Category: Recent picks

Our picks of the new material in different subject areas. Find your next read! See also our full lists of what’s new, and our other lists that feature a mix of old and new material.

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What was made: New books on ceramics and upcycling

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Are you looking to get into ceramics? This list features a lot of pottery as we look at what gets made, remade and how what we make matters. Some books provide historical examples, while some provide expertise that might inspire your next creation.

Ceramics : an atlas of forms / Barkley, Glen
“What can we learn about the Roman empire from an amphora made in 200 BC? How can a simple, unadorned cup made in 1945 tell us so much about history? And what will an artwork comprising a vast collection of clay spheres tell our descendants about the act of making? Once fired, clay has the strength to last for millennia. This collection shares the stories of over 100 objects, honouring the artists who have left their mark on this timeless practice”–Publisher’s description.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The art of upcycling : creative ways to make something beautiful out of trash, thrifted finds and everyday recyclables / Foss, Emma
“Discover a trove of upcycling ideas and inspiration, with this collection of projects from upcycling influencer Emma Foss. She shares detailed, step-by-step tutorials to teach you essential upcycling techniques so you can create something out of nothing. Through these creative projects, you’ll develop skills in basic woodworking, reupholstery, painting, papier-mâché and so much more.” ( Adapted fromCatalogue)

By my hands : a potter’s apprenticeship / Gadsby, Florian
“In By My Hands, Florian tells the story of his artistic awakening, his education in England, Ireland and Japan, and of the sheer discipline which has led him to become the cultural sensation he is today. Arguing for the value in dedicating yourself to a craft, Florian weaves anecdotes about particular pots and processes into the narrative of his life, exploring what he has learnt from specific pieces he was taught to throw during his apprenticeships and how they have informed his philosophy and approach to his work.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Continue reading “What was made: New books on ceramics and upcycling” →

Embark on a new creative adventure!

RiaLeave a comment

January has brought everyone a much-needed respite from the previous year. It’s a great time to open our creative selves to infinite possibilities of happy accidents. This month’s new titles offer aspiring makers and experienced crafters handmade projects that don’t involve mobile phones. How exciting!

Are you ready to embark on a new crafting adventure? For rad creations that make every wardrobe eco-friendly, try fashion upcycling – sewing and mending projects that won’t break the bank. Perhaps imagine yourself holding a vibrant skein of yarn, eager to begin a beautiful crocheted or knitted project.  Each title features step-by-step instructions with beautiful accompanying photos, making it easy for beginners to achieve success. So, let your creativity soar and follow your innate curiosity to celebrate this new year!

Mending with kids : patching, painting, sewing & other kid-friendly techniques / Levy, Nami
“Mending With Kids shows you how to take torn, stained and outgrown kids’ clothes and make them better than before using various simple techniques that you can do with your kids. This book is filled with helpful tips and techniques. Best of all, most of these techniques are easy enough for kids to join in and put their personal stamp on. And with your supervision, they’ll pick up practical skills along the way. This book has templates for patches and stencils that kids can use to trace fun shapes, and it provides zipper repair, stitching, and darning techniques. You can preserve your kids’ wardrobe and save money, while your kids can participate in saving the environment and exercising their creativity. It’s a win-win for everyone involved!”–Publisher’s description.” ( Adapted from Catalogue)

Handmade books at home : a beginner’s guide to binding journals, sketchbooks, photo albums and more / Ly, Chanel
“You don’t need to be an experienced bookbinder to create one-of-a-kind books. Chanel Ly, the founder of Bitter Melon Bindery, guides you through 12 practical projects you can personalize to show off your creative side. All you need are a few basic tools and materials to get started.  Adapted from the back cover.” ( Adapted from Catalogue)

 

Alexandra’s garden vegetables : 30 crochet vegetable patterns / Lord, Kerry
“Here are 30 friendly vegetables waiting to be brought to life by hook and yarn. The array includes orange Pumpkin, yellow Corn on the Cob and red Cherry Tomatoes. In this new book, Kerry Lord heads for the allotment or veg patch to produce delightfully colourful crocheted produce.” (Catalogue)

 

 

Fashion upcycling : the DIY guide to sewing, mending, and sustainably reinventing your wardrobe / Hilado, Ysabel
“Save your wallet and the planet by repurposing older clothes and secondhand finds into fashionable new looks! In Fashion Upcycling, popular TikTok designer and Project Runway Junior contestant Ysabel Hilado shares her secrets for reinventing old clothing into dazzling new outfits. With several do-it-yourself, beginner-friendly projects and genius tips and tricks, you’ll learn to express yourself and reinvent your closet in all-new ways.” ( Adapted from Catalogue)

Sharp notions : essays from the stitching life
“Essays by diverse voices exploring their relationship with fibre arts. In difficult times, the reliability of a knit stitch, a quilting needle’s steady rocking, and a loom’s solid structure can bring comfort. In this nonfiction anthology, writers and artists from different backgrounds explore their complex relationships to fibre arts and the intersection of creative practice and identity, technology, climate change, trauma, politics, chronic illness, and disability.  Sharp Notions showcases Black, Indigenous, South Asian, Chinese, and queer artists and makers and the cultural traditions of craft in diasporic communities. Accompanied by full-colour photographs throughout, these powerful essays challenge the traditional view of crafting and examine the role, purpose, joy, and necessity of craft amid the alienation of contemporary life.”– Provided by publisher.” ( Adapted from Catalogue)

Made to measure : an easy guide to drafting and sewing a custom wardrobe / Jewell, Elisalex
“Made to Measure guides you to create clothes that fit your body and your individual style while learning pattern drafting, garment sewing, and customizing skills you can use for a lifetime.”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)

Looking back on things: New art books

Thomas

A selection of books for your new year reading, these books reflect on the role of art; in its classical halls and chapels, in our reflections upon childhood and on the very streets we walk. Also included are some practical books for those ready to make a mark or stich that should help point you in the right direction.

Picturing joy : stories of connection / Lange, George
“Whether he was shooting a movie star or a family member, he saw his own search for joy reflected in the images. While growing up in Pittsburgh, Lange cherished his happy childhood, and he found himself unconsciously yearning for that feeling in his adult life. Through intimate stories and more than eighty photos, Picturing Joy invites readers to appreciate life with all their senses and to change their perspective by being open to new things.”– Provided by publisher.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

All things move : learning to look in the Sistine Chapel / Marshall, Jeannie
“A writer studies a famous work of art and finds herself and her own cultural moment revealed at its heart. Jeannie Marshall lived in Rome for ten years without visiting the Sistine Chapel: she didn’t want to have a superficial experience of the frescos, but she wasn’t sure how, amidst the crowds of tour groups and the noise of pop culture allusions, she could have anything but. All Things Move is a quietly sublime meditation on how art, once invested with the power to save our souls, can enlarge our lives if only we learn how to look.”– Provided by publisher.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Street art’s rising stars : 24 artists you should know / Mattanza, Alessandra
“Making their statements on the walls of the world’s major cities, these emerging artists are also making their way to the forefront of an increasingly crowded genre. As street artists move from the fringe to the mainstream, it’s hard to know who is a true talent and who’s just a flash in the pan. Whether rebelling against the establishment or bringing communities together; highlighting important issues or expressing a unique creative vision; these artists are living proof of street art’s lasting influence, infinite adaptability, and remarkable diversity” — Provided by publisher.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The printmaking bible : the complete guide to materials and techniques / D’Arcy Hughes, Ann
“With its stunning array of full-color images, The Printmaking Bible is the ultimate guide to the ins and outs of every variety of printmaking practiced today-from intaglio to monotype.  Originally published in 2008, this comprehensive handbook has been revised and updated for this edition, which incorporates new artists, methods, and technologies from all over the world”– Provided by publisher.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Seeing it all women photographers expose our planet / Rubinstein, Rhonda
“Eleven visionary photographers–who happen to be women–focus upon moments of profound beauty and peril on our planet. These intrepid individuals use photography to expose how we–humans, animals, nature–are living together in these precipitous times. Each photographer provides a concise manifesto arising from their commitment to life on the planet, which is accompanied by a short profile and behind-the scenes insights into their activities.”–Publisher.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The untamed thread : slow stitch to soothe the soul & ignite creativity / Woods, Fleur
“The Untamed Thread takes you inside Fleur Woods’ contemporary fibre art studio in rural Aotearoa New Zealand, where her practice is as untamed as the natural landscape that inspires her. Taking you on a journey through colour, texture, flora, textiles and stitch, alongside the magical moments, happy accidents, perfect coincidences and ridiculous randomness of the artistic process, this is a book for anyone wanting to connect with their inner creative self”–Provided by publisher.” ( Adapted from Catalogue)

Thoughtful explorations: New design and craft books

Thomas

This month’s picks may quietly rock your world, or at least let you explore a new craft or passion. Some look at the thought that happens before, during and after the design process, and there are also some straightforward craft books for those who just want to jump to the making.

Quiet spaces / Smalley, William
“Quiet Spaces places the work of architect William Smalley alongside spaces that have inspired him. Places of private contemplation – calm spaces to read a book or listen to music in, to walk through or simply be in – they are spaces that achieve a rare sense of repose and peace.  A foreword by acclaimed potter and writer Edmund de Waal records the small, unspoken ways in which we relate to buildings and how they come to have meaning for us”–Publisher’s description.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

A life in garden design / Bangay, Paul
“Paul Bangay is Australia’s most sought-after garden designer, with close to forty years’ experience. Known for his mastery of scale, balance, form and colour, Paul draws on his lifelong study of the natural and classical worlds to create gardens around the globe. A visual delight, it ranges from photos of childhood gardens and goats to hand-drawn plans for Paul’s earliest designs. Through never-before-seen materials, the story behind Paul’s vision is revealed – and we see the creative workings that come to fruition in meticulous and timeless gardens”–Publisher’s description.” (Adapted Catalogue)

Hilma af Klint & Piet Mondrian : forms of life
“For the first time, the complex, symbiotic ecologies that sustained the practices of two of the twentieth-century’s greatest painters are revealed. Although they never met, Hilma af Klint and Piet Mondrian shared a deep dynamic connection to the natural world and began their careers as landscape painters. Including works never before seen in the UK, this publication will elucidate and invigorate our understanding of two ground-breaking artists and will be sure to get synapses firing.”– Provided by publisher.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

What makes a garden / Blom, Jinny
“What Makes a Garden builds upon the work of The Thoughtful Garden, giving a broader idea of how she thinks about garden design. In particular it emphasizes her multi-disciplinary approach, which embraces architecture, conservation and art, coupled with a strong holistic thread.  With a broad appeal, this beautiful book is for all garden lovers: thoughtful yet practical and informative, it marries artistry with functionality.”– Publisher’s website.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The potter’s way : heal your mind and unleash your creativity through the power of clay / St. George, Florence
“‘Warm, honest and full of inspiring tips, Florence’s story shows us that pottery has the power to soothe the heart and heal the mind.’ JULIA SAMUEL ‘An honest and redemptive story about the power of fun and creativity – I’ve always said if it was mandatory to wear a smock once a week and get messy with clay, adults would be happier.’ NICK LOVE ‘This book is a journey, with a map. Like all maps, it relay’s history, from the first point of contact to pivotal moments along the way. I like a map. They help us to find our way.’ INDIA HICKS” (Catalogue)

Modern crocheted blankets, throws, and pillows : 35 cozy and colorful patterns for the home / Strutt, Laura
“Laura Strutt brings you a range of new designs for blankets, throws, and pillow covers. Divided by colour theme – Bright and Beautiful, Warm and Rich, and Neutral and Natural – and with modern designs, there is something for every home, whatever your decorating style.  Patterns are graded so you can start with something simple if you are a beginner, or select something more advanced if you are skilled with a hook and yarn.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Slow Fashion Projects Galore: New Crafts & Hobbies Books

Ria

With springtime coming soon, everyone looks forward to sunshine and warm weather.  This month’s crafts and hobbies titles are filled with pages that will surely spark joy at every turn. From bagmaking to embroidery, get inspired with handmade extravaganzas that uplift the creative soul and celebrate the planet.

Feeling stitchy? Have fun doing simple projects while saving textile waste going to the landfill with Jen Rich’s book, Stitch, Sewing Projects for the Modern Maker. Also, Zero Waste Patterns: 20 Projects to Sew Your Own Wardrobe by Birgitta Helmersson will help every eco-friendly seamstress create their first tank top using a unique “paperless” pattern method. While The re:fashion wardrobe: sew your own stylish, sustainable clothes by Portia Lawrie offers our budding eco-makers a guide on sourcing and ” harvesting” existing clothes and applying “refashioning” techniques to transform an old piece of clothing into something edgy.

Similarly, if you love lingering at the op shops and hunting for copious amounts of preloved clothes, don’t miss the book by Melody Fortier, New to You: How to Buy, Fix, and Keep Second-hand Clothing. Let the author, a vintage fashion expert, help you build a stylish but more sustainable wardrobe collection.  Another creative goody to keep you busy is Sara Naumann’s Modern Resin Jewellery: over 50 inspiring easy-to-make projects.  Develop a new skill set by creating your own earrings using a few tools and materials.  The author provides over 50 visually inviting projects for budding resin crafters!

So, get inspired this upcoming season with less textile waste and the pleasure of everything handmade that will surely make Mother Nature smile.

Zero waste patterns : 20 projects to sew your own wardrobe / Helmersson, Birgitta
“Zero waste pattern cutting is a bit like a puzzle. You use a pre-determined length of fabric end to end by strategically planning your pattern pieces so that everything is used and then draw them onto the fabric. By using this unique “paperless” method you can eliminate both textile and paper waste from your sewing projects and take the fear out of learning to self draft and sew your own clothing. This book includes 5 simple zero-waste pattern blocks and can then be used to make a further 15 projects by making simple changes or mixing and matching your blocks into new designs.”–Publisher’s description.” (Adopted from Catalogue)

Stitch : sewing projects for the modern maker / Rich, Jen
“Stitch will offer contemporary designs and creative projects for the modern maker with a discernible eye for aesthetics, with a focus on customisable makes, stunning fabric inspiration, easy-to-follow instructions and beautifully graphic photography. The book will cover the basic techniques of sewing with all projects achievable either by using a sewing machine or by hand (and a little more time!), and with no overly complicated techniques. Each project will be photographed and some will be accompanied by step-by-step images to help guide you through more intricate instructions. “–Publisher’s description.” (Adopted from Catalogue)

New to you : how to buy, fix, and keep secondhand clothing / Fortier, Melody
“A guide to finding, buying, and caring for vintage clothing”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)

Continue reading “Slow Fashion Projects Galore: New Crafts & Hobbies Books” →

Pots, Pottery and Some Other Things Too: new design books

Thomas

This month’s picks take emphasis on the beloved art of ceramics. Pots, a staple of the form are also a staple in our lives. Alongside are a few books that take a broader look at creativity in the home, abstract art and photography.

Crown Lynn : a New Zealand icon / Monk, Valerie Ringer
“In the late 1930s Tom Clark, barely in his early 20s, began making porcelain tiles and electrical fittings alongside his family’s brick and pipe works in New Lynn. “Crown Lynn” is enriched by detailed research, including interviews with the late Sir Tom Clark and many other Crown Lynn staff. It has more than 100 photographs of Crown Lynn products, a comprehensive timeline and an illustrated catalogue of backstamps”–Back cover.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Design and create contemporary tableware : making pottery you can use / Bloomfield, Linda
“The tableware we use is very important in our everyday lives, whether plates, bowls, mugs, cups or teapots. This stylishly illustrated guide helps budding and established ceramicists alike to create practical and attractive ranges, starting with design principles, working through appropriate construction techniques, and leading on to decoration and finishes. Tips are provided on glaze fit, dishwasher- and microwave-safe glazes, firing and finishing.” — Back cover.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Around the world in 80 pots : the story of humanity told through beautiful ceramics
“”A journey through history and across cultures with the Ashmolean Museum’s unrivalled ceramics collection. It contains works from the Middle East, Asia, Europe, UK and Africa that span over 5,000 years. Pottery tells us about religion, daily life, humour, trade, sex, folklore and creativity. This compendium shows that humankind’s oldest craft is the perfect prism through which to view human history”–dymocks.com.au”–Publisher’s description.” ( adapted from Catalogue)

Creative family home : imaginative and original spaces for modern family living / Gibson, Ashlyn
“Nowadays, family homes need to work hard and play hard, meeting the varying needs of style-conscious parents, lively toddlers and everyone else in between. Creative Family Home celebrates modern family life, where children are given the freedom to express themselves and to develop their individuality within the context of an imaginative family home”–Publisher’s description.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Australian abstract : contemporary abstract painting / Bell, Amber Creswell
“There is no single neat definition of abstract art. It makes no attempt to represent reality; instead it has its own visual language using shape, colour and form with no rules. An explosion of creative expression and gestural force, Australian Abstract explores the constantly evolving genre and how it offers unparalleled artistic freedom inviting deeply personal connection and interpretation from both artist and viewer.” — Back cover.” (Catalogue)

 

Chronorama : photographic treasures of the 20th century
“Chronorama: Photographic Treasures of the 20th Century is an impressive photography volume from the Condé Nast Archive, curated by Matthieu Humery for the Pinault Collection.  Taken from the pages of Vogue, Vanity Fair, House & Garden, GQ, and Glamour, the nearly 400 stunning original vintage prints and illustrations within this tome are by top photographers, resulting in an unprecedented showcase of some of the most important works ever to be produced for the magazine page — Provided by publisher.” (Adapted from Catalogue)