More Than a Hobby, David Green

More Than a Hobby by David Green

Just last year, I actually walked into Hobby Lobby for the first time. There's a store in Nampa, Idaho, about 2 hours from where I live. I am an artist, but I also like putting together funky earrings so I am always looking for fun beads and charms to use. I usually go to Michaels, but they jacked up their prices incredibly high I couldn't afford to shop there anymore. So I decided to try Hobby Lobby and their prices were amazing and I was hooked! 

Not long ago I found this book at a thrift store and because it combines two of my passions, arts and crafts, and entrepreneurial leadership, I thought, well, this should be good. 

This book is written by David Green, the founder of Hobby Lobby. It is part autobiography, but moreso tells about how he runs his business and why, and how that has worked for him, and he also talks about some of the things he has tried that haven't worked, because after all, failure is a way to learn and eventually succeed if you learn from it.

 

The Repurposed Library, by Lisa Occhipinti

The Repurposed Library by Lisa Occhipinti

I picked up this book at the Baker County Public Library book sale. As a creative person as well as an avid booklover and reader, this book intrigued me. I have to say, the thought of upcycling a perfectly good book horrifies me; however, I have a big stack of books that are falling apart or damaged beyond being able to be read, and I have thought about trying to find some way to give them a new purpose. There are a few ideas in this book that I could try. I do like that she starts the book educating the reader on what are collectible and valuable books, and not to use those. 

Would you like to buy me a book, or help keep my little free library stocked and maintained? You can donate here: paypal.me/AmyVanGaasbeck 

 

Let's Make a Memory, by Gloria Gaither and Shirley Dobson

Let's Make a Memory, Gloria Gaither and Shirley Dobson

This book is full of activities and traditions for spending quality time with your children, while making lasting happy memories. Some of the ideas feel a little dated, but there are a lot of good suggestions in here for building memories and strengthening bonds within the family. My kids are all grown now, so in a way I felt a little sad that most of these no longer applied to me...but I guess they might if I ever have any grandchildren!

Would you like to buy me a book, or help keep my little free library stocked and maintained? You can donate here: paypal.me/AmyVanGaasbeck 

 

Memory Makers Family Scrapbooks Yesterday, Today, & Tomorrow

Family Scrapbooks Yesterday, Today, & Tomorrow, by Memory Makers

I discovered scrapbooking after the birth of my second child. I attended a Stampin/ Up! home party, and learned all the ways that rubber stamps could be used, and used for scrapbooking. Then I discovered Creative Keepsakes scrapbooking magazines, and craft/scrapbooking stores. I went crazy. For a while I was scrapbooking 1-2 detailed pages a day. Then I had my third child, and suddenly just didn't have time anymore. I kept all my supplies thinking I would get back into it but never did. Then when the kids were older, I found another outlet for my creativity, and went to art college and earned a degree in fine art, painting and drawing. 

I still want to get back into scrapbooking, though.

I picked this book up at a yard sale not too long ago. It has a lot of great ideas and beautiful photos perfect for inspiring someone like me who needs to get back into it. So I plan to keep this and put it with the rest of my scrapbooking stuff, and maybe one day soon I will get it all out and make a page. I have lots of ideas swirling around in my head. We will see.

 

Step by Step Beadcraft by Judith Glassman

 

Step by Step Beadcraft by Judith Glassman

This is a beadwork basics book, gives a short history on beads and beading, and mostly gives projects for beadwork with Indian Seed beads and similar small beads that require a needle to bead with. This would be a great resource for those interesting in this type of work, with some basic projects, some requiring a loom and others just needle and thread. 

This book has a Bookcrossing label in it. I will be releasing it into a Little Free Library so it can continue its journey.

Would you like to buy me a book, or help keep my little free library stocked and maintained? You can donate here: paypal.me/AmyVanGaasbeck 

Bookbinding Basics, Paola Rosati

 

Bookbinding Basics, Paola Rosati, Sterling Publishing

I have no idea where I picked up this book, most likely from a garage sale. I am always interested in learning new things, and since I did a little bit of book binding in college, this book piqued my interest. The projects in this book are a little beyond what I did in my one printmaking/bookbinding class, but I found it interesting and inspiring. This book talks about the history of bookbinding, gives an explanation of supplies, and takes you through the techniques of creating a couple different kinds of books. 

I plan to keep this one in my collection. Hopefully someday I can sit down with it and attempt to make a book or two. The photographs are great, taking you through every step, but honestly, I think it would be a good idea to find a YouTube video to supplement it, just to see each step in action. 

Want to show appreciation and buy me a book, or help refill by Little Free Library? Donate here: paypal.me/AmyVanGaasbeck

Two-Hour Beaded Projects by Ann Benson

 

Two-Hour Beaded Projects, Ann Benson, Sterling Publishing

This book is the sister to the last beading book I read, Beadwork Basics also by Ann Benson. This book contains more projects, and not just jewelry making, but also clothing embellishments, candles, boxes, and much more. There are projects for all different levels of experience. There are bead stringing projects, and there are bead sewing projects which take more time. 

This is a fun book for inspiration and if you just want to try something new or different.

Would you like to show your appreciation and buy me a book, or help fill my Little Free Library? You can donate here: paypal.me/AmyVanGaasbeck 

Beadwork Basics by Ann Benson

Beadwork Basics, by Ann Benson, published by Sterling Publishing Co.

About 25 years ago, while I was a young stay at home mom trying to figure out what to do with my artistic creativity, I joined a crafter's book of the month club. I had such a thirst for creative knowledge, ideas, and inspiration, I poured a whole lot of our meager finances into buying books to satisfy that desire to create. Many of them ended up in Mount TBR (To-Be-Read) and never saw the light of day again. This was one of the first, I think. 

This has a  lot of fun projects in it, from simply made beaded dangle earrings, to more advanced seed bead purses and even a Marilyn Monroe pin that's pretty cool. It's a neat book to go through, starting out with an introduction to supplies, what beads are made of, what findings are and how to use them, etc. 

Even if you can't find the particular beads used in some of the projects, you can still use the setup to create your own unique creation. Pick it up and be inspired!

Want to buy me a book or help fill my Little Free Library? Donate any amount here: paypal.me/AmyVanGaasbeck 

 

2022 Books I Have Read

 JANUARY 2022

1 Kings, Holman Christian Standard Bible

The Book of Luke, Holman Christian Standard Bible

Basic Drawing Techniques edited by Greg Albert and Rachel Wolf

Beadwork Basics, Ann Benson

Girl Scout Hand Book for the Intermediate Program, 1942 edition

Two-Hour Beaded Projects, Ann Benson

Old Stories of the East, James Baldwin

FEBRUARY

Bookbinding Basics, Paola Rosati

II Kings, Holman Christian Standard Bible

The Book of John, Holman Christian Standard Bible

China Dolls, Lisa See

Whole 30 Food Freedom Forever, Melissa Hartwig

Toots and Other Stories, Anna Adams Gordon

MARCH

1 Chronicles, Holman Christian Standard Bible

Masters of Painting: Their Works/Their Lives/Their Times by Bernadine Kielty

Caring for Yourself While Caring for Your Aging Parents, Claire Berman

Acts, Holman Christian Standard Bible

The Girl Who Wrote in Silk, by Kelli Estes

Painted Garden Art Anyone Can Do, Lin Wellford

APRIL

Romans, Holman Christian Standard Bible

1 Corinthians, Holman Christian Standard Bible

2 Corinthians, Holman Christian Standard Bible

The Prisoner of Zenda, Anthony Hope

It Starts with Food, Dallas and Melissa Hartwig

Draw 50 Animals, Lee J. Ames

Creative Color for the Oil Painter, Wendon Blake

MAY

2 Chronicles, Holman Christian Standard Bible

Galatians, Holman Christian Standard Bible

Ephesians, Holman Christian Standard Bible

One Glorious Ambition, Jane Kirkpatrick

Philippians, Holman Christian Standard Bible

Natural Woman, Natural Menopause, Marcus Laux ND and Christine Conrad

Ezra, Holman Christian Standard Bible

Mom's Little Book of Photo Tips, Lisa Bearnson

Peony in Love, Lisa See

Colossians, Holman Christian Standard Bible

1 Thessalonians, Holman Christian Standard Bible

Growing Up with Dick and Jane, Carole Kismaric and Marvin Heiferman

2 Thessalonians, /Holman Christian Standard Bible

JUNE

1 Timothy, Holman Christian Standard Bible

2 Timothy, Holman Christian Standard Bible

Nehemiah, Holman Christian Standard Bible

Philemon, Holman Christian Standard Bible

The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared, by Jonas Jonasson

JULY

Esther, Holman Christian Standard Bible

Hebrews, Holman Christian Standard Bible

James, Holman Christian Standard Bible

1 Peter, Holman Christian Standard Bible

The Priest's Graveyard, Ted Dekker

Thunder from Jerusalem, Bodie & Brock Thoene

AUGUST

2 Peter, Holman Christian Standard Bible

The Children's Book of Games and Puzzles, Helen Jill Fletcher

Step by Step Beadcraft by Judith Glassman

1, 2, 3 John, Holman Christian Standard Bible

Jude, Holman Christian Standard Bible

Job, Holman Christian Standard Bible

Falling Leaves, Adeline Yen Mah

SEPTEMBER

Revelation, Holman Christian Standard Bible

The Blue Tattoo, The Life of Olive Oatman, by Margot Mifflin

Family Scrapbooks, Memory Makers

Out of Africa, Isak Dinesen

OCTOBER

Flower Net, Lisa See

Creating Art at the Speed of Life, Pam Carriker

NOVEMBER

Psalms, Holman Christian Standard Version

Her Mother's Hope, Francine Rivers

A Short History of Nearly Everything, Bill Bryson

Proverbs, Holman Christian Standard Version

DECEMBER

Ecclesiastes, Holman Christian Standard Version

Song of Solomon, Holman Christian Standard Version

Wishful Drinking, Carrie Fisher

TOTAL not including books of the Bible: 36

Would you like to buy me a book, or help keep my little free library stocked and maintained? You can donate here: paypal.me/AmyVanGaasbeck