Playing with Books: The Art of Upcycling, Deconstructing, and Reimagining the Book [Paperback]

Jason Thompson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2010 | Series: Playing

In these pages, Jason Thompson has curated an extensive and artistic range of both achievable upcycled crafts made from books and book pages and an amazing gallery that contains thought-provoking and beautiful works that transform books into art.

 

The content encompasses a wide range of techniques and step-by-step projects that deconstruct and rebuild books and their parts into unique, upcycled objects. The book combines in equal measure bookbinding, woodworking, paper crafting, origami, and textile and decorative arts techniques, along with a healthy dose of experimentation and fun.The beautiful high-end presentation and stunning photography make this book a delightful, must-have volume for any book-loving artist or art-loving book collector.

Product Details

• Paperback: 152 pages
• Publisher: Quarry Books (April 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159253600X
• ISBN-13: 978-1592536009
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.7 x 10 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #47,259 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #6 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Crafts & Hobbies > Papercrafts, Stamping & Stenciling > Book Making & Binding
  • #57 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Crafts & Hobbies > Papercrafts, Stamping & Stenciling > Papercrafts

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Why not pick up this book and sit down and quietly work on a project or perhaps grab a few friends, a bottle of wine, and put on some inspiring music and create something together? Experimenting with arts and crafts projects at home can be great soul food and help break boring routines and even lift one from a rut. That is why I craft at home -- not because I'm an expert at it (some I dare not show anyone because frankly, they look like the work of a toddler!) but because I have fun doing it. This beautiful title is now available at bookstores nationwide or on Amazon.com. Congratulations to Jason and to his team who made this book a reality. Lovely” -Book Review by Holly Becker http://simplystated.realsimple.com/simplystated/2010/04/playing-with-books-art-for-the-home.html

 

 

“I daresay that once you see the wonderful ideas in this book, you’ll be itching to get your hands upon old and discarded books to create your own one of a kind art. Go ahead…it is o.k. to “Play with Books” - Tina Wilson, http://stliving.com, April 28, 2010

About the Author

Jason Thompson is the founder and president of Rag & Bone Bindery, and author of Making Journals By Hand (Rockport Publishing 2001). He is highly regarded as a book designer with integrity who creates unique handbound books and other fine bindings, as well as a popular blogger who writes about bookbinding, book arts, artist books, and paper craft.

Product Details

• Paperback: 152 pages
• Publisher: Quarry Books (April 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159253600X
• ISBN-13: 978-1592536009
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.7 x 10 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #47,259 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #6 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Crafts & Hobbies > Papercrafts, Stamping & Stenciling > Book Making & Binding
  • #57 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Crafts & Hobbies > Papercrafts, Stamping & Stenciling > Papercrafts

More About the Author

Jason Thompson is the founder and president of Rag & Bone Bindery, and author of Making Journals By Hand (Rockport Publishing 2001). He is highly regarded as a book designer with integrity who creates unique handbound books and other fine bindings, as well as a popular blogger who writes about bookbinding, book arts, artist books, and paper craft.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible book arts May 9, 2010

By K. Platt

Format:Paperback

This amazing book features the work of many artists who excel in their field. They deconstruct, re-organise, shape and form books into works of art. An art that has become known as upcycling. Discover the techniques from bookbinding to origami that make these incredible works possible. Anyone who loves books or book-making will find a place for this book on their bookshelf as well as in their heart. It is full of fascinating work, beautifully presented. Find out how to understand the makings of a book, salvage old prints and illustrations to use in your work. I love the pocketbook, the paper houses, the necklaces and blooms not to mention the folding, manipulating and inspiring details in this book. The gallery takes you several steps further, showing the ultimate in what is achievable with good artist profiles. This review first appeared on Karen Platt's book review website.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Book Lovers Creative Outlet July 13, 2010

By Vness

Format:Paperback

I have been an avid reader for over 15 years, which means that I have boxes upon boxes of books that I refuse to get rid of. Playing With Books gives people like me a creative and easy way to reuse books for various purposes. Let me rephrase that, I have learned to convert my old books into beautiful pieces that were functional and original. Thompson did a great job at giving a clear overview of items needed to construct certain projects which prepared me in advance for my two favorite projects. I particularly liked the "Book to Bloom" project which used book pages to create flower blossoms that could be set up in neat arrangements. "Papier (and Clay) Mache" was another great project that used decorative book pages to create small woodland creatures that could be embellished to your liking. This project is great to do with kids who may even have old picture books laying around.
In all, Playing With Books is great for anyone who is a book collector or who is artistically creative. Even the not so crafty person will enjoy this book for its visuals alone.
Its a great buy!

49 of 58 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars It is 2 books May 4, 2010

By Laura Sarkissian-Boyd

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I was soo excited when this book arrived. The book itself is beautiful. The photographs are incredible. Unlike other craft/art books the photos are uncluttered and easy to comprehend. However this is like 2 books put together. One the one hand there are these wonderful art pieces made from books of course, in the back there is a gallery of artist and photos including some of my favorites. The "other" book is the projects which are mostly crafty not arty. Many on of the instructions are skimmpy, for instance one of the projects turns a book into a clock, The instructions say buy clock parts, drill the appropiate size hole and inssert the clock parts. I would have liked much more instruction, like how does one drill thro. an intire book, how do you secure the book, whats the best drill etc. As i mention before the book is full of wonderful art, but not one of the craft projects is related to the art or show any techniques used by those artist.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars All around great book July 13, 2010

By lcdemers

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

As someone who looks for ways to re-purpose old books and magazines, I couldn't wait to receive my copy. When I got it I was not disappointed. I must have read it 3 times the evening it arrived (and several times since). First, I enjoyed flipping through the photographs, then reading the instructions, and lastly prioritizing the projects I want to try.

Beautifully organized with easy to follow instructions and lovely pictures, it is a book I'll use many times for reference as well as inspiration.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars LOVE IT September 18, 2010

By RabbitRun

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is one of 4 that I found in a local bookstore that I adored but refused to spend so much money. When it arrived in my mail box I found it to be well worth the full price and rockin' at the discount.

Wonderful ideas, promotion of recycling, beautiful images, simply explained instructions, lovely creations that won't take an eternity. I adore this book. Due to budget costs and the rising costs of books, I've only bought 5 books in the last two years and this is one of them. LOVE IT!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Who doesn't have books? July 12, 2010

By Student22

Format:Paperback

I really enjoyed this book. Definitely for the more artsy type; however, who doesn't have books sitting around somewhere. As a college student this book is a great way to take what we all have and cherish and reuse it in daily life. As a college student it is an absolutely fabulous way to be creative but money conscious at the same time. From wrapping presents, to creating pencil holders you can be savvy and artsy. The artwork from other artist is great for personal inspiration and the beginning of the book includes a mini tutorial for certain types of adhesives, cutting tools, laminating, and a how-to on manipulating books/paper. Some of the projects are for the more skilled artists but they all include what materials are needed for each individual project and some considerations for each project which makes them easier to tackle. It's quite an inspiring book!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I LOVE this book. April 10, 2011

By Jane LaFazio

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I am obsessed with this book. I'm doing all the paper folding projects and thoroughly enjoying them! The beatiful photography in the books is equally inspiring. This book speaks to me so much, that I've been spending my saturdays, since I got the book, cutting and folding book pages..
I teach art to kids, (along with being a professional artist) and I'm going to show the kids how to do some of these projects. My dad taught me origami when I was a kid.....
here are pics of what I've done [...]