{"id":60706,"date":"2017-04-18T14:52:59","date_gmt":"2017-04-18T18:52:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/?p=60706"},"modified":"2017-04-18T05:54:30","modified_gmt":"2017-04-18T09:54:30","slug":"oliver-s-building-block-dress-wins-a-benjamin-franklin-award","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2017\/04\/oliver-s-building-block-dress-wins-a-benjamin-franklin-award.html","title":{"rendered":"oliver + s building block dress wins a benjamin franklin award"},"content":{"rendered":"

We’re extremely happy to announce that Liesl’s latest book, “Oliver +S Building Block Dress: A Sewing Pattern Alteration Guide<\/a>,” took home a top honor recently at the Independent Book Publisher\u2019s Association\u2019s (IBPA) annual Benjamin Franklin Award ceremony. Nearly 1,400 entries were received this year in 55 categories, with a gold and two silver awards given in each category. Our book received a Silver Award in the Craft and Hobby category.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Building<\/a><\/p>\n

The book\u2019s graphic designer, Lindsie Bergevin, attended the awards ceremony on our behalf and shares her experience.<\/em><\/p>\n

I was so pleased to attend the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards Ceremony<\/a> in Portland on behalf of Liesl and Todd. This award is a great mark of distinction for the whole team, as it recognizes excellence in content and design for our work. The award is regarded as one of the highest national honors for small and independent publishers.<\/p>\n

The ceremony was part of a two-day conference, Publishing University<\/a>, put on by the IBPA at the historic Benson Hotel<\/a>. The hotel was gorgeous, with ornate ceilings, dark woodwork, intricate chandeliers and a lovely, old-world feeling.<\/p>\n

\"Benson<\/a><\/p>\n

Prior to the ceremony, a copy of each finalist\u2019s book was on display in a meeting room on the first floor. It was pretty inspiring to see the caliber of work in the finalists\u2019 books. Beautifully designed, they covered a wide range of topics and categories. And it was fun to see a book I designed sitting in the middle of all of them!<\/p>\n

\"Award<\/a><\/p>\n

A grand, sweeping staircase brought my husband and me to the ballroom where the ceremony took place. The room was filled with a variety of publishing professionals \u2014 authors, publishers, designers, photographers \u2014 and those at our table made for lively conversation throughout the evening.<\/p>\n

\"Awards<\/a><\/p>\n

Angela Bole, IBPA\u2019s Chief Executive Officer was the emcee for the evening. The Gold Winner in each category gave a little speech about their book and its journey. Each of them expressed a diligence and dedication to their topic and book that was inspiring.<\/p>\n

A delightful surprise during the ceremony was the harpist\u2019s choice of music between each category. She thoughtfully chose a few measures from recognizable songs that were related to the winner in each category. For example, prior to the Sports and Recreation category where \u201cThe 100 Greatest Baseball Autographs\u201d won, she played \u201cTake Me Out to the Ball Game.\u201d It was fun to guess the song and winner as each category was announced.<\/p>\n

I was also impressed with author Eric Sebastian Mindling\u2019s story of how \u201cOaxaca Stories in Cloth<\/a>\u201d originated from his two-year journey through Oaxaca, Mexico, to document the people of Oaxaca in their traditional clothing.<\/p>\n

\"Oaxaca<\/a><\/p>\n

It was an interesting and inspiring evening attending the awards ceremony, and it made me proud of the work we had done for the Building Block Dress book. It also inspired me to read more! Here are a handful of other finalists\u2019 books that I want to read now.<\/p>\n

\"Books<\/a><\/p>\n