Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Crafts

Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Crafts

Whether you want to add an etched monogram to a mirror or make paper-punched embellishments for gift wrap, you can rest assured that Martha Stewart knows the best way to do it! She’s been sharing her most tasteful and elegant ideas in every issue of Martha Stewart Living magazine since 1990 and practically all of us have been tearing them out and saving them in the 18 years since. Now many are gathered in Martha Stewart’s Encyclopedia of Crafts. Martha’s signature style shines through in every project (more than 200, in all!), in every gorgeous photograph and on every single one of the 416 pages! And, naturally, the clear instructions and step-by-step photos you’ve come to know and love in the magazine are here, too.

TRY THIS PROJECT FROM MARTHA STEWART’S ENCYCLOPEDIA OF CRAFTS

Gilded Eggs
This is the sort of Easter basket you can display year round. Blown eggs covered in yellow-, pink- and white-gold leaf make an elegant centerpiece, particularly when set atop a bed of spray-painted hay in a sponge-painted basket, with a vintage metallic ribbon bow on each side.

Basic supplies: Gilding leaf, water-based size, gilder’s tip brush, a soft, natural-fiber paintbrush, dust mask and cotton gloves

Project supplies: Gold leaf in various shades (3 or 4 sheets per egg), foamboard, flat-head pins, blown-out eggs, basket, hay, gold spray paint, gold acrylic paint, sponge, vintage, metallic wide ribbon

How-to:
1. Stick flat-head pins into a piece of foamboard to create a drying rack for the eggs that won’t rub off the gilding leaf. Coat the eggs with size and set them gently onto the pins; let sit until size is tacky, following manufacturer’s instructions (about 20 minutes). Set your gold leaf sheets and paintbrush nearby so that they are easily accessible as you work. 2. Put on gloves and mask. Rub a thin gilder’s tip brush on your hair or a sweater to create static and lift one gold sheet from the packet. Drape it over the egg and smooth it with your fingers. Repeat until the egg is covered. Go over the egg with a soft, clean, natural paintbrush to even out the texture and brush off any extra flakes and then set it back on the pins. Repeat the process with the remaining eggs. While the eggs are drying, or before you even start gilding, sponge paint the basket and spray paint the hay. To present the eggs, set them atop a bed of hay in the basket. Tie a ribbon to each side of the basket.

Hardcover: 416 pages

Publisher: Crown Publishers Inc./Random House ( March 31, 2009 )

Item #: 07-1683

ISBN: 9780307450579

Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 10.875 x 0.0 inches

Product Weight: 68.0 ounces