Stepping Softly variant 1 

Stepping Softly variant 1 was created with paper boxes, folded in the style of Chinese thread books, aka Zhen Xian Bao. Each box contains a loose 'page' of natural specimens encapsulated in sheets of mica. The boxes are mounted to both sides of an accordion structure, two per side, on alternation panels. The original text, by Alicia Bailey, is handwritten, in walnut ink, on the panels without boxes. The book block is attached to leather covered boards, held shut wih belly bands. The paper used for the boxes are multi-run relief prints of various leaves over dyed with cold water fabric dye. The accordion is rag printmaking paper, laser etched and over dyed. Covers are goat with back pared leather onlays, handmade paper onlays with cotton embroidery. Belly bands hold the book closed.