This is not the kind of book you can sit down and read like a novel.

This book is not what I expected, which makes it even better. I thought it would be more like a calendar, with pages you tear off as the days go by. While there are dates, it begins on "Monday day 1." And you do NOT want to tear these pages out! (If you want to do something like that, buy "Wreck This Book" by Keri Smith.)

The format is one you're probably familiar with: Mondays are for Journaling; Tuesdays are for Recycle, Reuse or Revive; Wednesdays are for Collection, Stash and Supplies, and so on.

I describe myself as a general crafter: I know a little about everything, usually just enough to end up over my head and completely confused--which means I never really DO any crafting. This book opens whole classes of "crafting" I've never thought of before, such as Folk Art or Sculpture--as well as where to go to find more information.

So, good reviews usually give you answers to 2 main questions:
1. Will this book be a benefit for me?
2. Does this book demonstrate something I've not found elsewhere?

1. Will this book be a benefit for me? If you're like me, you will greatly enjoy this book. It introduces entire genres of Art, ones I've NEVER thought of as "crafting." As such, the book helps you take one step, then another and another down a road you have never known existed except in your creative spirit.
For me, I've always been a writer--journals, notes, lists, book reviews, etc. I never imagined the current hot trend in the crafty world: Art Journaling. My heart sang at the thought of combining my words with paint, crayons, canvas, and collage! By combining the two forms of art, I feel a deeper sense of connection to myself as well as to the world.

2. Does this book demonstrate something I've not found elsewhere? This is a hard question to answer. If you’ve been exposed to art and knowing how to express yourself with color and clay and paintbrushes, this may not be the best book for you; you may need a book on journaling and how to turn your art into words.

Another thing to consider is the format of this book--some people live on tight schedules, and this is a great book for that: you can read each day's entry in less than 5 minutes and then have it in the back of your mind all day.
My family lives a more laid-back lifestyle, and except for homework and bedtime, we tend to roll whatever direction life sends us. So reading these entries (especially only ONE each day) was more of a challenge for me.

All in all, this is a 5 star book, useful to both new and well-seasoned crafters. It is respectful to every genre of both art and writing AND every art medium from crayons to the most expensive paints available. The book itself is heavy, very well-made and has a ribbon bookmark attached. ( )

The Crafter's Devotional is a day-book with entries for each day of the year. However, no entry is specific to a date, only to a day of the week. Every Monday the author writes about keeping a journal. Tuesday, it's about recycling, reusing, or reviving. Wednesday is devoted to collection, stash, and materials. Thursday is personal history day. Friday explores non-craft inspiration. Weekend entries give examples of collaboration, gathering, and experimentation.

Over 100 contributors are highlighted throughout the book. After leafing through the pages, I think that I would use this book as a source of inspiration for weekly Artist Dates as set forth in Julia Cameron's book The Artist's Way

Barbara R. Call uses fabric, paper, fiber, mixed media, and beading crafts to inspire the reader to stretch her imagination for a more creative life. ( )