Amy Sedaris Teaches Arts and Crafts 'For Poor People'

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show opens this week featuring work of high quality and artistic skill. For the other end of the craft spectrum, you had to be at the Free Library, last Friday. That's where comedian Amy Sedaris was promoting her new book, Simple Times: Crafts for Poor People.

"I'm going to teach you how to make your own twist ties," Sedaris said.

Homemade twist ties made with colored tape are typical of the low-brow and largely useless crafts in Amy Sedaris's tongue-in-cheek riff on Martha Stewart-ishy pastimes. The comedian made her name in the cable TV series "Strangers with Candy" before turning her attention to humorous books. Her previous release was I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence.

The library audience was full of fans who asked questions as slyly ironic as Sedaris, such as what are good party games for Thanksgiving?

"How many people are we talking? 20 people? Just have... drinks."

Sedaris also shared other craft ideas for special audiences:

"I have a good craft for people with A.D.D. in the book, where you just take string and wrap it around a radiator pole."

Reported by Pat Loeb, KYW Newsradio