Craft Focus - Page number 84 - June/July 2021 (Issue 85)

84 Bookstand Stock your shelves with the latest craft-related book releases JOURNAL WITH PURPOSE : LAYOUT IDEAS 101 By Helen Colebrook £14.99 9781446308370 David & Charles For many people who want to keep a journal, the fear of the blank page can be a very real stumbling block, but is definitely something that can be resolved. In this essential reference guide, journaling expert Helen Colebrook offers up all her knowledge, tips and tricks to ensure you get truly bitten by the journaling bug. Helen Colebrook, didn’t consider herself creative – until she found her calling – journaling. Now with this second edition, Helen shows you how to use the best layouts for your journal. Making it bespoke to you, and your needs, these ideas will take your journaling level up a notch or two! We say: The layout inspiration ideas show you a range of different tried and tested layouts that you can use in your own journal. Journaling MAKING POTS A CERAMICIST’S GUIDE By Stefan Andersson £15.99 9781911663287 Pavilion Books In Making Pots , ceramicist Stefan Andersson invites us into his studio to learn the ancient craft of making artisan pots. He explores the rich history of pottery while showing the basic skills for using earthenware, stoneware and porcelain clays. It’s a handbook for both beginners and more experienced ceramicists, encompassing techniques such as clay preparation, drying, glazing and firing, as well as offering savvy advice for building a wood-fired kiln, making tools and troubleshooting problems as they appear. Along the way we get an insight into Stefan’s own practice and how he uses wood-firing to add depth and character to the pots. He takes us through the whole creative process, from selecting clays and glazes through to firing and the finished result – all brought to life with beautiful photographs from his studio by the lake in Sweden’s picturesque Dalecarlia region. We say: Pottery is having a moment. The Guardian recently reported on the surge in demand for pottery classes. And with The Great Pottery Throwdown back on TV, many are looking to get their hands stuck into a piece of clay and get creative. SEW CHINELO HOW TO TRANSFORM YOUR WARDROBE WITH SUSTAINABLE STYLE By Chinelo Bally £20 9781911163893 Pavilion Books Chinelo Bally began her sewing journey ten years ago when she bought her first sewing machine. Shortly after, she shot to fame through competing in BBC’s The Great British Sewing Bee – where she finished second – and her professional sewing career took off. Chinelo’s own venture into sewing started with upcycling existing garments so they would fit her better. In her new book she inspires us to minimise waste and maximise creativity by showing how to make stunning new items upcycled from old garments, as well as using distinctive fabrics to create unique clothes that are the antidote to fast fashion. Using her signature freehand cutting method, she presents 11 stylish projects for women, modelled by herself, as well as three projects for girls, modelled by her daughter Demi. Readers will learn how to turn a man’s shirt into a dress and an old pair of jeans into a sassy tutu skirt. Chinelo also shares a jumpsuit project – showing for the first time how to use her freehand method for making a trouser garment that fits perfectly every time. Other projects include the signature collared top (designed by a happy accident), angled overlay pencil skirt, asymmetric peplum top and second date night dress. The children’s projects include a denim dress made from old jeans, an upcycled shirt dress and a peekaboo-back dress. We say: Packed with tips, techniques and inspiration throughout, Sew Chinelo is a must-have book for eco-conscious fashionistas. Pottery Sewing ABSTRACT PAINTING By Petra Thölken £14.99 9781782219576 Search Press Petra Thölken’s practical and inspiring book examines what it means to make an abstract work of art. She encourages the reader to consider the subjects of composition, planes, and subject and expression, while also examining the more practical topics of colour theory and colour mixing, how to work with pigment, canvas and priming, spatula techniques and working with unconventional backgrounds. All these elements build up into a vocabulary of visual pointers from which the reader can begin to explore their own adventurousness and creativity. We say: An inspiring read – and for some of the projects, there are links to Petra’s popular YouTube videos, demonstrating how she created the individual paintings. Painting