I have a thing for craft books. Obsession might be the right word.
I am trying to back-away from buying fiction (and non-fiction) paperbacks because we are running out of room and I am hoping to get an e-reader in the next couple months. But I don't think I will ever stop buying pretty craft books. I think it's the photos. Even when I don't do the actual step-by-step projects, I get so inspired my the images. Artists and crafters are smart people. They should all have books.
So my favorites from my collection are above. I have talked a lot about Quilts and Handmade Living the last couple days, so enough about those. (Though I will say, Handmade Living is not a how-to book. It's more of a magazine about adding handmade details into your home and office space. If you are looking for step-by-step craft projects, this not the book for you.)
Similar to it, but with how-tos is Crafting a Meaningful Home
by Meg Mateo Ilasco. I got this for Christmas and didn't really know what to expect. It features home decor projects from various bloggers and small business owners from across the US. I liked reading about them and thought the projects were pretty unique.
Simple Sewing
is by Lotta Jansdotter who also wrote Handmade Living. I have to be honest, I have not tried these projects yet. Part of that is because I bought the book before I knew how to sew because I though the pictures were so pretty. I really need to attempt some of the projects now that the quilt is done. She has an awesome fabric bag tutorial that I think is first on my list.
Printing by Hand
by Lena Corwin talks about all sorts of printing methods from carving your own stamps to printing on fabric to building your own screen printing screen. I have this and Lotta Prints
and while I like them both, I think Printing by Hand has more projects that I would actually attempt.
I have blogged about 5
before, but it's a favorite. Certainly not a craft book, but more of a life book. It's a fill in, write in, inspiration book. A good JUST START book.
Spilling Open
by Sabrina Ward Harrison is just eye candy. It's an art journal in book form and Sabrina is an artist that I really admire. I have looked through most of her books in book stores and they are all stunning. A collage on every page plus some pretty raw journaling. Good stuff.
Thinking with Type
by Ellen Lupton is one part history of type, one part design guide. I think it is actually used as a text book in some graphic design classes. I found it facinating especially after I learned how letterpress (the original type-setting) is done.
And last, Craft, Inc.
by Meg Mateo Ilasco. I think this book is very overwhelming if you are just getting started with running a small business, but also invaluable as far as things to consider and steps to take.
So that's my round up. Any other great books out there that I am missing? I can hardly wait until we have a little one on the way to pick up The Creative Family
and the rest of Amanda Blake Soule's books. Those are on my list for sure. There are also a lot of food/gardening books that I want to get once we have a backyard. Oh man, I love books.
*and disclaimer : I am an amazon affiliate so if you shop though the links provided, I do receive a small commission on purchases made. That said, these are my honest opinions and I was not paid to talk about any of the books mentioned.
