When asked to review the book Craft: Techniques & Projects by publishers Dorling Kindersley (DK) I jumped at the chance. 15 years ago, so impressed with this publisher’s work, I actually sold DK books at home parties in order to build my own DK library. I was nuts about DK books for children, but also the great books they published for adults. If you’re not familiar with DK, they are known for their distinctive, highly visual books, ebooks and apps that inform, inspire and entertain readers of all ages covering subjects such as: Arts & Culture,Business & Computers, Food & Drink, Gardening, Health & Fitness, History, Maps & Atlases, Parenting, Reference, Religion and Spirituality, Science & Nature, Sports & Hobbies and Travel. 
As I expected, this DK book did not disappoint. It is one thick and thorough creative resource with 320 pages featuring over 50 projects. Contents include: textile crafts, papercrafts, jewelry, ceramics & glass, candles & soap, even eco crafts!
Every chapter has pages of tools and materials descriptions and images. Craft is compiled of projects designed by many expert crafters, all listed with their crafts and blog/website/contact information in the back of the book.
The exciting thing about this book is how current the projects and craft techniques are. There are still so many different types of crafts that I have yet to tackle but am very curious about. Most of those are in this book, with extremely clear instruction and step-by-step photographs. The project I’m very anxious to try is metal clay jewelry. It turns out, based on the instructions and photos, that this isn’t as complicated an undertaking as I’d imagined. 
You know how I love paper crafts, there are plenty of papercraft projects in Craft, even templates in the back of the book.
This project looks simple enough, right? Wait until you see the technique used to keep the cans from bending and buckling while crafting. A super smart idea I would have never thought of! You can actually download the project here!
Even upholstery techniques are covered, so you can make something new, or pretty-up a thrift store find.
I’m a firm believer that everyone should have a few jewelry making skills under their belt. Knowing the basics not only prompts you to make your own adornments, but allows you to modify many pieces you already own or find on clearance or second-hand, helping you create a fabulous accessory wardrobe.
Maybe you’re not up to the challenge of quilting a blanket- I love this cute appliqué throw featured that I’d consider a nice alternative, though as you might expect, quilting is covered in the book as well.
I happen to think that this book is also an excellent resource for any craft blogger for reasons you might not think- the layout, clear step photographs and technical writing are all very good models to follow for sharing projects, techniques and images. You’re going to love this book!
THE Craft BOOK GIVEAWAY!
DK is giving their newly released book Craft to TWO lucky JSIM readers! (US residents only.)
TO ENTER: “Like” DK on Facebook to keep up with all things DK-wonderful, then come back here and leave a nice comment on this post. One comment per person. (Please delete any secondary comments altogether to keep things fair, thank you.)
ENTRY DEADLINE: Sunday, October 28 at noon PST. Randomly chosen winners will be notified and announced soon thereafter.
Thanks to all who entered! The giveaway winners are:
#60 Jen B. and #9 Denise M.
This would be such a wonderful addition to my craft library. Beautiful work.
Rebecca
I would love to have this giant thick books of crafts! How nice! Thank you!
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Just the outside cover of this book is lucious enough to make me want to have it! A bunch of crafts, all in one book, with nice big pictures! Looks like Crafting Heaven to me!
Looks like a great book!
Cover of this book is beautiful I would like to have this one in my small library.
Oooh, that looks like a fun book!
liked on fb, thanks for the chance
thank you for the chance, this book looks great!
Crafts are fun. Liked.
I would love this book since I like to dabble in all kinds of crafts!
Looks Awesome!
What a nice give-a-way! Who doesn’t covet new craft books…especially ones with paper patterns inside!
Sounds like a great book! The little bird pin is especially cute!
I can’t “like” DK on Facebook because I don’t have a Facebook account. I hope that doesn’t preclude me from the drawing though!
I would love this edition. Thanks for the chance to win!
I LOVE the DK company. I have many of their travel books.
I’m a big fan of DK. C’monnnnn random number generator
I love DK books! My cookbook collection began with their cookbooks for children. Guess who grew up to be a chef?
I would love to have this book to add to my (small) collection!
Thanks for the fun book giveaway. Looks like some great ideas in the book.
Thanks for the giveaway! I would love to win this book and try their beautiful projects!
Looks like a wonderful book.
I also love DK. When I used to work in a bookstore in the children’s section, I would always encourage people to buy their Eyewitness books. So cool and full of information!!!
I like DK on Facebook and in real life, too!
I’ve ALWAYS loved their books too Cathe!!! Our boys always loved their books growing up. This looks wonderful! I just went to their Facebook page and liked ~ Thanks so much for the opportunity to win a copy!
Thanks so much for the opportunity to win this book. It sounds perfect for new ideas and projects.
Thanks for the link – and I would love to win the book!
I’ve loved the DK travel books for years….and this craft edition makes my mouth water to get at its pages! Thanks for hosting the giveaway. I’ve liked them on FB.
This book would be a great addition to my growing collection of craft ideas!
Hi Cathe – I also love how-to books that are picture heavy – this looks like a GREAT one! I have ‘liked’ them on Facebook and look forward to your drawing.
DK books are always awesome. Thanks for the give away!
Ok, this is definitely a want!!! Looks awesome.
Liked dk on Facebook. Great giveaway…thank you!!!
Oooh. Great combo of my two favorite things–books and crafts!
What a lovely giveaway…hoping the stars align and I win one!
I liked DK’s page and that book looks fantastic! Count me in …
Thanks for the giveaway! I liked DK on facebook.
This looks like a wonderful reference book with lots of fun projects. I’d like to check it out.
What an awesome book! Thanks for the giveaway! I am so eager to learn so many of these techniques.
I love DK books! This one looks just as good as the others I have read/own.
Sweet! I would love to win that book! Thanks for the chance!!
This book looks so interesting. Anything crafty is always fun! I’d love to have a copy
Cathe, this new book looks like a wonderful resource. I would love to own it! Love, love, love your blog.
Amazing, love the look of this book! Going to give the tin can lantern project a go and make them festive! Everything is better when you make it festive!! x
This book looks fabulous. I love the step by step instructions WITH pictures as well as the final product. So many books leave miss that. (also liked on Facebook)
Wonderful book and I would love to give myself an early Christmas present. I enjoy looking through the eye candy and marveling over the many things I can get my hands into. Thanks!
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I have been enjoying your blog and your Johnson & Johnson posts. I think this book looks like fun.
I teach crafts to Teens and would love to have this book as a reference and resource! I will also request my library purchase a copy.
What a wonderful book to have on my bookshelves!! 8*)
As a homeschooler, I am a HUGE fan of DK books for kids! I’m really excited to see this new book that would be so fantastic for me too! Thanks so much for a chance to win it!
This book looks awesome! I liked DK on Facebook. I’d love to add this to my crafting library which is pretty thin. Thanks for the opportunity.
Just liked DK Facebook page. Looks like a great book. Love to add it to my collections of craft books.
What a beautiful opportunity to have a book as this! Thank you for sharing your love of this book with us, it looks like a dandy for sure.
This book looks awesome – some of the crafts I’m not into, but I just might start with a book like this.
Love DK books!!! Would love to add this to my library!!!
I love crafts and I love craft books. This one look like great fun!
I love this book! so cool…thanks for the chance to win!
I’ve enjoyed your blog for some time now, even though I am not a crafty person. Your website just has “my style” of pretty things. I’ve also enjoyed DK books since my daughter, now an adult, was a little girl and our trips to the library together.
The tin can project looks pretty sweet. I’ll be trying that this year ……. I also went to the facebook page and shared the spooky drinks post – I’m cooking lunch next Sunday at church, they’ll be surprised by some of these drinks!
Thanks for sharing this contest. You rock.
Deb
This would be a great book to read while curled up by the fire this fall!
Would love to get my hands on this book
Thanks for the review and opportunity!
I love DK books! They cover basic, fun things that other people wouldn’t necessarily think to put in one place, but they make such useful references.
OMG – I have dabbled enough in crafts to know that I need this book to take me to the next level! So glad that YOU were chosen to review this book as you are the perfect person to do this. Would love love love to own this!
Oh, this book looks wonderful! What a nice variety of crafts!
Love the book, so many ideas! I went and liked dk on fb!
I just love DK books. Years ago I also sold DK books at home parties, and my 2 boys who really didn’t like to read, would go crazy when my shipment of new books came in. They would bring them in for me and open the boxes and start reading.
I love DK books for children but I didn’t realize they had so many fun adult books as well. I’d love to win this one!!
I’m sorry – I don’t do facebook. But I LOVE DK books! I didn’t even know they had one on crafting!
DK always produces such beautiful books, I would love to win this one!
This looks like a great resource and inspiration!
okay, I am now a “liker” over at DK on FB, and would love to add this great looking book to my craft library. I’ve always loved their books!!
How fun would this be? Just in time for holiday fun-ocity.
What a wonderful craft book. A great addition to any crafter’s library.
Thanks for a chance to win.
Linda
That books looks amazing! Thank you for this giveaway
I “like” DK on FB!!!! Thanks for the giveaway!
DK always has great books and this one looks promising as well.
This book looks great! I’m at the “want-a -be” crafter stage and this book looks like what I need to get me started!
I love your blog! Thank you for reviewing this book. If I don’t win the give away I may purchase the book anyway!
Thanks for the review (aka temptation) of this book. Wow, lots of great projects judging from the ones you picked. I love the bird pin and tin can luminaries. I want to make that cover too!
What a treasure trove of ideas! Beautifully illustrated!
Love the ceramic bird!
I have enjoyed your blog for a while now and I love a good craft book.
My family has a tradition of competition crafting after Thanksgiving dinner. One year we made those rosette style award ribbons that you have been making. Ours were not as nice as yours but they were funny. Thanks for the opportunity to possibly win the DK Craft book.
K.T.
I love the “Crafts” book. There are still so many things crafted that I want to try.Thank you so much for bringing it to our attention.
Love DK! This looks like a fantastic book. Thanks for the giveaway contest!
Thanks for the giveaway! I’d love to add this to my collection!
This is great! It definitely looks like a must have technique book!
I literally got that excited feeling of anticipation when I learned about this new book. You know the kind you used to get wondering about what Santa was going to leave for you at Christmas? Yeah, like that! I want to have this book so I can attempt ALL of the projects. I have many other DK books and agree that they are the greatest when it comes to helping you DIY. I’m keeping my fingers crossed!
What a great book. I hope my library gets a copy!
Love that the book covers so many different crafts! I could never just focus on one.
I am looking forward to geting this book in my hands!