Crafts

Current ladies' clothing and accessories feature an abundance of beads and embroidery. Baskett (Dazzling Bead & Wire Crafts) shows how to add personalized decorations to unadorned items purchased from malls and thrift shops. Projects include applying fake jewels, beads, fabric paint, and cloth appliqués to denims, T-shirts, bags, and flip-flops. This book would appeal to teenagers as well as adults, which makes it a good selection for public library general craft or YA collections.

Collage artists are always looking for ideas going beyond the usual flat paper or mixed-media assemblage. Both of these books emphasize three-dimensional projects in addition to flat items. Browning (Paper Mosaics in an Afternoon) has practical step-by-step projects incorporating jewelry, place mats, and paperweights. Maurer-Mathison (Paper in Three Dimensions) presents projects by many artists that sometimes take a more surreal approach, often transforming found objects into dolls or altered art. She also offers tips for using unusual papers and construction materials. Both books are good sources of ideas and would be useful in collections needing more papercraft material.

The first two books in Interweave's new "Jewelry Studio" series, these emphasize the mastery of basic techniques through detailed practice projects of increasing complexity. Chandler and Ritchey (Woven Wire Jewelry) explain the intricacies of wire wrapping, i.e., using heavy gold or silver wire bent or twisted to form bracelets and rings. Silver wire fusing involves sealing the ends of a silver ring with a butane torch to form a seamless piece without soldering. Fused rings may be used plain or hammered to form earrings and chains in Jones's projects. Both books are good introductory selections on specialized techniques for public library craft collections.

Tying flies is a fisherman's hobby done with the ultimate goal of catching fish. There is something of a mystique connected with making and using the proper fly in a given fishing situation. British angler Gathercole gives instructions on a series of handy cards, with each card having a list of materials, instructions, photos of the fly, and the fish it is intended to catch. General instructions are included in a separate booklet. Fly casting techniques are not included. This is an unusual selection that would be useful in general public library collections.

This may be the ultimate bead reference book. The majority of the text is made up of an illustrated alphabetical encyclopedia of beads, broadly defined, and beading terms. Additional chapters include tips and techniques, charts illustrating bead characteristics, and stitch diagrams. Geary (Native American Beadwork) draws on her extensive background as a beadworker along with solid research to cover the sometimes confusing plethora of bead materials available today. Highly recommended for general reference or craft collections.

George, a well-known fashion florist in New York, here shares some of the secrets of his signature style. He specializes in elegant "bunch" arrangements of one color or one flower type. When set in clear containers, the meticulously placed flower stems become part of the arrangement. Step-by-step projects are arranged by season using available blooms from florists. The results are something that anyone could do once the arranging tricks are known. This is a lovely book that should appeal to public library users.

The children of the 1930s and 1940s may remember the little, plastic pieces of contemporary furniture they played with in their dolls' houses. In the 21st century, furnishings from that period must be created as historic miniatures. Harrop's miniatures are mostly wood construction copies of items used in England and North America during that time. The step-by-step projects are for furnishings only, with no houses. Nisbett (The Complete Doll's House Book), a prolific writer in the miniatures field, specializes in period buildings. This book is a showcase of period English houses, European houses, and garden buildings, mostly made from kits. She provides tips on customizing kit houses and furniture with many color photos of assembly processes and finished rooms. Both books are useful additions to public library crafts collections.

This book of techniques and projects reflects Ingham's experiences as a master craftsman making furniture in his workshop in Wales. His instructions are the result of personally finding out what works and what doesn't with regard to traditional cabinetmaking techniques. The furniture projects have a distinctive neo-Arts and Crafts style that would fit best in a very contemporary decor. Woodworkers will find this useful for learning new techniques and problem solving. Recommended for public library DIY collections.

Beauty of design is the principal characteristic of these two books. Kan's historically inspired projects, although complicated, are desirable additions to anyone's jewelry case. Persistence through multiple pages of well-illustrated instructions for each project will lead crafters to stunning results. Nimri (Just for the Frill of It) specializes in recycled jewelry combined with new elements to form eye-catching contemporary pieces. More is better on her necklaces and bracelets, and her cozy nest wrapped wire ring is most unusual. Recipes for goodies are included as a bonus with each project. Public libraries will find both of these books popular with beaders.

This is an album of outstanding graphic designs collected from professional graphic artists around the world by Top (Letterhead & Logo Design) and his studio, Top Design. It is designed to showcase special-event posters, invitations, and other promotional materials as examples of good design in this specialized area. Nineteen case studies follow the design process from initial commission to finished product. Intended as an inspiration for graphic artists, this book is suitable for graphic design collections in public and academic libraries.

Handmade glass beads are highly sought after and command high prices in shops; the best ones are tiny works of art. Teacher and artist Warhaftig has designed this book as a series of ten practice lessons on advanced techniques for experienced beadmakers. Each lesson includes photos of works in progress and finished beads by glass artists. General information encompasses tools and studio setup. An excellent selection for public and academic library crafts collections.