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 10 gorgeous volumes, totalling 4,352 pages.
Freshly Printed!
Volume A: Art Supplies
Released June 2022
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.
Pre-orders placed before end-of-day May 15, 2022 (MDT) were shipped in June directly from the printer by publications mail (no tracking). Subsequent orders are shipping from the fulfillment warehouse. You'll receive an automated notice when the shipment leaves the warehouse.
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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 out of print.
Click on their images below to register your interest in a reprint.
Feed Sacks (2016, reissued through Martingale 2019), Botanica (2017, reprinted 2020), Stitchillo (2017, reprinted 2021), Print/Maker (2018), Ephemera (2019), Vintage Life (2019), Quilted (2019), Ceramics (2020), Yarn-Thread-String (2021), Art Supplies (June 2022)
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
Below: Yarn Thread String embroidered binding by Jessica Ebert, June 2021
