The Crafters Way 83 - Book Review

This week's Messenger column.

The Moreton Bay Regional Council Library at Pathways has a wonderful variety of craft books to borrow. Many of these books are recent releases. Borrowing craft books from the Library is an inexpensive and convenient way to learn a new craft. The Pathways Library is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 9.00am – 5.00pm. Thursday 9.00 am – 8.00pm. Saturday & Sunday 10.00 am – 3.00 pm.

The Art of Paper Quilling by Claire Sun-ok Choi (745.54 CHO)

As soon as I spotted this book on the shelves I knew I had to borrow it. About 25 years ago I was mad keen on quilling. In those days the paper was only available via overseas mail order. Luckily times have changed and most scrapbooking shops now stock the paper strips. What I also discovered inside the covers is that you can now purchase fringing machines and mini- paper shredders to cut your own. If you’ve never tried quilling this book is an excellent place to start. It has clear descriptions of tools and materials, pages of basic shapes and techniques and an extensive project gallery. I still have my original quilling pen, after reading this book I might have to get it out.

Easter Eggs by Matthew Mead (745.5944 MEA)

Easter already? Yes I know it’s early but if you plan on decorating eggs you can never start too soon. At the beginning of this book the author explains ‘an easy way to blow an egg’. Now I have never had much luck at doing this easily which is why I recommend an early start. Once the egg is cleaned out you can move onto the fun stuff. , You can glue beads, paint, dye, decoupage, collage and marbleize the eggs. The author has even included some uses for the eggs you break during the cleaning out process. Just in case.

Decorating Eggs by Deborah Schneebeli-Morrell (745.5944 SCHN)

Out of the 2 egg books I preferred this one, mostly because it didn’t rely on real eggs. A number of the suggestion/ projects used polystyrene, wooden or papier-mache eggs. The decorations in this book are not directed toward Easter and are suitable for other times of the year. You can also easily source the materials used with many of the projects lending themselves to recycling. This will reduce cost as well as waste. If you are looking for something a little different why not give egg decorating a go.