Summary

If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to focus more on your creativity -- to learn how to sew, to paint, or to finally get that novel written, you may want to check out this book. Vancouver-based artist and writer Kim Piper Werker has written an encouraging pep-talk of a book for those who love DIY, the artists and makers, those whose greatest fear is also failure. She suggests that readers pick up their tool of choice and make something mighty ugly – just get it out of the way and then keep going. Face up to those creative blocks, overcome anxiety and procrastination, and channel that inner child who isn’t afraid to just make things, whether they turn out well or turn into a ‘mistake’. The book is divided into three parts: "name the demons," "make stuff," and "keep on making stuff," in which she confronts the most common creative demons and digs into how to get past them. Her style is conversational and quirky, like a good friend who believes in you and is just telling you to get on with it. The book includes links to further resources to read or view, and intersperses quotes and anecdotes both from Werker herself, and many other creatives whom she interviewed. This inspirational nudge to look at all the ways in which we hold ourselves back from our own creative expression works for DIY crafters, and beyond. Anyone who wants to up their creative output in 2016 may be inspired by this title. I know I was; look for some mighty ugly projects at the library this year!