ART AND CRAFTS
The Natural Way to Draw, Kimon Nicolaides
Ok, all you serious artists, this book is a must if you crave in-depth instruction in drawing. Technical and very thorough, this book will provide a foundation for correct shading, composition, proportion, the use of space and other artistic drawing skills.
Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, Betty Edwards
The author applies the "split-brain" theory pioneered in the 50's to drawing and came up with a new way to teach people how to "see" what they are drawing and execute their drawings well. Her excellent step-by-step exercises teach her new method and enable the reader to put to use her principles of tapping into the creativity of the right brain.
The Complete Guide to Decorative Stamping, Grace Taormina
What a great comprehensive guide to buying supplies, making your own stamps and techniques for applying ink and paint to the stamp. While the rubber stamp isle in craft stores offers expensive pre-inked pads of colored inks, Taormina offers limitless ink and paint alternatives that prove to be more economical as well as creative. Her projects are lush and very easy. She shows you how to fill your whole house with stamped images!
Candlemaking, David Constable
Excellent candle making book for beginners and enthusiasts. Hand dipping, beeswax rolled, hand modeling, moulded and surface techniques are all covered in this guide. Great photos and simple instructions mean that ten-year-old Antony voted for this one when we were picking a guide for our family's candle making endeavor.
The Papermaker's Companion, Helen Hiebert
I love the Storey Books and this one is no exception. An excellent guide to papermaking, it actually explains why you are instructed to do certain steps. Detailed drawings and precise instructions make following this book easy and enables anyone to create handmade papers at home.
The Art and Craft of Papermaking, Sophie Dawson
Luscious photos with excellent step-by-step instructions make this guidebook an excellent accompaniment to the prior book. See pages 106-108 for instructions in "pulp casting" which is the technical term for making our simple paper ornaments (found on the craft cabinet page under paper ornaments).
Beadwork Basics, Ann Benson
Boy, I had a hard time finding a simple jewelry-making book that clearly demonstrates techniques we use for making our family's jewelry. Thankfully, this book does contain such instructions and more. Filled with interesting beading projects that can be accomplished by novices, this book covers the use of clamshell bead tips, bead stitching and even crimping tigertail. See pages 90 and 91 for instructions on using tigertail the way that we do when we make our simple but elegant bead bracelets, necklaces and ankle bracelets (see the craft cabinet page under jewelry).
© 2001, Smart Kid At Home. World Rights Reserved.