Craftfulness by Rosemary Davidson

Title: Craftfulness: Mend Yourself by Making Things

Author: Rosemary Davidson, Arzu Tahsin

Publisher: Harper Wave 2019

Genre: Nonfiction Creativity

Pages: 198

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library Love; Creativity

Integrating mindfulness, neuroscience, positive psychology, and creativity research, Craftfulness offers a thought-provoking and surprising reconsideration of craft, and how making things with your hands can connect us to our deepest selves and improve our well-being and overall happiness.

We should get this out of the way: Craftfulness is not a “crafting book.” Rather, it is an investigation of the wisdom generations of men and women know to be true: that making things is a vital means of self-expression, self-realization, and self-help that sparks the mind, touches the soul, and rejuvenates the spirit.

I was intrigued by this book sitting on my library New Releases shelf. Unfortunately I found the delivery to be super dry. I just wasn’t super excited reading the passages. So not the best book I’ve picked up lately.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Art Journaling Books Review

Instead of reviewing them individually, I'm doing quick reviews for these three crafting books.

Title: The Complete Decorated Journal: A Compendium of Journaling Techniques

Author: Gwen Diehn

Publisher: Lark Crafts 2012

Genre: Nonfiction - Art

Pages: 240

Rating:  3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nonfiction Adventure (perpetual); 52 Books - W32

Now two of the most successful books by Gwen Diehn, The Decorated Page and The Decorated Journal, are bound together into one comprehensive and inspiring volume. The combined contents offer readers an unmatched collection of great ideas and techniques, from the latest supplies (papers, adhesives, paints, pens) to innovative layouts (mandalas, diagonals, cutouts, grids). Sidebars highlight specific genres, such as pillow books, nature journals, and illuminated manuscripts. Plus, newly added content includes journaling artist profiles along with galleries of their work, new techniques, and a new project where readers learn to make a journal from a butter box.

Interesting ideas, but I don't think that art journaling is for me.

Title: Creative Lettering: Tips and Techniques from Top Artists

Author: Jenny Doh

Publisher: Lark Crafts 2013

Genre: Nonfiction - Art

Pages: 144

Rating:  4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nonfiction Adventure (perpetual)

Hand-lettering techniques are a popular and visually dynamic way to add textual elements to crafts, from journals to mixed-media art. Sixteen accomplished contributors—including calligraphers, painters, collagists, card makers, fiber artists, and graphic designers—give their personal perspectives on lettering. They all offer their favorite tools, how they use them, their signature technique with step-by-step instructions and photos, and an alphabet sampler of their own font. Gorgeous gallery images of each contributor's work are also included.

I love reading about the featured artists and techniques. The examples are amazing and beautiful. After reading the book, I am going to keep creative lettering in mind. Right now, my creative plate is full, but this is a great book to get started.

Title: The Crafter's Devotional

Author: Barbara R. Call

Publisher: Quarry Books 2010

Genre: Nonfiction - Crafts

Pages: 324

Rating:  3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nonfiction Adventure (perpetual)

There is something elemental shared among artists and crafters, regardless of chosen medium: creative energy. Crafters dabble, collaborate, muse, and make, all in their own way and on their own timeline. For all crafts, there are established techniques to follow but wild, innumerable ways to experiment, using the basics to launch crafters to new heights. Crafter’s Devotional can aid that launch. Each day of the year is given its own focus, on which the reader will find a daily dose of craft content that inspires, instructs, and illuminates.

A fairly interesting book. I liked flipping through the pages and reading snippets of the entries. Unfortunately, this book is just not to my style. So interesting, but not amazing.

Crafty Book Reviews

Title: Handmade to Sell: Hello Craft's Guide to Owning, Running, and Growing Your Crafty Biz

Author: Kelly Rand, Christine Ernest, Sara Dick, Kimberly Dorn

Publisher: Potter Craft 2012

Genre: Business; Crafts

Pages: 176

Rating:  5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nonfiction Adventure; Mount TBR; Well Rounded - Self Help

No one knows more about helping handmade businesses than Hello Craft, the nonprofit trade association for crafty entrepreneurs. Written by the directors of Hello Craft, Handmade to Sell is the most complete, up-to-date, and authoritative guide for DIYers seeking to learn every aspect of selling, marketing, and branding. 

A very thorough guide for those serious about making crafting a full time business.  I'm not there yet, but I did pick up a few pointers and concerns throughout.

Title: How to Sell Your Crafts Online: A Step-by-Step Guide to Successful Sales on Etsy and Beyond

Author: Derrick Sutton

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin 2011

Genre: Business; Crafts

Pages: 224

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nonfiction Adventure; Mount TBR

With over 400,000 sellers on Etsy, how can you make YOUR shop stand out and increase your sales? This is a key question for many crafters and artists who are selling online these days. Now here are all the answers and much more from author and Etsy seller Derrick Sutton. Based on his self-published guide, and drawn from his practical experience, you will learn how to boost your Etsy sales, attract more customers, and expand your online presence. Derrick shares his proven online sales and marketing knowledge in an easily accessible format, complete with simple actions steps at the end of each chapter. Learn how to completely optimize your Etsy shop, website, or blog, and much more.

I'll admit that I skimmed the second half of this book.  I don't need to learn how to set up a blog or even a Facebook account.  Those sections didn't really apply to me.  But I did get some great advice in the first half: all about the Etsy shop.  I've been kicking around the idea of opening my own storefront, so this gave me some good points to think about.

Title: Journal Bliss: Creative Prompts to Unleash Your Inner Eccentric

Author: Violette

Publisher: North Light Books 2009

Genre: Crafts

Pages: 128

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nonfiction Adventure; Mount TBR

Whether you're looking to express yourself creatively for the first time or have found yourself in a creative rut, you'll soon be following your inspired voice with the help of Journal Bliss. With the guidance of author, Violette, you'll learn to express your thoughts and feelings like never before in your own art journal. Not only will Violette inspire you with her own journal pages, she'll teach you techniques for creating your own unique pages.

This book just wasn't for me.  I'm not that into sketching or doodling and that's what the book focused on.  I was rather hoping that it would be more about writing style journaling.  Oh well.  Not bad, just not for me.

Title: Pinterest Perfect: Creative Prompts & Pin-Worthy Projects

Author: Walter Foster Creative Team, Jamielyn Nye, Flora Chia Jung Chang

Publisher: Walter Foster 2014

Genre: Crafts

Pages: 128

Rating:  3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nonfiction Adventure; Mount TBR; Well Rounded - Home

Filled with step-by-step projects, tutorials, art tips, and crafting techniques on everything from drawing, painting, and illustration to mixed media, typography, and papercrafts, each featured artist shares her unique art style with readers in an interactive and engaging format. Each section features a brief introduction to the artist, followed by four to six easy-to-follow, step-by-step projects and/or art techniques. Open practice pages at the end of each section invite readers to brainstorm, sketch, and collect inspiration for their own artistic projects. In addition, useful sidebars throughout the book share tips for using Pinterest efficiently and effectively, as a hobbyist and professional artist. One part inspiration, one part how-to, and filled to the brim with color, inspiration, and beautiful artwork, Pinterest Perfect! is the picture-perfect visual resource for any artist, crafter, or creative Pinterest enthusiast.

Not that excited once I actually dove in.  The creators said that they wanted to emulate the look of Pinterest and they definitely do.  Unfortunately that look doesn't really translate to a paper book.  Ultimately I was confused by the tactic.  With regards to the projects, they were decent.  But I found that almost all of the projects have a counterpart on my own Pinterest boards already.  Why do I need it in paper form?  I kept asking myself that questions, hence the 3 stars.

Nerdy Nonfiction Quick Reviews

Title: Inside the Creative Studio

Author: Cate Coulacos Prato

Publisher: Interweave 2012

Genre: Home; Crafts

Pages: 160

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fall into Reading; Nerdy Nonfiction -- Home; 52 Books -- W50

The professional artists and crafters of Studios Magazine give you the tools to create your own one-of-a-kind artistic environment in this best-of compilation. Learn how to find space in your home, whittle down your stash, maximize your storage and organization possibilities, and manage your stash of supplies and equipment to keep your work space functional and fun to work in. Experts will also show you how to repurpose furniture, integrate recyclables, and showcase vintage items to establish a space with purpose and personality. You will spend less time struggling with your studio, or lack thereof, and more time actually creating in your unique space.

Lots of great ideas for organizing your creative space.  My space isn't completely out of control, but I would love to reorganize it this coming year (on my big to do list!).  This book helped me start thinking about what I want...  I see a trip to Ikea in my future for early next year.

Title: B is for Baby: 26 Projects from A to Z

Author: Suzonne Stirling

Publisher: Taunton Press 2006

Genre: Crafts

Pages: 176

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fall into Reading; Nerdy Nonfiction -- Crafts

B is for Baby honors the age-old tradition of crafting with a mix of vintage and modern-style projects for all women who buy baby gifts who want to give something meaningful and handmade. In a unique A to Z presentation, the projects are aimed at a variety of skill levels and budgets. Every letter is represented with a main project and many variations, and all have concise step-by-step directions, photos and templates.

Why do I always pick these craft books up?  Oh right, I love looking at the pictures.  To be fair, there are some very cute projects in this book.  Most of them just aren't my style (lots of pastels and cutesy things) and there was only two projects I even contemplated doing.  Cute book for super crafters, just not really my style.

The Joy of Scrapbooking

Title: The Joy of Scrapbooking

Publisher: Leisure Arts 2011

Genre: Nonfiction; Crafting

Pages: 224

Rating:  3 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Dewey Decimal -- 770s; A to Z - J

Discover the fun and joy of scrapbooking with this essential guide! Introduced by Lisa Bearnson, the Creating Keepsakes founding editor, this revised and expanded edition combines all the instruction of the original along with comprehensive coverage of new scrapbooking tips, techniques, and supplies. Whether you're a beginner or have been scrapbooking for ages, this guide will get you excited and going strong! You ll discover more than 90 never-before-seen layouts featuring practical ideas and themes; principles of basic scrapbook design and helpful hints; guidelines for organizing and preserving photos and memorabilia; ways to sharpen your journaling and photography skills; and an introduction to digital scrapbooking.

I grabbed this book off the shelf thinking that I could get some new tips for scrapbooking.  And I was wrong.  That's not to say this isn't a good book.  It is, just not for someone who has been scrapbooking for a couple of years.  This really is an introduction to scrapbooking.  It lays out tools, tips, and hints.  If I was just starting, this would be a great way to start.  The one redeeming factor for me was the sample layouts.  Some of them were inspirational...  I want to try out some of the blocking.