Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Crafts: An A-To-Z Guide with Detailed Instructions and Endless Inspiration

For nearly 20 years, home crafters have turned to the pages of Martha Stewart Living for all kinds of crafts projects, each presented in the magazines inimitable style. Now, the best of those projects, including step-by-step instructions and full-color photographs, have been collected into a single encyclopedia.

Organized by topic from A to Z, Martha Stewarts Encyclopedia of Crafts contains complete instructions and brief histories for more than 30 techniques, detailed descriptions of the necessary tools and materials, and easy-to-copy templates. Martha and her team of crafts editors guide readers through each subject, from botanical pressing and decoupage to rubber stamping and wreaths, with characteristic clarity and unparalleled attention to detail.

Crafters of all skill and experience levels will appreciate the many variations presented for each technique. For example, candlemaking presents a comprehensive array of poured, rolled, and cutout candles, including instructions for making your own one-of-a-kind rubber candle molds, floating candles, sand candles, and more. Each craft in the book takes on charming new dimensions with innovations that could come only from the team behind Martha Stewart Living.

In addition, each entry in Martha Stewarts Encyclopedia of Crafts is chock-full of tips and advice. Handy glossaries in the entries-such as a comprehensive gem glossary, a glitter glossary, and a color glossary for making tinted wax-are valuable references that crafters will refer to again and again. Whats more, the Tools and Materials section outlines the best essential supplies that every crafter needs to have on hand, and the Sources pages clue readers in to the vendors and suppliers that the magazines crafts editors rely on most.

Filled with solid technical know-how, and presented with gorgeous color photographs, this handy guide can be read page by page and kept as a lasting reference by crafters and artisans alike.

"Stewart leaves no craft behind in this extensive compilation covering every craft for the DIY set, from albums and scrapbooks to wreaths. With more than 1,000 photos and 100 line drawings, Stewart provides step-by-step instructions for something as simple as making a shell soap dish to the more complicated marbleizing paper. Fans of Stewart, from kids to adults, will not be disappointed with the range of crafts, from folded-paper projects, photo-printed pillows, quilting and candle making to oldies-but-goodies like tissue paper flowers, rubber stamping and decoupage. Each subject is arranged in alphabetical order, and begins with an overview of the craft and the supplies needed, then continues with variations on the featured craft and tips for success: for example, with the chapter 'Nature Crafts,' Stewart focuses on acorns, pinecones and shells, then within the chapter shows the reader how to whipstitch, how to make an acorn pin cushion, pinecone flowers, shell-covered pots, etc. With its spring publication, this must-have book will be sure to make its way into the hands of many lucky crafters in time for Mother's Day. With Holocaust Remembrance Day on April 21, 2009, four people — three survivors and one former Nazi youth leader — consider its impact on the direction of their postwar lives." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Organized by topic, this comprehensive resource contains projects, templates, and detailed instructions for more than 30 craft techniques such as beading, jewelry making, paper cutting, and silkscreening. Instructions for each technique are followed with how-to projects.

Martha Stewart is the author of dozens of bestselling books on cooking, entertaining, gardening, weddings, and decorating. She is the host of The Martha Stewart Show, the successful daily syndicated television show. Martha Stewart Living magazine was first published in 1990. Over the years, more than three dozen books have been published by its editors. The crafts website is marthastewartcrafts.com.