Handmade Nation

The book is already out, but you'll have to wait until 2009 to see the movie Handmade Nation. Luckily, this documentary on DIY artists, crafters and designers isn't going to leave us completely hanging. Its makers are previewing the wickedly fun, stop-animation title sequence (shot in a total of 26 hours at Radar Studios in Chicago) on YouTube. There's lots of twisting and shaking by all your favorite craft supplies—yarn, embroidery thread, paint and markers all take star turns. And a contagious soundtrack will have you moving to the beat, too.

by Michelle Taute