Upcycling Some of Your Favorite Things!

As the holiday season continues with to-do lists, more to-do lists, and really have to-do lists, it may be time to step back, take some old books and spend quality time with family making some recycled gifts like altered books!  There are great instructions and samples on the web to help you out, but here's some weblinks to get you inspired! 

Doug Beube 's work uses old telephone books and gives them a new twist! www.donnaseagergallery.com/art_of_the_book/.../Doug_Beube/;  Brian Dettmer treats books as sculptural books...check his work out at www.briandettmer.com; Another great altered book artist whose work is great for inspiration is Sas Colby who does workshops throughout the country...www.sascolby.com. 

Last but not least there is a whole world of books about altered books out there that can be perused and ogled over at online sites such as Borders, Barnes and Noble, and Amazon.com.  There is no end to the recycling of old books and their many uses.  One of the newest releases is "Playing with Books: The Art of Upcycling, Deconstructing, and Reimagining the Book..." by Jason Thompson.  Great ideas with a great gallery of works by altered book artists.  So gather your old hardbacks, softbacks and start folding, cutting and warping!!!  Enjoy the holidays and think green and recycle...or is that upcycle???