Introduction from the book,
Craft Classics, soon to be released by
Robeth Publishing, LLC
This book began over twenty years ago, when my eldest child was in
pre-school. It was a time before digital cameras and desktop
publishing, before web pages and print-on-demand books.
We had two
children at home, a boy and a girl, and they were three years apart. I
was an aspiring writer,
with a degree in Communications, and a stay at home mom.
I was also a
hands-on mom, who attended Mommy and Me classes, obsessed over feeding
our children healthily, and frequently organized outings and craft
projects.
My maternal
grandmother, Hilda Glandon Meredith, was an avid crafter for most of her
86 years. She dabbled in ceramics and china paints, fashioned
Christmas ornaments from recycled items, and made dolls with apple
heads. Some of my fondest memories are when she and her sister,
Helen, prepared craft projects for me to complete.
Even when I
was a young teen, I enjoyed these projects, and never felt too old or
too cool to participate in one of her creative capers.
When my son
was a toddler, I began incorporating art projects into his regular
schedule. As I began searching for new projects, I decided to
begin compiling an arts and craft book.
My children
happily tested the crafting ideas (First my son, and then his sister
joined him). If they enjoyed the project, it was a sure bet other
children would too.
While
crafting, I began taking photographs. The images were on 35 mm slides,
in those days a popular medium for publishing.
In the late
1980’s I started a community magazine, and included a regular craft
column in the publication. Each month we would feature one of the craft
projects.
Fast forward 20 plus years, and many of the craft projects are featured
on several of my websites. Then, about a year ago, I gathered most
of the craft projects into a book, and offered it for sale on my
website, as both an e-book and paperback.
But my sister looked at the book, and asked…where are the pictures?
She was right, without graphics the book was lifeless and failed to
spark any imagination.
After a little digging I uncovered those long ago photos, and converted
the slides to digital. I revamped the book, and gave it a new
name, Craft Classics, which is really what this book is about.
It features
the basic staples in a craft diet, which includes recipes for: molding
dough, finger paint, papier-mâché, gingerbread house frosting-glue, and
so much more.
I am not claiming these are original projects (although some are),
many are classroom favorite’s.
Remember that
sister I mentioned? The one who wanted pictures included? Well she is an
elementary school teacher, and from her came ideas and inspiration.
What ever happened to those two children of ours? The ones who
unwittingly played such an instrumental role in the production of this
book? Well, they are both imaginative and creative young adults.
Our daughter is a graphic artist, and when she was going through
college, she worked with the local parks and recreation program, where
her duties included preparing craft projects for the young children.
As for our son, he too is creative, with a passion for photography, and
engaged to an artistic young woman who is a true crafter at heart.
As for my
grandma Hilda, she passed on before my children were born. The Christmas
ornament pictured at the beginning of this segment was created by her,
and each year we lovingly hang it on our Christmas tree. It was
fashioned from an egg carton, glue, glitter and bangles.
Unfortunately, I don’t have instructions on how to make it, but if you
have a true crafter’s spirit, I think you might be able to figure it
out.
Enjoy….
Bobbi Ann Johnson Holmes