Kitschy Crafts: A Celebration of Overlooked 20th Century Crafts is fun on multiple levels. This book is short but full of photos and projects, including instructions. It covers such delights as pin-beaded fruit, latch hook wall hangings, and crocheted toilet paper covers. Why, yes, it does include macrame. It also includes staples like needlework and embroidery, as well as things I never knew existed. Resin grapes? Really?

This book defines “kitsch” as “any decoration that takes itself far too seriously.” Readers will enjoy inward debates about art vs kitsch while making sock monkeys and bottle-cap trivets. The book does not address the fact that most of these crafts were and are primarily made by women. While this book is strictly superficial silly fun, it raises a lot of questions about the definition of kitsch vs. art and the role of gender, class, and time period in determining what has value. If this book offers anything, it’s the idea that value is subjective. For the record, I think doilies are gorgeous but I truly and deeply do not want or need a paint-by-number copy of The Last Supper. I’m good, thanks.

– Carrie S

It’s fun, it’s retro—and it’s back in style. Take a fond look back at the kitschy crafts of the 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s, from crocheted doilies to shell-art nightlights. All these nostalgic creations appear in appropriately fashioned period settings that will captivate browsers, and come with instructions for those who just can’t resist creating their own string-art pictures, pink flamingo items, far-out tie dyes, kooky candles, macramé plant hangers, and the one-time must-have on every coffee table: a resin-cast grape cluster. And, of course, who can live without the hottest toy of all? The Sock Monkey Doll. Everyone will have a blast poring over these—even those who have never made a craft in their lives.