Craftivity: 40 Projects for the DIY Lifestyle, by Tsia Carson (HarperCollins), 224 pp.

But however cool the movement is becoming, it certainly isn't exclusive. Loads of people are crafting these days. Urban divas are swapping Bikram mats for swatches of vintage linen at sewing cafés across the U.S. Men are starting testosterone-only knitting clubs. And commuters are hooking afghan squares on the subway.

In fact, anybody can craft, according to Tsia Carson in her new book Craftivity: 40 Projects for the DIY Lifestyle. It doesn't necessarily have to be political, environmental or even expertly done. "We make stuff for two reasons," she writes, "[for] pleasure and because we can."

So begins a how-to book by the creator of indie-DIY site www.supernaturale.com and the founding partner of Flat Design in New York. Forty crafting projects comprise the bulk of this brightly coloured book. They are divided first by medium: Yarn and String; Fabric and Thread; Paper and Plastic; Glass and Ceramics; Wood and Metal; and Lost and Found. With a range of readers in mind, though, Carson has also organized the projects according to level of difficulty, beginning with Craft Lite, moving on to Craft Luxe, and finally graduating to Craft Master. So, while you can learn to design gift-wraps from silk scarves and paper bags, you might also find yourself up to your elbows in wood glue putting together a Chelsea bed. Each project comes with clear instructions, measurements and templates - not so that you'll be overwhelmed, but so that you won't be bored. Projects that require special background, such as silk screening and stitching by hand, get extra attention through mini-sections called "Craftshop."

Since each project has been designed by a different contributor, the projects range from cute (Magritte Pipes Candleholder) to functional (Suitcase Coffee Table) to totally unique (Kool-Aid Yarn). The projects also focus on using stuff you already have around your house or things you can find in thrift stores, and they tend to be things you can use, rather than simply admire.

Where else but the pages of Craftivity can you learn to crochet a skull, fashion your old tees into comfy underpants, or make your mark with moss graffiti?

 
 

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DIY     So, does anyone else think this book could really be a waste of money anyways? I mean you could use it for paper mashe. Seriously, any good DIYer should maybe try to figure out there own projects....if not then maybe it is a good buy.
Frederick Warriner	{7 votes}	May 8th, 2007
Light Bulb Art     No doing it myself, doesn't bore me suggesting that it would does! Hate to be manipulated be would be craft lovers who write about the topic and write a column as if it were the reader's responsibility's to get into contemporary craftsmaking twists. My reasons for abstaining right now: some of the older means of craftsmanship are just as good and then get downplayed because someone is looking for new book idea and couldn"t care less about crafts out there. Then we all live in a world of priorities and how to books on every shelf. Just recently picked up a self taught book on animation which I have appreciated as an element influencing my visual art and as an art on its own. That is not a craft but learning how to create cartoons is more satisfying than creating art from light bulbs. That will attract other eco-conscious artists eager to make a statement about their part in recycling Edison's bulb.
Martin Dansky	{12 votes}	May 7th, 2007
Cool     I read this book and have to say that I have found it very interesting. Who would of thought that things can be recycled to make anything out of something old. A great book to read and to learn a new hobby.
Louise Lacroix	{8 votes}	May 7th, 2007
DIY Rocks     I, myself, am a crafty-type of person, and making new things from old things is a lot of fun - re-inventing them to function in a different way and in a much cheaper way. This book will probably be handy to have around on those rainy days.
Jocelyn Piirainen	{4 votes}	May 4th, 2007
Act Now before they Disappear     If one is to judge this book by its cover, it seems that someone has finally found a way to put those energy-wasting lightbulbs to good use. At some point in the near future, art like this will be the only sensible thing that can still be done with the goddamn contraptions. Instead of throwing them away when you are done with them, you'd do well to start stocking up now, because this is most likely the only way that they will be remembered.
Charles Montpetit	{4 votes}	May 3rd, 2007

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