The Back to the Basics panel discussion at BEA explored “the world of self-sufficient living from small or large-scale gardening, food preservation to crafts and knitting.”
The inspiring authors and librarians on the panel transported this GalleyCat editor far beyond the carpeted glass and steel confines of the conference center. Below, we’ve collected three free ways you can escape to this crafty side of the literary world.
Start or join craft groups at your local library. New York Public Library librarian Jessica Pigza shared some of her crafternoon events, ranging from zine making to paper doll making to vintage-inspired Valentines.
Sample free craft eBooks to get hooked on a new craft. Check out instructive digital books from Interweave like 23 Free Watercolor Lessons for Portrait Painting or 7 FREE Knitting Patterns for Men.
Josh Kilmer-Purcell and Dr. Brent Ridge (authors ofThe Beekman 1802 Heirloom Cookbook) suggested crafty readers sample free recipes and ideas at their website including farmer’s cheese, asparagus salad and Beekman Bacardi Mojito.