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Palmer’s detailed landscapes are likely to intimidate beginner artists, but the wealth of practical advice he offers should aid those who feel confident enough to try to replicate his paintings.
PREMIUM
The Acrylics Companion
Many of Akib’s techniques require an advanced level of artistic skill, but for experienced painters interested in trying a new medium or improving their work with acrylics, this is a comprehensive resource.
With its comprehensive examples of hatching techniques and excellent advice, artists of all levels will find something useful in this book.
A clear and comforting collection of crochet stitches that will serve as a useful guide as well as a source of inspiration.
This easy-to-follow beginners’ guide will be an excellent addition to a library collection and great for use in creative library programs.
Those who are new to crafting or were previously unaware of the strong anti-stress benefits of crafting might find this book most helpful.
From the field to the farmhouse, these patterns are homey and wholesome, and they’ll be sure to delight crafters in search of harvest-themed projects.
A wonderful recommendation for quilters wanting to break with tradition and soar to new heights. This book will have special appeal to artists in other mediums who want to move into fabric art.
Artists looking to increase the realism and emotional content of their portraiture will find plenty of food for thought in this accessible volume.
PREMIUM
Draw in 10 Minutes: Botanicals
In addition to helping readers to develop drawing skills, this book emphasizes the meditative practice and relaxing benefits of drawing and is a worthwhile purchase.
The simple, delicate beauty of Collins’s paintings should inspire rather than intimidate beginner artists. Detailed instructions, including techniques to use, brush sizes to choose, and colors to mix, make this an exemplary resource for new watercolor painters.
Sharing crewelwork designs with a focus on fresh colorways, and using threads that many stitchers are already familiar with, this book gives an updated look at the potential of traditional patterns. Popova offers practical crewel inspiration and fun ideas for contemporary embroidery.
This book is of limited, narrow interest, best for experienced right-handed crafters interested in making women’s garments and comfortable with British terminology. If crocheters are interested in creating garments for men or children, or if they are left-handed, they will need to know how to do their own conversions. Buy only where there is demand.
Communities that enjoy crafting and mindfulness will embrace this book of projects, journaling opportunities, and simple meditative prompts.
An excellent choice for creative quilters of all levels who are interested in a more free-flowing style of working with fabric.
Simple instructions, practical advice, and colorful examples make this a wonderful resource for aspiring artists interested in capturing elements of the natural world.
A great entry-level instructional guide for embroiderers looking to learn new techniques that are not difficult but create a beautiful result.
Accessible to beginners yet interesting for readers with some dyeing experience, this guide will appeal to fiber enthusiasts who want to expand the range of colors available to them and are willing to experiment.
Leapman is a legend in the fiber arts world, and any new book by her is an essential purchase. The array and diversity of stitches featured here will have crocheters itching to pick up their hook and try them.
Like paint-by-numbers but for drawing figures, this book will be helpful for budding cartoonists and those who want to draw people without a lot of instruction on technique.
Probably not for the absolute beginner, but accessible for someone who’s made a few quilts. Experienced quilters who prefer structure over spontaneity will find much of value here.
PREMIUM
50 Things To Do in the Snow
This book offers a range of imaginative and entertaining activities and crafts that will appeal to anyone who loves snow and winter.
A must-have for creative readers, this successful guidebook by a respected artist will find an eager audience.
With so many knitting and crochet books providing expensive yarn recommendations and patterns that depend on precision, this book will satisfy the itch to stitch for people who enjoy a little more freedom and flow without sacrificing form and function.
The stitches featured here live up to the book’s title and are next-level complex. Luckily, crocheters are guided by expert Leapman’s easy-to-follow instructions and charts. This guide deserves a place on library crafting shelves.
PREMIUM
Wonderful World of Paper-Pieced Quilt Blocks: 30 Nature-Inspired Designs and a Beautiful Sampler
These patterns provide countless hours of entertainment and many beautiful quilts. Some of these designs are available for purchase through the author’s website, but everything presented in this highly recommended book is a real bargain.
Beautifully illustrated throughout with detailed photos, this book honors a tradition of sustainable creativity through personal reflections, practical information, and interviews with contemporary artists who incorporate kantha into their work.
An introductory crochet guide that’s best for readers who have some experience with certain stitches. Pair with The Crochet Workshop by Emma Osmond.
The easy-to-understand directions, up-close color images of finished projects, and instructional photography showing how to complete stitches make this a wonderful introduction to Tunisian crochet. Give to readers who want to learn a new skill or to add to their needle arts repertoire.
This simple and practical book is best suited for collections lacking in beginning instructional craft books.
PREMIUM
Big Book of Knitted Shawls: 35 Patterns in a Variety of Beautiful Yarns, Styles, and Stitches
This book’s shawls are beautiful, and the patterns are easy to follow. The lack of new content and suitable yarn substitution suggestions, however, might present a challenge for some knitters.
The authors’ popularity and the thoroughness of this quilting volume make it a welcome addition to collections.
This will inspire fans to pick up a crochet hook, but it’s also great for beginners interested in creating something a little different. Sartori has “Style” that will make any Swiftie into a “Lover” of the fiber arts, producing knits beyond their “Wildest Dreams.”
This lovely book is highly recommended for quilters looking to expand their skill sets and variety of designs.
Excellent for readers who have no experience with painting. This highly recommended book includes specific details, common painting techniques, and lists of tools and resources that are clear and easy to follow.
An accessible guide for budding artists that shows how drawing figures and animation are interlinked. This volume opens up the experience of figure-drawing to an audience that may not have the opportunity to attend live classes.
A visually beautiful, useful book by an encouraging, supremely talented natural history artist. Best for intermediate to advanced artists, although Feltner’s advice on scientific accuracy will be useful for everyone.
Colorful examples and the author’s enthusiasm and encouragement will inspire plenty of readers to give this accessible creative activity a try.
This is a solid introduction and primer for readers interested in using and wearing makeup for cosplay, clubbing, theater, social media posts, and much more. It’s a great addition to costuming collections and a perfect pick for fandom displays.
A great starter for readers interested in plein air painting. Detailed and beginner-friendly for aspiring artists, this work will be a good addition to popular arts and crafts collections.
An enchanting book filled with charming projects for both beginner and experienced felters. This title will circulate well.
Red’s clear step-by-step drawing instructions, coupled with his enthusiasm for yōkai, make this a fun and informative resource for beginner artists and readers interested in Japanese folklore.
PREMIUM
All-New Twenty To Make: Rock Art
Will be a hit with crafters and readers looking for family activities.
This crochet book is a standout for its colorful seasonal designs that will bring out crafters’ creativity all year. An adorable purchase.
Readers who are looking to learn this unique style of quilt block will find plenty of options in Wright’s book. Both beginners and more advanced quilters will be able to work their way through these projects, but all will be easier if they use the specialized ruler that the book calls for.
Digital die-cutting machines continue to grow in popularity, but there are few books on the topic. This title will inspire crafters interested in using a digital die-cutting machine to create a variety of decorative objects and party favors.
An easily accessible guide to soap making, with color photographs that clearly show every step of the process. A must for DIYers.
This book’s customizable options and tiny accents are sure to compel crocheters to create distinctive pieces for themselves and for others.
For readers ready to take on acrylic painting (a technique suitable for beginners, since it allows for easy corrections), this is a sound and highly informative guide.
This machine-sewing book is easy enough for beginners of all ages to follow, as long as they’re comfortable with metric measurements.
PREMIUM
Crochet Monsters
A creative and detailed crochet guide for intermediate and experienced crocheters. The projects’ many options for personalization could make it particularly useful for leading group activities.
A unique approach to crocheting that’s backed by science. It’s suitable for advanced fiber artists who are ready to explore the magic that cablework and colors can add to their creations.
Playful yet detailed, the 10 animal friends Vindevogel presents are sure to delight both the crocheter and the recipient of the fun, unfussy creatures, which come to life as easily on the crochet hook as they do in the book.
A cozy and welcoming collection of appealing knitting and crochet patterns with helpful instructions.
An incredibly helpful guide for beginners, but readers who just want a refresher on crocheting techniques will appreciate this title too.
PREMIUM
Half Yard Heaven 10-Year Anniversary Edition: Easy Sewing Projects Using Leftover Pieces of Fabric
This revised classic offers a great way for new sewists to learn basic skills from doing easy, giftable projects that don’t require major commitments of time or resources.
Readers who want to make their own simple skincare products and fans of Formule Beauté will be excited to check out Duménil’s book. It’s a great starting point for library programs, spa days with friends, or even holiday activities.
Compotine’s delightful designs for amigurumi toys are easy to personalize, which will make these dolls meaningful keepsakes.
This well-structured book about pattern making and fitting introduces a fresh approach to quarter-scale designing. An appealing choice for advanced sewists.
For intermediate to advanced sewists, but beginners may also appreciate the book’s fashion history sections. This resource’s digital patterns will relieve librarians of having to keep track of pattern pieces.
For quilters who love colors. The target audience is beginners, but this recommended title also contains detailed technique guidance for quilters interested in advancing to an intermediate level.
Mortensen’s patterns for 12 popular quilt blocks, varying in complexity, can be used to practice quilting and developing one’s personal style, a bonus of this highly recommended book. Readers with quilting machines will especially enjoy this title.
This book comes with easy-to-follow tips on building habitats for common bird species, suggestions for how children might participate, and safety tips when making the birdhouses. An excellent introduction and first stop for families and individuals interested in becoming bird watchers or at-home environmentalists. Highly recommended.
A lovely, recommended book for crocheters with intermediate or advanced skills, but acquiring the recommended materials might be difficult.
A solid addition to collections of fiber arts books. With an appealing design and a variety of beginner-level projects that look advanced when completed, this title offers clear instructions, beautiful photos, and inspiration for readers interested in this style of stitching techniques.
This title gives beginners plenty of guidance on how to draw in the manga art style. The book’s illustrated instructions are a highlight, and there are even QR code links to Kühn’s YouTube tutorials for additional help and support.
Accessible and eminently practical, this is an essential guide to linocut printing. What makes this book’s projects and directions exemplary is the freedom it gives beginners to personalize and choose their subject matter.
Filled with clear and easy-to-follow instructions, this book works for beginning to intermediate artists, along with experienced artists who are looking to explore a new artistic medium.
Both novice and experienced crafters of hand letters will find practical inspiration and guidance in this colorful, beautifully designed collection.
This is the book for sewists who want to move beyond the basic level and perfect intermediate and advanced techniques. Highly recommended.
A well-put-together volume with charming designs to keep stitchers happy with year-round projects. Cross-stitchers of all levels will enjoy this book, but beginners will especially benefit from the colorful chart that shows them how to do basic stitches.
This is a book for makers and for readers passionate about recycling, upcycling, and crafting. Highly recommended.
PREMIUM
Origami Polyhedra for Beginners: Amazing Geometric Paper Models from a Leading Japanese Expert
Readers who want to explore creating geometric models and evolving beyond traditional toy building will enjoy this book.
This is a practical manual for aspiring activists, crafters or otherwise, who want to make a difference in the world around them. This stimulating, thoughtfully-organized guide to craftivism will appeal both to activist-minded creatives and noncrafters looking for practical steps to help turn their intentions into action.
A small but mighty book filled with felt flower projects that will boost the confidence of first-time crafters.
Several creative projects are included in the book, but the general purpose is to inspire crafters to use their own perspectives and preferred techniques to create art that speaks to current events and movements. Activist crafters will find abundant motivating forces and community in this collection.
An engaging book that combines clear instructions with detailed photographs of colorful garments created with the English smocking technique. For a modern makers of all levels who love a classic art form.
Kiefer’s words of encouragement for new artists, coupled with his whimsical sketches, make this a practical resource that is a pleasure to peruse.
This title is part memoir, but it’s also an intriguing and insightful perspective that bounces from topic to topic as he conveys his messages about social media and typical societal practices in the U.S.
PREMIUM
Watercolor Your Way: Techniques, Palettes, and Projects To Fit Your Skill Level and Creative Goals
Appealing, colorful projects and a clean layout make this book a great resource for beginning watercolor painters.
A quilting book that urges crafters to keep their scraps, instead of throwing them away. Filled with helpful tips, tool lists, and clear instructions, this title is great for beginners and more advanced quilters looking to try something different.
For crafters looking to make amigurumi toys big enough for a child to wrap their arms around and hug. There’s much to enjoy in this title, but libraries may want to wait and purchase the reprint.
This highly recommended title includes a wide array of arrangements that are all presented with flawless photos and directions.
PREMIUM
Dynamic Character Design: Draw Faces and Figures with Pencil, Markers, Digital Tools, and More
A colorful, well-thought-out, easy-to-follow character design guide by an excellent artist. For experienced artists or dedicated beginners looking to learn technique.
This title’s focus on texture provides beginner painters with excellent projects for practicing techniques without worrying about accurately depicting flowers, animals, and other aspects of nature. It will have readers longing to break out their brushes.
Despite the scanty information on terminology, hair dying, and maintenance, Yan’s fans and lovers of anime will find much to like in this guide to anime hairstyles.
Perfect for people with basic crochet experience who are looking for playful yet challenging amigurumi patterns.
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