Altered Books Workshop (Paperback)

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Key Phrases: altered book artists, floss threader, altered books, Stampers Anonymous, The French Collection (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Think of the hundreds of books and magazines (especially National Geographic) donated to worthy causes--even libraries--that are simply not worth keeping or cataloging for myriad reasons. All the better, then, to recycle those paper treasures into a work of art or, at least, of craft. California rebookmaker Brazelton applies collage and decorating techniques used in such nouveau arts as journaling and scrapbooking to transform unappreciated hard covers into display pieces. Included are the usual tools and materials, from painting to rubber-stamping, along with instructions for methods like stitching, glazing, and image transfers. What's unusual? Her process for book selection, the bountiful examples of her own works, and extraordinarily useful tips like "let each separate layer of glaze dry before adding another" and "use a large hole punch to cut a small window." Unfortunately, nowhere does she indicate the length of time needed to create one book of art; chances are the novice will need more than a day of production. Barbara Jacobs
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Description

Transform old books into one-of-a-kind pieces of art with Altered Books Workshop! In this book, readers receive detailed instructions for the newest craft craze--altered books--which combines bookmaking, collage, journaling, rubber stamping, papercrafting, stitching, embellishing and much more.

Readers will discover how to construct each page of the book, using paint, decoupage, ribbon fibers, photos, charms, rubber stamps or anything that captures their imagination. Bev Brazelton walks them step-by-step through the process, teaching readers a wide range of mixed media and papercrafting techniques. In addition, gallery pages showcase sample books with variations of each technique to infuse readers' brains with creative ideas of their own.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: North Light Books; 1 edition (March 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581805357
• ISBN-13: 978-1581805352
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #104,310 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific techniques, February 20, 2005

By	merrymousies (Waterford, VA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This is one of the first books I bought on altered books. I can't even count how many times I've pulled it out to get ideas and tips on techniques. The pictures are terrific - really inspiring. For each technique variations on the technique are also provided. They're arranged in the book from easy to intermediate to advanced techniques too so you can grow along with the book. The techniques range from collaging to adding tags, to niches, to using glazes and other paint techniques, to cutting into covers, and adding doors and windows. Instructions are clear, materials are all things you can find at the craft stores - nothing too obscure. Instructions are step by step too. Oh it's just one of my favorite books for self-learning of altered book techniques. The only thing that I don't agree with is that in the beginning of the book she talks about pulling out pages - while this can be fun I've actually found that its better to tear out pages as you go based on the techniques or structures that you're making in the book.

43 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best I've Seen, May 16, 2004

By A Customer

I'm not understanding some of the (insubstantial) negative comments here. This book's about artistic technique, not a Theory of Everything or required reading. I am an experienced artist specializing in mixed media journals, making it all up on my own rather than getting it from books (partly because I didn't know good guides by real artists existed in the "Crafts" section of the bookstore). This book is especially interesting to me because it works well on a couple of different levels. The "how" part has easy-to-understand instructions and well done photography that make it quite suitable for beginners, but doesn't alienate artists who just never thought of that particular technique. As another reviewer pointed out, the tips are useful, rather than mere pull-quotes or boxed filler to balance the page (which I'm so used to from "Dummies" type books that I almost skipped them entirely. Don't.). The truly impressive examples of the author's altered books that she has chosen to present here showcase her personal artistic style, which, by the way, you don't necessarily have to like--and definitely don't have to copy--to benefit from the techniques illustrated throughout the book. The assumptions she makes that the reader is going to know something about composition and color, and her understanding that each reader will have a "why" that is different and personal, are assumptions more geared toward confident artists. I also appreciated the well-written, laid back presentation. It added a spark often absent in instructional material (or bestselling fiction, for that matter). As a writer, it was very refreshing to read a book devoted to the visual. It has a lighthearted and playful feel that celebrates experimentation, rather than drilling the reader on all sorts of practice exercises in the effort to summon painful memories, or analyze the thing to death in pursuit of the "why." She is not in the business of telling people what their motives, meanings or inspiration should be in creating their work. The author presents herself as an artist, rather than a pretend psychologist. Books on the writing side of this art form are just dreadfully serious. I highly recommend this book to collage beginners; to experienced artists who have not worked specifically in the realm of altered books; and to writers who want to punch up their journals. I look forward to Brazelton's next book.

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not a craft book, an art book., October 4, 2004

By	Freya - See all my reviews

I have a freind that tried to get me into scrapbooking and stamping and it just wasnt my thing....I know I know, Im about the only woman in the world that is antiscrapbooking. BUT I came across this book in the bookstore, stood for an hour looking through it and finally bought it. I love it, the techniques are great, she offers so many great ideas and tips. After deciding that this was MY alternative to scrapbooking I decided to buy more books and this is what I've found. The other books are ok - but they are more for people who are looking for another craft project. THIS book is for those of us that are more interested in creating a work of art. So basically it comes down to this if your looking for something to do thats cheap and easy, then look for other altered book books, but if you want something that you can work on and be proud of then this is it.