THE UPPERCASE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF INSPIRATION
Beautiful Books to Inspire, Inform and Delight
At one time, encyclopedias were venerated as ultimate sources of knowledge. People saw the value in investing in these massive multi-volume sets, ordered through the post or from a door-to-door salesman, and they enjoyed the convenience and status of having a reference section in the comfort of their living room. Acquiring an encyclopedia was a commitment to education and learning.
These days, we have an overload of information at our fingertips. Certainly, with Pinterest and Instagram and blogs and podcasts, there is no shortage of visual inspiration for creatives. But as makers, we appreciate—we yearn—for the tangible. And we crave high-quality content that is lovingly curated instead of coming to us in random or algorithmic bits.
Coveting, owning and holding a beautiful and informative ink-on-paper inspiring tome… now that’s something that can’t be experienced virtually!
Since 2016, UPPERCASE has produced 9 gorgeous volumes, totalling 3,904 pages.
Introducing... Volume A: Art Supplies
Help crowdfund the next book!
The 10th volume in the UPPERCASE Encyclopedia of Inspiration is all about Art Supplies: the provenance, lore and enduring appeal of art-making ingredients, materials and accessories told through profiles of artists, artisans and manufacturers (independent makers and venerable brands with historical legacies). Lushly illustrated through photography and artwork, this exuberant edition will be a must-have volume in the UPPERCASE Encyclopedia of Inspiration.
The size and scope of this volume will be similar to Volume Y: Yarn-Thread-String (496 pages).
Volume A is planned to be released in May 2022.
The pre-order price includes free worldwide shipping.
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Jane Audas is a writer, journalist, curator and museum professional. She has written for magazines such as The World of Interiors, The Art Society Magazine, Vogue Japan, Crafts, Embroidery, HALI and is a core contributor to UPPERCASE. She has also contributed essays to several books on craft and design. Jane curated several exhibitions of contemporary craft including W is for Wallpaper and Under Your Feet: The Contemporary Rug at Ruthin Craft Centre, Wales. She studied design history all the way up to an MPhil at the Royal College of Art, where she specialized in the history of shops and shop display. Jane has also spent many years making digital things happen in exhibitions and on websites for museums like the V&A, Science Museum and Natural History Museum in London. janeaudas.com
Janine Vangool is the publisher, editor and designer of UPPERCASE. "My publications celebrate the process of making, the commitment to craft and the art of living creatively. My desire to create books from concept to design to production is born from my complete love of books. Holding and admiring them as objects, and writing, reading and learning—I love stepping into the worlds created within their pages." Prior to founding UPPERCASE, Janine worked as a freelance graphic designer for arts and culture clients. She also owned a gallery and papergoods shop, sold a line of greeting cards wholesale, handmade 10,000 books (with lots of help!) and taught typography at a college level.
CREATIVE AND CURIOUS
The ethos of the Encyclopedia of Inspiration series is that all volumes are of interest to creative and curious people—we are multi-passionate and find inspiration in all variety of topics, artistic mediums and creative expressions. It is precisely this diversity of topics, eclectic content and interesting juxtapositions that make the series so inspiring! You'll definitely want them all in your creative library!
Quality
Books in the Encyclopedia of Inspiration are beautifully printed in Canada on 100% post-consumer recycled paper stock (interior pages). They come with a bellyband and a dust jacket that can be folded to reveal one of four different designs—a feature that has become a signature of this book series.
Independent
UPPERCASE is an independent publisher. Our books are not available in big box stores or on Amazon. We do not have a book distributor in North America and the majority of our book sales are made directly via our online shop.
Stages
When you order a book, you're supporting the many months (years, sometimes!) of work required to make these books: curating, writing, editing, designing, prepress, printing—each of these stages is a vital part of the process. Pre-ordering forthcoming books helps fund these stages along the way and ensures that the book has an appreciative audience waiting for its release. Sign up for my newsletter for information about upcoming volumes.
Proven
UPPERCASE (Janine Vangool) is known for creating quality books and magazines. The magazine has been published consistently every quarter since 2009. UPPERCASE has a proven track record of getting things done, beautifully and as promised!
Ephemera and Print/Maker are currently out of print.
Click on their images below to register your interest in a reprint.
Thank you for your support!
I'm working on ideas future volumes—please sign up to keep in touch!
Book binders have created unique bindings for some of these titles. You can view the projects at the links below.
Thank you to Todd Pattison for organizing this initiative.
Ephemera Bindings
Vintage Life Bindings
Quilted Bindings