Making Handmade Books: 100+ Bindings, Structures Forms


Alisa Golden - 2011
    Thanks to the 100 ideas in this volume, the craft is now available to everyone. In as little as an afternoon, beginners will be on their way to folding, gluing, and sewing handmade books in a variety of shapes and styles, from rolled scrolls to Jacobs ladders, folded flexagons to case bindings. Complete with photographs of the authors own master books and statements by more than 40 established book artists, this collection is sure to inspire. Culled from the authors best-selling books Creating Handmade Books, Unique Handmade Books, and Expressive Handmade Books, these projects will fuel bookbinding adventures for years to come.

Chain Maille Jewelry Workshop: Techniques and Projects for Weaving with Wire


Karen Karon - 2012
    In Chain Maille Jewelry Workshop, you'll find more than two dozen techniques for making today's most popular chain maille weaves—from simple chains to beaded wonders to intricate Dragonscale.Jewelry artist and author Karen Karon pairs in-depth, step-by-step instructions with color illustrations that show exactly where to place the next jump ring. You'll also get a thorough but flexible approach to techniques that prove weaving can be done in a multitude of ways and demonstrations on “speed weaving,” which is ideal for large projects. Designs progressively increase in complexity, so every jewelry maker—beginner or pro—will find inspiration and projects that suite their skill level.What's more to love? Every chapter provides a unique jewelry project and a plethora of design advice, visual inspiration, shortcuts, tips, and tricks, as well as guidance for attaching clasps and findings. It's no wonder that Chain Maille Jewelry Workshop is the ideal resource for innovation and originality in chain maille jewelry making.

Sew Subversive: Down and Dirty DIY for the Fabulous Fashionista


Melissa Rannels - 2006
    The three twenty-something co-owners of Stitch Lounge, an urban sewing studio in San Francisco, teach you, in plain, fun language, how to do it, whether you're hand sewing, machine sewing, or, in a few cases, simply wielding a pair of scissors.The first three chapters lay the ground work: Hand Sewing Basics, You and Your Machine, and Gearing Up, which includes Fabric 101, how to set up a sewing space, and a run-through first project on the sewing machine. Then the fun begins with Embellishing and Customizing projects, including adorning your pant legs with ribboning, turning a computer-scanned image into an iron-on that you can apply to a t-shirt or skirt, taking in a skirt, or untapering a pair of pants (the authors believe tapered pants are the devil's work). Then move onto Refashioning: The Next Life of Your Old Clothes and turn a t-shirt into a skirt, a sweater into a halter top or legwarmers, or a pair of pants into a hip belt. There are 22 projects in all, some of which only require an iron and/or pair of scissors, while others can be sewn by hand, for those readers who haven't yet made the sewing machine plunge.

Alabama Stitch Book: Projects and Stories Celebrating Hand-Sewing, Quilting and Embroidery for Contemporary Sustainable Style


Natalie Chanin - 2008
    Alabama Stitch Book brings us a collection of projects and stories from her clothing and lifestyle company, Alabama Chanin, known for the cutting-edge twist it puts on tried-and-true sewing, quilting, and embroidery techniques, applied mostly by hand to recycled cotton jersey.This long-awaited book from Chanin begins with her story. After living in New York and Vienna for over 20 years, she began to transform cotton T-shirts into high fashion using the needlework skills she learned as a child in Florence, Alabama. When she moved home, Chanin hired local women (many of whom had worked in the state’s now defunct textile factories) to stitch her couture collections with her.What follows is a step-by-step guide to the stitching, stenciling, and beading techniques used in the 20 projects showcased in the book: T-shirts, skirts, and corsets that are sold at chic shops around the world, plus a journal cover, sampler quilt, and tablecloth, among others. Also included are a pullout stencil, perforated postcard for bead-embroidery, and reusable patterns. Throughout are Robert Rausch’s beautiful photographs set against the back roads, farms, and homesteads of the rural South.

Collage Lost and Found: Creating Unique Projects with Vintage Ephemera


Giuseppina Cirincione - 2006
    From a sailor missing the love he left ashore, to a school boy's crush on his teacher, the stunning pages of this book will inspire you to dust off the vintage ephemera you've been collecting for years and combine it with basic collage elements to create romantic pieces you can wear as well as display.In addition to delectable inspiration for a multitude of projects, you'll learn several practical techniques that can aid you in all your creative endeavors, including:Simple soldering techniques that anyone can do right awayThe art of layering with beeswax to add an intriguing depth to your workMagic tricks for turning metal repair tape into aged sheet metalIn-the-know sources for finding vintage ephemera, as well as tips for transforming new items into ones that appear to have stood the test of timeGive in to the seduction of the past. Let Collage Lost and Found take you to a world where collage sings to you of a simpler time where your creativity knows no bounds!

Good Mail Day: A Primer for Making Eye-Popping Postal Art


Jennie Hinchcliff - 2009
    Mail art is a collaborative art form with a long and fascinating history populated by famous artists as well as everyday practitioners. The term “mail art” refers to pieces of art sent through the mail rather than displayed or sold in traditional venues. Mail artists often use inexpensive and recycled materials including postcards, collage, rubber stamps, and photocopied images. Mail art is a truly international activity and a fun way to connect with people in every corner of the globe. Readers will learn to create decorated and illustrated envelopes, faux postage and artistamps, find penpals, make a mail art kit, and much more!

Steampunk Gear, Gadgets, and Gizmos: A Maker's Guide to Creating Modern Artifacts


Thomas Willeford - 2011
    Filled with do-it-yourself projects, Steampunk Gear, Gadgets, and Gizmos: A Maker's Guide to Creating Modern Artifacts shows you how to build exquisite, ingenious contraptions on a budget.Learn from Lord Featherstone as he distills his wealth of hard-learned skills, describes how to use the readily available tools of the modern mad scientist, and expounds on the art and philosophy of scavenging unique components and raw materials. The perfect companion for the hobbyist and advanced machinist alike, this inventive volume will guide you through the creation of your very own infernal devices.Get steamed with these provocative projects: Aetheric ray deflector solid brass gogglesCalibrated indicator gaugesFerromagnetic self-scribing automated encyclopedia (or, the Steampunk book drive)High voltage electro-static cannon (or, the lamp gun)Tesla-pod chrono-static insulating field generator (or, the mobile device enclosure)Altitude mask with integrated respiratory augmentationArmoured pith helmetMark I superior replacement arm with integrated Gatling gun attachmentVisit the companion website, www.mhprofessional.com/steampunk, for videos, images, and more bonus content!Make Great Stuff!TAB, an imprint of McGraw-Hill Professional, is a leading publisher of DIY technology books for makers, hackers, and electronics hobbyists.

Zentangle 3: With Rubber Stamps


Suzanne McNeill - 2010
    If you are new to the Zentangle process, you will enjoy other books in this series: 'Zentangle Basics', 'Zentangle 2', and 'Totally Tangled'. These intriguing patterns all begin by following the Zen of tangle basics - start with simple lines and fill in the spaces, one step at a time. There are no mistakes, only opportunities. Like life, the designs develop into something unique and beautiful as they grow. This inspiring book is packed with plenty of ideas for combining tangles to create rich and delightful graphics.

Cute Dolls


Aranzi Aronzo - 2007
    A full-color page of the finished dolls accompanies each character, along with large, easy-to-follow instructions and whimsical descriptions. Learn how to create 20 different characters in all, including favorites Sprite, Bad Guy, and Pinkie, and new additions Munky and Spritekin.

Sewing: Sewing for Beginners - Quick & Easy Way to Learn How to Sew with 50 Patterns for Beginners!


Kitty Moore - 2015
    You will ALSO get FREE ACCESS to Kitty's Premium Image Gallery, which contains images of all the crafts featured in ALL of her books! The free access links are inside the book. From the Best Selling Arts & Crafts Writer, Kitty Moore, comes Sewing: Sewing For Beginners (5th Edition) - Quick & Easy Way To Learn How To Sew With 50 Patterns for Beginners! This book will teach you the beginners techniques to sewing, with quick and easy beginners instructions. Along with 50 beginners' patterns! If you want to learn how to sew, but can't seem to grasp the basics... If you want a new hobby and sewing interests you... Or if the idea of receiving a full list of sewing instructions and patterns appeals to you... THEN THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU! This book provides you with a step-by-step beginners sewing guide to help you get started with your new hobby. This is also my 5th Edition of the book - after months of feedback and editing, my team and I have produced the MOST EFFECTIVE & BEST-SELLING Beginners Sewing book on Amazon! Some of the information provided in this sewing guide include: Learning About Your Sewing Machine Learn Parts Of Your Machine The Power Switch The Spool Pin The Thread Guide The Bobbin Winder The Stitch Adjustment The Thread Take-Up Lever The Tension Dial The Needle Clamp Screw The Presser Foot The Presser Foot Lever The Needle Plate The Feed Dog The Bobbin Cover And Bobbin Release Setting Up your Machine Sewing With Your Machine Sewing A Straight Stitch Sewing A Seam Sewing A Sharp Corner Selecting A Pattern Measuring & Cutting Out Material Lets Start Sewing! Baby Blanket Gardening Apron Kitchen Towel Head Scarf Simple Contrasting Tablecloth Easy As Pie Coin Purse Silk Handkerchief Easiest Kitchen Curtain Well, what are you waiting for? Download YOUR copy TODAY! Tags: sewing, beginners sewing, sewing patterns, sewing for beginners, sewing for kids, needlepoint patterns, needlepoint stitches

Slow Stitch: Mindful and Contemplative Textile Art


Claire Wellesley-Smith - 2015
    The pleasures to be had from slowing down can be many, with connections to sustainability, simplicity, reflection, and tuning into traditional and other multicultural textile traditions.Slow Stitch is a much-needed guide to adopting a less-is-more approach, valuing quality over quantity, and bringing a meaningful and thoughtful approach to textile practice.Claire Wellesley-Smith introduces a range of ways in which you can slow your textile work down, including:Using simple techniques inspired by traditional practice (including hand-stitch rhythms)Reusing and re-inventing materials (reuse even old textile projects)Limiting your equipmentMending revisited (practical and decorative techniques)Project ideas and resources that help towards making a more sustainable textile practiceRichly illustrated throughout, and showcasing work from the best textile artists who work in this way, this is a truly inspirational book for those looking to reconnect with their craft and to find a new way of working.

The Art of Polymer Clay Millefiori Techniques: Projects and Inspiration for Creative Canework


Donna Kato - 2008
    In Venetian glassmaking, slender rods of molten glass are shaped, then cut to reveal amazingly detailed patterns: flowers, geometric shapes, dancing colors. These slices are called millefiori, “thousand flowers,” because they form a carpet of flowers when placed side by side. Now celebrity author Donna Kato shows crafters exactly how to re-create these intricate, fascinating designs in polymer clay. The Art of Polymer Clay Millefiori Techniques reveals the entire process: how to work with the polymer clay, the basics of planning and creating a cane, and using color effectively. Dozens of canes, from simple to simply stunning, are included, and everything is clearly explained and illustrated with full-color photos, the Donna Kato way. Throughout the book, examples of stunning work by such millefiori artists as Kathy Amt, Pier Voulkos, and Kathleen Dustin provide inspiration. There must be a thousand ways to make beautiful millefiori . . . explore them all in The Art of Polymer Clay Millefiori Techniques.

Tasty Crochet: A Pantry Full of Patterns for 33 Yummy Treats


Rose Langlitz - 2009
    With over 30 crochet patterns on the menu, there's something here to please every palette. In addition to snack items that can be stitched up in a flash, you'll find: patterns to plan a meal for breakfast, lunch, dinner and even dessert; basic crochet techniques to get you started right away; and short "ingredients" lists to make finishing an item quick and easy. Whether they're play food for the kids or fun projects for you, you'll love increasing your daily fiber intake with Tasty Crochet!

The Handmade Marketplace: How to Sell Your Crafts Locally, Globally, and On-Line


Kari Chapin - 2010
    Learn to determine your cost of goods, set prices, identify the competition, and understand the ins and outs of wholesale and retail sales. Explore the various sales venues available, including independent craft fairs, Web sites such as Etsy, and traditional stores, and learn to maximize your visibility and sales in each one. Want to start your own website? Chapin shows you how to style and prop your crafts for photography and explains how the most popular Web marketplaces operate. You’ll find everything you need to turn your talent into profits.

Resin Alchemy: Innovative Techniques for Mixed-Media and Jewelry Artists


Susan Lenart Kazmer - 2013
    She explores creating artistic effects with:ColorFound objectsTextureCastingCollageAnd, more!It doesn't stop there! Learn how to incorporate stories, words, meaningful images, and more in the layers of your resin jewelry. Susan shares her wealth of tips for collecting great found objects and for layering and encasing stories-in short, how to bring both great technique and great imagination to bear on jewelry making. Throughout the book, you'll enjoy easy step-by-step projects and finished pieces.