Making a Life by Melanie Falick
In her new book Making a Life, Falick explores the nature of working with our hands in the modern world. She takes you behind the scenes with modern craftspeople from around the world, interviewing them about the realities of preserving traditional craft techniques in a fast-paced modern society. Curious about the author? Hear Falick talk about her book on epidode #156 of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast!
The Pink Book by Kaye Blegvad
Illustrator Kaye Blegvad’s guide to the color pink is a fun exploration of how this rosy hue is woven into our culture. Inside you’ll find dozens of brief essays on various shades of pink. For example: “Object Study: Pink Pearl Eraser” and “Experiment: Rose Tinted Glasses” explore two popular uses of the color. A fun celebration of color, and a great gift for painters and artists.
Almost Lost Arts by Emily Freidenrich
A great gift for any craft enthusiast, Almost Lost Arts features the stories of artisans devoted to preserving traditional craft techniques.
Discover the world of Zapotec weavers, papermakers, milliners, and neon sign makers — the featured artisans represent a diverse mix of media, ages, genders, and cultural backgrounds.
Don’t Keep Your Day Job by Cathy Heller
Host of the popular podcast Don’t Keep Your Day Job, Heller is an evangelist for transforming your creative passion into a fulfilling career. Her book is a digestible tome filled with the lessons she’s learned interviewing people like Gretchen Rubin and Jen Sincero. While Heller’s book covers career development in all sorts of industries, the advice inside feels especially applicable to freelancers and those starting their own creative businesses.
Why We Quilt by Thomas Knauer
Quilting educator Thomas Knauer’s new book showcases quilts from a wide range of contemporary craftspeople, accompanied by their testimonials about the inspiration for their work. The book showcases the intersections of craft and activism, with examples like the AIDS memorial quilt, as well as Knauer’s own work “Iced Tea and Skittles,” a memorial quilt for Trayvon Martin. Exploring quilting’s intersections with tradition, activism, and consumer culture, Knauer’s exploration of modern quilting digs deeper than aesthetics to paint a picture of a vibrant community of thoughtful artists. Don’t miss his conversation with Craft Industry Alliance founder Abby Glassenberg in episode #89 of our podcast!
The Year of Knots by Windy Chien
Learning to tie a new kind of knot every day for one year led Chien on a path of discovery that transformed her life and her creative career. In her new book, Chien combines projects, tutorials, and transformative personal stories, all aimed at inspiring readers to develop their own creative daily practice.
Keep It Moving by Twyla Tharp
The renowned author of The Creative Habit has a new guide to staying creative later in life. Her book covers all aspects of caring for your body and mind, including diet and exercise, but it’s her take on maintaining an attitude of curiosity that struck me as most helpful for creatives looking for long-term career guidance. A great gift for craft pros of all ages.
A Life Made By Hand: The Story of Ruth Asawa by Andrea D’Aquino
This children’s book introduces young people to the work of sculptor Ruth Asawa, known for her intricate basketwoven wire sculptures. A beautifully illustrated short biography, this book would make a great teaching tool for arts educators.
Erin Dollar
Contributor
Erin is the textile designer and artist behind the home décor company, Cotton & Flax. She licenses her surface designs for fabric, home décor, stationery, and other clients. She’s also a teacher, writer, and enthusiastic advocate for small creative business owners. She lives in San Diego, California.
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