Do-It-Yourself primer from the editors of ReadyMade, the DIY magazine. Not unlike Todd Oldham’s Handmade Modern, ReadyMade has lots of projects with a modern sensibility, but with two noteworthy differences; 1) focus on re-use, taking the unused detritus of life and making it attractive and practical and 2) the Readymade graphic design style. A good example of re-use (and art) is the CD Wall Mural project, where one takes jewel cases and reconstructs an image “that will make all who view it do the work of finishing the piece themselves”. And kudos to the book designers who have pushed the ReadyMade design esthetic with this book. The thoughtful design includes an embossed plain cardboard cover with measuring tape binding. The book has six chapters/materials, paper, plastic, wood, metal, glass and fabric, all illustrated, with all-new projects not seen in the mag. Of most value to me, for lack of time to actually make anything, is the implicit theme of consume less, live better. Consume the book at Amazon - hardcover, 208 pages, $16.50.

+ ReadyMade at Amazon