Conscious Crafts

In “Conscious Crafts: Pottery”, maker Lucy Davidson reveals the meditative nature of working with clay and its wellbeing benefits for slowing down, creativity and mindfulness. Making is mindfulness made practical, and pottery is a popular meditative craft. Drawing on the traditions of hand making, Lucy has created 20 modern makes with air dry and polymer clay — all without the need for a wheel or kiln: imperfect pots; coasters; necklace beads; abstract earrings; terrazzo-style bracelets; bird brooches; pinch pot tea holders; light pull; incense holder; botanical & feather wall hangings; festive decorations; potted herb markers; clay 'leaf' bowls; plant hanger pots; indoor planters; miniature bunting; serving dishes; and seaside vases. She shares the basic techniques to pottery and shows how these can be explored and personalized for different projects, as well as making your own clay and memories. Clean photography, contemporary illustration and heart-affirming text are beautifully mixed together to celebrate art of making for a handmade future. Packed with inspiring ideas and practical guidance, “Conscious Crafts: Pottery” gives you the raw skills to get started with this fulfilling craft and shows how the pottery experience and the satisfaction of creating your own unique makes can create happiness.

In Conscious Crafts: Whittling, maker Barnaby Carder, aka Barn the Spoon, reveals the meditative nature of the whittling process and its empowering skill set for creating, and mindfulness. Making is mindfulness made practical, and whittling is a renowned and rewarding craft. Drawing on the traditions of green woodworking, Barn the Spoon has created 20 modern makes, ranging from simple tools including the classic spoon to decorative items such as animals and woodprints. He shares the basic techniques to whittling and shows how these can be developed for different projects, as well as reconnecting us to nature's raw materials. Packed with inspiring ideas and practical guidance, Conscious Crafts: Whittling gives you the simple skills to get started with this fulfilling craft and explores how the joy of creating your own unique makes can enrich your well-being. Clean photography, contemporary step-by step illustration and heart-affirming text are neatly carved together to celebrate handwork and the act of crafting for a sustainable future. The projects: light pull, letter opener, chopsticks, pickle fork, spoon rack, toaster tongs, plant label, comb, hair pin, drop spindle, crochet hook, knitting needle, button, pliers, bird, horse, whistle, tent peg, walking stick, double ended hook, heart or floret decoration, and woodprint. The Conscious Crafts series places mindfulness and well-being at the heart of making. Picking out proven meditative crafts and bespoke authors, these practical, contemporary guides are an inviting introduction to reconnecting head, heart, and hands. Also available from the Conscious Crafts series: Pottery, Quilting and Knitting.

In “Conscious Crafts: Quilting”, maker Elli Beaven reveals the meditative nature of the quilting process and its empowering skill set for creating, mending and mindfulness. Making is mindfulness made practical, and quilting is a renowned and rewarding craft. Drawing on the traditions of hand quilting, Elli has created 20 modern makes, ranging from simple coasters, bags and cushions to quilts and curtains. She shares the basic techniques of quilting and shows how these can be adapted and developed for different projects, as well as mending and repurposing. Clean photography, contemporary illustration and heart-affirming text are neatly sewn together to celebrate handwork and the act of crafting for a sustainable future. The projects: patchwork coasters; strip trivets; needle book; storage basket; patched pencil case; slow stitch bag; rainbow cross body bag; clamshell beach bag; coaster and waste not cushions; wild fan, border, log cabin, butterfly play and ad astra quilts; arrow wall hanging; patchwork curtain; and mending under and over patching. Packed with inspiring ideas and practical guidance, “Conscious Crafts: Quilting” gives you the skills to get started with this fulfilling craft and shows how the quilting process and the satisfaction of creating your own unique makes can benefit your well-being.

In “Conscious Crafts: Knitting”, co-founders of the Black Girl Knit Club unpick the meditative nature of the knitting process and its empowering skill set for creating, well-being and mindfulness. Making is mindfulness made practical, and knitting is an iconic craft proven to have a therapeutic impact on well-being. The co-founders of the Black Girl Knit Club, Sicgmone Kludje and Vea Koranteng, have curated 20 modern makes, ranging from plant pot cosies to throws and snoods, to introduce the basics of knitting. Covering fundamental stitches and techniques including casting on, knit, pearl and moss stitch, Sicgmone and Vea show how these can be adapted for different projects as well as repurposing used textiles into your own upcycled yarn, all whilst embracing the restorative benefits of craft. Packed with inspiring ideas and practical guidance, “Conscious Crafts: Knitting” gives you the simple skills to get started with this fulfilling craft and explores how the joy of creating your own unique makes can nurture your well-being. Clean photography, contemporary step-by-step illustrations and mindful mantras are neatly knitted together to celebrate the art of knitting for a handmade future. The projects: teacup coasters; desk and bathroom mats; cushion cover; mug holder; throw; wall hanging; plant pot cosy; festive reef; head band; mittens and scarves with tassels; snoods; clutch and purse bags; phone case holder. The techniques: moss; sticking; rib; knit; purl and arm kitting. Upcycled yarn.