About Book Specimen Boxes

Specimen Boxes

I began making Specimen Boxes as a result of wanting to use found objects with handmade books. Prior to this, I was making small books with windows of tiny retrofitted objects called Dream Books. Not always wanting to use this format, it was very time consuming, I came up with the idea of using larger objects to help tell the story of my books, an enhancement so to speak.  Each handmade box contains a book and related objects.  I collect things, have for years, and it seemed a perfect solution of what to do with the many things I gather, too interesting to throw away. I have always thought of myself as a gleaner, (hoarder, and gatherer, whatever you want to call it.) You finally reach a time in your life you need to share all the stuff with friends and family. I think that’s downsizing. I maintain I am saving stuff from the landfill, so it’s everyone’s responsibility to help me save the planet from refuse.  I think I got this gene from my very distant relative, Joseph Cornell. No, I don’t think our work is anything alike, similar thought process possibility, but I would never compare the two of us. He was successful!