Crafts Books

Passing the Flame: A Beadmaker's Guide to Detail and Design

This book is excellent for those just beginning lampwork. There is so much information in this book. Corina goes through many simple techniques to create complex beads. Corina explains at least two ways of doing each technique and she also explains why certain things work and do not work. I was amazed at the beads that I could make with just dots. The book also talks about specific colors and how they react particularly purple and pink which are difficult colors in the glass world. The book is packed with so much information. The book also talks about how to create more complex and difficult beads. Whether the process is simple or complex there are step by step pictures and pictures of variations on each bead. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in making glass beads. I have bought 3 other books on the subject and all of them put together don't even come close to giving as much information. The book is higher priced than some of the others but it is well worth it. I wish I had purchased it first it would have been all I needed.

Un grand merci à Corina pour partager son savoir faire ! Livre complet, avec pleins d'astuces très utiles, facile à lire et surtout pleins de superbes photos !

1001 TRESORS du SUD (kit chalumeau en vente dans ma boutique)

A really good introduction and reference book. The instructions are clear and the photographs of all the key stages mean you can follow them in your own workshop. I have taken an introductory course and armed with this book feel able to develop my skills and try new techniques.

I had read another book on making lampwork beads which left me wanting so much more. I decided to purchase Passing the Flame and wish I would have purchased it first. Cornia's step by step instructions are what I needed as a beginner. I read her instructions, try making the bead and if I fail read the instructions again. This is a must have book for any lampwork bead creator, especially if you are a beginner. She "talks" to you and makes everything very understandable. I can't thank her enough for her instructions and tips.

Es un libro completo, excelente para los que comenzamos en este bello hobby, los paso a paso, asi como las demas explicaciones son tan graficas que se entienden facilmente aun estando en otro idioma, lo recomiendo ampliamente, ahora será más facil para mi realizar el curso de lampworking, gracias.

When I ordered this book, I was looking mostly for some basic techniques to help me with some beaded browbands (for horse bridles) that I had gotten into making. While it was minimally useful for that, it sure inspired me! I rather promptly ordered some basic wire-working tools and I've spent way to much in the last few months on beads, tools and wire. I have a bunch of new earrings I love to wear, several new necklaces, I have designed pieces for most of my female Xmas giftees and I'm considering starting to sell my work! I honestly have to credit this book for a great deal of that, as the author's rather pure but very approachable perspective appealed greatly to me, and her instructions in the basic techniques were so followable, I jumped right into making my own designs without doing any of the projects verbatim, although I did use them for inspiration and pointers.

My style is not exactly the author's style, I find some of her pieces a bit too visually busy/fussy for my taste, but they are lovely and well made and I could not have asked for a better introduction to this new world of jewelry making. It's a pretty book, too!

If you are at all interested in an artistic approach to wire wrapping and beaded jewelry, I don't think you can go wrong adding this to your library.

I read the other reviews and think what else is there to say...but I have to put in my two cents worth anyway. This was my second wire working book in my library (it has since grown to encompass other more advanced aspects of jewelry wire applications, particularly with chains and stone wrapping). And yet it is my FAVORITE to review techniques, practice some aspects that I don't use often, and more. Why? Because the detailed information AND wonderful photographs that go with the descriptions. The statement Miller makes on page 59 - "When it comes to designing and making jewelry, I always keep three principles in mind: creativity, wearability and durability." I now live by these words in my own designs and feel that Miller had and continues to have her finger right on the mark when it comes to jewelry design of the times. She shows us how to make each wire style correctly and strong. Her projects are all doable, utilizing techniques she describes in the first half of the book. The classic and probably timeless beauty of the pieces are first rate. I am thoroughly charmed, pleased with my purchase, and grateful for this reference/idea book that it really should be rated more than 5 stars. If you have to buy only one book on wire use in jewelry design - this is it!!!

This book had many pieces of jewelry to make with good directions. Very informative. Jeanne, NJ

Really like this book! Has great instructions on wire work. I've only attempted a few things in the book and it didn't turn out as well as theirs. But I think all craft work improves with more practice. A nice book if you want to expand your wire work.

Bead on a Wire has tons of great information for a beginning wire jewelry maker as well as detailed projects for the advanced designer. The photographs are clear and the text is easy to understand. I would highly recommend this book.

Love Living With Limoges complete marks section, complete descriptions and complete price guide. Wonderful photographs of antique pieces of Limoges. Love this book but I prefer Debby DuBay's Antique Limoges at Home - my book of choice.

Living With Limoges is beautiful and I love this book. The pieces are outstanding, the descriptions complete and text is informing and intertaining. Highly recommend Living With Limoges!

I'm very excited about finding DuBay's book through her web site limogesantiques.com - her books are wonderful. I have inhereited many pieces of Limoges and her books helped me identify the factory, the marks, and to date each piece. I highly recommend LIVING WITH LIMOGES it is the best book on the market - except for DuBay's ANTIQUE LIMOGES AT HOME and COllecting Hand Painted Limoges Porcelain Boxes to Vases.

Living With Limoges is just wonderful. Fantastic photos of the most beautiful pieces of antique Limoges I have ever seen. I could not find this book at my local book stores, shopped the net and found www limogesantiques com and www collectinglimoges com and found Debby DuBay's fantastic reference books on Limoges. It had all of the marks and I found the back stamp I was looking for. This book is a must.

I have all of the books on Limoges but I love Living With Limoges! As a college professor I really enjoy the way author Debby DuBay relates to the reader, her enthusiasm, and subject knowledge. HIGHLY RECOMMEND Debby DuBay's trilogy on "collecting Limoges" and a visit to www.limogesantiques.com

The Knitting Answer Book: Solutions to Every Problem You'll Ever Face; Answers to Every Question You'll Ever Ask I love this book. I am a long time knitter who needs good directions and don't always get them. Hopefully, this book will fill the need to help me interpret some of the questionable directions I have found in pattens and make knitting a more enjoyable and productive hobby for me.

I've been knitting forever, and have lots of books and magazines on the subject. This book is now my ultimate resource for clear instructions and tips for nearly every step of a project. There is no wasted space; every single topic is concise and logical. The question-and-answer format was a little annoying at first, but there's a good index in the back. BUY THIS BOOK before stocking up on more expensive, larger books that may not have the clear answers that this one does.

As I am teaching myself to knit and crochet, many questions keep popping up during my projects. Though I have purchased a multitude of books, I find that only this book has the answers to the perhaps "offbeat" or unusual questions that I generate.

Have yarn but am not great at remembering all of the different special stitches. This will be my reference as I start small projects. Need to get back in the groove. Great, clear reading and good illustrations.

I admit that I carry this book in my knitting bag, and use it often, but I find it very frustrating to do so. I'm surprised at how highly it is rated by so many knitters. I bought it to be a reference quide that would be informative and thorough--more than a glossary, but still small enough to be carried in my knitting bag. It is thorough, informative, and compact, but as a reference guide it is lacking. For me, as a reference guide, the question and answer format is clumsy and gets in the way of finding information. That's not a big deal and I would overlook that if the index was robust and enabled me to look things up quickly, but that's the frustrating thing about this book. I'm not a novice, but I'm not always sure exactly what an abbreviation means or maybe I need to brush up on a technique I haven't used in 6 months or I wonder if there is a better way to do something. So I go to the index with a keyword in mind, but too often, it's not there; I have to think about what broader topic would include the information I'm looking for and work backwards. Given the way the information is organized, that isn't always easy and I've found myself skimming chapter after chapter to find something that should be an easy thing to look up.

As I said, I wanted more than just a glossary and when I do find what I am looking for I appreciate the detailed instructions and clear illustrations. I'm impressed with the amount of info in such a small book and there are lots of answers here. The problem is that most of the answers will only be found if you sit down and read the book chapter by chapter. If you have a specific question in mind, it will be hit or miss trying to find the answer. I realize that this book can't be all things to all people, but I have to think that because it is small, at least one of the intentions is that it be a portable reference guide. If that's true, then the content needs to be a lot more accessible. If the index was beefed up, I would recommend this book with 4 stars and feel that it's worthy of taking up space in my crammed knitting bag.

Schurch's sock book is excellent. There are plenty of options for both men and women, and enough variations to keep you busy for years (literally).

I had never knit socks before I picked up this book; I think now I can fairly state that I'm pretty much an old hand at it: just grab the double-pointed kneedles and get to work.

The one problem is that her sizing pretty much assumes a loose-fitting sock: if a foot is, say, 9 inches in circumference then she gives sizing for a sock which is 9 inches around instead of 7 or 8. Fortunately I own a pair of suspenders, so I can wear too-big socks. I now knock the size down one or two steps from whatever her charts say, and so far that's worked well.

Loved the choice of options for each pattern and design. Would recommend to my knitting friends.

This book is great. There are lots of patterns for socks and good instructions and pictures.

I was very pleased with this book, it was exactly what I wanted and I received it is a very short time, actually sooner than I had expected.

Like other positive reviewers, I love that following this book, I can make a sock of any size using any weight yarn and that I can use a stitch from another source and interchange heels and toes from different sock patterns.

I share none of the others' complaints. Though I'm a novice sock knitter, the directions are easy for me to follow, with one big exception. I describe my problem in the paragraphs that follow, hoping to elicit advice from other readers. Nevertheless, I want to emphasize that in spite of this difficulty, I am impressed by the clarity and versatility of this highly informative book.

Shurch is unclear on where a heel flap begins on a toe-up sock. On page 59, she says knit "to desired length of foot minus heel measurement. See charts on pages 13-14." On page 13, an illustration indicates that the measurement goes up the back of the foot, a heel flap for a top-down sock. Schurch does not state whether this length is the same when the heel flap covers the bottom of the heel for a toe-up sock.

I tried her advice on page 11, "the heel flap is worked from the middle of the arch," and my sock was too short. Then, I referred to page 41, and knit "until sock reach[ed] anklebone." My sock was too long. Subtracting the excess length, I succeeded on my third try.

Using this book, I would not knit a toe-up sock for someone else, at least not until experience tells me whether the heel flap is the same length on the bottom of the foot as it is on the back of the foot.

Top notch reference on knots.
This book has no peer.
Nothing else even comes close.

Hands down, if you're into knots, rope work, sailing, etc...this is definitely a book to add to your shelf. Over 600 pages, it's got pretty much references to every knot you could think of, as well as a good history on rope and knots, and a great index to quickly find what you need. I've even found most other books or online resources I look at reference the "Ashley Book of Knots" number (ABOK#) when they're describing what to do. All in all a good investment.

This is the reference that seems to be used by all other knot books and web sites.

Although the book can be hard to understand when trying to tie knots, no colors, videos or animated gifs, it is quite useful when trying to identify a knot that I want to tie.

I knew what I was getting as I had read the libraries copy before making the decision to purchase so I am not at all disappointed with my book.
This is also an excellent book for reading if you enjoy tying knots.

If you have more than a passing interest in knots then you will want to consider buying this book.

If you need to learn knots, or just enjoy knot tying as a hobby, this book is essential for everyone.

I recently bought the Ashely book of knots because I thought it would tell me how to tie every knot on the planet. I found it a bit confusing because it did not use colors to illustrate the knot ties. It was hard to follow most of the knot patterns. Also it did not have climbing knots used by most rescue people. I found a great site that does animation and colors: http://www.animatedknots.com/doublefishermansrescue/index.php . Perhaps if the book came with a DVD it would be better. I know it is an old book...but come on...we have new technology now!

How delightful: hang on your wall or give someone you like a picture that says "Go F**k Yourself?" Classy!

If someone gave me one of these disgusting items, I'd throw it back in her face for the crass insult it is.

Like you, I also can't stand sickly-sweet Precious Moments drivel and have never stitched anything like those. But, apparently amazing, I have found hundreds of patterns that allow me to display skill in stitching and learn how to design. I'm proud to display these. I don't have to run around my house and hide them when children or people I respect come over.

If your maturity level is that of a 12-year-old who secretly "gives the finger" or runs into the boys' bathroom on a dare, by all means get this book and do all the projects.

Or grow up.

If you have any self-respect or dignity--don't even look at it.

All the women in my family are very creative and artsy, every single one of them, except me, I tried every craft that looked remotely interesting and not a one panned out for me. And then I found this book, and I fell in love. My grandmother had done cross stitching for as long as I can remember, but died before she had a chance to teach me. So now I finally have my craft, its perfect for a tattooed domestic goddess such as myself!

This books rocks my socks. I'm a novice cross stitcher and this book has some fun, basic designs you can make right away. It also has a great resource guide and other ideas to further you on your cross stitching career once you've got the basics. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to pick up cross stitching or those who are sick of stitching cutesy bunnies and flowers and such and are looking for something new and fun.

This is such a fun concept. Cross stitching seems inherently to be such a lady-like hobby, but these patterns are anything but lady-like. The book is very easy to understand, too; I hadn't cross stitched in about 10 years, but that was no problem.

Subversive Cross Stitch makes a good gift for the cross-stitch enthusiast with a quirky sense of humor. The book includes patterns for cross-stitch projects with a twist, as well a helpful guide to making your own projects.

A word of caution, however, this book may not be appropriate for young viewers as it does contain some profanity. Otherwise, it's rollicking good fun!

We have found this resource wonderful. There's more in this book than I could have asked for gardening, preserving, how to chop would, how to make tools... Our 10 year old son enjoys reading it too and learning about how to really make items that he would use. We were looking for a resource to help us "survive" if need be on our own, also we were looking for items that were more cost effective in this hard economy. Great resource!

This book will teach you best tips and tricks for raising your own food, and a whole lot more. I purchased it as a replacement of my original book that I bought in the early '80s. I was so thankful it is still around! I wore the cover right off my old book and passed it onto a friend in need of this knowledge.

If you are into living off the land and need advice on how to do it, get this book!

This book starts with selecting property for building a home and continues through construction to maintenance and entertainment. It contains much detailed knowledge and each subject is well explained. Graphics and illustrations are good and well formed. I would recommend this book for any home builder, farmer, do-it-yourselfer or alternative urbanite.

One of my top ten books. I am an avid outdoorsman and believe in being prepared(Boy Scout Motto) to take care of one's self "off the grid". This book might as well be my bible. It does skim a little on some subjects but on the whole it gives a thorough enough explanation of all the skills one would need to scout out, build, propagate, and flourish on a frontier farm. Excellent illustrations to accompany all the subjects.

My only thing to change about it would be a slightly larger thickness of stock for the pages. I know this would make this rather large book even heavier but the pages have a tendency to bunch and fall midway through the book. A slight qualm about an otherwise flawless book. Read it flat to avoid this problem.

If you want to learn about how to be completely self sufficient I highly recommend this book.

Until I checked this book out of the library, I had rarely given a thought to getting "back to basics," that is learning how to be more self-sufficient. After I read the book, I soon bought it, because it opened my eyes to the many ways that I am almost entirely dependent upon others for my basic needs. "Back to Basics" is a helpful guide for those who want to get away from it all and live totally independently on a farm, and even those like myself that live in town, but that want to become more self-sufficient, and less dependent on expensive fossil fuels and foods that someone else has raised or grown.

"Back to Basics" is a colorful, easy-to-understand encyclopedia of basic skills. There are hundreds of color photos, and most lessons are laid out step-by-step, making the concepts very easy to learn. The book is divided into six basic parts:

I. Land: Buying It - Building on it (how to choose land, build a home, develop a water supply, create a sauna, etc)

II. Energy from Wood, Water, Wind, and Sun (making your home more efficient, how to use wind energy, setting up a solar-powered house, etc)

III. Raising Your Own Vegetables, Fruit, and Livestock (how to properly grow all sorts of fruits, vegetables, and grains, how to farm fish, beekeeping, butchering an animal, etc)

IV. Enjoying Your Harvest Year Round (canning, preserving all kinds of foods, making cheese and wine, etc)

V. Skills and Crafts for House and Homestead (making natural dyes, weaving, woodworking, stenciling, soapmaking, making homemade perfumes, etc)

VI. Recreation at Home and in the Wild (camping, canoeing, kayaking, celebrating holidays, etc)

This book definitely has the potential to help all of us live more self-sufficiently, learning to do the things that our grandparents probably learned growing up. However, one possible drawback is that becoming self-sufficient takes a lot of work, and in the case of switching your home over to some type of alternative energy, a lot of money as well. Most readers are probably not going to have the land, time, and money to make some of the more significant changes suggested. However, the book still offers a lot for the rest of us, and at the least, educates us as to what it takes to live in a self-sufficient manner. Another possible drawback is that the book tries to squeeze a lot of information into 456 pages. This means that while you are getting a very concise, and surprisingly detailed, overview, you may need to consult more detailed sources if you need more help than what the book offers.

Overall, this is an interesting and useful book that offers practical ways to become more self-sufficient, something that is highly relevant in these times of rising energy and food prices. My family has already used some of the ideas, starting our first garden this year.

I thought this book was ok. It does have a lot of information about quilting terms. It more of a book to look up things you might not understand when you are doing a project. I bought another book at the same time and it is a good book to have with it.

A friend recommended this book -- it is the Quilting Bible, as far as I am concerned. Concise, descriptive. I don't know how I got along without it!

I'm very new to quilting and this was the first book I bought. It has real, "applicable" tips and information that I think even a more experienced quilter could find handy. Everything from what needles to use for hand quilting, how to put on a binding to how to make biscuit quilts. Her instructions are easy to understand and follow as well. I'm using this book constantly as I make my first quilts. I highly recommend it!

Great book for the beginner as well as the expert. It shows detailed information with photos so you get an accurate picture of how to do it. Make those precious gift items that will be treasured for years to come. I ordered the book and gave it away. After my friend showed me what she made I had to go out and get one of my own. It gives such detailed photos that it makes the craft easy and fun. I have made numerous things now and given so many as gifts. I have save so much money by making these things myself and in the long run they mean so much more to the people I give them to. They have told me they will keep them in the family for years to come. If you think you don't have the talent -- don't worry. I thought that too about myself. But, with the easy to follow directions the only talent you need is knowing how to read. Plus, you will enjoy every second and get a real sense of accomplishment with the finished product. Great gift item for that stay-at-home loved one who can't get out. Even for the busy person who thinks they don't have time because this book makes the steps simple to follow. Well worth the money.

I found this book to concentrate more on applying applique, stencils, and designs of that nature. Which is fine if you enjoy quilting using those techniques. I would of like to of seen more ideas with log cabin, flying geese, and Irish Chain quilts.

I bought this to replace a copy I owned that was destroyed in this year's flooding. It's a great reference book, with clear instructions and pictures.

This book is a must have resource for the crochet enthusiast! Patterns are always nice to have but what I like the most are the detailed how-to's and the stitch encyclopedia in the back. Donna Kooler provides all of the information you need to create your own design with the stitches, beginning counts, repeats, et cetera. I would recommend this to anyone interested in expanding or even just entering the world of crochet.

I've made two of the philosopher's coats in different color palettes, and it was challenging and fun and great! Note to advanced crocheters: the directions are somewhat limited. I guess she figures that if you get to this stage, you don't need everything spelled out. I've had a ton of compliments on both coats. The other patterns are fine, but this was the reason I bought the book. Don't be intimidated! You'll love the challenge of it, and when you're done, you know you've created something very special.

I'm a international student in usa which means I have some problem with crochet pattern. This book is very helpful because it has symbol and picture to show how to do it. Since I have a basic crochet , I can easily follow instruction . recommand for a beginner!!

This book has fantastic how to diagrams as well as projects! It provides a history of crocheting that really adds. I bought this book for my daughter for Christmas, and after looking through it with her, I had to have one for myself. Great author, great book, great choice.