Customer Reviews

Where Women Create: Book of Inspiration: In the Studio and Behind the Scenes with Extraordinary Women

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I am, and was, a huge fan of the first Where Women Create book. I was hoping for more of the same and was very disappointed. The book has a nice layout and beautiful photos just like the first book, but there are no photos of actual studios. The photos are of tiny little vignettes as opposed to room views. I wanted to see and get a feel for the studio space these women work in, not the one slipper on their floor or the one decorated picture frame. There was also very little information about where the studios were located (i.e., attic, basement, extra room, etc). This information is interesting and would be inspiring for finding that space for ourselves. In short, the views of actual studios were limited or nonexistent in this book - very disappointing.

I am a "studio voyeur" and I bought this book full price without even peeking into it at my local bookstore. No regrets!! Just like Jo Packham's earlier "Where Women Create" book, "Where Women Create - Book Of Inspiration" is a luscious way to ogle other people's stuff and their spaces.

Jo Packham and Jenny Doh feature 23 different artists, including themselves. Ms Packham was also featured in her earlier book, and having over 250 publications in her portfolio, she has enough inspiration to fill a book devoted just to herself.

The first WWC had chapters that included just a tip and a favorite quotation from each artist. The new WWC has more depth and each artist gets these sections:

Her Colors

Her Tips For Organization & Exercises To Fuel Creativity

She Stays Inspired

She Remembers

Lots of photos supplement each chapter, but they are not each captioned as they were in the first WWC. I would really enjoy seeing this detail added back in, but some readers may not miss it at all.

My only ONLY neutral comment is that guys are restricted by title and gender from the "Where Women Create" series. Personally, I think it would be fascinating to see how men's studios and workspaces reveal their art and inspiration.

I loved the first "Where Women Create." I also loved the follow-up "Organizing Your Craft Space." Then came the quarterly magazine, which with a few exceptions, has been good. With so many WWC publications (books and magazines) already out there, I'm wondering why this book was necessary. These profiles could have easily been included in the magazine. I agree with the previous reviewer that more studios would have been preferable to the many close-up shots of bibelots around the studio. And, if I'm not mistaken, several of the artists profiled in this book have already appeared in the magazine (or perhaps other similar books). I was disappointed in this one; or maybe I was just hoping to recapture the magic that I felt with the first book (which I still refer to often). I'd skip this one and buy the magazine instead.

Meet a Mexican dollmaker who is inspired by nature and designs with a palette of greens, reds, and blues. View the studio where an Irish woman and her aunt create vintage-style capelets and other amazing garments and accessories. Check out the antique sideboard, a family heirloom, where one artist, who makes and sells "mixed media mosaics" stores her rubber stamp collection. And see if you recognize the Texan with a TV show. The Knitty Gritty show host, Vicki Howell, displays her vibrant fabrics, yarns, paints and buttons to full advantage in a large room with open-shelving conducive to all kinds of crafting.

These are just a few of the 23 women artists featured in Where Women Create: Book of Inspiration: In the Studio and Behind the Scenes with Extraordinary Women. The book showcases various arts and crafts genres including jewelry, photography, quilting, bookmaking, and multi-media creations and the artists hail from many different geographical regions.

Most of the women artists are honored with a six-page spread consisting of multiple photographs and extensive text. The narratives describe the artist, her work and her studio space. There are direct quotes by the women and sidebars with quotes the women find inspirational. The individual stories show how these women deal with creative ruts, describe their early memories of family reactions to their artistic interests, depict their preferred color choices, and share tips on organizing craft studios.

Although I was inspired by the visuals--the numerous photos dedicated to each artist and her space--I sometimes found it difficult to figure out what the individual artist created and sold. I was able to clarify that by checking out the listed website (Almost all the artists listed their websites and/or blog info).

Looking for inspiration? Whether you are an aspiring artist, a seasoned craftswoman, or just curious about other woman's creative lives, I recommend this book to you.

by Barbara Heller

for Story Circle Book Reviews

reviewing books by, for, and about women

This book actually shows professional womens' studios, and the artists' pictures!

Although only small snipets are pictured-which isn't good photographing really in a book like this title suggests-still the write-ups about the artists chosen are quite interesting. I think most of us would like to see MORE VERY PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS' studios books-those mean a great deal ,as they are actually meeting critical deadlines and NEED their creative spaces to function effortlessly.

This is a very inspiring book to read for artists and crafters. The artists are very open about their creative process and what motivates and or inspires them to create art. They also share tips on ways to break through creative blocks and organizational ideas for materials. You get to have a sneak peak inside their creative lives and studios and realize that these kindred crafters are just like you. A great way to connect with your creativity.

I love this book...it's everything I had hoped it would be...wonderful photos of beautiful studios are combined with tips, ideas, and the stories of the women who create in these lovely spaces! This is a book I'll read over and over!

I bought this book knowing the quality of work that the authors have both produced in the past - and they have delivered again! Jo and Jenny have put together a book that is both lovely and inspiring.

The book is an easy read, giving a little peek into the artists' minds as well as their spaces & organizational tips. It is good to both browse for a quick dose of inspiration and then also to read for some deeper insights into art and life. For me it is the perfect book to read curled up on the porch with a cup of tea and a little time to spare.

The book features many different types of artists working within the mixed media and fabric art worlds, different venues - small to large, home to rented studios and different styles - from vintage/romantic to hip/funky. There are photos of whole spaces and photos of the lovely details that give each creative space personality. I love that this is a book that has craft spaces that I can aspire to, so when I am making decorating decisions for my own studio I can refer back to this book. And I enjoyed reading the artist's musings on the creative process as much as the visual inspiration.

On a practical side - I like the wider shape of the book and that it is a glossy paged hardback. It makes it a nice coffee table book, so once I have digested the information it won't just sit on my bookshelf.

Yet another outstanding book by Jo Packham! I have several of her studio books and magazines. The artist's stories and studios never fail to bring inspiration.

I really enjoy this book. I'd read the "Shabby Chic" book series and was looking for something with a lot of visual on the beauty of decor or creating. This book is not a "quick read", it's much better: you can leaf thru it over and over. Each creative person profiled lends a tip on staying organized and a tip on being inspired. It also lists the color palette of each artist profiled. It is pleasant to see all the tools and swatches they keep in their studios, and inspires me to create. Great book packed with great photos and good "tips".