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53rd out of 207 books
—
121 voters
Make Your Place: Affordable, Sustainable Nesting Skills
Raleigh Briggs collects her zines, illustrations, and thoughts around what it is that makes a great DIY household—homemade cleaning solvents that aren't made from poison, herbs that will heal you, and how to setup a great garden. These tips and tricks fill in the gaps for those of us longing to live this lifestyle but lacking the necesary know-how.
Paperback, 128 pages
Published
March 1st 2009
by Microcosm Publishing
(first published December 1st 2008)
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A great book for anyone who'd like to be less of a consumer while crafting a sustainable domestic life! Hand-drawn, approachable and often laugh-out-loud funny, author Raleigh Briggs gives easy-to-follow instructions for creating tinctures, making natural cleansers for your home, how to make your own remedies for a huge range of health problems, and some GREAT how-to's for both experienced and new gardeners. Charming, educational, and utterly practical. I bought ten copies so i could give them o...more
Jun 19, 2010
Elisabeth Hurley
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
sustainable-living,
natural-health,
diy,
gardening,
homesteading,
medical,
reference,
craft,
our-library,
temp
A gift from my friend Abby. I love, love, love, LOVE it! I ordered several copies to give as gifts. :)
The book looks kind of tiny and insignificant, but it is densely packed with goodness. There are so very many amazing tips in this book on various recipes for sustainable and gentle/non-toxic cleaners for yourself and your home in this book. The best part for me though was all the little remedies and such. I can't wait to make some of these to use!
It's also a charming little read. The text is h...more
The book looks kind of tiny and insignificant, but it is densely packed with goodness. There are so very many amazing tips in this book on various recipes for sustainable and gentle/non-toxic cleaners for yourself and your home in this book. The best part for me though was all the little remedies and such. I can't wait to make some of these to use!
It's also a charming little read. The text is h...more
This is a pretty neat book. I love the hand-lettering and illustrations, and the small size of the book. It feels simultaneously intimate, like you're receiving tips from a good friend, and utilitarian.
Some of the information in here is really great. I like the info about tinctures, decoctions, and infusions. There are specific recipes as well as general information so you can tweak things to meet your needs. I honestly am not sure how many of these recipes I'll actually use, especially since a...more
Some of the information in here is really great. I like the info about tinctures, decoctions, and infusions. There are specific recipes as well as general information so you can tweak things to meet your needs. I honestly am not sure how many of these recipes I'll actually use, especially since a...more
This is a fantastically handy little book for all those wanting a more wholesome organic and natural life style that's not only less chemically based but also easier on your wallet. She covers everything any one would need to know. How to make tintures, ointments for skinned knees, homemade teas for relaxation, fabic softeners, homemade bleach, shampoo, bug repellent, hair conditioner, window cleaner, all purpose cleaner, detergents you name it, Mz. Briggs has thought of it and made a recipe. An...more
The title, style, and description of this book could not have been more up my alley. However, I found it too limited in its scope and most of the big is about things that really even I will not end up incorporating into my lifestyle, such as tinctures and salves and most of the health and first aid chapter. I am definitely interested in the make your own cleaners chapter though. A huge plus of the book is its beautiful styling (hand written and illustrated) and its excellent tone.
A fun and unimposing zine format made for a swift, engaging read. With categories of essential oils, formulas for homemade healing remedies, cleaning products (including bulk laundry soap!), and finally, gardening tips for the unitiated, this gem was perfect for a thorough overview of all the basic necessities of a DIY domestic goddess. Thank goodness "different' books get published and libraries make them available to us!
I have been giving this book to all of my family and friends. I love the illustrations. The recipes are fantastic. My house shines and smells like vinegar and essential oil. And when my kids lick the floor? Trust me, it happens. And, when it does, I no longer have to worry about them getting poisoned by commercially-produced cleaning products.
Oh how I liked this! Handwritten and illustrated, it read like a long conversation with a crotchety wise-woman.
A really concise crash course on applicable home apothecary skills, DIY body care and the basic building blocks of home cleaners. Not to mention it did a grand job of cutting to the chase regarding basic gardening sense.
Super. I must buy this.
A really concise crash course on applicable home apothecary skills, DIY body care and the basic building blocks of home cleaners. Not to mention it did a grand job of cutting to the chase regarding basic gardening sense.
Super. I must buy this.
A nifty book filled with DIY recipes for shampoos, household cleaners, various ailments, and also tips and tricks on gardening. I definitely want to try some of the recipes but the author doesn't mention how to find some of the flowers / roots she uses if one can't easily grow them or find them because one lives in a city...
This is a charming little book with easy to follow instructions about all sorts of stuff, like making your own face soap and other cleaning supplies, plus tonics, poultices, slaves and other first aid stuff. There's also a section on gardening that is a good for beginners and has lists of other helpful resources.
Great little book that is in a style that reminds me of old fashioned zines. Hand drawn - cute illustrations and handmade fonts. Oh and the book itself is an earthy green recipe book full of how to's and recipes. I tried the laundry soap and although I did not love it...the book is truly delightful!
One of the best how-to books I have ever read. With vinegar, salt, a few spray bottles, and curiosity, you can use this book to help you learn how to clean basically everything in your life and keep your body smelling fine too! Also great info on herbal tonics, bug repellents, and gardening. Awesome book!
This book had me at hand written and hand drawn. It's such a cute little book, packed with make-it-yourself alternatives for just about everything in your home. Years later, I still refer to this beautiful(I mentioned that thing about how I love that it's hand written, right?) book.
Aug 11, 2012
Victoria Wheeler
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommended to Victoria by:
Brooke Mackey
Shelves:
lifehacks
This is my favorite kind of book, because it is a book that rather than simply giving you facts (although it gives on herbs, natural cleaning supplies, and gardening), it serves to inspire you to try to do things. The tone is hip without being patronizing and doesn't make anything seem too difficult, nor does it glorify making things from scratch. I will likely buy a copy of this book for myself, particularly since it's printed in Bloomington, the town I currently live in.
Having tried some of the herbal remedies in this book and found them to be basically ineffective, I'm a bit skeptical to try more. However, as a novice gardener, I did appreciate the gardening section and will probably refer back to it often.
I thought this book was relevant and well done..a fine introduction to folks interested in living a more sustainable lifestyle.
It was a bit basic for my interests, but it was an enjoyable read nonetheless.
Briggs provides good information on herbal health remedies, planet-friendly cleaning methods and basic gardening skills.
It was a bit basic for my interests, but it was an enjoyable read nonetheless.
Briggs provides good information on herbal health remedies, planet-friendly cleaning methods and basic gardening skills.
A reasonable, likeable and accessible guide for making your life greener and healthier. Reading it reminded me to go buy some charcoal tablets, for the next unfortunate time I worry I've been exposed to bacteria via bad food.
a cute zine-style diy lifestyle book, i liked the author's tone and also the wide span of info in the book. it ranges from first aid to gardening, where most sorts of diy books focus on one specific aspect.
A useful, compact little guide to making your own home remedies and cleansers for your body and your house. It also includes a section with gardening tips. My only complaint was the uneven-ness in the number of options for different applications--for instance, Briggs includes about 20 suggestions for body and facial scrubs, but only one each for DIY deodorant and toothpaste. Overall, though, I'm pleased to have this on my shelf and have referenced it several times already in just the first month...more
This is a little gem of a book! The author explains how to make infusions, salves, tinctures, and poultices from a variety of herbs for all sorts of different ailments. She also teaches how to make your own soaps, shampoos, moisturizers, and simple cleaning solutions. The last part of the book is a basic gardening primer. The book is hand written with charming illustrations and I found myself laughing out loud at the author's witty comments. I highly recommend this book for any simple living lib...more
Book from zinedom replete with natural tips and recipes for everything in your home, including you. Briggs is so charming and hilarious that it's a fun read whether you make the concoctions or not. Y'know, if that's your kind of thing.
Great book with neat DIY ideas for people looking to abandon their dependence on chemical cleaners & remedies. Looking forward to trying some of the recipes.
A really neat little book with recipes and instructions for a more chemical free house. It has a lot of tips and would be a handy reference.
This book was really nice to read. On top of that it had some cool information, I will definitely be referencing it for cleaning and remedies.
I didn't particularly care for the format/style of the book, yet enjoyed some recipes and tips/tricks and humor in the advise.
This book is amazing. It is one to keep handy for your everyday needs. Its only about $7! Even better!
Apr 22, 2010
oriana
marked it as dabbling
bought at the fabulous Anarchist Book Fair this past weekend. I'm gonna learn how to make my own shampoo!!
A cute simple starting out DYI book. I bought it for my teen daughter who may be moving out soon.
A handy reference with recipes for making some DIY, non-toxic household cleaners, first aid, and toiletries, plus a section on gardening, but overall a major reach-- small book trying to do way to much, covering nothing particularly well. Doesn't quite work for what it is, especially the garden section.
Hmm, what does? I recommend checking out Making It: Radical Home-Ec for a Post-Consumer World instead.
Hmm, what does? I recommend checking out Making It: Radical Home-Ec for a Post-Consumer World instead.
The cutest little handwritten zine book of recipes for homemade household products and herbal remedies. Taught me the word 'emmenagogue.'
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Raleigh Brigs is the best-selling author of Make Your Place: Affordable, Sustainable Nesting Skills and several DIY zines. She lives with her husband and two needy cats in Seattle, WA.
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Sep 22, 2010 07:04am