MAKING
Why do we make things by hand? And why do we make them beautiful?
Motivated by these questions, author and maker Melanie Falick embarked on a journey across continents. She met quilters, potters, weavers, and more, uncovering timeless truths: we make to slow down, connect, express ourselves, create lasting things, and nourish our souls. Through personal stories and stunning photography, Making a Life captures the joy and purpose that making brings to our lives.
I’m always on the lookout for what I call possibility mentors—people who inspire me and expand my sense of what’s possible by sharing their stories and journeys. The chapters of Making a Life are filled with so many of these mentors—real-world examples of how to live a creative life, working with both your hands and your heart.
***
From the introduction: “It is, in fact, our hands, especially our opposable thumbs, which allow us to make and use tools and differentiate us most profoundly from our ape forebears.”
Now, contrast that with how we use our hands today—especially our thumbs—mostly to type and swipe on small glass screens. When you really think about it, it’s a waste, considering the incredible things we could be creating with our hands.
Above: (top) Cueva de las Manos (Cave of the Hands) rock painting; Making a Life by Melanie Falick
LOVING
Quick! Go with your gut—do you prefer A or B:
A
B
Me? I’m team B all day. In this poll, B stands for British and A is for American. The British covers are bold, graphic, modern, and nuanced. The American editions are… okay. They always include shots of the food—straightforward and predictable.
Charlotte Druckman, in an article for Epicurious, discusses the differences between British and American cookbook covers. She points out that publishers design covers with their target audience in mind, often creating different designs for different markets. British publishers tend to favor distinctive, less obvious covers that spark curiosity, while American covers typically feature food photography, giving them more of a mass-market feel.
Given the choice, I always buy the UK or Australian edition. Which do you prefer? Have you noticed this difference in other genres?
THINKING
“…you don't feel like yourself. You’re just not as motivated or as energized as you used to be, and you know you’re a high performer. You know what you need to do or what you want to do, but it’s like there’s just something missing and you can’t quite put your finger on it.”
🙋♀️
If you raised your hand too, this one is for you and me both:
I'm a food photographer but I actually also prefer B! I think photos need their own space and it bothers me when there's words directly blocking the image. Also, B style makes better coffe table books!
I absolutely adore the British covers. The thing about food photography that a lot of people overlook is how fast it looks dated. Even cookbooks from five years ago look out of touch if they’re just photography based, where as bold illustration choices typically have more staying power and fall into a “nostalgic” vibe faster than photographs.