Sometimes I see a wonderful greeting card and think that I would like to
use an element of that greeting card into my own greeting card designs. Some
elements can be easily worked out on how to make them while others are a little
trickier and only become obvious when the technique has been shown to you. For
me, I like to see another person perform the technique and then correct me when
I try it out. I usually get this when I attend craft shows, as there are no
craft courses on offer local to me.
Although one to one training is great but unless you get it by the end
of the class you could need something to refer back to, this is where books
come into the mix. Some people can learn new techniques straight from a book
and a little practice on their own, for others books can be a great asset for
keeping skills up. With this in mind, here are four books that you might find
useful and inspirational.
Crafting Calm: Projects
and Practices for Creativity and Contemplation
By Maggie Oman
Shannon
In this wired, wild world, it is harder than ever to shut out noise and
busyness in order to truly calm yourself, but in Crafting Calm, a D.I.Y. guide
to peace of mind, you'll find inspiring ideas for how to do exactly that
through a wide range of creative exercises. In this book, author Maggie Oman
Shannon explores crafts and creativity as a practice with enormous physical,
mental, and spiritual benefits. By immersing ourselves in a craft with
intention and mindfulness, we can quiet those voices around us and in us—we can
enter sacred stillness. Through revealing interviews, personal stories, and
forty suggested activities, the author shows how creative processes can become
spiritual practices. Whether you're an aspiring artist, longtime craftsperson,
or someone who has never set foot in a craft-store (yet!), you'll find
something inCrafting Calm to
inspire you.
Crafts and how-to ideas include contemplation
candles, visual journals, prayer shawls, collage mandalas, intention beads,
finger labyrinths, personal prayer flags, spiritual toolkits, and tabletop
altars.
Features inspired craft ideas from luminaries
such as Angeles Arrien, Mary Ann Radmcher, Shiloh Sophia McCloud, Sister
Marianne Heib, May Ann Brussat, and many more.
The Encyclopedia of Greeting Card Tools &
Techniques
by Susan Pickering
Rothamel
This classic resource by Susan Pickering Rothamel belongs on every
crafter's bookshelf. Featuring hundreds of handmade cards from leading artists,
plus step-by-step photographs of key skills, The Encyclopedia of Greeting Card Tools
& Techniques contains a
treasure trove of information and projects. Sidebars on today's most creative
card makers showcase their areas of expertise, from Dee Gruenig's rubber-stamp
designs to Alli Bartkowski's quilling. This crafty celebration is sure to
inspire.
How
to Make Greeting Cards: step-by-step tips and techniques for card making
By
Catherine Pooler
Making cards is an amazing creative outlet. It's also a great way to
make someone's day!
How to Make Greeting Cards will show you exactly
how to make cards with easy, step-by-step tutorials starting with the basics
with how to cut card stock, choosing supplies, then moving on to making simple
cards.
After the basics, we'll take it to the next
level by showing you how to incorporate a few fun techniques with glitter,
punches and sponges.
You will also learn how to save time and money
by making several cards at once. Great for gift sets and holiday cards!
How to Make Greeting Cards will get you started
with this great hobby and inspire you to take it even further!
29 pages long.
Photo and written tutorials.
Video links are included!
If you are having trouble viewing this e-book on
your Kindle, there is a link to download the beautiful, full color PDF format.
Questions? Please e-mail the author.
Starting
Your Own Line of Greeting Cards
by Stephanie
Laird
This kindle book will walk you through what I have done to create my own
line of greeting cards and where I sell them. This is definitely a short and
sweet book hence the 1.99 price tag. I could fill it with a lot of filler info
and repeat information that is already available to you. I choose not to do
that as I believe all our time is valuable. I did include what works for me and
hope that you find some inspiration for what will work for you! Thank you for
your interest!
I hope that
you find some of these books useful, let me know if you have or if you have
found any other books useful.
Some of the links in this blog are affiliate links which means that if you follow the link and then buy something then I might get a few pennies.
If you know of any Christmas cards that you would like to share then add the link in the comments section.
