Anybody who's anybody in the crafty-blog-world knows that craft books are hot, but Asian craft books even hotter. I've always been jealous of those Japanese craft books that everyone has, but I have yet to buy any. (I can barely follow instructions when they are in English as it is.) But then, last spring, I was contacted by someone about doing a tutorial for possible publication in a Chinese craft book! Oh I was SO excited! I can't believe that it has been almost a year, and I've actually kept pretty tight-lipped about it on the blog. Partly because I'd never done anything like this before and I didn't know the protocol for when you are supposed to blab the details, books take a long time to get made, I've realized. Also, I was just submitting my work, there was no guarantee that it would be included in the book. Now, the book has actually been published, and my tutorial is included, and I'm so very grateful! The book is called I Love Handicraft, by Affa and Wing, published by China Light Industry Press. Here is what my pages basically look like, the tutorial is for a small, drawstring pouch with a felt flower detail:
Cute, right? I'm so honored to be included in this book, and I can't wait to receive my copy! I will scan and post better pictures then, too. I made/sold these little bags last spring on my webshop and in a couple of local craft shows. Affa found my pictures on Flickr and contacted me about writing a tutorial. The book features 56 crafters form all over the world, and you can meet some of the other contributors and find more info on how to order a copy for yourself over at their Flickr group. It looks like Wing and Affa are already scouting projects for book number two, so if you are of a crafty nature, be sure to join the group, introduce yourself, and post some picks of your work! The whole experience was so wonderful! I was very nervous writing the tutorial and taking the pictures, it was all such new territory for me, but I'm glad I did it. Affa and Wing are my heroes, who would of thought that I would ever get to be published in an Asian craft book?!?! I truly do love handicraft. Truly.
That is FANTASTIC!!! Congratulations!
Posted by: SHarley | February 22, 2008 at 04:27 PM
That's awesome! Congratulations!
Posted by: Jessie | February 22, 2008 at 05:49 PM
Congrats! Can't wait to see!
Posted by: Jeannine | February 22, 2008 at 06:14 PM
That's awesome! And to think, we knew you when. :) I just got my first Japanese craft book "Lacy Crochet." It is so adorable.
Posted by: Tasha | February 22, 2008 at 06:25 PM
yay! that's so great. cute stuff.
Posted by: alicia | February 22, 2008 at 07:12 PM
Oh my god congratulations! That is so awesome!
Posted by: Marilyn | February 22, 2008 at 08:46 PM
Awesome stuff! Congratulations! Gotta spread the asian craft book love. :)
Posted by: shell | February 23, 2008 at 04:15 AM
That is so cool!!!!! Good for you!!
Posted by: Sloane Solanto | February 23, 2008 at 07:39 AM
you're awesome! congratulations...this is just the beginning I'm sure!
Posted by: amy | February 23, 2008 at 09:49 AM
Excellent! Congrats on a great job!
Posted by: Stacy | February 23, 2008 at 01:58 PM
Congratulations Amanda!! I love your creations.
Posted by: Maria | February 23, 2008 at 09:30 PM
Congratulations! That is so awesome! You totally deserve it! :)
Posted by: Veronica | February 23, 2008 at 10:57 PM
Congratulations, Amanda! that's so awesome. And now you can say you've been published.
Posted by: Cassie | February 24, 2008 at 07:20 PM
how exciting!!!Congrats!!!!!!
Posted by: blossom | February 24, 2008 at 08:05 PM
Congrats!!
Posted by: Amber | February 25, 2008 at 11:11 AM
it's here! hooray! that is so so cool, amanda!
Posted by: Nice-Etc | February 25, 2008 at 09:31 PM
WOW!
Congradulations!!
Posted by: milk tea | February 26, 2008 at 09:19 AM