Handmade Nation: The Rise of DIY, Art, Craft, and Design

I think I first heard about Handmade Nation on a podcast I'd downloaded to my iPod. How ironic that technology introduced me to Handmade Nation. As an artist and craftsman, I've been making and selling my creations since I was a teenager and walked my handmade dolls and bears 2 miles down the road to the local gift shop. But now...now, is a great time to be a part of Handmade Nation. There are so many opportunities for artists of all kinds, and this book provides short profiles and great photographs on many artists. It also has a philosophical angle, a life-style angle. So, we get a glimpse into how creating things is a part of the way these artists view life, their life and their relationship to others. I find that most interesting. Some of the work profiled is not as strong, artistically, as others, but I'm not sure that is what the book is about. There are other books out today that profile the best in arts and crafts. This book is more about a movement, though honestly perhaps the movement is just able to be publicized more in this decade than in was in the '70s when I was shlepping my felt dolls down the street. We had art fairs and such then too, but oh, how great it would have been to have had the Internet! Scanning! Email! This book is worth getting, because it may be difficult to view the movie on which it was based. I've tried to find viewing places and time, but none are in my area, yet. So, if you are into crafts, and want a nice coffee table book, and want to support the authors who have sacrificed a lot, I believe, to bring handmade nation to the public, buy this book.

This is a nice book that shows the stories of a few people that have "made it" in the world of DIY and craft. They can sustain themselves doing what they love, and good for them. I hope to be in their place someday.I was hoping for more of a historical overview of the rise of DIY and craft. This has almost none of that.I still enjoy the book, as it is nice to see that people can still be successful in the world of craft, but the title was pretty misleading. I am looking to find the history of DIY, and instead find a series of vignettes on artists that practice different crafts, how they got started, and their studio practice.

When I want to get inspired, I go to this book and read about all the people who made it happen in the Art business. I love their energy, the passion and ideas!

I just bought this book and read it cover to cover in one sitting and loved it. What an inspiration. It makes you want to run to the studio and create, create, create! Beautiful design, excellent documentation and a great range of 'makers' to learn about. A must read for anyone remotely creative.

MESMO COM AS GREVES DO CORREIO AQUI EM SP FOI ENVIADO E RECEBI NO PRIMEIRO DIA Q OS CORREIOS VOLTARAM A TRABALHAR... UM BOM SINAL Q HAVIA CHEGADO FAZIA SEMANAS AQUI NO BRASIL.

Fascinating...I am a DIY maker and very interested in the whole phenomenon

delightful to behold,magical in its simplicityall around good read and well done images to boot

There is certainly something to be said for being a trailblazer, and all of the crafters in this book represent a second coming-of-age for not only the handmade community, but also an entire generation. "I was going to all these fairs and I remember thinking: Something big is happening. This has to be documented," said Faythe Levine, the book's co-author in her September 2008 New York Times interview.Faythe is also the director of an accompanying Handmade Nation documentary, which is currently being screened at festivals worldwide. Unfortunately, I haven't had the pleasure of seeing it yet, but each and every review I've read has raved about its honest and inspirational tone. All upcoming viewings are listed on both the documentary's official website and the Handmade Nation blog (I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a Boston screening).Bottom line: this book is a must-have for any crafter, professional or purely personal. Whenever you feel down on your work or are losing direction, just grab your copy of Handmade Nation and you will be revitalized by others who have stuck to their guns and helped to change the entire marketplace.

I bought this book for my wife who does many handmade crafts. She has found the book most illuminating and helpful

Disappointing book. Thought it would have been full of inspiring interview with craft makers, instead it's filled with poor photo's of work studio's and rushed very basic interviews with a few crafters.

Brilliant condition - thanks very much