I always love to see what my favorite crafty blogs' have on their bookshelves for fun & inspiration - so I thought it'd be fun to share more of the favorite reads I keep in my creative space (there was a lil peek of my shelf way back here).
So here they are, for you! I have a bunch of shelves in my workspace (thank you, Ikea Expedit!), and a few little nooks of books around within reach of my desk:
200 Crochet Blocks for Blankets, Throws, and Afghans by Jan Eaton - This book became essential to me when I went through a little crochet-block-obsessed phase last year...lol. It has literally 200 square patterns from beginner's to advanced, that you can mix & match to make your own blankets! I've used it to make my mom an afghan, & will use it many more times!
Illustration Now! Volumes 1 & 2 by Taschen - These books are crazy inspiring. I picked them up used on Amazon after flipping through friends' copies and being immediatley inspired by embroidered illustrations and plasticine work. The range of artists is stunning, and if you're ever stumped or want to try out a new style, this book will give you sooo much inspiration!
Hand Job, A catalog of Type by Michael Perry - This may be one of my most coveted books. I fell in love with it years ago and still go to it regularly for inspiration when I'm designing. If you love handwriting, you need this!
How to Make Books by Esther K. Smith - This is the bible of bookmaking, my friends. :) I got it a while back, and I just used to flip through before I learned how to make books, and then the bookmaking class I took at the local university was based off of it. lol. Seriously. It covers everything from easy zines to crazy binding - if you're interested in bookmaking, skip the dated how-to books from the library and pick up this contemporary lovely.
Fingerprint, The Art of Using Handmade Elements in Graphic
Design by Chen Design Associates - I acquired this last year after falling in love with handmade-inspired design and discovering that it's at the heart of what I want to study, design-wise. It's lovely - I wish there were more to it, but the projects are really cool & inspiring! As is the book design, itself.
Uppercase Magazine - Nuf said. Have you heard of Uppercase? If not, go!
Go now! Not only am I inspired that a Calgarian started it up herself, but the content is truly unique and inspiring! Amazing. Stunning. There really are no words. It's a no-fail inspiration source.
Scrapbooking Magazines: I used to have a massive obsession with these babies! I've pared it down, now. Occasionally I grab Creating Keepsakes and Scrapbooks, Etc. from Michaels - in the past, they felt very edgy and ground-breaking, but Creating Keepsakes has been lacking for a while, now. I feel like it's reverted back to the less-artsy days, which isn't so inspiring for me.
Craft, Inc. by Meg Mateo Ilasco - If you have any inklings of starting a crafty business, this is to book to have, if you have to have just one. :) It's full of all the things you need as they apply to a crafty business (branding, pricing, wholesaling, etc) and is also chock-full of inspiring interviews. Love it!!
I also have Creative, Inc. for freelance tips & it's super-great, too!
Craft, Inc. Business Planner by Meg Mateo Ilasco - It's basically a hands-on version of Craft, Inc. & has pages you can fill in to develop products & plans, and keep track of everything in one place as you start up or re-focus things.
The Handmade Marketplace by Kari Chapin - This one is also an awesome crafty-business handbook! It has *tons* of hands-on advice from crafty entrepreneurs you likely look up to from blogland, already, and covers social media, blogging, & craft fairs, too. An awesome informative read!
Amphigorey by Edward Gorey - He's my favorite. Creepy rhyming children's stories with meticulous pen and ink illustrations? Love! He's like Dr. Suess + Tim Burton. I suggest all of his, especially ''The Gashlycrumb Tinies''.
Hand Bookbinding: A Manual of instruction by Aldren A. Watson - Truthfully, this book is a little too too-many-words, not-enough-pictures for me. lol. I'm a visual learner. It does have some good technical stuff.
Otis and Rae and the Grumbling Splunk by Espinosa/Espinosa -
Yes, this is a kids' book. It's my favorite illustrated book ever! Ever, ever. I got my nephew his own copy because there's no budging mine from my hot little hands. lol. It's *so funny*, a little nonsensical, totally cute, and the drawings are so animated, they practically jump off the page! Get it!!
Bend the Rules Sewing by Amy Karol - This book rocks! If you're a beginner & sewing is a little scary/too technical for you, get this! I love the cute projects and the hands-on, just-do-it approach. I'm not a beginnger & I love it!
Over and Over, A Catalog of Hand-Drawn Patterns by Mike Perry -
Done by the same guy who curated 'Hand Job' = awesome!
It's like the jackpot of handdrawn patterns. So inspiring!
Print & Pattern by Bowie Style - This is such a great book! Tons of great artists, and it's full-to-the brim with inspiring patterns & illustrations.
The True & The Questions by Sabrina Ward Harrison - She is a staple in my crafty inspiration & is a must-have. I can't bear to write in this journal because I just love to flip through and see the bare gorgeous pages. :)
Oh, The Places You'll Go! Pop-Up Book by Dr. Suess - Truthfully, I bought this for my nephew (and as inspiration for my pop-up book class) last year, and it's still on my shelf. lol. It's so great, and I'm a crazy Dr. Suess fan - until I actually make a pop-up book, I may hold onto it!
''FreeStyle'', ''The Book Book'', & ''Designing with Words'' by Autumn Leaves - These basically inspired the way I scrapbook, today, & really helped me break loose & get artsy on my pages! Can't get rid of these.
52 Scrapbooking Challenges, and 52 More Scrapbooking Challenges - Elsie's original book can't be beat, I have Liz's cute and inspiring newer version, as well. Also, Elsie's Recipe Box sits near my desk, too. Still love it!
We Dare You by The Dare Girls - I've had a serious crush on the raw truth of The Dares for a long while. They changed the scrapbook game!
Life Artist by Ali Edwards - Love this! I heart the way Ali embraced paint and getting messy in this one, both on and beyond the page.
Nylon Magazine - One of my faves, if not for the handmade inspired design & page layouts, but for the rad tunes & style features and shoots. Love!
Whew! It's official. I'm a bookworm. Always have been. I have lots of other non crafty books, of course, too (*cough* Sookie Stackhouse*cough*) but these are the staples in my crafty area that I always go-to & keep close. :)
What's your favorite crafty book, or your go-to flip-through?
Let me know if you have any questions about these books, too!
