inspiration: crafty books

here are reviews for two books on contemporary craft that I'm dying to get my hands on! (thanks to meguchan for the stylebytes tip!)

By Hand: The use of craft in contemporary art

via stylebytes.net:

"This book works as an excellent coffee table book, it contains useful and
interesting information along with beautiful photos, and last but not least,
it´s a great source of inspiration for all of us crafters. You´ll find DIY
designer bags, embroidered pictures, crocheted lampshades, vinyl cars and so
much more. It´s art I can relate to in a whole different level because it´s
closer to what I do. I can recommend it to all of you interested in art or
crafts in any way."

Craftivity: 40 projects for the diy lifestyle

via designsponge.blogspot.com:

"it's quite possibly the best design/craft book i've seen in years. craftivity
chose a simple goal and executed it almost flawlessly. they set out to introduce
and teach 40 craft projects from real designers and crafters and went above and
beyond their mission. i found myself endlessly inspired by the projects they
chose (broken up into areas like: knitting, wood working, glass, etc.) and the
designers behind them. almost all of them are projects that even i (a non-crafty
person) feel comfortable attempting. from sewing a stylishly "moth-bitten"
sweater to creating your own handknit backyard hammock, craftivity has your diy needs covered."

enjoy.