Craftcycle: 100+ Earth-Friendly Projects and Ideas for Everyday Living
by
Heidi Boyd

Let me just say I love this book for it’s comprehensiveness.

It covers all sorts of crafts (and for us hobby surfers this is a big plus!)

It includes excellent illustrations, photographs, patterns and directions so that even the most beginner crafter is sure to have all the guidance needed to complete a recycle craft project either exactly as the directions state or to veer off the path and truly make their own creation. To see a variation I made and an inside peek into Craftcycle pop on over here.

Also included are recipes, because we all have to keep our strength up for tons of up-cycling.

From the Publisher (North Light Books):

“Inside Craftcycle, you will find a mix of over 100 ideas for crafts, recipes, sustainable living ideas and construction projects – all organized by season to offer year-round green living. Within each chapter, there are larger projects to build, quick crafts to complete using basic materials or recycled items, seasonally appropriate tips, and recipes using seasonal ingredients. Detailed diagrams accompany the larger-scale projects, while the basic crafts feature step-by-step photographs and illustrations, making them accessible for the entire family.
Heidi Boyd is the author of seven North Light craft books. She brings her simple and pretty approach to green crafting in this book. Her husband Jon Boyd, an architect, is certified in sustainable building practices, and he brings his expertise to this book. He provides the larger-scale simple wood construction projects, all of which are be accompanied by clear diagrams.”

To see tons more of Heidi’s creativity pop on over to mycraftivity.com.

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Here are the deets:

Send a link to your favorite recycled craft blog, website, or Etsy shop and you are entered to win a free Craftside Book and Wrights SideWinder. It can be your own or someone else’s. If you want more chances to win pop on over to Craftside and leave a question there in the comments section of this post. And while your there check out inside peeks into all sorts of crafty books as they fly hot off the presses!

Oh and spread the recycled crafty book bobbin goodness word!

U.S. Residents only.

Tiles Gone Wild: New Directions In Mixed Media Mosaics by Chrissie Grace is such a fun exploration into using just about everything you can put your hands on and using it in a new way to make fabulous mosaic projects.

I made a mold for casting bricks out of aluminum flashing and I impressed words into them but as I was flipping though this book Chrissie has a fabulous project for adding mosaic work to the top of store bought bricks. I know it’s the simple things, but I just never thought of it! She has projects that include using broken dishes, bottle caps and broken glass. All of her projects include fabulous step by step instruction with great photos to guide you along your own creative trail. There are projects for indoors and out. There are also some great instructions for working with photos and computer designs in addition to working on flat surfaces and dimensional. If you are looking to recycle some broken stuff you have been keeping around, this book is packed full of way s you can make it into something new and fabulous.

I obviously LOVE the idea of recycling as much as possible in my craft time (don’t let my buying of new yarn recently fool you). And so when I heard that Vicki Haninger has self-published a book on the very subject, I had to see for myself. This book tracks 40+ projects, all made from one thrifted wool blanet, some scissors and thread, and a ton of inspiration and creativity.

Self-published, you can pick it up for yourself from Create Space.

I love all the e-mails all the Craft Gossip readers send me, sharing their great recycled and repurposed ideas. Now there’s a new book looking for just these submssions! 1000 Ideas For Creative Reuse is looking for submissions, due January 9, 2009, for their new book. Check out the pdf for all the information!

I’m always on the lookout for craft books that emphasize reusing and recycling unique materials, so when Jennifer Perkins, not only the writer of Craft Artist Life here at Craft Gossip, but also owner of the Naughty Secretary Club shop, told the world that she’d written a book, I couldn’t wait for it to come out. I have to say, I was overwhelmed with how good it is!

From cover to cover, this book has not only great supply lists and directions on jewelry-making, it’s chock-full of ideas for re-purposing great everyday finds. Some of my favorite projects include using vintage neckties for both headbands and pins … I’ve got a huge obsession for vintage ties!

While Jennifer’s jewelry style is much bigger than mine (literally. I tend to wear teenie tiny pieces), the book has quickly taken up a prominent spot on my bookshelf because her jewelry-making instructions are some of the best I’ve read. She clearly and simply explains how to use found items in your baubles, making your accessories completely unique and easy to make!

And because I love it so much, I wanted to give you all a chance to love it to! So from now until September 10th at 5pm (CST), leave a comment here and I’ll randomly pick one person to win a copy of the Naught Secretary Club Book! Be sure to leave your name and e-mail address so I can contact you if you win!

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The book is packed with so many fun projects (most of which are recycled or repurposed crafts), including a popsicle stick purse, book clutch purse and plastic bottle piggy bank. There are “fifty fabulous projects from the fifties and sixties” in all, which are ready to be passed down to a new generation.