I love making things, really I think it’s so satisfying to see a lump of nothing, or a collection of scraps evolving into something beautiful (or at least reasonably recognisable) in my hands. I’ve sewn and knitted, folded, glued and stapled things into submission and then given them all away; oh apart from a macrame owl I made when I was 11 – no one gets the owl! I also love to receive gifts that have been handmade, I love nothing more than getting something that has taken someone time rather than money to give to me.
Homemade gifts are becoming more and more popular as people move away from the corporate and commercial side of gift giving and we don’t think that a bad idea at all. Here to help you get started on your own homemade gifts are five crafty books that we think are perfect for gift givers
The Big-Ass Book of Crafts – Mark Montano
The perfect starter book for people who want to try a little bit of everything. With instructions on how to make everything from furniture to fabric drapes, coasters to chandeliers, tablecloths to fashionable plates, stationery to seashell bookends you can make all of these with a little patience and practice.
Sticky Fingers: DIY Duct Tape Projects – Sophie Maletsky
Everybody has a roll of Duct Tape lying around somewhere and we all know that pretty much anything can be mended with this but did you know you can also use it for crafting? This book has some brilliant projects inside including wallets, purses, bags, cases, wearable jewellery, and many other things.
Sticky Fingers: DIY Duct Tape Projects US
Sticky Fingers: DIY Duct Tape Projects UK
Beautiful Bookmarks – Rachel Cusk
What better gift to give to a fellow book lover than a handmade bookmark? All of these are crocheted so do need you to have at least a passing knowledge of how to handle a crochet hook but you don’t need to be an expert.
Debbi Moore Designs Book Folding – Debbi Moore
The first in a series of several book folding pattern books with instructions and tips this is the perfect book for those of us wondering what to do with those old encyclopaedias and Readers Digests with words and shapes included in the seven designs this book contains.
Debbi Moore Designs Book Folding US
Debbi Moore Designs Book Folding UK
Bookcraft – Heather Weston
With instructions on how to make everything from heirloom memories to unique journals, albums, and altered books or simple tag books for your children this is the perfect how to book for all bibliophiles.
If there are any craft books that you particularly love please let us know about them and we will do a list of craft books suggested by you.
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