Learning how to

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.