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Crafts, Hobbies, & Collecting July / August 2025 |
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Healthy brain origami : fold decorative paper models that boost mental acumen and keep your brain active!
by Mayumi Ohara
"As we age, keeping our minds sharp becomes a priority, and studies have shown that cognitive function is enhanced by activities like the meditative art of origami. This book offers a fun way to engage your brain by folding paper models--an easy and fulfilling activity that encourages focus, persistence and spatial visualization. Author Mayumi Ohara, a noted origami designer, has written this unique guide under the supervision of Professor Katsushi Yokoi at Morinomiya University of Medical Sciences in Japan. Her simple instructions and colorful models teach the brain-training art of modular origami, where small paper squares are folded then assembled into large and spectacular models. The basic modules on their own form charming Pinwheels, Butterflies, Maple Leaves, Hearts and Tulips. When combined into larger projects, they form dramatic rings and wall hangings celebrating the passage of the seasons"
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Practical pottery : a complete guide to getting started in making beautiful & functional bowls, plates, vases & more on the wheel
by Sus Borgbjerg
"An accessible step-by-step guide to creating beautiful pottery cups, bowls, vases, and more on the wheel. Beginning potters will learn to make plates, bowls, vases, and other fine, useful items on the wheel with this accessible guide.This book is an informative and practical handbook for anyone who wants to try their hand at clay and experience the joy of creating fine, useful things by hand. Here's what you'll learn about making pottery on the wheel: mastering the fundamentals of shaping and designingwith clay the necessary tools and types of clay how to throw, knead, and turn your pottery and all about a variety of finishing processes-drying, glazing, and firing. As you master the basics, you'll apply them to creating a series of progressively more difficult items-cups, bowls, plates, pitchers, vases, and platters. Using more-advanced ceramic techniques, you'll learn to add features like spouts and handles. And you'll explore modifying shapes, designs, and colors to design your own pottery and make each piece your own. Learning pottery techniques takes time, practice, and patience. But truly, there is nothing better than creating your own pottery and then drinking coffee from a cup that you have turned yourself. With this book, you can easily master the techniques-and enjoy the meditative experience of working with clay"
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Cricut
by Kerri Adamczyk
"Your simple guide to the DIY die-cutting machine that lets you create without limitations Your new Cricut can help you cut paper, vinyl, fabric, and beyond. Perfect for DIY enthusiasts, scrapbookers, and professional designers, Cricut machines are favorites among makers of all types. Cricut For Dummies gives you clear, simple instructions for using a Cricut machine, so you can start creating today. You'll learn how to achieve intricate, precise cuts, much faster than would be possible by hand. This step-by-step guide shows you how to make greeting cards, fun labels, personalized clothing, stickers, and even unique wood or leather goods. Don't have your Cricut yet? No problem! Cricut For Dummies explains the differences between the models and how to choose the best machine for your needs. Use the Design Space app and the Cricut design library to create successful projects Choose, set up, and operate your Cricut machine Choose a machine based on the type of material you will be using Get suggestions for fun projects at every skill level This book is for anyone who wants to learn how to use a Cricut machine to design, create, or perfect their craft. Cricut For Dummies is ideal for beginners who have no experience using a cutting machine, and it's a handy reference for those who want to improve their Cricut skills"
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Beaded jewellery
by Imogen Rhodes-Davies
"Simple to make and right on trend, these fun beaded projects add the perfect finishing touch to any outfit and make wonderful personalized gifts. Start off with simple projects such as elasticated friendship bracelets and hoop earrings, then move on to making stunning charm necklaces, tassel earrings and rings. Make coordinating pieces, mix and match, and then experiment with different beads--choose seed beads for more delicate projects and larger gemstone and glass beads for a chunkier look"
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The knitting companion
by Morgane Mathieu
"A comprehensive introduction to knitting essentials: learn about yarn types, needle sizes and other equipment you'll need to get started...[with] a step-by-step guide to knitting techniques: discover essential stitches, increases, decreases and finishing techniques, all illustrated with clear diagrams and photographs. Expert advice on reading knitting charts: understand pattern symbols and how to follow knitting charts with ease"
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Crochet now / : A Beginner's Guide to Essential Stitches and Techniques +6 Easy Patterns
by Salena Baca
"Jump into the world of crochet with expert guidance from Salena Baca, as she equips you with the essential stitches and 6 beginner-friendly patterns to transform yarn into your first beautiful creations! Anyone can learn to crochet. All you need to start crocheting are yarn, a crochet hook, and step-by-step instructions from expert teacher Salena Baca. She brings her years of experience teaching novice crocheters to this instructional guide, presenting the stitches and techniques of crochet in easy-to-understand terms and illustrative photos that will have you making your first stitches within a few minutes. Once you know how to form the basic stitches, the sky is the limit! Salena teaches you to crochet in rows to make items like scarves and towels andthen in rounds to make hats, baskets, and other circular items. Then you'll be ready to crochet from your first pattern! Salena explains pattern-reading and includes 6 beginner-level patterns you can use to practice your skills. By the time you finish the practice patterns, you'll have a solid foundation of crochet skills and be ready for more complex crochet adventures!"
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Kawaii appliquâe quilts from Japan : how one country's love of all things tiny powers today's most intricate quilts
by Naomi Ichikawa
"The story behind the amazing, extremely detailed quilts rising in popularity today, with five kawaii projects to make. Understand how Japan's beloved kawaii style began centuries ago, the world's fascination with it, and its connection to the kawaii quilting phenomenon: appliquâe quilts made with tiny pieces, typically tens of thousands of carefully manipulated bits of fabric in one quilt. Meet master quilters Yoko Sekita, Aki Sakai, Reiko Kato, Akiko Yoshimizu, Megumi Mizuno, and Hiroko Akita, who share with readers their techniques, studios, and masterpieces. Hundreds of colorful photos allow close-up appreciation of Japan's kawaii culture and, of course, the contemporary quilts that express it. To allow readers to experiment with kawaii style, five step-by-step projects exclusive to this book are featured, designed by these master quilters"
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School of quilting : the definitive guide
by Jessica Ahlstrand Kwan
"In this complete, illustrated guide, readers will learn everything they need to know to start quilting. School of Quilting breaks down every step for quilters both new and experienced. The book starts with what sewing machine to buy and the tools and supplies to keep in your arsenal. It also demonstrates fabric cutting and preparation, quilt options for different kinds of piecing, and how to assemble a quilt top. With guidance on basting, batting, and finishing a piece, the book also introduces ways to troubleshoot problems as they arise"
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Across the board : how games make us human
by Tim Clare
"In Across the Board, tabletop game aficionado Tim Clare takes us through that history and across those civilizations. We learn how the same games emerge over and over and how they've evolved and spread, as well as about the contemporary culture of gaming. With rousing enthusiasm, Tim explores games as familiar to us as Monopoly or chess, as niche as Magic: The Gathering, and as unexpected as the Japanese poetry-matching card game karuta. We learn about games as recreation and as ritual, and above all, we see how they can be a way for us to come together--because of all the things that make us human, there's nothing quite so set up for connection as sharing a round of cards or the roll of a d20. Told with fantastic wit and great love for the subject, TimClare's Across the Board is a book for all of us, from the tic-tac-toe players to the dungeon masters and back again"--Provided by publisher
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Iredell County Public Library
201 N. Tradd Street, Statesville, North Carolina 28677
704-878-3090www.iredell.lib.nc.us |
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