Get Crafty : Hip Home Ec

Rating:
Summary: A *must-have* for the crafty minded!
Review: As a long time devotee of GetCrafty.com (Jean's site), I was so thrilled to see this book come out. It's a must-have manual for all things hip and domestic. I love that it isn't only an instructional book, but also has so much of Jean's spirit in it. Reading it feels like your best friend put it together just for you! And it doesn't only cover crafting and knitting, there are great tips on recycling, craft groups, parties, the list goes on. Just go buy it already!

Rating:
Summary: Mighty skimpy...
Review: As much as I hate all the reviews on Amazon that are wierd personal responses and not true "reviews," I feel strongly about this one. I went to a bookstore to buy the book and didn't buy it because it was so SMALL. There is not much book for the money here. If you don't live on a teeny salary in New York City, knock yourself out! It seemed perfectly charming...

Rating:
Summary: This Book Is Lame!
Review: I got this book hopeing for something different. 80% of this book is knitting stuff. You can only knit so much! I was very disapointed. (Who wants to knit a bikini?)

Rating:
Summary: a lovely addition to the new wave of craft books
Review: I've been a peruser of Jean's fabulous website since its inception. She's really done a lot to bring the feminism of crafting back to light, and her book continues in just that vein. Not just another craft book, her essays on the hows and whys of crafting really set it apart and present us with a personal, modern perspective on what doing-it-yourself means. Jean encourages us to get past our outdated notions of domesticity, embrace it, and turn it into an expression of our creativity.

Jean's got some nifty features in here to help us do just that. There's a quiz to help you figure out what activities are right for you. This is probably the only craft book ever written that contains journaling exercises to help you get the most introspection out of your projects (who knew that introspection and crafting even went together!). Jean coaches you on how to reduce and reuse by thrifting, cook with a generous spirit, and cultivate "a crafty style". Community and cooperation are the name of the game here: resources on craft activism ("craftivism") are sprinkled throughout, and she has an entire chapter devoted to how you can connect with creative ladies of like mind -- a perfect remedy in an increasingly impersonal world.

My only complaint with this book is that I thought there could have been a little more in it. Getcrafty.com has always been packed with tips and projects and how-to's; this book was a little leaner than it could have been on all of those. On the other hand, that this book isn't just another overstuffed craft book is a good thing. The message is most important, and that shines through.

This book really goes a long way to explaining why crafting is back with a vengeance among younger women.

Rating:
Summary: a new gem from the founder of getcrafty.com!
Review: jean railla has captured the essense of what it means to 'craft consiously.'
this book seemlessly merges theory and practice, reflecting railla's insightful
take on crafting as much more than something you do to while away the time -
this is crafting as lifestlye. extending far beyond the boundaries of a
traditional how-to-manual (which is not to say that there's not a plethora of
how-to tips throughout!), 'get crafty' is full of engaging anecdotes of jean's
colorful life and adventures. a must for those who want to weave community
through activity, I'm looking forward to future reads by jean railla!

Rating:
Summary: A must buy book! Everyone needs to get crafty ....
Review: This an EXCELLENT book, well written (that is not a term I use loosely). I really like how she examines why so many women are embracing crafting. She delves in the background of how she found her crafts and reclaimed her life. She also explores the benefits of this lifestyle and provides uplifting stories of how crafting changed certain individuals lives in a positive way. It is well crafted (pun intended) and has crafts and activities for beginning and advanced crafters!! ;) This book is like a distillation of the online forum, which is a real compliment!

Rating:
Summary: Get Crafty --very original Home Ec for the Hip
Review: This is not your mom's Better-Homes-n-Gardens home ec manual. This is a funky little book with everything from shabby-chic style projects to practical home care and clothing care advice. All with an eye to minimizing the budget and maximizing the effect.

This would be great for a college-bound person who is going to live off-campus for the first time, or for a person who just got a new job and their first place on their own. It makes the idea of housework and crafts sound fun and creative, not scary or boring. And for those who crave a craft of their own, it has a Craft-Q Quiz to find what would suit a person best--gardening? knitting? Gourmet cooking? Woodworking?

Of particular interest; how to shop at a thrift store--is that STAIN you see going to budge, and if so, how do you do that? Or is the item going to be tacky and a waste of money? I also liked the home recipes for mildew-removing solution and the recipes included last-minute meals that look stylish but take very little energy if you stock the right things in your cupboard. There are even recipes for homemade facial scrubs and the like.

The book is very attractively-printed on excellent paper so that it is pleasant to hold and leaf through. I found it quite enjoyable to read and it had some very interesting recipes and ideas. I can't think of another book quite like it--great if you are youthful and bursting with energy--and want home ec to be hip ec. Go for it.