What I'm Reading: The Signature of All Things, by Elizabeth Gilbert

This is a book I was in high anticipation of reading. It's from one of my favorite authors, Elizabeth Gilbert, who wrote Eat, Pray, Love. It's a fiction book, which is different from my usual fare of nonfiction (mostly memoirs and how-to books). But in this one, MOSS is a central theme! And you know I'd have to check that out!

This massive novel is a 500-page birth-to-death narrative of the life of a woman botanist named Alma, set in the 19th century. Her life's work ends up being the study of mosses. The book is a very fun ride, taking the reader across decades and continents, with themes of love, death, work, science, and evolution woven throughout.

I read the entire thing within a week. It was amazing. And the cover is gorgeous!

What I'm Reading: A Householder's Guide to the Universe

I picked up this book last year at Powell's, and it's been waiting on the shelf since then. I knew that it would be exactly what I needed someday... but it had ended up being more of a premature purchase than I'd like to admit. It's all about "house-holding:" canning, cleaning, and gardening, among other things, and most of it seems to fit better in the lives of those who have actual houses, not so much those of us who live in apartments or single rooms. And though I do understand that you can incorporate those things into your life no matter what your situation, it's so much more fulfilling to have the actual space to use them in.

But, this month Erik moved into an actual house! It's a little rented place in East Vancouver, so far out that its neighbors could better be described as farms than suburban homes. It's small and old and humble and wonderful. And I finally have a context to practice the ideas in the book I've been saving! We plan to make a garden, and to can the apples from the many trees on the property. A real house is so different from an apartment, and I'm really looking forward to learning the ways of house-holders.

One more note: It's written by Harriet Fasenfest, a Portlander – so I can be sure that the seasonal tips are appropriate for our area!

What I'm reading: The Martha Rules

I'm becoming more and more a fan of Martha Stewart. In this book, which she began writing while in prison a few years ago, she outlines her "rules" for success. It has tons of examples from both Martha's company and others, and is quite pleasant to read. It's written in a very personable style that makes you feel like you might be sitting in a coffee shop talking with her as your mentor. Her advice is applicable to large "omnimedia" companies like hers, as well as one-woman businesses like mine.

What I'm reading: Handmade To Sell

I bought Handmade To Sell at Powell's during the summer, soon after it came out. I was saving it for the early months of the year, when I knew I would have the time and the mental presence to strategize about my business.

I'm getting to the point where this type of "handmade business" book is more like a review rather than a boot-camp, and I'm starting to recognize all the "famous" crafters that are usually cited as examples.

But I like getting different authors' perspectives, so I chose this one by Hello Craft. Thinking I'd check in on the basics again, I cracked it open a week or so ago– and I haven't been able to stop reading it! It's full of colorful illustrations and features quotes, examples, and soooo many resources that I hadn't heard of before. Hello Craft is mostly based on the East Coast, and apparently their sphere of contacts and websites is wildly different than those I've been exposed to thus far.

It's a fun read, and full of good tips. Whether you need a refresher course as you rev up your business this year, or you're just starting out, this book is well worth reading.

What I'm reading: Grow Your Handmade Business, by Kari Chapin

Happy Monday, friends! I bought this book at Powell's two days after it was released. Having bought Kari Chapin's other handmade business book The Handmade Marketplace last year, I stalked this new one on the internet to get it as soon as I could! I've been happily working my way through it since then. It's very engaging and pleasant to read, as well as being packed full of business tips and motivational blurbs from "big-name" makers and handmade business owners. If you need a friendly kick in the pants this week to get your business to the next level, this book is totally worth it.