Today the book that existed only in my imagination landed on my doorstep, The New Artisans: Handmade Designs for Contemporary Living, written and compiled by Australian blogger Oliver Dupon for Thames & Hudson. It’s a massive volume of contemporary craft for every lover of handmade, an abbreviated craft encyclopedia of sorts, that will certainly be on my bookcase for years to come. Bravo, Oliver!
From the gorgeous cover illustration by Richard McAdams (of Puddin’head fame) to the content which delivers some of the best of the best makers out there today, it’s a book that blog addicts everywhere won’t want to miss. I’ve written about many of the talents found in this book or linked to them at one time or another on Facebook or Twitter, so if you love the work that you’ve seen on decor8 and on other blogs like mine, then you’ll love The New Artisans: Handmade Designs for Contemporary Living as it’s like having a blog-as-book with beautifully curated contemporary crafts at your fingertips, all in a single (very hefty) book. Here are some spreads that I enjoyed and a list of 18 of my personal favorite artisans linked below. There are 75 designers all over the world featured in The New Artisans so you are sure to find many favorites for yourself. What a treat!
Most of this book showcases individual artisans with their work and in some cases, their work studios and usually each artist has a few spreads dedicated to only them with text and imagery. As a nice unexpected surprise, another area has a visual directory sorted by category such as illustration, jewelry, furniture, etc. It is such a helpful resource and for me, a most excellent one as it’s very visual with light text vs. only text as so many directories typically are. I like that the author took all 75 of the artists and broke them down by group so if you are looking for a quick gift, you can turn to the Jewelry pages for instance and locate artists who make jewelry. If you want to learn more about that particular artist, you can then locate them in the index in the front of the book, find the page numbers where they’ve been featured, and you’re off! Practical!
Here are 18 of my personal favorites from this book:
- Andrea Williamson, UK : Knitted accessories.
- Angus & Celeste, Australia: Ceramics – jewelry and for the home.
- Ann Wood, USA: Textile + paper arts.
- Anna Emilia Laitinen, Finland: Illustration.
- Atsuko Ishii, France: Artist.
- Bailey Doesn’t Bark, USA: Ceramics.
- Claire Coles, UK: Textiles + wallpaper.
- Depeapa, Spain: Illustration.
- Furor Brillante, France: Embellished textiles.
- JamesPlumb, UK: Lighting, furniture, etc.
- Jen Deschenes, UK: Screenprinting.
- Jurianne Matter, Netherlands: Paper artist.
- Laura Strasser, Germany: Ceramics.
- Marie Christophe, France: Sculptor.
- Mel Robson, Australia: Ceramics
- Nathalie Choux, France: Illustrator.
- Puddin’head, Australia
- Studio mhl, Netherlands: Jewelry.
This is a most wonderful book and I highly recommend picking up a copy — you’ll love it and it would make for a terrific present.
Pick up your copy where fine books are sold or online at Amazon.
Please note: The links to Amazon in this blog post are affiliate links which means that for each copy of this book sold after you click on them, I earn a small percentage (6.00%) that I put into purchasing more books to review on my site as not all are press copies provided by the publisher. If this offends you, simply google the book in a new tab or window. Thank you!
(images: holly becker for decor8)
December 13th, 2011 at 6:07 pm
Wow! Amazing book – I think I will be adding this to my Christmas list! Thanks for sharing!
Bonnie McCarthy´s last [type] ..Holiday: Tree Season
December 13th, 2011 at 6:17 pm
I N E E D T H A T B O O K !!!
How do you order those books? Do you have them shipped from the US or UK??
How much is the shipping to Germany?
Thanks so much for your help!
lebenslustiger´s last [type] ..Gifts – Gifts – Gifts
December 13th, 2011 at 7:25 pm
I recently bought it and love it as well…
v´s last [type] ..being a mum
December 13th, 2011 at 7:42 pm
Brilliant! I’ll be sure to check this book out! I love Amazon (I’ll remember to use this link too when I purchase :-) Thanks for sharing your list! I love a great list of new reads!
Lindsey @ arkadian belle woods´s last [type] ..van Gogh
December 13th, 2011 at 7:54 pm
What a great review! Thanks Holly! It’s officially on my list…and I love the cover design!
December 13th, 2011 at 8:14 pm
Looks really good, love checking out all the websites too, it’s great to see artisan craft workers from all over the world :) Thanks for sharing.
All things nice…
All things nice…´s last [type] ..Pretty Christmas Posters
December 13th, 2011 at 8:28 pm
This would make a perfect Christmas gift + I absolutely love it.
December 13th, 2011 at 8:37 pm
@Lebenslustiger: You may order on Amazon.de – http://www.amazon.de/New-Artisans-Handmade-Designs-Contemporary/dp/0500515859/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323805010&sr=8-1-spell
decor8´s last [type] ..The New Artisans: Book Review
December 13th, 2011 at 8:49 pm
oooh ! i want the same book ! really nice !
Thehoshi´s last [type] ..Galaxination
December 13th, 2011 at 8:56 pm
It’s really nice to see a book that highlights the people behind the magic, this will be at the top of my wishlist, thanks holly!
December 13th, 2011 at 9:14 pm
Thanks for this review Holly. Will definitely be an addition to by Christmas list. I’m thrilled to see such a focus on handmade these days.
Best
Alison
alison abbott´s last [type] ..Meatless Monday – It’s Chili Outside
December 13th, 2011 at 9:30 pm
This will have to go on next year’s Christmas list . . . I have finished shopping for now. Beautiful book.
Fondly,
Glenda
Glenda Childers´s last [type] ..A Quiet December Tradition
December 14th, 2011 at 12:39 am
I ordered this for myself for Christmas, am really looking forward to diving in over the holidays!
December 14th, 2011 at 1:41 am
Oh wow, I’ll definitely need to get my hands on this book!
xx Lexi
December 14th, 2011 at 2:39 am
this book looks beautiful! just added it to the amazon wishlist. here’s hoping santa comes through ;)
thanks for sharing!
December 14th, 2011 at 2:51 am
Perfect timing – I still have Christmas shopping to do and was needing some more inspiration. I’ll have to put a word in to Santa as I want the book too :)
December 14th, 2011 at 3:59 am
looks very pretty. i’m off to buy this book!
December 14th, 2011 at 5:57 am
Thanks for the list. Will check them out for sure!
patsy´s last [type] ..WOYWW 132: Turn to God
December 14th, 2011 at 7:30 am
wow, Thats the vision ive had and is still pursuing for my blog. It is inspiring and I just love sharing and learning about so many amazing talents out there. I will buy this book for sure! but not before i get Decorate ;) The book buying collection is increasing as the year goes by.Thanks for sharing Holly.
Deb x
December 14th, 2011 at 8:22 am
The photography in this book looks amazing! Gorgeous.
Hannah @ Sparrow + Spark!´s last [type] ..Vintage For Kids? Yes Please
December 14th, 2011 at 9:31 am
Sounds like a great book! I put it on my wish list at Amazon!
Marianne´s last [type] ..{devastation}
December 14th, 2011 at 9:34 am
Made me thing of this article I read few days ago. Echoing that whole trend.
http://www.economist.com/node/21540392?frsc=dg|a
Happy holidays!
December 14th, 2011 at 12:28 pm
I have this book, and it is truly gorgeous and inspirational for anyone who is interested in the work of independed artists.
Tamara´s last [type] ..Paper Sculpture Floral Christmas Wreath OOAK
December 14th, 2011 at 12:37 pm
It’s such a treasure!
Saskia´s last [type] ..DaWanda Shop: Kitaken
December 14th, 2011 at 2:41 pm
Thanks so much Holly – I’m excited about this book – Olivier did a brilliant job.
December 15th, 2011 at 6:09 am
I bought this book a few weeks ago – LOVE it! :D
December 20th, 2011 at 7:06 pm
I got my copy of the book on Sunday, it is truly beautiful, can not believe how much talent is out there, and how craft is being preserve and will continue to happen in the hands of so many amazing designers, makers etc…I, myself refuse to outsource all my production and become a factory in order to grow the business. I hope I can stay true to my core values, of handmade with love and care and continue to work on what I love the most, creating lasting products that will pass form generation to generations. From here I thanks you for your constant support to our community and work. marga
Margarita Lorenzo´s last [type] ..Crafting away at Etsy event in London
December 27th, 2011 at 5:39 pm
It is an absolutely beautiful book. I got it for Christmas. Very inspirational indeed
January 10th, 2012 at 10:54 am
Hello everyone – I designed this book for Thames and Hudson and its given me a real thrill reading all the comments about how beautiful you have all found it.
January 10th, 2012 at 5:02 pm
@Avril – Do you design for other publishers or just T&H?
January 11th, 2012 at 9:41 pm
As a designer/illustrator this is such great inspiration! Maybe my future birthday present! ;)