Martha Stewart - Martha Stewarts Favorite Crafts for Kids: 175 Projects for Kids of All Ages to Create, Build, Design, Explore, and Share

About the Author

This book could not come at a better time. My first grandchild, Jude Stewart, age two, sits down every day, several times a day, at a crafts table in her apartment, earnestly busying herself with numerous crafts projects appropriate for her age. She, like most children, is curious, active, interested, and unafraid of self-expression in almost any medium. She colors, finger-paints, pastes stickers everywhere, glues beans on paper, punches out interesting shapes like bunnies and flowers from colorful papers, and is just learning how to wield a paintbrush and color inside the lines. Much of what she will need for years to come, and what her mother will need to guide her, can be found right here in the pages of this bookincluding dozens of charming and easy projects, with step-by-step, clear how-to instructions. This book is, indeed, a treasure trove for children and their teachers. The many various projects included were all designed with simplicity in mind, making good use of common materials, and encouraging colorful, happy, uncomplicated results. Nothing is so difficult that an attention span will wane, and nothing requires supplies that are difficult to find.

I was a crafter and artist as a child, always looking for a project that would result in something special to give to Mom, take to school, or display in our home. I painted, did lots of ceramics and pottery, and sewed, knitted, and embroidered. My list for Santa included art supplies, crafting tools, and papers and glues. My daughter, Alexis, was always busya diligent student, she also crafted constantly. She worked with clay, and she became an excellent weaver and potter. My many nieces and nephews were likewise occupied with craftsmany of which were inspired by teachers and homework assignments, but many originated at home, using supplies found in pantries and basement workshops. I was continually amazed at how prolific, how original, and how beautiful so many of their crafts were.

I have saved many one-of-a-kind objects given to me by young craftersthe painted and glazed clay bowls, the woven place mats and table runners, the paintings, the cards, the scarves, and the pot holders and the stuffed animals and necklaces and bracelets. I expect to be the recipient of many more such treasures as the result of this book, things that children of all ages will enjoy making after school, on weekends, and during holidays. I believe, as so many of us doers believe, that children need constant stimulation, continuous inspiration, and clear guidelines. They need projects for their hands as well as for their minds. Here are 175 excellent recipes to help them thrive.

P.S. To make a cross-stitch portrait like mine, see .

This fun-filled book is the brainchild of many talented people, all of whom share a common goal: to provide crafts ideas and inspiration for kids of all agesand their grown-ups. Our team put this book together so that readers could spend quality time making, doing, and exploring together. Our crafts editors contributed brilliant ideas and boundless energy to the pages within, particularly Silke Stoddard, who always manages to surprise and delight us with her creativity. Thanks as well to all the many crafts editors of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, past and present, whose contributions made it into these pages, particularly Marcie McGoldrick, Jodi Levine, and Hannah Milman.

The Special Projects Group at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, led by Ellen Morrissey, collaborated with our resident crafts experts to compile the content on these pages. The top-notch team of editorsincluding Evelyn Battaglia, Amy Conway, and Susanne Ruppertensured that the step-by-step instructions for each project were accurate and easy to follow. Art and design directors Jennifer Wagner and Gillian MacLeod (whose lovely hand-drawn type adorns the cover and the chapter openers) created the books winning design. As always, Editorial and Brand Director Eric A. Pike provided invaluable guidance every step of the way. Laura Wallis and Amber Mauriello lent their writing and editing skills. Jessi Blackham and Alexi Bullock assisted with art direction and design.

A million thanks to photographer Annie Schlecter, always a pleasure to work with, and to the other skilled photographers whose work graces these pages (a complete list of contributors appears ). Thanks also to Anna Ross, Alison Vanek Devine, and John Myers for managing the voluminous imagery throughout the book, and to Denise Clappi and her team of imaging specialists, especially Kiyomi Marsh, for ensuring the quality of each one.