Additional Resources for Arts and Crafts Ideas: Magazines and Newspapers

Cathy Belben, Librarian, Burlington-Edison High School
Updated October 2003

Print Magazines (website addresses given for contact purposes)

ReadyMade

A hip how-to magazine focusing on a wide array of DIY (Do It Yourself) projects, primarily those that can be made from recycled materials. Features include step-by-step how-to’s, monthly contests (see what you can make out of an old Lite Brite!), interviews, and feature articles about admirable do-it-yourselfers. Check out sample articles at www.readymademag.com or order copies from ReadyMade, 2706 Eighth St., Berkely, CA, 94710.

The Rubber Stamper

www.rubberstamper.com

Monthly journal featuring articles about making cards and other projects with rubber stamps. Ideas tend to be simple and easy to replicate.

Somerset Studios

www.somersetstudios.com

Artistic craft projects are described and displayed. Bimonthly. Features variety of paper arts, letter arts, and art stamping.

Stamper’s Sampler

www.stampington.com

Bimonthly magazine of full-color cards, handmade books, and other crafts. Great for getting ideas; some samples are intricate, but many are simple enough to replicate.

Stampington Inspirations

www.stampington.com

Quarterly publication focuses on artistic use of rubber stamps in paper arts, jewelry, and other projects. Many projects can be done without rubber stamps. Great for ideas.

Creating Keepsakes

http://www.creatingkeepsakes.com/

A monthly that focuses mainly on scrapbooking, but also has some ideas for designing cards. Often has article about creative journaling and creativity in general.

Websites for Inspiration

These sites offer ideas for various paper crafts. Some are commercial, but all have galleries of ideas.

Not Martha

http://megan.scatterbrain.org/notmartha/

This is a hip homepage that offers all kinds of cool ideas for making stuff at home.

Get Crafty

http://getcrafty.com/

Another hip, funny web site with ideas for making your own stuff. Currently features ideas on how to make your own ‘zine, how to make mini-couture, how to make your own bonsai tree, ideas on crafting for charity, and a bunch of other fun stuff.

Extreme Pumpkins

http://www.extremepumpkins.com/

Ideas for Halloween! Patterns and tips for carving really weird jack-o-lanterns.

Superfantastico

http://www.superfantastico.com/

This site sells buttons and other items made from recycled encyclopedias and other materials, but the ideas are great and could be replicated in the library.

Melimade

http://melimade.fuzzyspaceoutpost.com/

Cool ideas for homemade crafts.

Sublime Stitching

http://www.sublimestitching.com/index.html

Kits for hip sewing and crafts projects.

Thrift Deluxe

http://www.thriftdeluxe.com/

A British site much like the American magazine ReadyMade—all kinds of great ideas for making stuff out of recyclables, like milk carton gift boxes and cheese grater lamps.

She Made This

http://www.shemadethis.com/projects.htm

More projects you can make at home (or school), like earrings, marble magnets, and more.

Ex Libris Anonymous

http://www.exlibrisanonymous.com/

Very cool idea—this Olympia couple makes books out of old books (you may have seen them at Bumbershoot). Take a look at their site. (Warning—one section is called “Nudie Books” and features vintage-style nudes).