Disclosure: some product provided for review purposes. Links below may be affiliate links and CTD will receive a small commission from your purchase. Opinions are 100% our own and based on first-hand experience with the product. Thank you! You might have heard- coloring books for adults are HOT. (And not in the icky/pornographic way, but in the way it’s SUPER-popular!) It’s an international phenomena and it seems everyone is jumping on the coloring book train to promote creativity and destressing. […]
BOOK REVIEW: Foxy Epoxy by Kristal Wick
I was send a copy of “Foxy Epoxy: 44 Great Epoxy Clay Projects with Serious Bling” by Kristal Wick, to review. To properly review the book, I was sent some Swarovski Ceralun Epoxy Clay too. You can see the review for the clay, here. This is an advanced jewelry making book, focusing on the use of epoxy clay for various designs. Many of the jewelry making techniques are not basic, requiring existing jewelry making skills. The book is publish by Lark […]
Book Review: Simple Beginnings Beading
I love making simple jewelry. Over at my site, 30 Minute Crafts, I make a lot of fast and easy jewelry projects. And I love picking up books that take me through basic techniques. I like reviewing the basics, and I also like having books with basic techniques to pass on to my friends who want to learn new crafting skills. So I was excited to review Simple Beginnings: Beading by Suzann Sladick Wilson. Here is what the publisher says […]
Book Review: Bewitching Bead and Wire Jewelry
As an intermediate beader, I’ve made my share of earrings, bracelets, and necklaces. I have a simple style that I stick to… and I am ready to branch out. So I was super excited to be sent Bewitching Bead and Wire Jewelry by Suzanne J.E. Tourtillott to review. Here is what the publisher has to say about the book: These 40 fun projects—rings, bracelets, earrings, necklaces, cuffs—will inspire wire workers, beaders, and all types of creative crafters. Written by Suzanne […]
Book Review: Never Been Stitched by Amanda Carestio
I have been sewing a long, long time. More than half my life. But that doesn’t stop me from keeping my eye out for books for beginning sewers, like this book “Never Been Stitched” by Amanda Carestio, with the contributions of others. I have lots of friends who want advice on learning how to sew. And since I can’t send them to my mom’s house to learn on a hand-crank Singer like I did, I like having some basic books […]
Organic Wire and Metal Jewelry by Beth Martin and Eva Sherman
Today I have a special share for you- a book written by two of my favorite people (and SUCH talented jewelry artists, to boot!) Organic Wire and Metal Jewelry was written by good friends and local artists Beth Martin and Eva Sherman. Here’s the description: Showcasing gemstones, crystals, sea glass, and pearls, Organic Wire and Metal Jewelry offers new ways to incorporate raw materials into beautiful jewelry pieces. Clear, step-by-step instructions and detailed photographs teach readers a variety of basic […]
Beer Crafts: Book Review
I’ll admit that I’m not a big beer drinker. But my husband is a beer fan, so reviewing the book “Beer Crafts” was a great opportunity for me to fulfill one of my husband’s deepest desires: asking him to pick up some beer on the way home! Here is what the publisher says about “Beer Crafts – making the Most of Your Cans, Bottle Caps, and Labels” by Shawn Gascoyne-Bowman. While author and crafter extraordinaire Shawn Bowman would like to […]
Book Review: Aimee Ray’s Sweet and Simple Jewelry
I haven’t been this charmed by a book in a long time. Really, get ready for a love-fest, because I’m about to dish about the fabulous book Aimee Ray’s Sweet & Simple Jewelry. Here is what the publisher has to say about the book: Aimee Ray, the bestselling author of Doodle Stitching—along with top Etsy and indie designers—presents some of the most beautiful, on-trend jewelry projects ever. Designed for general crafters, jewelry makers, and Ray’s legion of fans, these stunning […]
Creating Layers in Mixed Media Art Book by Michelle Brown and Giveaway
I love the creative community of artist and crafters. Every day I “meet” someone online or in real life and we connect just because we create. A few months ago I was contacted by Michelle Brown of MixedMediaArt.net and she graciously asked for an interview for her website. (You can see that here.) In the process of the interview, she let me know that she had written a book,Creating Layers in Mixed Media Art: A keep within reach reference for […]
Book Review: Flip Dolls and Other Toys
If you’re looking for a fun book on making stuffed toys that do double-duty, you may have found your match with “Flip Dolls and Other Toys that Zip, Stack, Hide, Grab, and Go”. This book packs a lot of bang for the buck! Here is what the publisher says about the book: Why make an ordinary stuffed toy when you can sew irresistible creations that flip, zip, snap, stack, and move? Filled with wit, humor, and inventiveness, these delightful interactive […]
Craft Book Review: Fair Isle Knitting
Although I have enjoyed knitting for many years, I have never really ventured beyond the basic dishcloth. Fair Isle knitting has always intrigued me, but I’ve never been brave enough to give it a try. Its intricate patterns are intimidating at best. Lynne Watterson’s craft book, The Very Easy Guide ot Fair Isle Knitting was just the nudge I needed to step out of my yarn comfort zone. The front cover reads “step-by-step techniques, easy-t0-follow stitch patterns, and […]
Stuffed Animals from Concept to Construction Book Review
I was given a copy of Stuffed Animals from Concept to Construction by Abigail Patner Glassenberg to review. This 192 page book has patterns and instructions for making 16 different stuffed animals, including a fish, bumblebee, elephant, lion, cat, teddy bear, monkey, and hippo. It also includes 52 lessons on the designing and creation of your own stuffed animal. Here is what Amazon has to say about the book: Are you ready for a soft toy book that goes beyond […]
Zodiac Felties Book Review
Today’s review is of a sewing h0w-to book, “Zodiac Felties” by Sarah Skeate. This book provides patterns and instructions for creating felt plush figures representing the twelve signs of the zodiac, plus Mars, Venus, the sun and moon. Each figure is created using small scraps of felt, embroidery floss, and beads, and then lightly stuffed. The resulting figures are only a few inches in height. Here is what Amazon has to say about the book Zodiac Felties: With easy […]
Craft-A-Day Book Review
The Craft-a-Day book takes you on a journey of 365 simple and inexpensive crafts to create. The crafts are categorized into 52 themed weeks. The beginning of each week has templates for you to trace for that week’s projects. The projects are simple, most taking 30 minutes or less to create. Some, such as the felt plushies, take a little longer. The projects require basic tracing, cutting, pasting, and sewing skills, and most would be great for grade-school aged children. […]
Craft Book Review: Crochet One-Skein Wonders
One of my favorite things about crochet is how quickly a project can take shape—especially if you’re using taller stitches. Because crochet projects can be much closer to instant-gratification than knitting, you’ll often find me with a hook in my hand instead of needles. The only problem is, since crochet projects generally require more yarn than their knitted counterparts, I often buy more than I need, and end up with an extra skein. Until now, that beautiful leftover yarn has […]
Book Review: Star Wars Crafts by Bonnie Burton
MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH YOU!!! Ok, I wait all year to say that! So today, in honor of “Star Wars Day” (May 4) I’m sharing a super-cool and cute book for Star Wars fans of all ages! It’s The Star Wars Craft Book by Bonnie Burton, and this book has got it all- recycle crafts, n0-sew fabric crafts, sewing, crocheting, paper mache, even good-ol’ spray paint. First, let’s take a look at the book itself. This is the blurb from […]
eBook Review: Fashionably Fast by May Flaum
Are you like me when it comes to scrapbooking? Over-obsessing over every embellishment, color choice and photo placement? Does it take you two days to finish a page? Do you sometimes NEVER finish a layout? Well the fabulous May Flaum comes to our rescue with, “Fashionably Fast: Ten Strategies for stylish, speedy scrapbook pages.” This is an eBook available through Big Pictures Classes. According to the publisher: Join the speediest scrapbooker on the block, May Flaum, as she joins forces […]
Book Review: Practical Origami: Folding Your Way to Everyday Accessories
It took me 33 years to make a paper crane without crying. Succeeding at origami requires both patience and precision, two skills that are not my forte. It also requires clear instruction, something that can be rare in the origami world. Ever try to use one of the patterns on the paper package? Inscrutable! Frustrating. Rage-inducing. However, Practical Origami: Folding Your Way to Everyday Accessories, is an excellent instructional book with fun, doable projects. The tagline for Practical Origami: Tuck, […]
Book Review: 101+ Things to do with Glitter by Momtaz Begum-Hossain
Sometimes glitter gets a bad reputation. Often referred to as “the herpes of the craft world,” once you let glitter into your life, it likes to stay forever. But who says that’s a bad thing? Glitter is bright, bold, funky, and easy to use, and Momtaz Begum-Hossain’s 101+ Things to do with Glitter offers a melange of projects, ideas, and tips that will make any reader a glitter expert by the last page. I bet there’s even a project in […]
Jewelry Book Review: Necklaceology by Candy Cooper
I love making jewelry. And a good book really helps inspire the creative process! Such is the case with Necklaceology: How to Make Chokers, Lariats, Ropes & More by Candie Cooper. The first think I need to disclose is that I know Candie personally and think she’s a great gal. But my personal relationship with her doesn’t change the face that she wrote a pretty stellar book. Let’s take a closer look, shall we? From the publisher: From collars and chokers […]
