Books

Jennifer Perkins has to be the queen of jewelry, and her new book, The Naught Secretary Club: The Working Girl's Guide To Handmade Jewelry is filled with dozens of kitschy projects to try out at your desk. By re-purposing and reusing common office equipment and materials, you can make some gorgeous jewelry and accessories.

Filled with over 50 projects, it's time to raid the stationary cupboard and make yourself a Paper Clip Necklace, some Shredded Junk Mail jewelry, a classy Tie Down Brooch (made from an unfashionable necktie), or an All-Access Pass Badge Holder. This is a really fun book and all of the projects are bright, colourful and funky.

So make 9 to 5 a little more sexy and sassy with jewelry that any secretary would adore.

You can pick up a copy of the book from FW Publications or Amazon now.

Member offer: you can save 30% off the price of the book, and any others, by purchasing from MyCraftivityShop.com and entering the code CUTOUT30 at the checkout. The promotion runs through January 31, 2009.

If you're an aspiring Vivienne Westwood or Coco Chanel, then sketching your designs is an important part of your work. The Big Book Of Fashion Illustration by Martin Dawber is a gigantic book, filled with hundreds of examples of how designers present their ideas.

Claiming that fashion illustration is "as rare as a snow leopard" these days, this book brings the dieing art alive, with a wide range of work from contemporary designers the world over. From minimalistic to incredibly detailed, the sketches are pieces of fine art in themselves. Covering womenswear and menswear, right through to accessories and beauty, the work is a mixture of illustrations, paintings, computer design and photography. It's surprising just how varied the styles can get.

This is a very inspiring and insightful browse, which I'm sure would inspire any fashion designed.

Published by Batsford. Order a copy for only £18.00 including free UK p&p. Call 0870 787 1613 and quote reference CH1096.

You can pick up a copy of the book from Anova now.

If you've ever wanted to add a bit of sparkle to your knitting then 25 Beaded Knits by Debbie Abrahams is right up your street. Featuring 25 unique designs, for knitters of all skill level, there's sure to be a project perfect for everyone.

Filled with all the techniques you need to know, as well as projects for your kids to wear, or for you to wear during the day and at evening events, this book is sure to add a bit of glitz to every occasion. Snuggle up with a pair of Aladdin Slippers, accessories with a Glitzy Sequined Purse, show off with a Superstar Belt, or carry around your stuff in style, with a very colourful Bubbly Knit Bag. There are even some more complex pieces for the talented knitter, including a Bolero Jacket and a Sweetheart Vest.

Claiming to be simple to do, this is a great way to embellish your work. So add a bit of glam to your needles and make your knits even more special.

Published by Collins & Brown. Order a copy for only £16.00 including free UK p&p. Call 0870 787 1613 and quote reference CH1095.

Pick up a copy of the book from Anova now.

The other day we brought you Beautiful Knits and today we bring you Beautiful Crochet, for heads, hands & toes by Melody Griffiths.

The book includes all the basic crochet techniques you will need, along with 23 patterns to try out at home. Divided by colour, you can pick from cream, grey, natural or blue themed knits. Create a very unique Rolled Rose Ripple Brim Hat or Checked Scarf, a gorgeous Skinny Sleeves Wrap, an elegant Silver Evening Bag, or a fabulous Corset Belt. There's even a great little tutorial for making adorable Crochet Flowers, which you can use in your own projects or wear as embellishments.

I liked this book a lot, there are some really interesting projects, making this title stand out from other crochet books. I also loved the layout and illustrations.

You can purchase this title for £12.99 with free postage and packaging, by calling 01476 541080 and quoting the title of the book, the ISBN (9781847732873) and the offer code NHKNITSB.

The offer will be available until the 31st of January 2009 You can pick up a copy of the book from New Holland Publishers now.

If you're keen to discover what might be in style over the coming year, then Trends 2009/10 from Central Saint Martins by Kevil Tallon may give you a very good idea of what to expect.

By exploring the most initiative in emerging art and design, from the "early adopters", they aim to uncover upcoming trends for 2009 onwards. Filled with predictions for future styles, this photography book contains some clever, unusual and very interesting ideas. Including a sewing stereo machine, where the stitches are controlled by sound waves, and a shredder that feeds in to a hamster cage, where the unwanted paper is turned in to bedding. 

I particularly liked the Normadic Solutions section, with ideas like quirky and off-balanced bookcases, and the Eccentric Escapism category, with a 1 tonne hanging ceiling lamp. The Affordable Beauty category aims to give new life to old objects, with designs such as crate box chairs and a chandelier made from banana packaging. This book combines the world of fashion, architecture, product design and fine art, to create an inspiring and informative read.

Published by Batsford. Order a copy for only £12.00 including free UK p&p. Call 0870 787 1613 and quote reference CH1094. You can pick up a copy of the book from Anova now.

A collaboration between photographer Mike Figgis and lingerie brand Agent Provocateur, The 4 Dreams Of Miss X is an artistic photography book which explores the concept of dreams.

Played by iconic supermodel Kate Moss, Miss X shares her dark gothic dreams, as she is pictured in various locations around an eerie and mysterious mansion house. Presented like a peep show, the reader is made to feel a little voyeuristic as they browse through the pages of models, styled head-to-toe in Agent Provocateur lingerie, with many shots in night vision and black & white.

Included with the title, is a 10 minute DVD of short films. Divided in to 4 dreams, the model narrates her surreal tales over a dream like sequence of clips. "Is it art or is it promotion" asks the introduction - either way, this makes a pretty decent coffee table browse. Including some classic photography of the model, this is a must have book if you're a Kate Moss fan.

Published by Pavilion. You can pick up a copy of the book from Anova now.

Order a copy for only £20.00 including free UK p&p. Call 0870 787 1613 and quote reference CH1093.

Alison Dupernex's Beautiful Knits contains knitting patterns for "heads, hands and toes" and with 27 unique designs there's an accessory for every occassion.

Taking a hands on approach to accessories, there are 4 styles to choose from - Bright & Beautiful, Classic Stripes, Neutral Shades or Fun & Funky. Snuggle up with a Feater & Fan Wrap, stay stylish with a classic French Beret, challenge you knitting skills with a complex Cable Bag, or keep your tootsies cozy with a pair of Felted Slippers. My favorite project is the pattern for some adorable Flower Pins, they look as though they've been crocheted and would look fantastic on any bag or jacket.

Using a range of yarns, there is a great selection of styles to choose from. Described as "quick and easy" to knit, this may be a good book for making some last minute Christmas presents. So pick up your sticks and knit some accessories to keep you warm and cuddly through the approaching winter nights.

You can purchase this title for £12.99 with free postage and packaging, by calling 01476 541080 and quoting the title of the book, the ISBN (9781847731197) and the offer code NHKNITSB. The offer will be available until the 31st of January 2009.

You can pick up a copy of the book from New Holland Publishers.

If you get a guilty feeling when taking out the trash, as though there was some use for a bunch of it, then Rubbish! has all the answers you've been looking for. Kate Shoup loves recycling and in this book, she's gathered together an army of crafters to show you how to reuse and repurpose common household junk.

Starting with a guide on what to hold on to or collect, you soon begin to realize what items are "diamonds in the rough". Turn broken up credit cards in to a Good Credit bracelet, cut up wine corks for a Put A Cork In It Bracelet, or give new life to old circuit boards with some Vive La Resistor earrings. There are 30 projects in total but my favorites were definitely the You're So Negative lamp made from photo negatives and this utterly adorable Brut Strength cork man.

This book goes to show that one person's trash is another person's craft supplies. Filled with neat and clever ideas for recycling, you can feel good about your crafting.

Pick up a copy of the book from Wiley or Amazon now.

Seams To Me by Anna Maria Horner claims to have "24 new reasons to love sewing", and flipping through the kitschy and colourful project pages, I can see why. In the "sewing school" section you will learn all kinds of sewing techniques, such as piping, gathering and seaming. Once you've filled your brain with all the necessary knowledge, the real fun begins and you can move on to the projects section.

Make yourself a super handy and multi-functional Pin Cushion Caddy, a patchwork-inspired I'll Have One Of Everything Bag or an adorable Bo Peep Skirt and For Kicks Patchwork Ball for young-ones to play with.

Including 10 original patterns to use, this is the perfect book for adding a bit of homely charm to your decor.

You can pick up a copy of the book from Wiley or Amazon now.

Knitwear designer Nicky Epstein takes inspiration from around the globe in her new pattern book, Knitting On Top Of The World.

 Categorized by country, the book includes 50 unique patterns, which are both elegant and practical. Wrap up in a starlet-inspired Roman Holiday Shrug, stand out in a Highland Fling Plaid Jacket or dress up for the occasion with a formal Evening Gala Aran top. There's even a range of accessories, such as a Shanghai Garden Scarf, Petite Fancy Fair Isle tea cozy and a Great Plains Blanket Bag.

The thing I like best about this book is that it focuses more on the patterns than the techniques - after all how many knitting books do you need which tell you exactly the same thing?! So, bring some hand-knitted couture to your wardrobe and stay stylish and warm this Christmas.

Pick up a copy of the book from The GMC Group or Amazon now.