The Librarian

We read books to find out who we are. What other people, real or imaginary, do and think and feel is an essential guide to our understanding of what we ourselves are and may become. – Ursula K. Leguin

I have loved books and reading forever. I have read books that made me cry. I have read books that made me laugh. I have read books that frustrated me. I have read books that I didn’t understand. I have read books that inspired me. I have read books to learn how to do something. I have read books that enlightened me, that changed my thinking, and changed my life.

Literature, biography, history, science, and how-to – these are my favorites. My alter ego, the Librarian, will share her thoughts and opinions on the books she reads, and share her love for these works of words on paper.

I love this book – it is just what I needed in terms of useful information regarding soldering. The projects in the book are exactly the type of thing I want to make – fancy paper or mini collage works sandwiched between two pieces of glass, which are then soldered to make pendants, charms, and other delightful objects to use in jewelry.

The author provides detailed descriptions of all the tools and supplies needed, as well as instructions for cutting glass, applying copper foil, different soldering techniques, adding jump rings, adding decorative metal embellishments, and finishing techniques. All of the instructions are accompanied by excellent photographs that show you exactly what to do.

Not all the projects are jewelry – there are adorable ornaments, frames (very cool, and something I never thought of), bookmarks, and bobby pins.

All in all a wonderful book with lots of information and inspiration for people, like me, who want to learn how to solder.

Next we have a fabulous book of….

I’d like to live in this book. I’d be quite happy to spend my days among these lovely pieces of jewelry, surrounded by all manner of vintage beads, buttons, and baubles.

The author, Kaari Meng, has created beautiful and accessible jewelry from her vast collection of vintage goodies, as well as brass chain and findings. Don’t despair if you don’t have access to, or can’t afford, real vintage beads, though. Ms Meng points out several times that you can easily substitute modern beads and findings to create similar looks.

The layout of the book is gorgeous and inspiring. The jewelry is divided into themes – le jardin, la mer, le vigne – with a corresponding color palette. Each piece of jewelry is photographed amidst a small collection of vintage buttons, flowers, ribbons, and papers. I find this attention to detail makes each piece intriguing, and gives it a story.

page 34, Coral Charm Bracelet and Charm Earrings, from the La Mer theme.

The jewelry is really pretty simple to make. Headpins, eyepins, chain, bezels, clasps, and glue are the main ingredients. Which makes the beads and baubles center stage, as they should be.

page 74, Three-Strand Necklace, part of the La Voliere theme.

The organized life…

Here is a great little book by Jennifer Ford Berry, a professional organizer and speaker. If you want to get yourself, your home, your family, and your life organized, get this book.

Her book is divided into main sections, like Organize Your Papers and Organize Your Personal Spaces. These sections are then broken down into weekly increments; for example, Organize Your Papers is broken down into Organize Your Personal Information, Your Finances, Your Receipts, etc. This way you only have to tackle a little bit each week, and that makes it a lot easier to stay on track.

Each week contains a list of goals that tell you exactly what to do. There are also monthly and yearly tasks to keep you organized.

Of course you don’t have to go through the book week by week; you can skip around to the sections that apply to you. But for those of us who need an organizational overhaul, the simple week-by-week approach is most helpful.

Vintage Paper Lovelies

Vintage Paper Crafts by Anna Corba is a lovely book that shows you how to make a a wide range of objects with a vintage flair. From party favors and gift tags to candy dishes and recipe books, you are bound to find something that tickles your fancy.

Embellished candles, page 45

Anna provides simple and useful tips on tea-dyeing, making striped paper, and using beeswax – all of which can give your project that extra-special touch.

Almost all of the materials and supplies are readily available at your basic craft store, and for those that are not substitutions can easily be made.

The projects themselves are simple enough for a beginner, especially with the detailed instructions and helpful tips that Anna provides throughout the book. That simplicity also means that the more advanced artist can easily add her own interpretation and style to each project. And most of the projects can be completed in a few hours or over the course of a weekend, which makes them ideal for a quick gift.

Candy dishes, page 79

Anna generously provides several pages at the back of the book filled with templates and vintage ephemera clip-art that you are welcome to copy for personal use.

And I love Anna’s one-sided bows – a lovely quirky touch.

Pastime books, page 101

Inspiration and encouragement

Taking Flight – Inspiration and Techniques to give your Creative spirit wings, by Kelly Rae Roberts

This is a beautiful, inspiring book whose aim is to take you on a journey of creative awakening. Miss Roberts shares bits and pieces of her own personal journey to becoming an artist, and offers plenty of insight and gentle encouragement to start on your own.

page 33, Let It Go, by Kelly Rae Roberts

Each chapter focuses on one aspect of the journey, such as dealing with your fears, finding the sacred in everyday life, and speaking your truth. The chapters begin with an introduction to that particular aspect, which is followed by Miss Roberts’ personal stories and thoughts. There are journal prompts and inspiring quotes, and interviews with the seven contributing artists. Each chapter culminates with a project in which Miss Roberts combines her own techniques with one from a contributing artist to create a beautiful work of art.

page 61

The directions for the projects are detailed and include stepped-out photographs that show you exactly what to do. And of course artwork is featured throughout the book – that of both Miss Roberts’ and the contributing artists.

At the back of the book is a resource guide, which includes online art communities, suppliers, small business support, and art retreats.

If your creative spirit is in need of a lift, this lovely book will surely help it soar.

page 49, Thank You, Friend, by Kelly Rae Roberts

a little bit of history

Elizabeth & Mary – Cousins, Rivals, Queens, by Jane Dunn

Elizabeth & Mary tells the fascinating and tragic story of two queens, and how their contrasting childhoods and personalities directed the course of their lives and relationship to each other.

Mary was raised in the French court – a place of luxury and decadence. As the future queen of France she was placed on a pedestal for all to fawn over. Nothing was denied her, and she became spoiled. Elizabeth was considered by many to be an illegitimate child. She was not included in the court goings-on, lived in fear for her life at times, and was even imprisoned in the Tower of London at one point. She was however highly educated.

Mary was a slave to her passions. She craved attention and drama and was never able to put her country above her own personal desires. Mary always had to have a man in her life, and was involved in some truly awful happenings as a result of this need. She was said to have a remarkable charisma and was at her best when put in dangerous situations that required physical strength and endurance.

Elizabeth on the other hand took her position as queen very seriously, believing herself to have been divinely chosen, yet always recognizing that without the support of her people, she was nothing. Her will and determination in her insistence on never marrying, in the face of opposition from both her cabinet members and her countrymen was remarkable, especially since at that time in history a female ruler without a king was considered unnatural and against all the laws of nature and against God himself. She was ambitious, strong, intelligent, and determined, and yet always humble before her people

As cousins, both women had a claim to the English throne. As two queens in a king’s world, Elizabeth had always hoped they could support and encourage each other. But Mary’s view that the English throne was rightfully hers, and her quest to possess that throne, along with the Catholic support she received, eventually led to her undoing.

Miss Dunn has done a wonderful job in telling this story, and I found Elizabeth & Mary to be insightful, engaging, compelling, and fascinating.

for those of us who are a little bit mad

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass, by Lewis Carroll

I found both books to be fun, light, and thought-provoking.

Alice is a charming character – she is bold, kind, brave, curious, compassionate, and displays a desire for fairness and justice.

In Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland I did feel that Alice was more a means of moving through Wonderland to explore the terrain and meet all the characters – there wasn’t much to her personally, although I could sense some of the above traits. In Through the Looking Glass she was more fleshed out, a real person, as opposed to a device.

The characters Alice meets are in turn funny, sad, strange, mean, petulant, and kind. In Looking Glass I particularly loved Humpty Dumpty. He made me laugh out loud.

Disney’s Alice in Wonderland movie is one of my favorite movies, and is what prompted a desire to read the book.

Both stories are a delightful romp through a very curious world.