Do you need a new book for inspiration?

How about a great how-to book?

Why not a book to polish your existing skills?

Now is the time to stock up!

Interweave Press is holding their annual “Hurt & Overstock ” book sale, with great discounts on craft, fiber art, jewelry, knitting books and much more.  I’ve gotten some fantastic deals on “gently damaged” books from them over the years.

What kind of goodies can you find?

How about $12.48 for “Bags With Paper & Stitch “?

“Explore the art of papermaking and how to transform these distinctive papers into unique, one-of-a-kind handbags embellished using modern techniques. Fiber artist Isobel Hall showcases dozens of exquisite handmade bags and her methods for achieving success in Bags with Paper and Stitch.”

Or how about “Color On Color: Elegant Designs to Stitch” for just $10.98?

“Small splashes of bright colors can awaken any wardrobe or home decor. This beautifully illustrated book provides a wonderful introduction to embroidery for newcomers and will capture the imagination and interest of more experienced needleworkers as well. Janet Haigh, one of Europe’s foremost embroiderers, combines simple hand-worked embroidery, exquisite natural fabrics, and several cross-craft techniques to create 12 striking projects with 20 elegant and contemporary designs.

Sounds like fun to me…

images: Interweave Press

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world:
At Craftside there is a bling-tastic video on hand lettering with Lisa Engelbrecht, from the new book The Crafter’s Devotional a how to make a leather book cover and flag cuffs made from a book cover, an “actual size” silver heart using PMC, and a fun snack recipe.

Crafty Princess Diaries
Tammy shows off her cool new sewing cabinet that was surprisingly inexpensive.

Cross Stitch at About.com
Why no knots in Counted Cross Stitch? Find out why and how to secure your floss in alternate ways.

Mixed Media Artist
A report on using the new CopprClay. This stuff rocks!

Naughty Secretary Club
Thinking about starting up your own craft business? Jen has a few suggestions of things you might consider first. Plus learn how you can take a Crafty Business Seminar with Jen from anywhere in the world!

Stefanie Girard’s Sweater Surgery
Old plastic bead necklaces go under the knife (and in the toaster oven) to make Melted Plastic bead Star Earrings perfect for the patriotic holidays

The Artful Crafter
Eileen suggests you go shopping for craft supplies in your jewelry box and closet. Make an old accessory into something new and fresh.

The Impatient Crafter
Madge shares the clip from her recent appearance on Lifetime TV’s The Balancing Act for Beadalon.

About Family Crafts
If you are looking for a creative way to celebrate every day during the month of July, check out this special events calendar!

Aileen’s Musings
Ever wonder how to get that cute copyright symbol or better yet, how to put one on your artwork or photographs? Aileen offers a easy tutorial using PSP.

Cathie Filian
It is summer and that means beach & pool time! Visit Cathie Filian’s blog to learn how to stotch up a terry beach throw.

Stefanie Girard’s Sweater Surgery:
See how to make a card and card album themed for a rock and roll mom to be that uses cute die cuts in a cool way.

The Artful Crafter
“Panadieres for Zambia” is a neat story and one small example of crafters helping crafters – all around the world. As Eileen likes to say, “Crafters are just the nicest people.”

The Impatient Crafter
Madge shares a technique in this post about embossing on slick surfaces!

About Family Crafts
What are your cleaning tips for crafting with kids? Please take a moment to share your tips and then browse through tips shared by others.

Aileen’s Musings
Hard as it was, Aileen has narrowed down the playing field and needs your help again to choose from her favorite sayings that have been posted for her blog giveway! Stop by and pick your favorite.

Cathie Filian
If you are wondering what to eat, craft and play on the 4th of July then head over to Cathie’s blog for ideas.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
This week at Craftside you can watch the latest Look, Learn & Create video that includes tips on drawing, two techniques and projects for cutting photos up, a bit of fabric eye candy, and a free paper stencil and project from the new book The Art of Decorative Paper Stencils 2 and if you leave answers to the day’s questions you are entered to win free books!

Crafty Princess Diaries
Tammy uses her jewelry making skills to create some beautiful and functional stitch markers.

CraftyPod
Sister Diane reviews an intriguing new book: Micro Macrame, by Annika DeGroot

Cross Stitch at About.com
Work at Your Own Pace - An encounter with a critter in the yard has Connie thinking about Cross Stitch (imagine that!) and speed.

Naughty Secretary Club
Arty Masterpieces are overrated, it’s all about the Glittery Crafterpieces! Take a peek at the handmade art around my house and try your hand at making a fun glittery deer picture!

Entries will be accepted very soon for the 2010 Niche Awards.  Sponsored by Niche Magazine at AmericanCraft.com, you’ll be able to complete your application either by mail or directly online this year.  Thank heavens!

2010 Deadlines & Fees:
Professionals – August 31, 2009; $40 online / $45 by mail (special discount offered to 2010 BMAC exhibitors)
Students – September 30, 2009; $18 online / $25 by mail

Visit the link above and add yourself to their mailing list if you want to be kept up to date!

I’m not usually drawn to urban scenes.  I live so far out in the ‘burbs that it’s really sort of sub-suburban.  But Karen Stiehl Osborn’s Urban Landscape series just takes my breath away.

There’s a lot more to like on Karen’s site too.   I love here fabric “fragments”, her Autumn Traces series, and the series called Conversations with Myself.   Karen is one of the partners involved with the wonderful Collage Mania auctions.

Images: Karen Steihl Osborn

Naughty Secretary Club:
Think all the marketing at a craft show is already taken care of for the vendors? Think again. Jen shares some marketing tips.

Mixed Media Artist
Here’s a way to combine planning with serendipity when you paint fabrics!

Stefanie Girard’s Sweater Surgery
Another of Stefanie’s Happy Bunnies-This one created using the help of the cool book: Stray Sock Sewing

The Artful Crafter
What new mom would not be delighted with this precious keepsake pendant? Eileen gives you step-by-step instructions for making it using polymer clay and decal paper.

The Impatient Crafter
Madge went on a bead buying trip to NYC! Get the scoop!

Vickie Howell
Craft Corps Stencil Kits are in! Check out Vickie’s How-To on making your own, stenciled gear. Stand up, shout loud, you’ve joined The Corps and you’re proud!

About Family Crafts
What is in your craft cupboard? What craft supplies can you not live without? Has there been a craft item that your purchased thinking it was the greatest invention of all time and then never used?

Aileen’s Musings
Aileen needs your help! She’s created another whimsical character in her curalicious series and needs a saying or quote to go with her! Post your quote or saying and enter to win a curvalicious coffee cup!

Cathie Filian
Recycle old jeans and fabric scraps into a quilted 4th of July Table Runner in under 2 hours!

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
This week at Craftside there is Jenn Mason’s episode of Look, Learn & Create where she shows us how to make a fun matchbook card and dyed plastic tube necklace, a window-screen art journal tutorial from the new book Re-bound and a mini journal with a recycled scrapbook paper catalog, a discussion of rule breaking in logo design and a recipe for roasted chickpeas.

Crafty Princess Diaries
Cat Domination at Jewelry Bench! Where oh where can I work on jewelry, Tammy asks?

CraftyPod
Take a handful of buttons and some craft wire, and make charming button monograms to wear as jewelry.

Cross Stitch at About.com
Dinosaurs rule in the Land of the Lost and they also rule at About.com Cross Stitch. There are three of them stalking through Connie’s latest free pattern collection.

Elizabeth St Hilaire Nelson makes paper, paints it, rips it up…and then she creates fabulous collages with the tiny pieces which she mixes with found paper pieces!  My friend Shirley in Oz wrote to me about her and shared the link, and I’m so glad she did.

Besides creating these wonderful collages, Elizabeth keeps a blog, has a time lapse video of one of her collages in progress, and has also found time to compile several books featuring her finished work.

Elizabeth writes:

My technique has evolved and changed as a result of experimentation with hand-painted, hand-made, and found papers, maps, magazines, Scrabble tiles and memorabilia. I draw inspiration from potential collage materials that I come across in my day-to-day; chopstick wrappers, tea-bag tags and the kids’ homework included!

Just about a year ago, I wrote a review of Susan Stein’s Fabric Art Workshop, and recommended it highly for those who wanted a book to grow with as you learned surface design techniques.   Well, Susan has done it again!

The new book is Fabric Art Projects, and my supposition is that it is an expansion of the last book.  The description says that it teaches techniques and provides projects to use them in.  I’m thinking that perhaps it would be best to take a look at the book first if you’ve already bought the first one, but if not, this one might be a nice alternative.

I’ve not seen a copy of this book yet, but I’m very much looking forward to it!

Image: Amazon

Even if you’re not selling your crafts and aren’t considering making it a business, you still may want to get recognition.  However, if you are developing your hobby into an income producing venture, whether it’s making items, developing workshops, giving talks, writing books or providing a service, you’ll need to let your potential customers know and to keep current ones informed.

Author Debbie Macomber has impressed me with her promotional techniques.  Of course, she’s a good writer and has developed a following of readers.  You can, too, take some lessons from Debbie and perhaps use some of her methods as a springboard for your PR.

• Develop a web site and blog. 
• Feature various characters here, perhaps giving them a blog of their own.
• Create bookmarks and postcards you use and give out.
• Publish a free e-newsletter for fans who sign up for it.
• Develop a newsletter you can send by mail, if you find the expense worthwhile.
• Find a spin-off from your books.  Debbie, an avid knitter, and has written novels about women who knit.  So she has ventured into this field and even has developed patterns and instruction books on this.
• Debbie holds knitting get-togethers along with book signings.
• If your hobby involves quilting, knitting, crocheting, beading, etc. you might develop a blog about it, patterns, ideas, information, and then create stories about someone who participates in your chosen activity.  Work backward from a hobby to a story.

A Clothing & Accessories Line
*Develop a line of clothing, accessories, etc. that will be distinctive. (Ex: Debbie Macomber Floral Striped Tote for knitting and other uses.)

*Brainstorm and see what you can come up with to catch attention.

As you browse Debbie’s web site, you’ll find recipes, excerpts and other news of interest that will inspire you.

Have you used some particularly effective promotional ideas to become better known in your field?

(Amazon book image; Craft World tote image at Amazon)

Make Art Monday!

Here is another of the fabrics that I painted a few weeks ago (back when I inexplicably had some time on my hands!).  This one is a little more complex than the last two, but it’s not at all difficult.  To prepare for the tutorial tomorrow, gather up some plain muslin, acrylic paints, a stamp or two if you want, and tape: masking tape, electrical tape, graphic arts tape…anything that’s a bit low tack.  Don’t use duct tape for this project!