Synopses & Reviews
Jeffrey Yamaguchi extends an invitation to indulge one's inner artist by committing yourself to one creative project a week for 52 weeks.
52 Projects chronicles the author's artistic journey over the course of one year and how it changed his life-and also offers 52 jumping-off points for the reader's own creative inspiration:
- Frame a picture you've drawn, painted, or photographed-and hang it up in a public environment
- Write the story of why you moved to the city in which you currently live
- Ask your grandparents to tell you their stories-and document them
- Create something while your laundry is washing and drying
- Make the perfect margarita-and drink it
- Send a friend a Chinese take-out menu and chopsticks
- Stay up all night-and make the most of it
Review
"Jeffrey Yamaguchi's 52 Projects is a heartfelt guide to creating perfect moments and connecting with others. It's a perfect antidote to our zone-out culture a magical work that will remind you 52 times how great it is to be alive." Dave Isay, Public Radio Producer and Founder of StoryCorps
Review
"Sitting in a cafe reading 52 Projects I find myself excitedly opening my journal to begin something new, (project #10). This book proves what I have long believed is true, that creative inspiration is contagious. Sometimes all we need is a little reminder that we CAN create no matter what is going on in our current life, no matter what our situation. We need not wait for the ideal situation. 52 Projects give us permission to begin now, right where you are sitting." Keri Smith, Author and Illustrator of Living Out Loud
Review
"A treasure-trove of inspirational activities, 52 Projects is everything you'll need to get your creative juices flowing." Chris Baty, Director of National Novel Writing Month and Author of No Plot? No Problem!
Review
"52 Projects is the perfect self help book for hipsters. It inspires everyone to insert whimsy and creativity into their lives just the thing we all need to be happy." Jean Railla, Author of Get Crafty: Hip Home Ec
Review
"In this little gem of a book is one of the secrets of true happiness. 52 Projects shows you how to get blissfully lost in time, give priceless gifts that last a lifetime, romp down memory lane, live in the moment but create treasures for the future, and discover your authentic self. All in one book!" Susan and Larry Terkel, Authors, Small Change: It's the Little Things in Life that Make a Big Difference!
Review
"Thoughtful and inspiring. 52 Projects will unleash the inner original in all of us." Calvin Liu, Editor of Bullfight Review
Review
"For those moments when you've hit a creative wall and still aren't sure whether you should go around, over, or under it, completing or even just reading some of Yamaguchi's projects can tear you away from the task you've been struggling with and help your creative mind get moving again." Andrew Womack, Co-Publisher, The Morning News
Review
"52 Projects is a grown up activity book for smart, witty, busy people. It's whimsical and practical at the same time. Jeffrey Yamaguchi brings a Fluxus take to the new craft zeitgeist. 52 Projects helps you channel your creative prowess without subjecting you to any pandering new age crap. A "self help" book you wouldn't be ashamed to read on the subway. A craft book for people with a college degree. A totally loveable book. I adore it." Tsia Carson, Editor of SuperNaturale.com
Review
"Ours would be a richer world, if every citizen between the ages of 11 and 93 kept a copy of 52 Projects atop his or her toilet tank, where it could be referred to constantly and spontaneously. Full of high pranking spirits and sentimental recognition of the most deserving stripe, Jeffrey Yamaguchi's suggestions reduced me to tears even as they sent me scuttling for the padded envelope in which I happily mailed my first project to a stranger." Ayun Halliday, Author of No Touch Monkey! And Other Travel Lessons Learned Too Late
Review
"In the hustle bustle of every day life, being creative in a limited amount of time can be a daunting prospect. 52 Projects taught me that even seemingly simple ideas can kick start the creative juices." Heather Powazek Champ, Creator and Curator of mirrorproject.com
Review
"Jeffrey Yamaguchi's book is like a magic elixir that can work for anyone. From creative folks in a slump to new artistic hopefuls trying to figure out what the heck to do. 52 Projects is filled with ideas that are simple and fun, but can result in brilliant and complex art." Kevin Sampsell, Author, Critic, and Publisher of Future Tense Books
Review
"52 Projects is a creative catalyst that encourages you to find beauty in the mundane things you do every day. And any book that encourages people to experiment until they create the perfect margarita is a winner in my eyes!" Karyn Bosnak, Author of Save Karyn
Synopsis
52 Projects is an exploration of your creativity from the culinary to the literary to the artistic. A way of turning the ordinary into the extraordinary, and finding a flash of inspiration in our everyday lives.
The only materials required are already within you: memories, creative energy and imagination. Skill level and age are irrelevant, and the cost of making the projects ranges from very inexpensive to nothing at all. The projects can take an hour or a lifetime.
Whether you write, paint, draw, sculpt, carve, dance, sing, play music, take photographs, cook (or even if you don't know what your medium is) use 52 Projects as a tool to discover the art of your life and inspire your next creative endeavor.
About the Author
Jeffrey Yamaguchi is the author of Working for the Man: Stories from Behind the Cubicle Wall. In addition to www.52Projects.com, he is also the publisher for popular websites such as www.bookmouth.com, www.workingfortheman.com, and www.whatsyourproject.com.