Whether you’re looking for a gift for a crafter in your life, or you’re the crafter looking for new ideas or crafts to try (and gift!), craft books are always a fun option. In the age of instant video tutorials, books offer DIY lessons that you can be accessed at any time and in any setting. Plus they’re fun to collect! Everything in this guide is eligible for free 2-day shipping with Prime, unless otherwise noted.
Yarn Crafts
For pom pom crafting, the Adorable Pom Pom Animals book by Kazuko Ito (USA / UK) offers the best of both worlds by offering a Japanese-style craft book in English to make it easier to achieve more elaborate pom pom creatures.
Needle Felting
Sachiko Susa also has an English edition of one her Japanese needle felting books out, Sweet & Simple Needle Felted Animals (USA / UK) . Having a visual guide in book form really helps with a craft like needle felting, so it would make a thoughtful gift for beginner needle felters.
Polymer Clay
Making Mini Food by Lynn Allingham (USA / UK) is great for beginner and seasoned clay artists alike. It offers information on everything you need from tools to techniques and shows you step-by-step processes of everything from pretzels to gingerbread men. It does show you how to make jewelry and accessories, but the book is also a good option for anyone into doll miniatures and DIYs.
Paper Crafts & Journaling
For kawaii papercraft fans, there is the Sumikko Gurashi origami memo book. It is only available on Amazon Japan, and while international shipping can be a little pricey, it has been fairly quick and dependable in my experience. Packages usually arrive to me in the US in about 4-6 days so ordering soon should ensure pre-Christmas delivery.
Another super cute origami book is the Sanrio origami memo book by Ichibashi Naoko. It’s also available only on Amazon Japan (or CD Japan). Since both books involve projects that double as memos, they would be a cute gift idea for journalers as well, since they could be pasted in a journal or scrapbook!
Sarah Alberto (the artist behind Doodles by Sarah) has a new book out this year called Cute Kawaii Doodles (USA / UK) that I’ve been very excited for. As a guided sketchbook, it will help you learn and practice drawing 100 different doodles before you use them in your layouts!
Sewing
Shelly Down, the artist behind the Ginger Melon dolls and kits, has her own book titled My Felt Doll (USA / UK) that would make a wonderful gift for anyone that enjoys sewing, dollmaking, or the signature kawaii Ginger Melon style.
You can also check out Simone Gooding’s Little Traveller (USA / UK) book for even more cute felt doll sewing projects. There are both human and animal elements in the book so that there’s a variety to choose from.
Gift Wrapping
And if you need assistance with some cute new ideas for gift wrapping, Perfect Gift Wrapping Ideas by Hiroe Miyaoka (USA / UK) illustrates 101 ways to package gifts using simple materials. This should have you sufficiently covered in that case!
Andi lives in the countryside of Georgia in a house packed with kawaii decor and vintage toys. When she’s not barricaded in her pink craft room creating something, she can be found reading, playing Animal Crossing games, or baking something to satisfy her massive sweet tooth. Andi is currently taking a mental health break, but hopes to be back in 2023.
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