The Crafter's Devotional: 365 Days of Tips, Tricks, and Techniques for Unlocking Your Creative Spirit

by Barbara R. Call, Barbara Bourassa

There is something elemental shared among artists and crafters, regardless of chosen medium: creative energy. Crafters dabble, collaborate, muse, and make, all in their own way and on their own timeline. For all crafts, there are established techniques to follow but wild, innumerable ways to experiment, using the basics to launch crafters to new heights. Crafter’s Devotional can aid that launch. Each day of the year is given its own focus, on which the reader will find a daily dose of craft content that inspires, instructs, and illuminates.

Genres: Nonfiction, Art, Crafts, Reference

320 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2009

Reviews

[Lynne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too much motivational writing, not enough textiles.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started out reading one entry a day and working with the techniques in this book as I felt inspired to. On days I didn't have time, supplies, or energy, I made notes in the margins for projects I might want to come back to later. About 100 days in, I got overwhelmed with the rest of my life and stopped reading. The book migrated down to my craft table where it has been used to weight down projects as I'm waiting for the glue on them to set. I think that there are a lot of good ideas in here, but I probably won't finish reading the book in an organized and timely manner. However, I'm glad I bought it and have it as a reference when I want something to spark my imagination.

[Artemisia Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A real treasure chest of creative inspiration for crafters of all kinds. There’s a little of everything arts and crafts-wise here but especially when it comes to paper crafting like collage, printing, bookmaking, and decorative journaling. But also many multi-media pieces and 3D crafts like beading, jewelry making, carving your own art stamps, repurposed clothing ideas, etc etc etc. The list is pretty long since the book is written in a page a day format, with 365 entries and plenty of colorful illustrations, some basic instructions, but mostly this a book to inspire the reader in their own original projects. For me, it opened up whole new realms. There were in fact many techniques and creative concepts I was not at all familiar with before. Having read this book over the past few months, it was kind of a nice way to “visit” the ateliers of crafters around the world from the safety of my own home. Whether I attempt some of these new ideas or just incorporate some of their inspiration into my own projects, this was a worth while find.

[Kai · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was initially excited for the book, but nearly all of the tips and ideas were for collage. I was expecting something a lot more diverse.

[Galen G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author presents a variety of different art techniques for those of us who need to push the limits of what we currently do. I found this book helped to jump-start ideas for future projects.

[Hope · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like the concept of this book more than the execution. I may very well have started with my expectations too high.

[Jayme · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book to peak through for inspiration. It's organized into 52 weeks worth of ideas, projects, techniques, artist interviews, and more. I think it is most useful, not to follow in its daily format, but to look through for help or ideas when your projects are at a stand-still. It could also be used to come up with new projects altogether. There really is a huge amount of really neat things to look at.

[Christina (Boupie) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book to get your creative groove back. I have leant it to one of my art teachers and she is having a blast doing some of the activities with her students who are having as hard time being creative (they are still so concrete). It has lots of fun ideas and advice. I am really taking some of the journaling ideas and trying those to help me with my writing. Great for any artist or crafter.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I believe that this book would be of more use to a mixed media artist than a traditional "crafter." However, I do think it gives some great jumping off points of inspiration.

I've been using it more as a point to develop new ideas from, and not a day to day guide on doing things, so maybe my purposes are different than most picking up the book. However, if you're in need of inspiration, or motivation, this may help you out!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's hard to describe how much I loved this treasure trove of a book. Chock-full of ideas and inspiration for artists and crafters, it's a beautiful mix of quotes, instructions,pictures, interviews with artists and sparks for creativity. I'll be referring to this book for a long time to come.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book so don't let the 3 star rating fool you. It's more of an inspirational than instructional book. I enjoy reading it but I don't get excited about it. However, I do not plan on getting rid of it. It is a keeper

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/1...

Lots of great ideas (just what I needed...more things to fill up my "craft" room) -- I marked a few things to go back to later. I enjoyed going through this book, so many creative things out there.

[Stacy C · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a day by day guide to incorporating more crafts into your life. It's like the Artist's Way but for crafters. Day 1 starts tomorrow!

[JayeL]

This is not the kind of book you can sit down and read like a novel.

[Aphie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rather Nana for my tastes, but worth a look-see for some ideas to kick-start the crafty spark.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful book with great ideas to keep any crafter busy!

[Arianna Connal · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's got some good inspiration for when your brain need some help thinking of a new craft project.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of fabulous sparks to keep creativity fired up

[Marie-pierre Stien · Rating 4 out of 5]

I keep going back to this book, reading a page of two each morning during those times when I need a shot of creativity. Lots of lessons. Lots of ideas. Easy reads. Optimistic.