Whether you are a full-time practising craftsperson or a keen hobbyist there is no greater value than having a rich source of arts and craft books to inspire and motivate you.  There are some wonderful books on the market today on every possible craft.  They are usually beautifully illustrated with photographs of projects to be undertaken, or illustrations of an artists’ finished work.  If you have friends or relations that wish to start learning a craft then these books are a very good way of starting off.

Visual Journals

There are books that are drawn directly from the notebooks and sketchbooks of artists.  These can be spectacular and inspirational for all creative people.  One of these is by Kay Greenlees ‘Creating Sketchbooks for Embroiderers and Textile Artists’ a book that actively encourages the artist/craftsperson to start a sketchbook / journal or visual diary.  It shows pages from the journals of many artists and also some finished pieces of artwork and is a fascinating visual stimulus for one’s own artistic creations. Another book of this type is ‘Artists’ Journals and Sketchbooks’ Exploring and creating Personal Pages by Lynne Perrella,  again this book gives a wonderful insight into the sketchbooks of artists and designers.  It gives literally hundreds of ideas for starting points for art work as well as for creating your own creative visual notebook.

Craft books

There are many books dedicated to individual crafts, these books often give projects for the reader to undertake.  These books are generally aimed at those with little experience and are self-explanatory.  Most people with general skills would be able to follow these and create interesting pieces. 

New Crafts ‘Tinwork’ by Marion Elliot gives twenty-five creative tin projects as well as the history of tin work and templates to copy for each project.  It clearly lists the materials and equipment needed for all the tasks and starts with basic instructions on cutting tin.  All the steps in every process are clearly illustrated with photographs by Peter Williams.

‘Paper, Metal & Stitch’ by Maggie Grey and Jane Wild incorporates metal into works with craft papers and fabrics and stitches through fine metal ‘shim’.  They use embossing powders on metal, patination fluids and waxes, acrylic paints and coiled copper wire.  They introduce the techniques of combining materials with wonderful effects.  All effects are illustrated using coloured photography.

‘The New Candle Book’ by Gloria Nicol has three main areas Candle Style, Candle Making and Containers for Candles.  Within those areas she covers a huge range of topics, candles in the home, themes and seasons, special occasions.  Candle making includes types of candles, basic candle making techniques and decorative candles.  Containers, encompasses types of containers and the adaptation and decoration of them.  The book also supplies templates for the various container projects.  This is a stunningly colourful book with photographs by Debbie Patterson.

‘Decorative Boxes’ to create, give and keep by Juliet Bawden is a practical book for the making and decorating of fascinating boxes, trinket boxes, toy boxes, jack in the boxes and craft boxes are all covered in this delightful book.  Many different techniques are also included in the book, embroidery, appliqué, gilding, decoupage to name but a few, with step by step instructions and clear

photographic illustrations that ensure these boxes accessible to everyone. A brief though inspirational history of boxes is also given in the front of the book. 

Craft compendiums

The final books I shall introduce are the craft compendiums that cover many different crafts in the one book.  They are very valuable to the novice craft worker who is not sure of the craft they wish to pursue as they are an introduction to crafts of all types.

‘Traditional Country Crafts’ by Miranda Innes, this book is divided into four different sections Needlecraft, Kitchencraft, Woodcraft and Decorative craft.  It features twenty different crafts each of which is introduced by a leading exponent in that particular field and is followed by a user friendly project that should be accessible to all.  The materials used are inexpensive and easily available from most hobby shops or DIY stores.  Step by step photographs illustrate each project from start to finish.

‘Classic crafts a practical compendium of traditional skills’ edited by Martina Margetts with  Photography by Jacqui Hurst.  This book too is divided into four sections Textile crafts, Paper crafts, Kitchen crafts and Decorative crafts.  It covers the whole range of country crafts and traditional skills with the photographs portraying craftspeople at work in their local environment.  The book also supplies a range of projects specifically designed for the book, from tile making to stained glass and rag rugs to making chocolates all described in a way as to make it possible for you to produce excellent results.

‘Folk Art Style and Design’ by Stewart and Sally Walton, folk art is rooted in the traditional peasant styles of Scandanavia and Europe and is extremely popular in Art and & Design studies in many universities.  Original pieces of work are much sought after for private collections and museums worldwide.  This book gives a well illustrated view of the history and practicalities of the art, the style of painting, rug making, quilting and simple metal crafts and tinware.  It has thirty-five projects to complete with practical illustrations and detailed instruction.

I would always recommend the buying or borrowing of craft books to take the first step in the pursuit of a new craft.  Books are always an asset for research and can provide all the necessary information to start you on your way.