Altered Books Workshop

by Bev Brazelton

Give books new life filled with creative expression Turn old books into personalized works of art with Altered Books Workshop . Altered books bring together a variety of mixed media and papercrafting techniques including collage, journaling, rubber stamping, embellishing and scrapbooking. The creative possibilities are endless - go where your imagination takes you! Through 18 step-by-step demonstrations and 65 variation ideas, Bev Brazelton teaches you basic, intermediate and creative techniques for crafting unique altered books. You'll find helpful tips as you're guided through the process of altering pages along with captivating embellishment ideas such as adding doors and drawers to your altered books. Whether you're a beginning crafter or a fine artist, Altered Books Workshop will give you comprehensive instruction and inspiration for creating multi-dimensional art that is a reflection of your moods, thoughts and life. Make your altered book the greatest story ever seen!

Genres: Art, Crafts, Nonfiction, Creative, Reference

128 pages, Paperback

First published February 14, 2004

Reviews

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Altered books are a brand new form of art/craft to me, and one that fascinates me greatly. I checked out several books on the subject, and this one was by far the most inspirational. Not only does it take you through, in easy to follow steps, the most unique ideas, but it also gives you visual fodder for your imagination. The artist who wrote the book has exceptional taste in how she creates her books, and she makes you want to run out to a used book store and find an old volume to recreate.

[Alicia Bayer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This 2004 book has some good tutorials on various altered book techniques, especially for someone new to altered books. I disliked the look of the author's altered books used for the projects, which were filled with dated, dark colors and struck me as kind of depressing and one-note. I also didn't find much that was new to try. My kids and I have been doing altered books for nearly 15 years and most of what we did was self taught -- just playing around with different mediums and methods -- or picked up from altered book round robins (send your book to a series of friends who alter one two-page spread and send it to the next friend on the list, who each send their own books out for the group to alter too). I actually picked up much more creative ideas from friends than here, and I liked most of my friends' spreads better.

I did appreciate the step-by-step tutorials for a few projects, specifically how to glue the pages together to make a cut-out box and how to insert matchbox drawers. In all though, I'd recommend getting it from the library as I did, and getting it with a pile of others for additional inspiration.

[Marianne Mullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great basic exercises for altering books.

Jan 2022: reread book for inspiring a new project for this new year!

[Christina · Rating 1 out of 5]

I know this book is two decades old, but it did have some good basic tips. However, the work felt like it was one woman's way of getting rid of stuff that should've hit the recycling bin. There's a lot of extra time people just don't have in there -- a la-la-la approach, if that makes sense. Put some paint and whatever down, add lettering and that's it. It's slapdash -- and I need to apologize if that is how you create! Just not for me.

And UGH. Page 41 and the assumption that uninsured drivers are all too busy spending time in rehab to pay her back after car accidents!!! Seriously?? And too much stereotype for me. The dream of not all women is Coach at half off.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Altered Books Workshop" is a good guide to basic techniques. I am not a fan of the author's designs, and there seems to be little attention to planning a work's composition or purpose, but I found the step-by-step photos and methods helpful at an introductory level. If you can contain your eye-rolling when the author uses "The Death of Marat" in a collage because "the reclining figure looks sick, tired and in pain" - like when she fell off a porch! - you might pick up a few useful tips from this book.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very comprehensive introduction. As a complete beginner I feel both informed and inspired and cannot wait to try out the techniques. The presentation is excellent too, with detailed instructions and many photographed examples. Don't think I will be needing another book on the subject for a very long time!

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book to give you a good foundation for making your own art journals. A past time I am addicted to! I now have 3 started but not quite finished. You do not have to be an artist to do art journals - you just need a creative spirit - something I believe we all have!

[Emmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really excellent collage book. I love the designs included here, as well as Brazelton's unique style. Some of the projects looked a bit complicated for the novice crafter, but I love the ideas anyway.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fascinating instruction book about altered existing hardbound books into works of art. As always, art is in the eye of the beholder so I didn't quite like many of the examples. One should take what they like and run with it.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

read in Hoopla. excellent ideas

[Paulyna C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Different and creative ideas to turn boring or usefulness books to create different way of self expression.

[D. L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource!

This is a well written book with good directions. It explains about altered book art and some techniques for creating them.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

Although I did not care for the author's art style the descriptive text and pictures were wonderful in describing the techniques used to create an altered book.

[Tamara Santos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good instructions and tips but not sure I’ll keep as a reference because I just didn’t care for the style, color schemes or end result of any of the author’s examples.

[Wendi WDM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again, another fabulous and fantastic craft book. Another book from the library that I'm going to hate having to give back. I think anyone who is good at scrapbooking but might be looking to go up another step in paper crafts and collaging would do well with this book. It's given me a lot of great ideas for Christmas presents and birthday gifts. Fantastic pictures, lots of projects, great step by step guides.

[Melissa Shmish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing, relatively new art/craft genre--one which Brazelton claims aurthorship, citing inspiration from eleventh century Italian monks who scraped ink from vellum manuscripts, replacing it with new text and illustrations. The book offers sample pages from the authors own repurposed books, as well as copious techniques, tips and step-by-step illustrations for a fair variety of page design elements. Serves as inspiration and tutorial.

[Bonnie Jacobs hessler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book for people who are interested in doing altered books. It gives a step by step instruction on how to do it. There is a basic section and an intermediate section depending on your experience level. This is something I would like to give a try. I think this book along with taking an in person class would work best.

[Georgina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A full-color inspirational instructional guide to the craft of altering books. I'm not certain that I could ever paint or cut a book, but these are definitely techniques that I want to apply to my creative bookbinding projects. (Especially adding little drawers and pockets inside my books. That is fun and practical!)

[Tulara]

I learned that anything is possible and there are creative applications to all that we see. The techniques can be learned and practiced - and you will get indivdual results - it's not a cookie cutter craft and it gives the ultimate award - confidence in your own art.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some interesting ideas, good for beginners. It's difficult not to be inspired or encouraged by looking at the pictures and techniques throughout. As is the case with most books of this nature, I'm not a huge fan of the artist's work-- it's the methods employed that are relevant.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun book and a quick read. Many techniques are covered and explained and while I'm not a do what the directions say kind of gal, it did get my creativity flowing. It includes many great photos adna resource list at the end. Gotta love that.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you help out at used book sales and find yourselves stuck with books at the end---and you hate to dump them, try making them over into works of art.

I've been playing with this book and a Danielle Steel (gotta use a book you don't mind cutting up) and having a great time.

[Aimeslee · Rating 4 out of 5]

For altering books, a bonafide classic. Great introduction to altering. Shows a wide variety of ideas for altering, and covers many different types of books to alter. Covers the basics and helps troubleshoot problems with bindings, covers, etc.

[Kel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a cool idea... I'll have to give it a shot when I actually have some time on my hands for a new craft. :)

[Marian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still the classic primer, my first book about altered art and the one that gave me the courage to rip pages and paint up my first book. Great resource.

[Dolldiva · Rating 3 out of 5]

Creative projects for altered book lovers.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great starting place for learning how to do an altered book. Love the pictures and easy to follow instructions too.

[Michelle "Champ" · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent well written very creative

[Lisa Kemble · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of useful step-by-step techniques with photos

[A. Clare · Rating 2 out of 5]

A solid framework, but nothing exciting happening.