The Craftster Guide to Nifty, Thrifty, and Kitschy Crafts By Leah Kramer Issue #28

By Susan Beal
Published: June 1st, 2006 | 12:00am

If you swoon over all things vintage, and “kitsch” could be your middle name, you must treat yourself to The Craftster Guide to Nifty, Thrifty, and Kitschy Crafts, by Leah Kramer, the founder and editrix of DIY epicenter Craftster.org. Kramer’s retro-style book is a greatest-hits collection of projects from 1950s and ’60s craft mags such as Pack-O-Fun and Fun With Plastic Bottles. Kramer has unearthed a creative time capsule and lovingly brought 50 projects back to life, covering everything from knitting and crochet to découpage and sewing.

In addition to spinning off fun, stylish versions of iconic Craftster favorites like felt flowers and record bowls, Kramer includes more obscure craft projects like Playing-Card Notebooks and Book Clutch Purses. She’s preserved many of the zany original graphics and pictures to inspire readers but cleverly updated the techniques and materials to utilize 21st-century crafter must-haves like the hot glue gun.

Many of the projects call for cheap (or free!) recycled materials and household items, like light bulbs, egg cartons, and old sweaters. Her adorable Flower Power Earrings are concocted from plastic soda bottles, and the snow globes re-use baby-food jars to charming effect. You’ll be turning your trash into treasures in no time!

ABOUT THIS BOOK
The Craftster Guide to Nifty, Thrifty, and Kitschy Crafts (Ten Speed Press)
By Leah Kramer
173 pages
$15.95