I was going to post this on my other blog Wow Chick but decide that my crafty peeps would benefit from this too. You can download a FREE ebook, 42 Ways to Recycling Crafts. Maybe this will inspire everyone to go dumpster diving or search for freebies on Craigslist (oh look, Craigslist LV has free boy toys…oh, my bad. It’s boyS toys). “Create Honey, create!” Yes, I am geek and you are too if you know that line came from the movie Mannequin. Heloooooo? Kim Catrrall and Andrew McCarthy? Oh well, happy crafting!

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I have been reading this book Design Your Self: Rethinking the Way You Live, Love, Work, and Play and on some level I find Karim Rashid’s perspective on design and life in general interesting.  Much of the book is actually common sense and yet it’s a great reminder of how design in any shape and form can make your life more meaningful and definitely more exciting.  Of course, there is a chapter on fashion and in bold lettering he writes “Dump the brands” so people can express their individuality.  Sound familiar?  He also writes “to be individual and creative is far more important than being hip”.  Smart man.  If his ideas aren’t inspiring then the book layout itself might be.  I do love the bold colors used to reinforce his written words.

I have been cleaning and sorting my books and came across this Japanese book on how to make Dogs of Mittens and Monkeys of Socks (and more). They are so kawaii!  I bought this at Yes Asia which is the ultimate site to shop at for Asian crafting books and everything else I love (like K-dramas).  Although it’s sometimes difficult to navigate through unless you know how to speak Japanese, Chinese or Korean.  The site is now in English format but the book titles aren’t.  I am going to have to get some of my friends and family to translate.  I am so off-white it’s not funny!

I have also opened a Flickr account and Group (Geez! About time!) to share a few of these inspirational images with everyone.

The new edition of Handmade in Australia is due for releas in August 2009 with a retail price of $29.95.  The book will contain 200+ pages featuring Melbourne based artisans.  The Handmade in Australia website will also provide Australian artisans and craftspeople with an online community that will enable them to buy, sell and chat with others.