WHAT BETTY GRABLE GAVE by IVY ALVAREZ

What Betty Grable Gave by Ivy Alvarez

(2011)

Ivy Alvarez made this Tiny Book at a 2011 bookmaking workshop in Cardiff. Here's a description of the workshop:

The workshop, held at Craft in the Bay on Lloyd George Avenue, was described thusly: "You are invited to book a place on our forthcoming creative workshops in which you can learn how to make unique miniature books with the help of artist Becky Adams."  

"Becky will be showing you how to cut and fold card/recycled papers to create small books - these may have internal sleeves for keeping things in, pop-out sections - it is really an opportunity to try out a few techniques that are are all very easy to continue with at home if you wish. The afternoon session will be open to new participants and to those wishing to make a full day of it - some of the book designs do require longer. Becky has said she is happy for people to bring along any photos, text, fabrics etc that they would like to include in their work. She will be providing a huge resource of materials for you to choose from also."

Here are images of her enchanting Tiny Book as it unfolds:

Ivy was generous enough to share the text of her poem:

What Betty Grable Gave I say a lot of things in the day I rein in at night. My hair a moon’s nimbus, a lover said. He was nice. But not enough. Even one other person can feel like a crowd. To say it is incantation: Pangasinan. Cicadas join in to chant it. Crickets. Frogs. A throaty song. Fireflies drag their nets of light. Then the sky dies to dark. Star-wash on skin crusts like salt. I bare my legs to mosquitoes. It’s not their fault they need to eat. Let them feed. I am full-blooded. And there is more of me to give.

The poem is also in her chapbook Hollywood Starlet (dancing girl press & studio). As well, the poem was translated into Spanish for the anthology Alquimia de la Sal, edited by Santiago Aguaded Landero (Amargord Ediciones).