted new versions of the same 10 books that are consistently being redesigned, almost had me ready to fork over the money. I’m glad I came to my senses. After all, how many copies of Emma does a girl really need?

I realized with just a few tools I could quickly make my own covers. I grabbed a couple of my favorite classics, some plain paper, and my Sakura Koi Watercolor Pocket Field Sketch Box, and had a little fun on my lunch break. The recent redesigns that caught my attention were just simple shapes and doodles, so I covered one sheet of paper with polka dots and the other with x’s. When they were dry I covered them as you would any book. I then created hand-lettered labels for them, and adhered them to the front. Though my humble little books don’t look professionally done, as those at Anthropologie, I’m still really happy with them. My tastes change constantly, and I know it’s only a matter of time before the books get redesigned yet again. When that happens, I’ll toss the current covers and create new ones.

About the Artist:
Christen Olivarez is the Director of Publishing for Stampington & Company and editor-in-chief
of Somerset Studio, Somerset Life, Mingle, HandCrafted, and Artists’ Café.

Interests: art, slow food, writing, books, yarn, authentic living

Follow Christen on Her Blog: thedeliberatelife.typepad.com

 
A New Spin on the Classics: Do it Yourself Book Covers by Christen Olivarez
A New Spin on the Classics: Do it Yourself Book Covers by Christen Olivarez
A New Spin on the Classics: Do it Yourself Book Covers by Christen Olivarez

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