Reclaimed textiles Techniques for paper, stitch, plastic and mixed media

Most crafters think of "upcycling" as involving quickie projects incorporating recyclables (or not-so-recyclables) for decorative purposes. UK-based textile artist Thittichai (Experimental Textiles) takes these everyday materials and transforms them into art. In her fourth book, she explores thrifty repurposing of materials that might otherwise be destined for the trash. Tutorials for a plethora of mixed-media techniques using recycled or reclaimed materials-including foil food packaging, knit and woven fabric, and newspaper-are interspersed with profiles of mixed-media artists who work with these materials. The focus here is on fine art rather than amateur craft, and the artists profiled are a diverse group of professionals working in a variety of media and styles. VERDICT Crafters looking for easy, step-by-step projects incorporating repurposed materials won't find them here, but Thittichai's unusual tutorials will appeal to artists with an interest in mixed-media techniques. (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.