Alternacrafts: 20+ Hi-Style Lo-Budget Projects to Make

by Jessica Vitkus

With an emphasis on recycling, making projects from scratch, and improvisation - as well as detailed, easy-to-understand instructions - this title gives crafters the skills they need to self-express, by shaping their own environments, whether they're working on their bodies, their bedrooms, their lockers at school, or their first apartments.

Genres: Crafts, Nonfiction, Sewing, Art, Adult

144 pages, Spiral-bound

First published March 1, 2006

Reviews

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay. Very dated. Would have been at time of publication too. Definitely take a pass on this unless you've never read a "junk to craft" before and if you're okay with wasting food (it was not, has never been, okay to make food into project such that the food is rendered toxic.) Also way too much purchasing of new materials.

[Stef · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a funky collection of crafts, although a lot of them were too advanced for me at the time. I appreciated the focus on recycling and incorporating found objects.

[jess · Rating 2 out of 5]

this wasn't the worst book i've ever read. if i were a girl scout troop leader, i would appreciate reading this book and being reminded of crafts to share with a group of young ladies. if i had never spent time making things, or considering the politics of making things yourself instead of buying them, i would have gotten a lot out of this book. as a person who is neither a beginning crafter or a girl scout troop leader, i had trouble really sinking my teeth into this book. however, i did appreciate the insight it brought me - now i know how all that identical stuff shows up different tables at the craft shows i have attended!

based on the title and description, i was not expecting too much in the way of in-depth descriptions of complicated (or simple!) processes, nor inspiration for totally sparkletastic original ideas. this book delivered on my expectations.

[Sonja Isaacson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was pretty disappointed with this book. There just were not many projects that I would want or use. It does seem to have pretty good directions though, but I don't understand why the page directions keep changing. At first I thought maybe it was about setting up the book to read while you are making something... but probably not.

I did like the Bottle-Cap Lockets. I would probably do them as magnets instead, but it would make nice little gifts for family members. And I like the jeans-into-skirt...however that would mean giving up a pair of pants and I am just not prepared to do that.

[Ligaya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found a lot of inspiration in here even though I thought many of the projects were poorly done and could have been vastly improved with just a bit more of a nudge. I fear the scratchiness of a bottle cap charm - why not the suggestion of sanding down the edges a bit? The directions for the mosaic flowerpots had me alarmed. Let dry and scrape???? (Argh. No. Let the grout set-up and go back over it with a very dry sponge...) The T-shirt Shaggy Rug - paint rug backing over the loops for a non-slip surface and to lock in the loops. I also don't like crafts where the durability is in question - like the Snack Wrapper Wallets. So, fun stuff in here but also beware.

[Birgles · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love, love, love this book! In fact, I now want my own copy! And its funky chic style is right up my alley. Most of the projects build themselves upon using recycled materials (bottle caps, old postcards, that unworn t-shirt that's taken up permanent residence in your bottom drawer). And unlike the knitting books I've grabbed lately, this book is full of totally doable projects, regardless of your skill level. The perfect book for the make-it-yourself gift giver looking for the perfect quirky gift!

[Charlotte · Rating 2 out of 5]

feh... I like the concept. I'm always wanting to take traditional arts and apply them to more edgy/modern ideas. It's what I do. But the projects in this book weren't for me. I'm not going to cut up an old sweater and wear it as a hat. I can't see myself making a purse out of jeans. But if you did want to do any of these projects, the instructions and pictures are clear. The text is lighthearted. It's fine. I just really wanted ALTERNATIVE. This isn't very cutting-edge.

[Marcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wait long enough and everything comes back around again. Ha! We made denim skirts out of old jeans in junior high (no "middle school" in 1974) exactly like those in this book. We also re-purposed bandanas and made flowers out of paper. This book would be fine for a beginner crafter looking for low cost ideas.
The wallet made from candy wrappers was cute and those are in vogue right now with the green crew. Fun to browse through.

[Beth Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

The basis of this book is being crafty with every day items on hand at home without having to outsource so much. It starts with a little blurb about Pretty in Pink. Molly Ringwald apparently has inspired more than a few of us to pick up the old needle and thread and turn scraps into a masterpiece. Lo cost and hi style, these crafty ideas seem fun and simple.

[Jessi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't know how you can call something "hi-style" when a significant portion of your book is just doing stupid stuff to t-shirts. And stamping white pillow cases. I like fun, kitschy crafts, but I found the stuff in here to be horribly disappointing. It was all either pointless ways to mess up your already ok clothes, or crafts one might find at a middle school summer camp. : /

[Evan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had some interesting "alternative" ideas for crafting, but relied heavily on clothing-based crafts. Which is fine--if that's your bag, baby.

My favorite chapter was the one on crafts to make and give to friends. I especially loved the dog bed!

[K · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bright design, engaging layout. A few cute things: metallic cuffs, sweater purse, knitted metallic scarf & cuffs. Some junky stuff too that most people above the age of 12 wouldn't be caught dead wearing, but might have fun making.

[Mary Frances · Rating 1 out of 5]

Things I don't like in craft books:
Insistence that crafting is cool/young
Ugly crafted items
Boring ideas I've seen a million places, like cutting up t-shirts.

This book has all of the above. Not my style.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, it is one of the best craft books I have ever read. It contains simple, cheap, hip, and beautiful items that don't require complex instructions, expensive parts, or tons of technique. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes cool handmade stuff but doesn't have an art degree.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book inspired me to do t-shirt appliques

[Tamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing groundbreaking, but fairly simple and accessible.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Now I know what to do with all my bottle caps.

[Erika Mulvenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will make you want to make something.

[Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

A couple good ideas

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, cheap projects that are actually pretty cool. Good for guys and gals, and very popular with my teens at the library.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great resource for anyone who loves crafting. Make necklaces from bottle caps and washers. The difficulty ratings and shopping lists make this great for planning programs.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another feast for the eyes and imagination. Well organized, good instructions. A joy for any crafter to have on their shelf.

[Valerie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I ''read'' this in 2009, but I'm not adding it to my 2009 list.

This isn't even worth a library check out, in my opinion.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

lots of repurposing!!

[Alba · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have not had a chance to make any of the projects in this book, but I enjoyed looking through it and getting ideas. It has some really nice, easy and creative project ideas. I recommend this book.

[Dolldiva · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea.

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wasn't bad, had a lot of crafts I have seen before though. Sorry

[Denise Kruse · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with most craft books, some ideas are good and some not-so-good. Very 70s retro. Good instructions for a nice variety of crafts.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used this book for my craft classes at the library I work for and the patrons really enjoyed making the crafts. It's very easy to read and the crafts are simple. The bottle cap necklace was fun.

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

the instructions were clear and the pictures were nice...but the crafts were nothing unique.