Craft Books: Editor's Picks

When is the last time you saw a craft book with 65 quick, stylish projects in it? But there's even more than that to this book. It's about friendship, community and inspiration. In addition to the two authors, you'll hear from members of several craft groups and see the fun things they get into with each other. Favorite projects include a matchbox serenity garden, polymer clay salt and pepper shakers, and a hand-woven scarf. Call up your girlfriends, plug in your glue gun, and enjoy!

Even if you haven't hopped on the altered-books bandwagon yet, you can be inspired by this book. It's useful to altered book artists, but it goes beyond books (and artists, even) to include...well...everything. Claudine Hellmuth's introduction says it all: "It's all about play," and she notes rightly that once you begin in collage, you'll start to see possibilities in every little bit and scrap. You'll never see an orphaned earring or a pitiful little sliver of ribbon the same way again! The author includes a the basics that you'll need--glues, paints and various mediums and applicators--and shares background info about some techniques you can incorporate into your collage, such as antiquing, transfers, beeswax and other background techniques. Most of the things she mentions--nail polish remover, crayons, an iron--you've already got around the house, but she also provides a very long list of other places where you can find bits and baubles for your collages. There's even a dozen projects to get your started. It's got to be the most liberating and least-intimidating craft there is; there's no right or wrong and anything goes, literally. Can't sew, knit or crochet? Can't paint or draw? You're not off the (crafting) hook yet, my dears.

I've always had a passion for blank books. I try to resist, but I find myself buying a new one every six months or so--and I'm still working on filling up the second one I bought a few years ago. This book has inspired me to get busy, though! Paint, draw, write, glue, stamp--once you get past the idea of a blank book being destined for a written journal, the possibilities are endless. It can be a journal, sure; but it can also be a collage book, a sketch book of drawing and paintings, an altered book (especially for book preservationists who don't like the idea of altering real, printed books), an extraordinary recipe book, or just about any other book you can imagine.

Ever fallen in love with a stamp? So much so that you want to wear it around your neck? Not literally of course, but sometimes you find a stamp that's so beautiful, it is pretty enough to wear...Fortunately, this book shows you how to do just that, turning stamped images into jewelry. Projects for shrink plastic, stamping and clay are sure to get your imagination running wild--and they all look so simple! The book also shares primers for basic jewelrymaking techniques, including how to make a jump ring, eye pin, spiral, clasp, coil and more, plus how to use wire and wire tools. Most of the projects are in sets of earrings, necklace and bracelet or brooch, etc.--perfect for showing how to alter various ideas to suit your desires. A wonderful, well illustrated book.

If your fridge is full and you can't even see the cork on your corkboard anymore, you need this book! How proud would a child be to see their art adorning a cup and saucer, an apron, a pillow or tablecloth? Turn their little masterpieces into permanent works of art and fabulous gifts. In addition the book is full of fun little snippets of information, like how crayons are made and who invented finger painting.

I'm still amazed from my first experience with silver metal clay about a year ago. Who would have imagined that you can turn a small, chewed-gum-looking piece of clay into beautiful, completely one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry? It's so simple yet so daunting to me at the same time--but this book shows just how simple it can be. Learn to work with, fire and finish the metal clay, plus how to add polymer clay, gems and glass to your work. Make beads, rings, bracelets, pendants and earrings, plus boxes and decorative objects. I can honestly say it's more simple than you'd imagine and it's truly magical to see the clay turn into gleaming precious metals.

The title of this book leaves little to the imagination; it really is 30 techniques to transform polymer clay into faux-anything--faux bone, faux leather, faux pewter, faux gemstones, faux marble and more. And then, once you have the technique, there's a project right there for you to try it out on--one for each technique. This isn't a book for beginner polymer clay artists, but if you are familiar and comfortable with clay, this book will be as indispensable to you as your pasta machine no doubt already is.

That's right, 50 different vase projects in one book. It's a florist's dream, for sure--but loads of fun for a crafter as well. From very modern or vintage looking pieces to very unique works of art, there's a wide variety of styles to spark your creativity. Beaded, stamped, mosaic and metal-leafed vases are just the beginning, and most of these projects can be completed in about four or five steps. There's truly something here for every style and taste. And what a unique gift a handmade vase would be!

I had the pleasure of meeting the authors of this book and seeing them creating projects from the book at the recent Hobby Industry Association trade show. Liquid polymer clay is, in my mind, similar to metal clay in that it's just amazing! The Mitchells were making beautiful beads and jewelry when I spoke to them, but the 20-plus projects in the book encompass much more than that, including frames and other home accessories. Once you learn the basic techniques, the sky is the limit. And don't underestimate the phrase "basic techniques"--there seem to be dozens, including marbling, decoupage, enameling, cloisonne, stained glass, mosaics, glazing, veneers, lampworking, transfers...

Isn't it a wonder what a little sparkle here and a few dangles there can do for a room? Beaded accessories are all the rage, but one problem I've found is they aren't always the right style or color scheme for my house...problem solved! This book shows 16 gorgeous projects that can all be modified with different beads to suit your home and taste. Lampshades, boxes, napkin rings...tassels, pillows, frames...ornaments, placemats and several candle decor projects--all in one beautiful book.

"Reuse, recycle, and renovate!" is the theme for this book, and just look what a little paint can do! In 20 projects, you'll learn to make over windows, drawers, doors and more with paint and decorative painting techniques or stencils. Turn a door into a bench, a window into a work of art, a drawer into a serving tray.