Categories
Books Craft Inspiration

8 craft books to get you going (and keep you motivated!)

Is 2019 the year you want to try something new and be more creative? There are so many different crafts with so many different books on each one, that picking a place to start can feel overwhelming; and so you just never get round to doing anything. Sound familiar? Well hopefully this list will help! I’ve scoured this here tinternet and found various craft books that I think are fantastic for starting out, but perhaps more importantly, keeping you motivated. There’s nothing worse than being put off something you’re trying to learn because you’re just not inspired. So, here you go, 8 books to get your creative mojo going. Some are craft-specific, some are all-rounders, all of them are designed to spark your imagination and keep that creative flame lit!

1. The Craft Companion

A good all-rounder, this one has some extras to keep you inspired! Along with a range of different skills to learn, the book includes a brief history on each craft, projects to try, plus it shows you inspirational makes from talented artisans. Even the titles of the different sections make you want to dive right in: fibre – stitch – surface – form. Go on, talk crafty to me.
Price: £24.95
Motivation value: 9/10 – background, ideas and projects all in one place.

2. Homemade (101 Beautiful and Useful Craft Projects)

Filled to the brim with creative ideas from and for around the home. There’s a lot about reusing and re-purposing in here, which I’m a big fan of. I nearly always start projects by going through everything I’ve already got in the house and seeing what I can use. It’s a great way to reduce waste and make use of things that you don’t use in their current form. The book is seasonal, so it’ll keep you going all year. As well as a variety of projects, it offers advice for practical and basic crafts, such as sewing and knitting.
Price: £15.95
Motivation value: 8/10 – it’ll get you looking at everyday objects in a new light.

3. Paper Craft Home


Papercraft has got to be one of the most accessible crafts around. There is so much you can do with a blank piece of paper! It’s versatile, affordable and simple to pick up. This book contains a range of papercrafting techniques for you to try out, before moving on to various projects. There are even some templates in the back to help you get started on some of the trickier projects, so no need to feel overwhelmed.
Price: £10.99
Motivation value: 7/10 – it’s a fun book for if you just want to get stuck in to something quickly.

4. Craft: Techniques and Projects


Fairly traditional in terms of layout, pictures and projects, this book is another good all-round source for those who don’t know which craft will suit them. There’s a mix of projects from simple to in-depth, with good clear pictures alongside the explanations.
Price: £25
Motivation value: 8/10 – there really should be plenty in here that you want to have a go at.

5. Everything Oz: The Wizard Book of Makes and Bakes


Whether you’re a fan of The Wizard of Oz or not, this book is an absolute joy. It’s filled with a wide variety of projects, both in terms of different crafts and skill level. Most are practical, some are just plain fun; I mean, I don’t know when I’d ever need giant paper poppies but this book makes me want to make them. Along with baking, sewing and papercraft projects, there’s a ‘beauty’ section which contains recipes for making a simple body scrub and skin tonic. Yes please.
Price: £14.99
Motivation value: 7/10 – a good ‘coffee table’ book, you’ll want to keep looking through this one.

6. Conscious Creativity: Look, Connect, Create


A ‘marmite’ book, I think, and you’ll know whether it’s for you if the title appeals! If you feel you simply want to bring more creativity into your life on a basic level, this book is for you. It will get you looking at your everyday world and really seeing it; colours, shapes, light, shade, texture. Your brain will open up and you’ll start noticing these things for yourself. Think ‘Amélie’ as she dips her hand into a sack of grain to see what it feels like… only it’s a book…
Price: £14.99
Motivation value: 8/10 – though it is more motivation and inspirational creativity than making.

7. The Wood Carver’s Dozen

Beautifully presented. Suitable for absolute beginners, it goes through tools, materials and techniques. The projects are for making everyday items that will look beautiful in your home. Everything is made using hand tools, so there’s no fear of having to invest in expensive equipment.
Price: £15.00
Motivation value: 7/10 – this craft is hard work but well worth the effort.

8. Mollie Makes: How to Crochet

Crochet doesn’t seem to be dwindling in popularity, probably due to the fact that you don’t need much in the way of materials and tools and it doesn’t take up too much space (yet. Wait till you get hooked. Pun intended.) This book is simple and clear, with great pictures and tutorials, making it easy to follow for the absolute beginner. There are a few simple projects and some trickier ones, so it should keep you going a while.
Price: £9.99
Motivation value: 7/10 – the colourful pictures and examples of what you can do with crochet will keep you coming back.

 

 

Categories
Craft Craft fairs Inspiration

Craft stall displays: DIY & inspiration

The late May bank holiday will be my first craft fair of the year, a two-day event set in the lovely Castle Ashby Gardens. I’ve got my stock, I’ve got my table cloth, I’ve got my usual little baskets and things I’ve always used to try and display my wares appealingly; but I feel it’s time for a change.

Flore stall 3
A rather flat notebook display!

Now I’m doing this full time, I really need to step up my game – I actually have time work on the appearance of my stall and I intend to make the most of it. First stop – Pinterest! Obviously. I mean, where else?

My main issue is height – I sell mainly notebooks and want to have them all stood up so you can see the covers or the spines at least. This would take up a lot of space, so I started searching for ideas for little shelves or boxes for my books to go in/on. Height is great for any stall display, creating a more focal point for the browser. Remember, they’ll be going past rows of stalls and if everything you have is laid down flat on the table, they may well just walk on by; you need to get something in people’s eye line.

So. What did I find?

  • Stack ’em up! Cute little crates:

Coloured crates

 

You can often pick these up as leftovers from market stalls/supermarkets, if you’re on a budget, and paint them up or leave them plain and rustic. Even one would create a great feature, and could be used to display things inside as well as on top for that extra level.

  • Vintage Suitcase:

Vintage suitcaseThis person has done a great job of using the suitcase to maximum effect, creating levels of different items. The little sign strung across the top will catch the customer’s eye! If using a suitcase, be sure to make sure the lid is sturdy and doesn’t flop back.

  • DIY display stand:

DIY stand

This blog post is a great tutorial on how to make your own display stand – with just a few everyday craft tools and some cardboard.

  • Stacked trays and candlesticks:

Stacked trays

The initial costs for this one may be a bit higher, but this tiered stand made from painted trays and candlesticks will really stand out! (Click here for a little how-to from the creator)

Want more? I’ve just created a board on Pinterest dedicated to craft stall inspiration. YAY! Here it is.

Categories
Art Craft Inspiration Origami Paper

Weekly Inspiration – Origami as Art

It is said that origami (from the Japanese ‘ori’ (folding) and ‘kami’ (paper)) is the art of folding paper. Without getting too philosophical, does that make all origami art?!

Well, no, but some of it certainly ticks that box. Personally I like making things that either look pretty or are functional (flowers, hearts, boxes – the usual, in fact); while other people have actually challenged themselves. Go them! Note to self: challenge accepted.

Of course there are some really great articles to be found already on this subject- see here for one such article from the Huffington Post.

Here, though are my favourite finds and inspirations from the wonderful world wide web.

This awesome Parisian street ‘graffiti’:

Origami Street Art Graffiti

This cosmic 3D project, using folded paper, tape and lights:

3d-origami-art

This epic elephant, folded by Sipho Mabona (with a little help!) from a specially-made single sheet of paper:

origami-sculpture elephant

This totally fabulous dress:

Origami dress

And finally this great example of jewellery from the linen cat:

Origami necklace

Categories
Craft General Inspiration Stationery

Weekly inspiration – the craft room

Recently I’ve been thinking a lot about turning our teeny tiny bedroom into a craft room. The hardest thing is coming up with ideas. Where to start? The internet, of course. Just had a quick image search to get some inspiration and thought I’d share my favourites!