A lot has been written about the DIY movement in recent years, but for those who enjoy making something—yet aren’t compelled/motivated/experienced enough to embark on a knitted afghan or decoratively painted highboy—never fear. Your crafting book has arrived.
Local designer Suzie Millions, a professional artist who admits to inheriting the “festooning” gene, just published The Complete Book of Retro Crafts: Collecting, Displaying & Making Crafts of the Past (Lark Books, 2008). The how-to guide is equal parts coffee-table quirk and serious instruction on fabricating such lost delights as folded paper-chain picture frames, star-burst clocks and whimsy pockets.
“I tried to go with things that would give people a sampling of everything,” Millions explains. “I tried to appeal to older and younger crafters. Also men, though you don’t tend to think of men as crafters.” When she embarked on the book two years ago, she designed an ambitious 75 projects, whittled down to the 50 ideas featured.
That narrowing down (and who, besides Millions, knew there were nearly 100 things to be done with empty spools, colored pipe cleaners, discarded bottles and Styrofoam orbs?) leads to an interesting point: The “Complete Book” is not exactly a be all and end all. The author, who says she considers anything less than 800 pages to be a little light on information, wanted to call her book, “More Than You Need to Know About Retro Crafts.”
The reality is, Millions writes with such a friendly, conversational style—her instructions studded with admissions of her own trial and error process and her asides both clever and inviting—that there’s no such thing as too much with this book.
For would-be crafters looking to break into a new hobby, the author suggests starting with the Just A Memento plate “because it’s straightforward and impressive” or a matchstick frame “because it’s something to which anyone could endeavor.”
Even those not eager to dig out the glue and paints can hitch a ride on Millions’ vintage apron strings for tips on collecting, trawling flea markets and thrift shops, and developing retro taste.
who: Suzie Millions
what: Leads adults’ craft night in honor of The Complete Book of Retro Crafts
where: Malaprop’s
when: Saturday, Jan. 19 (7 p.m. Free. 254-6734)
Before you comment
The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.