Thank you of all the tips! I really need to try that. Would you recommend any sources for a decent book-cloth (I really like the one you used for the sides)? If anything decent comes out of this, I'll let you know.
The brown cover material that you see on the sides of the slipcase is a paper I bought at an art supply store. I do not recall who made the paper. It looks like wood grain but simply a decorated paper, not wood veneer. I buy most of my book cloth from a vendor in Brooklyn, NY called Talas. I think their web address is talasonline.com Hope this information helps.
I melted some scrap lead that I had and poured it into a cast iron skilled with wedge compartments for corn bread. Of course I no longer use the pan for cooking. Not that easy for everyone. I have filled small boxes with some scrap metal. I feel that I am always searching for the ideal weight to use. Hope you find some!
