Regarding storing and re-using blocks: While in Kyoto I saw thousands of blocks still in their sets just tied up with string. I usually just wrap them up in some newsprint, label them and store them sitting on top of each other in the basement, which is dry.
But now I am beginning to look like Kyoto. I'm thinking that I will never print that print again anyway because I have moved on. You can't really paint the same exact painting again, if you are a painter. So why save all those blocks just because I'm a printmaker? Just in case I get the hankering to reprint the same exact print? I don't want to.
I was taught to deface my blocks and plates when I was done with them - although I never have. Seems rather rude.
So I've been thinking, why not make new prints out of them? Recycle them. Make something new out of them - either a print or maybe a piece of furniture. I even saw a bento picnic box made out of old blocks! Stained dark with gold on the relief. It was beautiful!
Linda
http://www.lindajbeeman.com
http://lindabeemanprintmaker.blogspot.com