Any crafter like myself who dabbles in a little bit of everything (glue gun crafts aside) they've usually got a few craft books stashed aside to instruct them in new mediums or provide inspiration for future crafts. So I thought I would share the craft books in my library that have brought me inspiration and even some that made it possible for me to further develop my crafts as a business!
Crafty Chica Kathy Cano Murillo
No crafter book shelf would be complete without at least one of the Crafty Chica Kathy Cano Murillo's books. My favorite: The Crafty Chica Collection: Beautiful Ideas for Crafts, Home Decorations and Shrines from the Queen of Latina Style)
Get this book for inspiration, the unusual and the unique!
Polymer Clay Techniques
There a lot of polymer clay based instruction books out there, but for the best in basics and ideas, get Sue Heaser's classic The Polymer Clay Techniques Book
I absolutely loved that it went from the basics of blending and rolling to techniques like creating faux gems with spices (add nutmeg to translucent clay to make stone like beads), moku game and image transfers using photocopies and colored pencils.
One other polymer clay book I really liked (there's a lot out there!) is Making Miniature Flowers With Polymer Clay
It's an older book, by Barbara Quast, but what I liked was how specialized it is. The whole book focuses just on flowers, the petals and leaves, from roses to pansies and cherry blossoms. Beautiful full color photos and step by step instructions make the most intricate designs easy.
Fun with Resin Casting
It might requires you to purchase a bunch of supplies (what new craft doesn't?) but resin casting can be quite fun. Clean up may not be the most fun, but the things you can make with resin will make up for that and then some! To get started, check out Sherri Haab's The Art of Resin Jewelry: Layering, Casting, and Mixed Media Techniques for Creating Vintage to Contemporary Designs
The title indicates that it's for resin jewelry, but there's more to it than that. Create drawer knobs and handles, little trinkets to embellish with and making molds to cast with.
Peeps, Peeps & more Peeps
With the upcoming Easter holiday approaching and with the ever expanding line, Peeps are becoming more and more popular. If you've ever wanted a book that combines crafts and recipes, than Charity Ferreira's got the book for you Peeps: Recipes and Crafts to Make with Your Favorite Marshmallow Treat
This book is not only hilarious, but the crafts and recipes can be applied to any holiday that you want!
Revisiting Crafty Bags
Back in July I wrote about Elizabeth Hauser's Crafty Bags for Stylish Girls and I still love it! Check it out if you haven't yet, if anything for the templates and easy instructions.
Making a living at it?
After awhile you might feel the need to try and earn some cash back on all those crafts. But what's the best way to do it? Barbara Brabec has a series of books for the crafter who wants to set up a home business, participate in craft fairs, websites or even marketing your crafts. Start out with Handmade for Profit!: Hundreds of Secrets to Success in Selling Arts and Crafts
This book walks you through all the different ways to promote yourself and your crafts, advice on where you should try to sell, what you should charge, how to determine what's working and what isn't. I cannot say enough good things about this book! It inspired me to try her other book: The Crafts Business Answer Book: Starting, Managing, and Marketing a Homebased Arts, Crafts, or Design Business
It's a encyclopedia of things to know from taxes, filing a business application, profit and loss statements, legal, record keeping and more. It's not the more glamorous side of starting you own crafting business, but it sure simplifies things by being able to look up tips on how to deduct business expenses and what exactly you can deduct!
The Holiday Bazaar Circuit
f you're from the Pacific Northwest, pick up a Gail's Holiday Bazaar Guide for Washington
There's a new one out every year that lists all the upcoming holiday bazaars. Whether you're looking for a bazaar to take part in or bazaar to go shopping at, this guide has them all!
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