Bibliocraft: The Modern Crafter's Guide to Using Library Resources to Jumpstart Creative Projects

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Pigza, a rare-books librarian at the New York Public Library, connects her two passions--libraries and crafting--in this collection of book-inspired craft projects. Each project uses books and library collections (often vintage) as a jumping-off point, turning things as commonplace as marbled endpapers into a pretty sewn pouch or drawing inspiration from children's book illustrations for a fanciful child's dress. Photographs of the primary sources that provided ideas for the projects are incorporated, allowing crafters to see the "ancestry" of each item. Pigza has assembled quite the cast of crafting luminaries, such as Gretchen Hirsch ("Gertie's New Book for Better Sewing"),

Arts & Crafts of the Islamic Lands: Principles, Materials, Practice

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Created by tutors from The Prince's School of Traditional Arts in London, this book focuses on the creation of traditional Islamic art forms. The materials, methods, and tools are analytically approached in this publication, which is more a pattern book than a historical review. The work opens with a discussion of the importance of geometry, and then details the creation of pigments, gesso, brushes, and paper. It demonstrates the application of gilding, along with the creation of works of calligraphy, carving, painting, parquetry, ceramic, mosaic, and glass. Images of the steps for everything from creating a squirrel-hair brush to applying and burnishing gold leaf emphasize the focus on craft. Overall, this is a practical, modern, how-to volume, chock-full of photos. It is an excellent resource for art students and those interested in learning how to select the necessary tools and how to create traditional Islamic art

Wise Craft: Turning Thrift Store Finds, Fabric Scraps, and Natural Objects Into Stuff You Love

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Stocker, author of the popular Wise Craft blog, specializes in easy-to-make crafts using repurposed materials. This collection features 60 new projects employing a variety of techniques, from hand quilting and weaving to papercraft and collage, intended to bring new life to worn-out objects. Library Journal (03/01/2014)

Teach Yourself Henna Tattoo: Making Mehndi Art with Easy-To-Follow Instructions, Patterns, and Projects

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Color your world with the fabulous art of henna tattoo.Mehndi, also known as henna tattoo, is a traditional Middle Eastern art used to adorn the body for weddings and other special celebrations. Today, readers everywhere can join in the beauty and fun of mendhi with this simple book of patterns and instructions for the body and even home decor objects!

Knit Your Own Zoo: Easy-To-Follow Patterns for 24 Animals

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Muir and Osborne (Knit Your Own Dog, Knit Your Own Cat) have once again assembled a collection of irresistible knitted animals. This book does exactly what it says it does, offering patterns for a veritable menagerie of miniature creatures. Patterns detail familiar animals such as the elephant and crocodile, as well as such less familiar animals as the anteater or meerkat. With the clever use of pipe cleaners, these animals can stand, sit, sprawl, or, in the case of the Fruit Bat, hang from the rafters. Fun details include fringe of all types, from lion manes to orangutan fur, and color work that replicates zebra stripes, leopard spots, and even mandrill coloring, among others. Two mother-and-child duos are especially darling: a seal and pup, and a kangaroo with removable joey. Patterns require focus but are, as described in the book's subtitle, easy to follow. Devotees of knitted creatures will find a lot to love in this collection. Publishers Weekly (01/20/2014)

Paper to Petal: 75 Whimsical Paper Flowers to Craft by Hand

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Make playful party decorations, luscious bouquets, and sophisticated floral centerpieces with inexpensive tissue and crepe paper. "Paper to Petal" walks you through the easy basics of transforming simple materials into a vibrant display of fanciful handmade blooms suitable for every occasion.