Showing posts with label upcycling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label upcycling. Show all posts

Thursday, August 18, 2016

Nine Unexpected Craft Books

Crafts can be an amazing way to relieve stress. The creativity, the focus, the repetitive actions -- the entire process can create a calming atmosphere that makes your daily cares seem miles away. Although, these are exactly the same reasons that you might find your typical craft projects unbearably boring. Never to fear! We've gathered a few of our newest (and quirkiest!) craft books together to help you find your crafting inspiration.

DIY, Dammit!: a practical guide to curse-free crafting by Joselyn Hughes
(745.5 HUG) A comedian-turned-crafter, and creator of the popular web series DIY, Dammit!, shares what she's learned the hard way, in a full-color illustrated guide to DIY crafting that includes 35 projects -- including a dog bed, "Cutie Pie" pillows, and a beer poncho -- as well as a helpful list of resources.


The Organic Artist: make your own paint, paper, pigments, prints, and more from nature by Nick Neddo
(702.84 NED) It's time to go back to basics! If you're interested in art, but find that it's becoming an increasingly expensive hobby, The Organic Artist is just the book for you! It encourages us all to return to those days when art was made with all-natural materials, such as charcoal and birch bark. Immersing you in the natural world, The Organic Artist seeks to inspire creativity by connecting you to your organic roots.

Little Felted Dogs: easy projects for making adorable pups by Saori Yamazaki
(745.5924 YAM) Whether they adore their pugs, or wish they had a Pomeranian, dog lovers of all stripes will fall in love with these miniature versions of two dozen beloved breeds. Simple needle-felting instructions require only a small amount of wool and are easy enough for crafters to customize an homage to their own adorable mutts.

Handmade Lampshades: beautiful designs to illuminate your home by Natalia Price-Cabrera
(745.5932 PRI) This book is bursting with inspirational images, tips and ideas. Sixteen contemporary projects are covered in useful step-by-step tutorials.

Animal Heads: trophy heads to crochet by Vanessa Mooncie
(746.434 MOO) A collection of trophy animal head patterns to crochet to add whimsy to any room in your home. Featured are 10 faux taxidermy projects and detailed hand-drawn charts for each, along with a comprehensive techniques section to help you learn all the skills necessary.

Ancient Worlds, Modern Beads: 30 stunning beadwork designs inspired by treasures from ancient civilizations by Mortira vanPelt
(745.5942 VAN) In Ancient Worlds, Modern Beads, ancient inspirations meld with contemporary styles to create stunning jewelry projects for today's beading enthusiast. Author vanPelt offers readers 30 craft projects that are just perfect for both novice and experienced beaders.


The Art of Paper Weaving: 46 Colorful, Dimensional Projects by Anna Schepper
(745.54 SCH) Originating in Germany and refined in nineteenth-century Denmark and Norway, the charming, time-honored craft of paper weaving has been transformed by virtuoso paper crafters Anna and Lene Schepper into a modern art form with an amazing array of creative possibilities.

Subversive Cross Stitch: 50 F*cking Clever Designs for Your Sassy Side by Julie Jackson
(746.443 JAC) Tired of cheerful little bears and angels on frilly bookmarks and samplers that just don't do your sense of self-expression justice? Jackson has just the solution with her in-your-face cross stitch designs.

Knit Your Own Dinosaur by Sally Muir
(746.432 MUI) Sally Muir and Joanna Osborne are back with a new title in the Best in Show series. This time they have turned back time and delved into the fascinating prehistoric world with a collection of new patterns for dinosaurs and other creatures.

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Tech Thursday: Hacking a Typewriter


It took some time, but a computer scientist turned his old typewriter into a printer that also plays percusssion! Follow this link to get more information and hear the typewriter play along to "Typewriter Symphony".


Interested in hacking or repurposing something old into something new? Take a look at these books.



The Geek Dad's Guide to Weekend Fun: Cool Hacks, Cutting-Edge Games, and More Awesome Projects for the Whole Family by Ken Denmead


Remake It Clothes: The Essential Guide to Resourceful Fashion: With Over 500 Tricks, Tips and Inspirational Designs by Henrietta Thompson and Neal Whittington


The Repurposed Library: 33 Craft Projects That Give Old Books New Life by Lisa Occhipinti


Upcycling: Create Beautiful Things with the Stuff You Already Have by Danny Seo and Jennifer Lévy