Carving Japanese Netsuke for Beginners

Library Journal (10/15/2011):
Netsuke—a traditional Japanese craft that originated in the 1600s—are popular today as miniature works of art. Jubb, a veteran woodcrafter who both collects and creates netsuke, introduces readers to the fine art of carving them. Many of the tools and materials will be familiar to woodworkers, so Jubb's main focus is on technique, including basic styles and shapes. Several different netsuke are presented from start to finish with step-by-step directions, and Jubb provides an inspirational gallery of objects created by master netsuke carvers. The creations featured in this book are striking; intermediate and advanced woodworkers will find both inspiration and instruction here. Copyright 2011 Reed Business Information.
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Sherri Haab Jewelry Inspirations: Techniques and Designs from the Artist's Studio

You're invited to bestselling author and crafter extraordinaire Sherri Haab's studio--where her inspired jewelry designs come to life. In "Sherri Haab Jewelry Inspirations, " you'll see just what makes Sherri's pieces special, from concept to creation. Supported by the detailed, step-by-step instructions that Sherri's readers and students have come to expect, these 25 projects will do more than teach you new techniques in jewelrymaking--they'll encourage you to seek out what inspires you.
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Inspirations in Design for the Creative Quilter: Exercises Take Your from Still Life to Art Quilt

As a best-selling author and teacher, Katie draws on her two passions-art studies and art quilts-to create abstract quilts that are inspired by still life compositions. In this book you'll learn how you can assemble a still life arrangement from your favorite items at home and transform it into an art quilt, even if you've never considered yourself to be an artist.
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Woodburning Project & Pattern Treasury: Create Your Own Pyrography Art with 70 Mix-And-Match Designs

Library Journal (03/01/2012):
Wood burning--drawing a design on wood with a special tool--can produce stunning works of art. Pompano, an artist whose love of nature drew her to wood burning, guides novices through basic tools and techniques, including selecting the appropriate materials and designing distinctive artworks. Much of the book is devoted to projects, including several beginner projects designed to introduce basic concepts, as well as a pattern treasury featuring mix-and-match elements and fully realized projects. VERDICT Pompano's expertise combined with the comprehensive information and wide variety of projects make this a fine addition to library collections. Copyright 2012 Reed Business Information.
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The Art of Resin Clay: Techniques for Creating Jewelry and Decorative Objects

Library Journal (03/01/2012):
Resin clay shares a number of characteristics with polymer clay, including ease of use and reasonable cost, but it isn't as commonly used. Experienced jewelry designer Haab ("The Art of Metal Clay") and her daughters, Rachel and Michelle Haab, introduce crafters to the basics of this versatile medium via a variety of jewelry projects using resin clay elements as a focal point or as a setting for other materials. The instructions include helpful photographs illustrating each step--ample guidance for crafters of all skill levels. VERDICT Crafters who enjoy polymer-clay projects may wish to explore the possibilities of resin clay, and this is an excellent entry point. Copyright 2012 Reed Business Information.
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The Art of Resin Jewelry: Layering, Casting, and Mixed Media Techniques for Creating Vintage to Contemporary Designs

The best-selling book on resin jewelry returns--now with an exciting bonus DVD featuring author Sherri Haab! The Art of Resin Jewelry still features the same great step-by-step directions for creating beautiful necklaces, pins, bangles, bracelets, earrings, and rings with affordable, approachable resin. Instructions show how to add colorants and other materials, how to cast three-dimensional forms, and how to combine resin with polymer clay for entirely new effects. And now this classic title comes packaged with an exclusive DVD, ready to light up screens across the country with three all-new projects plus a special gallery of inspiring jewelry designs. Now it's even easier for crafters at every level to create stunning resin jewelry--by watching an expert demonstrate her own signature techniques. 
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200 Fair Isle Motifs: A Knitter's Directory

Rather than launch in medias res, with colorful patterns of stranded color work to follow, designer Mucklestone preps the reader fairly well for tackling the intricacies of Fair Isle knitting. Nearly 40 pages explain, in words and color photographs, the foundations of the craft, from the favored yarn (Shetland wool, of course!) to alternate threads and equipment to the how-to's of getting the hues and sweater shapes just right. Tips are pragmatic and definitely worth remembering; for example, since most Fair Isle garments are block shaped, Mucklestone suggests switching to smaller needles to create a waist. Motifs graduate from 1 row and 2 stitches to 19 rows and 24 stitches. Each project includes the final knitted swatch (in color), charts for color and repeat suggestions, and, for the most complicated patterns, a mix-and-match minisection showing the different motif combinations. Booklist.
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The Knitter's Life List: To Do, to Know, to Explore, to Make

"This book strives to be a comprehensive guide to all things fiber for chicks with sticks, and guys, too. Steege (One-Skein Wonders), a fiberista for more than 50 years who raises her own sheep, gives a tour of how yarn makes it from a sheep's back to the sweater in the closet. Along the way are fascinating and informative side trips through the history of knitting, knitting techniques, and interviews with major knitting designers and teachers. The pictures and illustrations are both beautiful and informative and will inspire many projects. The novice knitter will find everything she needs to know and more about the basics, and the experienced knitter will discover new twists to the hobby. The appendix alone is worth the price of the book as it lists every major fiber festival, knitting guru, yarn manufacturer and pattern source mentioned in the book, complete with web addresses and contact information. This is a book the knitter will return to again and again. One can only pity the poor crocheters who must wait for their version." Publishers Weekly.
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Knit Your Own Cat: Easy-To-Follow Patterns for 16 Frisky Felines

"Muir and Osborne (Knit Your Own Dog) have followed up their popular book of knitted canines with a purr-fect sequel for cat-lovers. These cute creatures are surprisingly fast to knit, and the patterns run the gamut from the delicate, sophisticated Persian, to the stealthy, spotted Bengal, to the striped, loveable Tabby, among others. The book's sixteen patterns are divided into four sections: Long-haired, Short-haired, Exotic, and Street. Each pattern has a handful of fun tidbits about its featured feline, and offers lovely pictures of the finished project. The book also details options for knitting standing, sitting, lying down, or curled-up cats, as well as individualizing each cat with added accents like bells, bows, and collars. From fast-knit solo cats to full-blown menageries, these projects are a great way to turn yarn scraps into tiny cuddly companions." Publisher's Weekly.
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Transparency Quilts: 10 Modern Projects - Keys for Success in Fabric Selection

In this follow-up to Quilts Made Modern, you ll learn how to use traditional piecing techniques to create quilts with layered translucent effects. By distinguishing and balancing the subtleties of color in your fabrics, you can achieve remarkable results. Discover how the visual relationships between different colors make all the difference in your quilts.
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Creating Crystal Jewelry with Swarovski: 65 Sparkling Designs with Crystal Beads and Stones

Working with world-famous Swarovski crystal beads, author Laura McCabe creates luminous necklaces, earrings, pendants, and rings for beaders of every skill level. The author provides complete step-by-step instruction for 20 projects (10 for beginners) -- and presents 45 more in a photo gallery of design variations, teaching readers how to vary colors and shapes to create custom effects. All 65 designs are made with only three simple beadwork techniques: flat peyote stitch, tubular peyote stitch, and spiral rope. Laura McCabe also provides a chapter on making decorative embellishments, such as bezels, picots, berry clusters, and branch fringe. The concise instructions are illustrated with easy-to-follow illustrations.
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Sew What You Love: The Easiest, Prettiest Projects Ever

        30 surprisingly simple--yet delightfully charming--sewing projects!
Grand Revival designer Tanya Whelan's vintage modern aesthetic has made her fabrics and sewing patterns some of the most admired by sewers and quilters everywhere. In her first book, she presents a stylish collection of 30 easy-to-make sewing projects that are achievable by sewers of every skill level. Ranging from a pretty pleated clutch to a flirty French-inspired day dress and super-cute soft baby toys to a mistake-proof design-as-you-go quilt, each project comes with step-by-step instructions and illustrations, inspiring photographs, and helpful tips. These projects and patterns for children, adults, and the home are guaranteed to work well and produce a beautiful end result. Included are 3 pattern sheets enclosed in a handy pocket, providing everything you need to start stitching something you are sure to love. 
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Knitting Circles Around Mittens and More: Creative Projects on Circular Needles

Antje Gillingham, best-selling author of Knitting Circles around Socks and Knitting More Circles around Socks, expands her repertoire--and yours!--with this beautiful collection. Discover even more great reasons to love knitting--circular needles make it easy.
Choose from 12 refreshing designs. Find knitted mitten patterns (fingerless and regular) to keep you cozy, plus fabulous patterns for gloves, hats, and scarves. Stitch a variety of pairs in tandem--when you finish one, you've finished its mate .
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Folk Socks: The History & Techniques of Handknitted Footwear

Originally published in 1994, "Folk Socks" taught knitters in North America all about how to knit socks with Nancy Bush's careful instructions, charts, and illustrations. "Folk Socks" offers a collection of 18 sock patterns pulled from European and British traditions, including boot socks, Birkenstock socks, lacy stockings, kilt hose, cabled and clocked socks, and more. There is also a chapter on essential sock knitting techniques for heel turns, toe shaping, and top ribbing for knitters of all skill levels.
"Folk Socks" still contains the same in-depth history and the same step-by-step instruction from Nancy Bush that sock knitters have come to love and depend on. Now you can get this popular resource with updated information on new yarns as well as modifications that Nancy has learned since first writing this book.
A classic reference, now updated, this is a must-have for any sock knitter.
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60 More Quick Knits

This third book in the "60 Quick Knits" series ("60 Quick Baby Knits") focuses on projects knit in Cascade 220 Sport, an economical, sport-weight yarn available in a wide variety of colors. This collection includes 20 hats, 20 scarves, and 20 mittens knit via a variety of techniques, including cables, lace, stranded color work, intarsia, and double knitting. The majority of the patterns in the collection are designed for intermediate to advanced knitters, though the degree of difficulty listed on several of the projects seems inflated. Like other books in the series, these knits would make excellent gifts—there's plenty of style for a small investment of money and time. (Library Journal)
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Quilts from the House of Tula Pink: 20 Fabric Projects to Make, Use and Love

Inspired fabrics and designs await you in "Quilts From the House of Tula Pink"!
Welcome to the world of cutting-edge fabric designer Tula Pink, where clever quilts show off fanciful fabric, and your imagination can be let out to play. Featuring fabrics that you know and love, Tula offers 20 patterns with her signature flair for color, design and original style. Between 10 amazing quilts and 10 extra-cool companion projects, you'll be inspired to play with fabric, color and design in a way like never before!
Step inside to find: 10 large quilt patterns, perfect for the bedroom or snuggling on the couch.10 accessory sewing projects, like an embroidered lampshade and a fabric cuckoo clock, to make your everyday life extraordinary.Tips from Tula on choosing and combining fabrics, selecting a quilting motif, and even sketching your own fabric and pattern designs.Step-by-step illustrations (hand-drawn by Tula herself) and super-simple sewing techniques for successful quilt making.
Come on in to Tula's house for the ultimate in sewing, style and fabric innovation!
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