The Puget Sound Book Artists are new booking-making kids on the block. While book arts groups do already exist in the region, they largely have events in Seattle. And sometimes that's just too far away. Luckily, Puget Sound Book Artists (PSBA) is here to focus specifically on the South Sound - and rock the world of artistic books.

So bust out your Coptic bindings, your case-bound cache and your accordion-folded amazements and join in the fun. If you don't know what those things are, that's OK too. You can still join.

PSBA just recently started and is headed up by President Rochelle Monner, Vice President Jane Carlin and a board of directors. The group was formed after a series of chance meetings by Monner, Carlin (by day, director of the University of Puget Sound library) and other book enthusiasts.

"In 2006, Lynne Farren, a well-known Tacoma mixed-media artist and I thought it would be fun to ask some of our friends to meet and explore the world of book arts," says Monner. "Many of our members met Jane Carlin at King's (Books) when she came to participate in Wayzgoose activities shortly after her arrival in Tacoma. Our common interests in all aspects of book arts were instrumental in the formation of the Puget Sound Book Artists."

"Puget Sound Book Artists is comprised of amateurs and professionals from all quarters of the book arts field for the purpose of creating a spirit of community among handworkers in the books arts and those who love books," says Carlin. "We also strive to increase educational opportunities for private individuals as well as institutions and other organizations, fostering excellence through exhibitions, workshops, lectures and publications."

"The thrill of being published is the same no matter how old you are," adds Monner. "The variety of formats, techniques, and materials available today provide a wealth of opportunity for exploration in all aspects of book art."

While PSBA is still in its formative stage, events are starting to take shape - the most common of which are what they call Play Days. Currently bi-monthly, and at varying locations, Play Days are essentially free time to work on a project, talk to other artists, ask questions and view the samples others have brought.

Of Puget Sound Book Artists, Carlin says, "There is no one focus.  Members bring their expertise and experience."

Whether you want to make cards or artistic books or more functional hard-cover books, it's likely you will meet someone else who can help you along your way.

Up-coming events hosted by the PSBA include a lecture on March 16 by Laura Russell, a book artist and gallery owner from Portland. Starting in June or July, the first member exhibits will be on display in the Collins Library on the UPS campus. In June the members of the group will be teaching a book-design workshop as part of the Puget Sound alumni reunion weekend.

"We are working at building our membership base and launching a web site - so in a way, we are a work in progress," says Carlin. "Our goal is to make membership and events as accessible as possible, but fees are needed to maintain the organization and of course, support guest lecturers, et cetera."

PSBA event and membership information is available through the Tacoma Art Listserv or by contacting Carlin at jcarlin@puetsound.edu. PSBA is also on Facebook.