Monday, August 30, 2010

Back To School Book Week- Craft Books


i ran across this idea from the vintage chica while checking out some new blogs and decided i had to play along. my kids home school and this year we are making our own schedule, so while most of their friends have already gone back to school, mine have another week of lazy days. but it's close enough.

Monday is craft book(s) day and I'm not sure i can share just one. i suppose my collection is small compared to most out there, but still filled with some great stuff. i have jewelry books, stamping books, altered art books, sewing books and a sizable collection of various somerset magazines. but my new favorite is the book, Enchanted Adornments by Cynthia Thornton the creator of green girl studios.


i wasn't sure that i needed or wanted another jewelry book but when i sat down to look at it at borders one day i knew i needed it in my collection. in it she shares various techniques using metal clay, wire wrapping, resin, and all sorts of fancy bits. her explanation of each technique is thorough and easy to look at.


in the projects section she has a story for each piece, showing how they are unique to each character and offers alternative designs as well. and the entire book is saturated with sketches and paintings and wonderful tea-colored swirls to match the stories and the projects.

another favorite is Artist Trading Card Workshop by Bernie Berlin. i think i love it for some of the same reasons. she has very doable ideas with very easy to understand techniques and step by step pictures for each. and she has dozens and dozens of examples, which is always a plus with me.



the last new fav I'll share is Keeping A Nature Journal by Clare Walker Leslie and Charles E. Roth.


this is such a great book for beginners as it doesn't just say 'hey these journals are great and every great artist keeps one' and follow it by telling you how you have to set it up and what you have to draw. that would annoy me. no, the authors give a nice explanation of nature journaling and really keep everything on a low key level so that you feel as if anyone can do it.

they even share ideas of how to have a nature journal in any sort of weather or without even leaving your house. there are many many pages of simple sketches and paintings, exercises to try and some ideas on how to annotate. these ideas are presented in such an easy going manner that it really just makes you want to give it a try. i haven't even read half of the book through yet, i just love looking at all the sample pages and tips and ideas. there is also a section on teaching nature journaling, drawing techniques and journaling for children.


the kids and i will be making our own journals very soon and we are all excited about the possibilities. i just love the idea of taking some quiet time each week to really observe my environment and be a part of it. i think this will really help to improve drawing skills and the journals will make wonderful keepsakes as well.

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