My copy of this little gem arrived a few days ago and I thought I would share it, as I adore what Janine (the creator of Uppercase magazine), has put together. The Uppercase Compendium of Craft and Creativity is a snapshot into the creative process and lives of 66 makers from around the world.
“There is a long publishing tradition of the creative annual. Creative industries like graphic design, illustration and advertising each have their own dedicated annual books and special edition magazines that compile the best of each category. For designers and illustrators, to be included in an annual is a benchmark of success. It helps get them recognized within their industry and opens doors to new opportunities. For aspiring creatives, annuals showcase what is possible in their field. They inspire, educate and promote. And as the years pass, the annuals serve as important cultural artifacts—a snapshot of the trends and aesthetics of a particular year.”
As is customary for anything Janine puts together, it is beautiful, well written and insightful. It is a book that is rich with stories and gorgeous photography that truly celebrates the value of craft in our daily lives.
"We", the crafting community, need books like this. Books that show us how others around the world are creating, thinking and engaging in their craft. Something that talks about all the things we care about. Connection. Meaning. Creating. Books that celebrate making in a real, everyday way.
I was lucky enough to be included in the Compendium alongside some other lovely Australians like Siobhan Rogers and Fiona Chandler. Being included was pretty special but it's even more special to me because of the main photo she chose to include; my kid and I cutting the steek of her cardy. Just out of a pool, sitting at our campsite under some olive trees in Umbria. Her total joy in what I had created, and then that she got to cut it, are that moment for me. All about the love. From me to her. A moment where I knew she could feel it in what I had made for her.
You can read more about it in my original I Made This post or better yet, go click on this link and pick yourself up a copy. By doing that you will be supporting Janine, and all the wonderful things she puts out in the world.
The Compendium is one of those books that will sit on dining table to be perused at mid-morning coffee time for many many months to come.* I can't wait.
Felicia x
*Other mid-morning coffee favourite dip-in-and-out books include Gee's Bend and Letters of Note and Women in Clothes.
