Idea for a book

[LavenderHearts]

I was thinking about all the thrifty ideas I have when it comes to making and decorating things in my house, and I thought perhaps I could put pen to paper and pass on some of my top tips in a book. I don't have a great deal of money and I don't like paying over the odds for things. I'm always going into expensive shops like Laura Ashley and Cath Kidston and coming up with ideas of how I can recreate things in my own home. For example, I bought all the roller blinds in my house from Ikea and then to jazzed them up a bit I added some beautiful beaded trims to the bottom of some or lace to others. They now look fabulous and I love the way the light catches the beads! If I get a box of posh chocolates I'll keep the ribbon and I save buttons, reuse old clothes to make door stops, cushions etc, and I always keep roses/quality street tins and paint them, add trims and/or glue on pretty patterned oil cloth. These are just a few of my ideas, does anyone else do the same? If so I'd love to hear about it. Also, what are your thoughts on this kind of book?

[Focus on Life]

I guess you'd only need to look on the bookshelves to see the huge variety of books that are available on any given subject, including the one you're thinking of.

So I imagine, yes, there'd no doubt be a market for it so long as the book was well written and had great ideas and beautiful pictures and all the other crucial ingredients that make us buy one book instead of another just like it on the shelf

I dont suppose thats a lot of help to you really, I've never written a book so I dont know the practicalities like do you approach a publisher with an idea first, do you draft up an idea then approach someone? That I dont know. But good luck with it if you try, there's no reason why you couldnt have your share of the market! :)

Shaz x

[Sommerwood]

I think its a lovely idea and definitely somehting you should look into a bit more, I love reading these sort of hints and tips in magazines. :)

[Neesey]

What you do,and I do and I would bet most everyone here does is the sign of a creative mind. Thats what makes us crafters/artist.It boggles my mind when people say you are so smart to be able to do this or that.Or how can you see anything good out of that piece of junk. I/We just see it. Very simple.Even when I try to show them out to do this or that they just don't get it. Blows my mind:confused:
Thats why there is such a void in the market for the kind of book you are talking about.It doesn't just make fiancial sence but ecological sence.
There are rows of these kind of books in the bookstores in the states but I really don't see that many here.
Go for it! I know you will do good and can find a publisher:)

[wyattbean]

Seams like a fantastic idea to me, especially now with talk of price rises and the need to recycle more. I know what it is like living on a low income but that doesn't mean you can't have pretty things around you.
Sue:)

[ilovecrafts]

great Idea! don't know hoew you go about getting it published though!
migt have to go down the self publish route! A friend of mine was talking about that the other day(have to find out more)!

[LavenderHearts]

Thanks for the support! :)

Fortunately I have a friend who's a publisher, but I'd probably have to pay up front. Still, it would be nice to be in print! It'll probably end up being another one of my hair-brained schemes that I'll half finish! ;)

[Apple Tree Crafts]

...Himself is a copy editor (weaponry books, but still....) and he knows a few things about books.

He says you need to approach the publishers David & Charles.

http://www.davidandcharles.co.uk/

Hope this helps,

Jules

[LavenderHearts]

Ooh, thanks Jules! I shall write up an outline of my idea and see if they are interested.

Sian