I have had this book on my nightstand for quite sometime now and kept meaning to talk about it, but wanted to be able to take some time with it first. What a great book! I'm sure many of you already own it since a lot of bloggers have reviewed it and talked about it - I'm on the late side, I know, but wanted to share my thoughts on it, just in case you don't have it yet!
This is a truly modern take on the how-to craft book. Tsia Carson has taken the fact that crafting and making things has become so poplular and not in an old-fashioned kind of way - in a hip, cool way. Lots of younger people are making things and these things are taking crafts to a whole new dimension. I really enjoyed her sections on yarn - spinning, kool-aid dyes (I do spin, but I can't wait to try the kool-aid dyes - great colors!) and knitting. The writing is very informative and non-intimidating. I really like the flower brooch idea - I love to felt things and will definitely be making some of those! I also thought her fabric and thread projects were great - though I sew and embroider a lot, these are some new ideas that I found really interesting.
In other sections (which I know less about, subject-wise), I thought the cut paper mobile was great - I am fascinated by paper and all the things that are possible with it. I also thought the piece on etching glass was great and something to try. I also would make the message board project - so cool!
All in all, for the larger projects, that involve building and stuff, those just aren't up my alley, but I think it's great to include them in this overall craft project book. There is definitely something, or lots of things, for everyone and I also felt as though the book is a great "jumping off" point for further ideas. It shows how to think outside of the box and that's what Tsia and her crafty contributors have done!
Another great craft book that I ordered from the UK, though I think it will be available in the US shortly is The Crafter's Companion (you can also order it from Amazon UK). Such a cute book and so amazingly inspiring! Anna Torborg, the editor, interviewed many inspiring women who are artists and craftswomen and included the interviews and projects from each woman in this book. It includes many bloggers who I'm sure you're familiar with - including Amy Karol, Fiona Dalton, Hillary Lang, Sarah Neuburger and Mariko Fujinaka just to name a few - all of them are wonderful. The projects are fantastic and I can't wait to try them. In fact, there is a Flickr group just for people making Crafter's Companion projects! I loved reading about these amazing women, getting glimpses into studios and seeing their projects. There is also a Resource page and a page on Starting Your Own Blog - with some great tips! What a great idea and a great book!
I'm not a great book reviewer, but I just thought I'd share my thoughts with you on these two books which I really enjoyed and will turn to for projects and inspiration.
On another book-ish note - I have been so inspired by the book blogs I've been reading lately and have actually been doing a lot more reading that I decided to start a little (very little) book blog - it's called Reading at the Nest. Hope you'll come by and visit - I'd love to know what you're reading, what you're planning on reading and what you have to say about books in general.
