reed prep

Before the reeds are inserted they are straightened by steaming with an iron.

Then the ends are sanded to remove sharp edges.

Here is a before and after shot.

Does that image remind anyone else of Constructivist art? The Museum of Modern Art has a great online exhibit, The Russian Avant-Garde Book 1910-1934, that has some cool Constructivist graphic design. I'm no Rodchenko, but maybe you can see what I'm talking about.