Sign-In
Cart
The Manual Manual: Your guide to learning creative handwork
Paperback
Publisher Price: $24.99
Publisher: Strother Purdy
Published: Apr 23 2025
Pages: 178
Weight: 0.72
Height: 0.48 Width: 6.00 Depth: 9.00
Language: English
If work is a four-letter word, leisure your escape, and neither satisfies, then The Manual Manual is your antidote.
Through the personal experience of the author, a designer and woodworker of 40 years experience, and extensive interviews with a wide range of craftspeople, this book explores the satisfactions of creative handwork, whether as a profession or hobby. Offering a detailed guide to how anyone can access and master the hand craft of your choice, The Manual Manual is a practical response to improve the quality of your life against the stresses of the Digital Age.
Before industrialization, making things for the people in our lives was how our species survived and thrived. Hand work was all work, and it was the central, joyful process of life. Creative making was our purpose. Today, we work because we must. To make smartphones and electric cars, work has become industrialized and digitized. It can be hard to find purpose or value in our jobs when they are insignificant contributions to giant enterprises. Driven by necessity and fear, we believe that success, or that the idle leisure it buys, will eventually make us happy. But instead we pay for our modern technology with increasing rates of depression and anxiety.
Pleasure is the original motivation for work, feeling fully alive its reward.
We can't all quit our day jobs and survive in the Digital Age. But we can access the joy of workmanship--and truly pursue happiness--by finding creative work that fits our inclinations.
This book is your guide to access the deeply pleasurable, satisfying, and meaningful process of making things by hand, whether as a hobby or a profession.
Also in
Crafts General
The Craftivist Collective Handbook: Projects, Stories and Methods for Your Gentle Protests
Corbett, Sarah P.
Hardcover
Little Woodchucks: Offerman Woodshop's Guide to Tools and Tomfoolery
Offerman, Nick
Buchanan, Lee
Hardcover
Dungeons & Dragons Crochet: A Book of Many Patterns
King, Stacy
Official Dungeons & Dragons Licensed
Hardcover
Disney Dreams Collection Thomas Kinkade Studios Coloring Book
Thomas Kinkade Studios
Kinkade, Thomas
Paperback
Floriography: An Illustrated Guide to the Victorian Language of Flowers Volume 1
Roux, Jessica
Hardcover
Minimalist Soapmaking: How to Make Incredible Soaps in Less Time with Just a Few Ingredients
Khabra, Simi
Paperback
A Perpetual Journal Practice: Building a Connection with Nature Through Art
Gastinger, Lara Call
Paperback
Paint by Sticker (Official): Create 12 Masterpieces One Sticker at a Time!
Workman Publishing
Paperback
Crosses Coloring Book for Adults: Grayscale Crosses Coloring Book Christian Coloring Book for Adults Bible Coloring Book Adults
Publishing, Monsoon
Paperback
Creative Junk Journaling: How to Collect Everyday Keepsakes and Cherish Your Memories
Ahmed, Natasha
Hardcover
Printing from the Garden: Create Stunning, One-Of-A-Kind Prints with Flowers and Leaves
Kelly, Alison
Hardcover
Creative Mending: Beautiful Darning, Patching and Stitching Techniques (Over 300 Color Photos)
Noguchi, Hikaru
Hardcover
Weaving Wild Baskets: Techniques and Projects Using Foraged Leaves, Grasses, Vines, and Bark
Grove, Katie
Paperback
The Beginner's Cut Flower Garden: Grow, Nourish, and Create Bliss Year-Round
Brown, Elizabeth
Hardcover
Patty Lyons' Knitting Bag of Tricks: Over 70 Sanity Saving Hacks for Better Knitting
Lyons, Patty
Paperback
Crafting with Paracord: 50 Fun and Creative Projects Using the World's Strongest Cord
Poole, Chad
Paperback
15-Minute Watercolor Florals: Create Exquisite Paintings with 30 Beginner-Friendly Tutorials
Poa, Joly
Paperback
Brain Games - Sticker by Letter: Playful Pets (Sticker Puzzles - Kids Activity Book)
Brain Games
New Seasons
Publications International Ltd
Paperback
Leatherworking Handbook: A Practical Illustrated Sourcebook of Techniques and Projects
Michael, Valerie
Paperback
Crochet for Beginners: A Stitch Dictionary with Step-By-Step Illustrations and 10 Easy Projects
Presinal, Arica
Paperback
Fantasy World Coloring Book Magic Meadows - Royal Kingdom - Mermaids' Bay: A Creative Voyage with 100 Full-Sized Patterns to Color and Enjoy
Öberg, Emelie Lidehäll
Hardcover
The Art of Memory Collecting: 15 Scrapbook, Collage, Trinket and Zine Projects for Crafting Treasured Moments
Calvi, Martina
Hardcover
Wildcrafted Garden Structures: Making Bentwood Trellises, Arbors, Gates, and Fences
Long, Jim
Paperback
The Knitting Book: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Imaginative Projects for the Home and to Wear
Dk
Patmore, Frederica
Haffenden, Vikki
Hardcover
Brain Games - Sticker by Letter: In the Wild (Sticker Puzzles - Kids Activity Book)
Publications International Ltd
Brain Games
New Seasons
Paperback
Watercolor Boot Camp: Strengthen Your Skills and Create Beautiful Paintings in One Month
Pickerill, Hannah M.
Paperback
Disney Dreams Collection Thomas Kinkade Studios Celebrations Coloring Book
Kinkade, Thomas
Thomas Kinkade Studios
Paperback
Paper Flower Garden: Fresh Techniques for Handmade Crepe Paper Blooms
Donnelly, Meagan
Griffith, Lia
Paperback
Lettered in Thread: Creative Techniques for Designing and Embroidering Meaningful Messages
Leroy, Ciara
Paperback
Floret Farm's Cut Flower Garden: Grow, Harvest, and Arrange Stunning Seasonal Blooms
Benzakein, Erin
Hardcover
The Homesteader's Guide to Cut Flowers: Growing Beautiful, Versatile Blooms for Pantry, Pleasure & Profit
Blessing, Joanna
Paperback
The Embroidery of Mexico: A Vibrant Celebration of Traditional and Modern Designs
Romero, Gimena
Hardcover
The Ransom Note Sticker Book: Thousands of Letters for Your Anonymous Messages
Herriott, Luke
Paperback
Patchwork Granny Square Blankets: Learn to Crochet Quilt-Inspired Throws, Home Décor & More
@Madebyanita
Gibney, Anita
Paperback
Happy Day Coloring Postcards: 20 All-Occasion Cards to Color, Sign, and Send
Öberg, Emelie Lidehäll
Paperback
The Matchy Matchy Sewing Book: Flexible, Fun, and Satisfying Sewing Projects Using Simple Shapes
Gonzales, Amy
Kuo, Theresa
Paperback
The Bandweaver's Project Book: 34 Stylish, Practical Designs + Clever Finishing Techniques
Torgenrud, Heather
Hardcover
Watercolor in the Garden: Paint a Charming World of Beautiful Songbirds, Baby Animals, Flowers and More
Carkill, Jane
Paperback
Art of Coloring: Tim Burton's the Nightmare Before Christmas: 100 Images to Inspire Creativity
Disney Books
Paperback
Art, Craft, Color: Brighten Your Life with Projects in Every Color of the Rainbow
Solomon, Lisa
Hardcover
Watercolor Workbook: 25 Beginner Botanical Projects on Premium Watercolor Paper
Simon, Sarah
Paperback
The Embroidery Stitch Bible: Over 200 Stitches Photographed with Easy-To-Follow Charts
Barnden, Betty
Paperback
Brain Games - Sticker by Letter: Robots (Sticker Puzzles - Kids Activity Book)
Publications International Ltd
Brain Games
New Seasons
Paperback
The Art of Jewish Joy: Crafts and Activities for Celebration and Connection
Ultman, Suzy
Kingloff, Amanda
Hardcover
New Again: 100+ Projects and Ideas to Reimagine Your Furniture and Decor
Vanderzeil, Geneva
Paperback
Mending Life: A Handbook for Repairing Clothes and Hearts (and Patching to Practice Sustainable Fashion and Fix the Clothes You Love)
Montenegro, Nina
Montenegro, Sonya
Paperback
Nordic Sailors' & Fishermen's Sweaters: Modern Knitwear Inspired by Historical Patterns
Rahbek, Lotte
Jensen, Gitte Verner
Hardcover
3-Color Botanical Cyanotype Kit: Beginner-Friendly Solar Printing Kit for DIY Nature Art
Rafferty, Sarah Bourne
Hardcover
500 Sewing Tips, Tricks, Techniques, and Hacks: Must-Have Manual for Easy and Accurate Sewing
Hough, Ashley
Paperback
Origami Gift Wrap: 25 Beautiful, Tape-Free Techniques for Mindful Gift-Giving
Inouye, Megumi Lorna
Paperback
Tidying Up: 100 Ways to Infuse Order and Joy Into Every Area of Your Home
Fuqua, Ea
DeLong, Meg
Hardcover
In Our Hands: A Maker's Manifesto for Changing the World Through Creative Practices
Smith Whitehouse, Bonnie
Hardcover
The Cut Flower Garden: Grow and Gather Cut Flowers for Homegrown Arrangements All Year Round
Turner, Jo
Hardcover
Floret Farm's Discovering Dahlias: A Guide to Growing and Arranging Magnificent Blooms
Benzakein, Erin
Hardcover
Keeping a Nature Journal, 3rd Edition: Deepen Your Connection with the Natural World All Around You
Leslie, Clare Walker
Paperback
Posh Adult Coloring Book: Thomas Kinkade Designs for Inspiration & Relaxation
Kinkade, Thomas
Paperback
Handmade Horrors: 40 Upcycled Oddities Crafted from Spare Parts and Strange Ideas
Bennick, Rachel
Paperback
The Handsewn Wardrobe: A Complete Guide to Making Your Own Clothes from Patternmaking to the Finishing Stitches
Sonstroem, Louisa Owen
Hardcover
150+ Crochet Borders: Edgings and Decorative Finishes for Every Project--Inspired by Cities Around the World
Baldelli, Bernadette
Paperback
Elvira's Cookbook from Hell: Sexy, Spooky Soirées and Celebrations for Every Occasion
Peterson, Cassandra
Hardcover
Eco-Print: The Guide to Natural Botanical Printing on Fabric
Vaarula, Päivi
Lapiolahti, Ulla
Mantua-Kommonen, Kirsi
Hardcover
Welcome to Woodworking: 20 Simple & Stylish Projects for Your Home & Garden
Ott, Moa Brännström
Hardcover
Paper Flower Magic: Techniques & Projects to Sculpt Your Own Garden of Realistic Blooms
Jansson, Sofia Vusir
Hardcover
Watercolor in 5 Simple Steps: 35 Inspiring Projects for the Beginner Watercolorist
Beaudrot, Michelle
Paperback
1000 Botanical Colors: Make Your Own Dyes, Paints, Inks, Stains, and Pottery Paints from 250 Plants
Warnock, Caleb
Paperback
Backyard Cutting Garden: Small-Space Blooms to Grow, Harvest, and Arrange in Every Season
Snyder, Trisha
Hardcover
Deluxe Recipe Binder - Favorite Recipes (Hydrangea) - Write in Your Own Recipes
New Seasons
Publications International Ltd
Hardcover
Bead Jewelry Making for Beginners: Step-By-Step Instructions for Beautiful Designs
Leibovitz, Cecilia
Paperback
Easy Embroidery Embellishment: Learn to Customize Your Clothes with Simple Stitch Techniques
Billingham, Jenny
Paperback
Origami Paper: One Hundred Dollar Bills: Origami Paper; 250 Double-Sided Sheets (Instructions for 4 Models Included)
Kirschenbaum, Marc
Paperback
Floret Farm's a Year in Flowers: Designing Gorgeous Arrangements for Every Season
Benzakein, Erin
Hardcover
French Blooms: Floral Arrangements Inspired by Paris and Beyond
Sigman of Les Fleurs, Sandra
Hardcover
Botanicum Coloring Book: Hardcover Adult Coloring Book Featuring Thick, High-Quality Paper
Trolle, Maria
Hardcover
Cut Up This Book and Create Your Own Wonderland: 1,000 Unexpected Images for Collage Artists
Scott, Eliza
Paperback
Knitting the U.S.A.: Fifty Easy-To-Follow Designs for Beautiful Beanies Inspired by Each State in America
Bates, Nancy
Hardcover
The Stitched Landscape: An Embroidery Field Guide to the Textures, Colors, and Lines of the Natural World
Hultin, Anna
Hardcover
Easy Origami for Beginners: Full-Color Instructions for 20 Simple Projects
Lafosse, Michael G.
Paperback
Camping and Woodcraft: A Handbook for Vacation Campers and Travelers in the Wilderness
Kephart, Horace
Paperback
The Macrame Bible: The Complete Reference Guide to Macrame Knots, Patterns, Motifs and More
Gough, Robyn
Paperback