How I Got Involved in Letterpress Printing:
When I was 19, I tried to be a diligent calligrapher for a time, and really enjoyed the process, but could see that I didn't have
the discipline to do it "right"--or at least to my own satisfaction. Then I saw an exhibit of letterpress printed cards at St.
Mary's in Moraga, and got excited about the "life" I saw on those cards.
I hunted around, and took two classes at CCAC
in Oakland; one was letterpress basics with Betsy Davids, and one was a more advanced class with Clifford Burke. In Clifford's
class I was the one who actually liked doing make-ready, and after working in Betsy's class, I became her apprentice. I served
as a board member for Pacific Center for the Book Arts for a couple of years, until I started having babies, which kinda created
a major interruption for the next uh . . . well, 17 years. My husband and I started a winery in 1986, and for a time, I actually
printed our labels, illustrated with linoleum cuts and wood engravings. At the moment, I've got plans to create a class for
high school students that would take them through the whole process of producing a book. During the last several years, I've
managed a few odd Christmas cards, and taught the arts and crafts segment of 4-H classes; I think the parents thought miniature books
and hand-made paper were a bit weird--they expected decoupage and lanyards, but hey! We all had fun!
Presses & Equipment:
I own a Vandercook SP-15, and little Pearl table top press, and a beautiful Golding Platen press.
Work History: I've done
loads of different things: waited tables, worked as a secretary, freelanced as a copy editor, and my favorite job of all was
working in an independent bookstore: Printer's Inc. Now, I'm a winery owner!
Education: Rhetoric major at U.C.
Berkeley
Other Interests/Hobbies: I'm a contra dance caller (New England style folk dance) and a musician; and I spin and
knit.
Group Memberships, if any: PCBA
Email Address: celiaelle@aol.com
Website: www.kentrasmussenwinery.com
