Editor's Picks: Craft Books

This book is part crafts, part pep talk, part therapy session. "Getting Started" intros lay down the basics about materials you'll need; then the author walks you through a pair of projects for rubber stamping, decorative painting, collage & decoupage, bookmaking, papermaking, metal & wire crafts, floral projects, and mosaics. Mixed in with the pretty projects are "Creativity Sessons"--little nudges to our creative selves from the energetic and inspiring author. It's a crafting sampler in the best sense of the word, filled with projects that are involved enough to teach you but easy enough not to discourage you. By the end of the book, you'll feel like you have made an encouraging new friend--in addition to some great crafts.

This is the most beautiful book I've ever seen! Whether you make things with shells or just love to collect them from the beach, you'll be inspired by page after page of unique and elaborate ways to use your sandy treasures. It will leave you inspired to create and longing for the seashore.

This book makes me long for the days before email and telephones. Even now--or perhaps especially now--it would make anyone's day to receive these beautiful handcrafted missives, with stamped, folded, collaged and decoupaged envelopes, cards and booklets. Clear photos accompany every step of the instructions, so even the most novice crafter can follow along.

This beautiful book is full of charming, elegant projects that any crafter would love, not just gardening crafters. The herb and flower projects are unique, including pressed flower polymer clay napkin rings, garlic skin bowls and a magical money-plant lampshade. You'll want to make every single project in the book, and there's no reason why you can't--the projects are all simple but with stunning results.

If cottage style is your thing, you'll love to have this book around--even if you never make any of the projects. It's full of beautiful, breezy photos and dozens of projects to make with vintage linens. Most of the projects require sewing, but step-by-step illustrations make stitching, pinning and cutting instructions easy to follow. Don't forget to fix a cup of tea when you settle down with this book.

The words "elegant" and "beautiful" hardly seem strong enough to describe the projects in Anna Griffin's Paper Crating book. In addition to several cards, invitations, boxes and books, Griffin also shares excellent ideas for frames, desk accessories and scrapbook pages. If you love her line of papers, stamps, brass stencils and decoupage products, you'll be thrilled with this book full of new ways to use them with truly beautiful results.

Sometimes handmade gifts look a little too... well... handmade. The projects in this book are easy enough to make yourself but also end up looking elegant enough to pass for store-bought--albeit from a very nice store! The are holiday projects, baby projects, and everyday items that will make wonderful gifts. Projects include sewing, stamping, painting, glass, metal and more.

I'm not a painter, I don't do decorative painting, and I love this book! I'm so glad it found me because I never would have found it otherwise. It's full of elegant, artistic and unique projects that I can't wait to try, like ornaments, mirrors, vases, frames and more--even cards--and many of the techniques are transferable to other glass items as well. Full of beautiful, easy-to-achieve designs inspired by Art Nouveau glass artists like Louis Comfort Tiffany, William Morris and others.

Knitters aren't the only sock makers; now crochet fans, too, can whip up socks with these fun and functional projects. From colorful stripes, wild fringe and even a toe thong sock to simple and soft patterns for men and women, you'll find plenty to do in this book. Lots of great stitch diagrams and a pattern sizing chart. Custom socks--what a luxury!

Papercrafting is hot, and this is a great book for all you paper lovers. There's a thorough introduction about dozens of kinds of paper. Special projects include a whimsical sweet-pea garland made of tissue, several great books and boxes, and very well done paper animals. Project patterns are included in the back of the book.

Unique attendants' gifts, invitations, reception favors, ceremony decorations and shower ideas--all in one charming book. Dozens of witty, fresh projects that are simple enough for even less skilled crafters. Great projects to make quickly with a group of bridesmaids or by yourself.

Crafters are always looking for something new to do with all the beautiful ribbons on the market, and this book offers 22 unique projects for just that purpose. Home decor projects, gifts and wedding projects--plus several flower-making techniques that can be used in a variety of ways. Plus, every project is made using common, adaptable materials that any crafter can find--and probably already has.