Crafts & DIY Reviews, August 2011
Aug 15, 2011ART INSTRUCTION
Bellamy, David. David Bellamy’s Complete Guide to Watercolour Painting. Search, dist. by IPG. Sept. 2011. 128p. illus. index. ISBN 9781844487349. pap. $19.95. ART INSTRUCTION
In this short general guide to watercolor painting, Bellamy (David Bellamy’s Watercolour Landscape Course ), who leads a popular series of watercolor workshops in the UK, covers the basics of materials, technique, color, and composition. Advice and suggestions about subject matter are also provided. Bellamy includes numerous sketches, simple step-by-step projects, and diagrammed finished paintings to fully explain the process. Readers will discover the many creative possibilities of this medium, albeit within a traditional figurative framework. Beginning and intermediate watercolor painters will benefit.
Calderin, Jay. Fashion Design Essentials: 100 Principles of Fashion Design. Rockport: Quayside. 2011. 208p. illus. ISBN 9781592537013. $40. ART INSTRUCTION
Endeavoring to present the top fundamental principles of fashion design, this book is organized according to categories of inspiration, materials, technique, style, and trends. The technique section is the longest, covering everything from sketching to garment construction and sewing. In 100 short articles embellished with full-color photos and illustrations, Calderin (director, creative marketing & special projects, Sch. of Fashion Design; Form, Fit, Fashion: All the Details Fashion Designers Need To Know but Can Never Find) brings even highly conceptual and esoteric fashion design ideas down to earth. He addresses aspiring and working fashion designers of all levels, but other interested parties include avid Vogue readers and Project Runway fans.
Johnson, Cathy. Artist’s Journal Workshop: Creating Your Life in Words and Pictures. North Light: F+W. 2011. 144p. illus. index. ISBN 9781440308680. pap. $22.99. ART INSTRUCTION
This guide stands apart from similar recent books. It has an unusually contemporary feel, including suggestions on posting journal pages online. Instead of becoming overly preoccupied with technique and materials, Johnson (contributing editor, Artist’s Magazine) emphasizes readers’ goals instead, asking them to consider why they want to keep a journal and encouraging them to attend to the sublime and the mundane alike. There is a chapter devoted to integrating this creative hobby into daily life. This effective guide is full of good advice and inspiration for keeping a highly personal, individualized artist’s journal and will appeal to a broad audience.
Pinder, Polly & others. How To Draw Animals in Simple Steps. Search, dist. by IPG. Oct. 2011. 144p. illus. ISBN 9781844486649. pap. $19.95. ART INSTRUCTION
Books that show how to draw animals step-by-step starting with three circles and four lines have long been popular with young audiences; children love to draw, and these books need only minimal text to do their job. Pinder and three others who have contributed to other titles in this series (e.g., How To Draw Dogs in Simple Steps) present a deluxe version of the guides you remember from second grade—they provide an extremely wide range of animals to sketch, pose them in subtle and sophisticated ways, and include full-color illustrations. For adults and children alike.
CRAFTS
Callahan, Cathy (text) & Meiko Takechi Arquillos (photogs.). Vintage Craft Workshop: Fresh Takes on Twenty-Four Classic Projects from the ‘60s and ‘70s. Chronicle. 2011. 128p. illus. index. ISBN 9780811875325. pap. $19.95. CRAFTS
Craft blogger Callahan (cathyofcalifornia.com) loves vintage crafts from the 1960s and 1970s, and her first book features somewhat contemporary takes on popular crafts of the era. The color palettes, supplies, and techniques featured in the projects are straight out of 1971 yet accessible to today’s crafter. Profiles of 1960s–70s craft entrepreneurs as well as contemporary crafters with an interest in vintage crafts are a fun addition. Readers who lived through this era may never want to see a macramé plant hanger or a decoupaged magazine holder again, but for those who didn’t, these projects will seem charmingly retro.
Crawford, BJ. The Weekend Crafter: Basketry; 17 Great Weekend Projects. Lark: Sterling. Aug. 2011. 80p. photogs. index. ISBN 9781454701798. pap. $9.95. CRAFTS
Basket weaving is an age-old craft with roots in a number of cultures. Crawford, who owns a craft supply store, presents all of the basics—supplies, techniques, inspiration, and projects—in a clear, readable, detailed manner. She includes two beginners’ projects that introduce fundamental techniques and 15 projects for experienced basket weavers, each differing in size and shape. The step-by-step instructions are easy to follow, and photographs of each step allow novices to compare their work with Crawford’s. Many crafters enjoy creating items that are both attractive and functional, and the baskets in this collection fit the bill. This is a useful and affordable collection, especially suitable for beginners.
Seo, Danny. Upcycling: Create Beautiful Things with the Stuff You Already Have. Running Pr. Aug. 2011. c.224p. photogs. index. ISBN 9780762441792. pap. $18. CRAFTS
Interior designer–turned–television personality Seo’s first collection of craft projects focuses on upcycling, which he defines as “a higher form of recycling.” Not surprisingly, the emphasis is on home decor, with a few children’s toys thrown in for good measure. Though none of the projects is difficult, the directions are vague, and there are no photographs of the steps to create the pieces (photos show the finished objects). And do we really need directions for applying glitter to thrift-store paintings? Still, upcycling remains trendy, and Seo’s appearances on popular daytime television shows may drive demand.
DO IT YOURSELF
Cory, Steve. Ultimate Guide: Porches. Creative Homeowner. 2011. 192p. illus. index. ISBN 9781580114912. pap. $16.95. DIY
In this excellent, well-organized manual, Cory (Deck Designs) shares numerous, clear illustrations and detailed construction information and techniques. His confident, expert instruction, honed in his previous books on deck construction, is apparent in the projects presented here. This book is more detailed than the Black & Decker Complete Guide to Porches & Patio Rooms and pairs nicely with Paula S. Wallace’s Perfect Porches, which is inspirational rather than instructional. A solid addition to any home improvement collection. Recommended.
Keeney, Chris. Pinhole Cameras: A Do-It-Yourself Guide. Princeton Architectural, dist. by Chronicle. 2011. 192p. illus. ISBN 9781568989891. $18.95. DIY
Adventurous photographers can go old school with this guide. Photographer Keeney offers specific instructions for a wide array of pinhole cameras. The gallery of pinhole camera photos is brief and will leave readers wanting more. Since specialized supplies are required, a list of possible resources would have been helpful. While Keeney provides a variety of camera construction projects, his coverage on film development is insufficient. Brian J. Krummel’s The Pinhole Camera is less detailed but presents better general coverage in a more attractive package.
FIBER CRAFTS
Afghan Lover’s Collection: 36 Quintessential Crochet Throws. Leisure Arts. 2011. 128p. illus. ISBN 9781609001285. pap. $24.95. FIBER CRAFTS
Afghans are a popular crochet project, and this cozy collection featuring work by several well-known crochet designers contains a pleasing variety of patterns. The ever-popular granny-square afghan is represented, but other designs feature color work and distinctive stitch patterns. The patterns are easy to follow; charts accompany projects that contain intricate color work, and advanced and uncommon stitches are fully described. Crocheters of all skill levels will appreciate the variety of projects in this collection.
Briscoe, Susan. Japanese Quilt Inspirations: 14 Easy-To-Make Projects Using Japanese Fabrics. David & Charles, dist. by F+W. 2011. 128p. illus. index. ISBN 9780715338278. pap. $24.99. FIBER CRAFTS
Briscoe (Japanese Taupe Quilts) draws inspiration from time spent living and working in Japan for this collection of quilts and small projects featuring Japanese fabric and Japanese-style design. The fabric is the star, and Briscoe provides advice for working with fabrics that may be less familiar to Western quilters, such as kimono silk. The color palettes range from muted and earthy to bold and bright, and a variety of techniques, including patchwork and appliqué, are represented. A buyers guide for quilters interested in purchasing authentic Japanese fabrics is provided.
Filian, Cathie. 101 Tees: Restyle + Refashion + Revamp. Lark: Sterling. Aug. 2011. 176p. photogs. index. ISBN 9781600598227. pap. $14.95. FIBER CRAFTS
T-shirts are a staple of many people’s wardrobes, and Filian (101 Snappy Fashions) shows crafters how to elevate this most basic garment into something fresh and fashionable via simple sewing, printing, and embellishment techniques. The projects are easy enough for fashion-forward children or teens, but the results are often surprisingly sophisticated. Unlike most T-shirt embellishment books, this one includes projects that work for both adults and children (men and boys included!). With 101 projects, there’s something here to suit a variety of personal styles.
Parkes, Clara. The Knitter’s Book of Socks: The Yarn Lover’s Ultimate Guide to Creating Socks That Fit Well, Feel Great, and Last a Lifetime. Potter Craft: Crown Pub. Group. Oct. 2011. c.208p. illus. index. ISBN 9780307586803. $30. FIBER CRAFTS
In The Knitter’s Book of Wool and The Knitter’s Book of Yarn , Parkes educates knitters on the ins and outs of fiber and makes minutiae interesting. Here, she describes the qualities that make yarn suitable for sock knitting, explores the different types of fibers that can be used in sock yarn, and analyzes stitches and stitch patterns commonly used in sock knitting. There’s also a beautifully curated selection of sock patterns, including new designs by some of the biggest names in the field. Though the instructions are clear, the majority of the patterns are best suited for those with sock-knitting experience. An essential addition.
INTERIOR DESIGN
Giannetti, Brooke & Steve Giannetti. Patina Style. Gibbs Smith. Sept. 2011. c.160p. photogs. ISBN 9781423622536. $35. INTERIOR DESIGN
The Giannettis, the professional designers behind the design firm and retail store Giannetti Home, use their two California homes—one a remodeled 1970s house, the other a recently built home in Santa Monica—to display their approach to interior decorating. Here, in close to 150 color photographs, patina is showcased with their use of furniture and decorative accessories that have a well-worn appearance as well as subtle colors, natural fabrics, salvaged architectural details, distressed paint techniques, and refurbished furnishings in light-filled rooms. This book, rounded out with a list of resources, will inspire readers who disdain a bright, shiny, spanking new look.
