Great Tools & Resources

Stuff you can use — tools, resources, and references — that you probably can’t do without. This list is mostly for me so I don’t forget and go looking again but if I need it, I recommend it.

Typography: Line Length

Useful Stuff

In addition to letter spacing and line height, the number of characters per line is also important because a long line of text produces fatigue and a short line of text can be distracting. 75 characters per line, including spaces, is usually the maximum for a block of text with 5o-60 being the optimum range. [...]

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Golden Mean Typography Calculator

Useful Stuff

One of the most difficult things is to layout type in such a way that it is most readable and attractive. Most typographers and graphic designers have had years of visual experience that allows them to chose the most attractive and readable font sizes, widths, and line lengths intuitively. Even with comparable experience, however, doing [...]

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Crochet (& Knitting) With Wire

Read This Book!

A beautiful and inspiring little book that is useful as well. Jewelry, boxes, baskets, and a purse crocheted with wire. Techniques would work with knitting as well. Clear instructions, even if you have never crocheted before and a list of sources for supplies. Clear, illustrated technique instructions, precise photographs of projects, explains and names jewelry-making [...]

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Fail-Safe Turkey and Turkey Soup

Pass the Olives

By Popular Demand. I’ve cooked turkey this way since I was in graduate school — and had an oven. A long time — remember Adelle Davis? This is her recipe for slow cooking. It works. One reason I remember how long I’ve been cooking the turkey is that Thanksgiving is my birthday and for most [...]

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Color Schemer

Pass the Olives

I’m a colorist. “Colorist” has been appropriated by those who adjust color in films or add color to graphic novels (translation: comic books). But it fundamentally refers to anyone who uses color to achieve an effect. Or in most cases just loves color. I had a student who painted super-realist paintings, usually in a series and [...]

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