By guest contributor Amy Anderson

When I think of paper crafts, I usually thinking of origami and scrapbooking. Sure I can turn a piece of paper into a sailor’s hat or a crane, but the practical uses of these crafts are rather limited. Patricia Zapata expands the realm of paper craft in her book Home, Paper, Scissors and gives directions on accessories that are cute and useful.

Patricia divides up the book into sections of decorating, entertaining, and gifting with 33 crafts to choose from. I can’t say that I would want all of the designs in my home, but there are some very creative and unique crafts.

The Pillar Tealight Cover is a fun way to spruce up the lighting at dinner parties.  A simple curl of vellum paper turns a regular tealight into a glamorous centerpiece.

I’ve seen magazine bowls at upscale art shops and figured I could make one myself. Now I know how, and it’s as easy as glue, scissors, and pages from old issues. What a fun way to recycle and make something beautiful at the same time.

In addition, Patricia’s gift wrapping techniques are a nice change of pace from generic paper. Learn how to make your own gift bags, bows, and boxes that are great to have on hand for holidays.

Unless you have a wide range of paper sitting around your house, you’ll probably have to make special purchases for these crafts. Not many just use scraps—they require materials from tracing paper and cardstock to textured papers and foam board. Plus you’ll want to have a variety of glues, scissors, and craft knives handy. But if you have the time and supplies, Patricia’s ideas are inexpensive and recyclable additions for the home. And they’re definitely cuter than my origami sailor’s hat.

About the contributor: Amy Anderson is an Indie Fixx interns and is also a student at Northwestern University. Amy has wanted to be a journalist since she was just 5 years old and she is also into the indie design and crafting scenes as well. In addition to writing the occasional post, she also helps me with a variety of projects.

By guest contributor Amy Anderson 

I first learned how to knit when I was in middle school. My grandmother—the goddess of all textile arts—taught me, and I’ve been striving for greatness ever since. But I’m stuck in the rut of scarves and more scarves, without the patience to learn anything more complicated.

Solution? Knit Green: 20 Projects & Ideas for Sustainability. Author and artist Joanne Seiff came out with this amazing book last year that features eco-friendly knitting ideas for all skill levels—even mine! Plus she realizes that even though lots of us want to do something to create a sustainable world, we don’t all know what to do. So she adds simple tips and facts that help us take steps towards environmentalism. (Did you know that hemp doesn’t need any pesticides and can even be used for knitting yarn?)

One of my favorite projects is the zafu, which is a cozy round floor cushion using Navajo-Churro rug yarn. The skill level is easy (perfect!) and it’s a gorgeous addition to a den or family room.

I’m also excited to try the knitted curtains, something I never would have thought of making. Joanne’s pattern makes an airy and soft window covering using sportweight wool. It’s a creative way to use up extra wool and make something that you would normally purchase.

The best part of Knit Green is that it isn’t just a project guide. I learned so much about fair trade practices, buying local, sustainable farming, and more from Joanne’s research and stories. In the end, it’s really about being mindful about your purchases, even with your craft supplies. Host a yarn swap with friends, check thrift shops for supplies, and reuse old clothes for projects. Like Joanne says in her conclusion, “every little bit makes a difference.”

About the contributor: Amy Anderson is one of  the Indie Fixx interns and is also a student at Northwestern University. Amy has wanted to be a journalist since she was just 5 years old and she is also into the indie design and crafting scenes as well. In addition to writing the occasional post, she also helps me with a variety of projects.

By guest contributor Amy Anderson

I hate writer’s block. Sometimes I just sit and stare at my computer screen and it’s as though my brain has been wiped clean of all relevant thoughts. This is dangerous territory for a journalism major whose life revolves around deadlines. So when I need inspiration, I usually hit up my favorite design bloggers–the ones with eye-popping images and writing that flows naturally. Tara Gentile of Scoutie Girl is one of those writers, and now she’s teaching readers her tricks of the trade.

Her e-book, 52 Weeks of Blogging Your Passion, is a primer in the best blogging practices and a layout for a whole year’s worth of posts. It’s filled with ways to be deliberate about your blog–finding your mission, choosing the right words, and drawing in readers. It made me think about a blog as more than just a place to dump your thoughts and ideas, but really a place to connect, inform, and challenge yourself. It’s something you’ll want to have saved to your desktop for easy reference when you’re searching for what to say.

“You have a passion for craft - or art - or design. You create daily - whether for a living or just because,” Tara writes. “Creating is a journey that starts with inspiration, continues with struggle, collaboration, breakthroughs, and learning, and comes full circle in success or failure. It is a journey that is worth documenting. It is a journey that others share and will be inspired from. Your creative journey is worth reading. Your creative journey is certainly worth writing!”

Not only is Tara a great writer, she’s also a great teacher. Her tips are easy to follow and worthwhile for anyone from a beginning blogger to a web pro.It’s the new year, and time to make some life changes, right? This book is about goals, so why not make one of your resolutions to blog consistently for the year? Whether you make your way through all 52 of Tara’s blogging ideas or just pick and choose a few to enrich your writing, I think you’ll find it a rewarding challenge. Purchase 52 Weeks of Blogging Your Passion online and visit Tara’s blog Scoutie Girl for more inspiration.

About the contributor: Amy Anderson is one of  the Indie Fixx interns this summer and is also a student at Northwestern University. Amy has wanted to be a journalist since she was just 5 years old and she is also into the indie design and crafting scenes as well. In addition to writing the occasional post, she also helps me coordinate Feed Your Soul: the free art project.

Staying on the theme of the new year and your indie biz, I have another giveaway for you. This one is for a copy of the Craft Inc. Business Planner by Meg Mateo Ilasco & published by Chronicle Books. You may remember Meg’s 2007 book, Craft, Inc. Turn Your Creative Hobby Into a Business, well this is follow-up to that and is designed to help you take control of your business and plan your growth.

What better time to do that than the start of the new year, right?

To win your copy, leave a comment on this post with one of your indie biz goals for the new year. I will choose one random commenter to win a copy of the Craft Inc. Business Planner. This giveaway will end January 3rd at 11:59 pm EST.

As a self proclaimed book slut I put together this fun gift guide of Gifts for Book Sluts.

Book Box -ETCETERA MEDIA $120

‘Where Are My Books?’ Print -Lineanongrata $20

Stainless Steel Bookmark - Pink Tank Ltd. $11

Book Stack Necklace - Aroha Silhouettes $45

Monarch Caterpillar Block Print Bookmark - Nydam Press $5

Read Sign - WD Design & Photography $32

Book Purse - Rebound Designs $98

Necklace made from library circulation cards - librarianship $100

Library Tote - Sweet Water Crafts $6.50

Fawn Bookplates - Cabin $6

Banned Book Recycled Magnetic Necklace - Polarity $16

Chronicle Books recently sent me the Reprodepot Pattern Book Pattern Books Folk & Flora to play around with for She’s Crafty. By Djerba Goldfinger of Reprodepot, both books feature over 225 vintage-inspired textile designs that you print out and use for your own projects or for the projects included in the books. The pages of the books are swatches of the designs from which users can choose to reproduce from the included disk. There’s also a thumbnail directory to make finding your favorite pattern easy peasy.

I made these pretty flowers from some of my favorite floral designs using one the projects from the books. Aren’t they pretty? And they will never wilt! (vases are from Davis Studio)