Projects Books

This is an excellent book on calligraphy with a lot of great ideas, tips and tons of pictures.

I love this book! What a great resource for all skill levels of calligraphers!

This is not just a "how to" book on calligraphy but a how to employ lettering into artwork. Especially helpful was the drafting diagram on page layout. My work looks much more balanced now. Anything that has worked for centuries has to have something to it!!

This book is awesome! I've been doing calligraphy for over 20 years and own nearly 50 books about calligraphy and i must say, this one is the best EVER. It is so inspirational. Before i bought it, i started taking notes and scanning so many pages that i realized i HAD to buy it because there is so much information and inspiration on each and every single page.

I think this is probably the only callig. book i've ever actually read throroughly, from cover to cover -- literally! I read each page (not just skimmed over, as i have with others), but actually read and took notes on.

I was so inspired by this book that i couldn't wait to get started on my own projects.

thank you, Annie Cicale, for creating this wonderful masterpiece!!!

i am still waiting to receive this book
what happened?
why such a long wait?
thanks
M.A.

Guercio's exploration into the symbiosis of the artist's life and work will change the way art is viewed and appreciated.

The monograph theory is sound and very interesting. The jargon is wearying, however. Why do philosopher's seem incapable of writing clearly?

Although the monograph seems like an obsolete form, there are many reasons, art historical, political, and human, to rethink the genre today.
The author furnishes extraordinary primary research and delivers an important message that admiring artworks must incorporate a thorough knowledge of the life of the artist. This knowledge is mediated by the humble efforts of hundreds of years of chroniclers--art historians, critics, connoisseurs. Gabriele Guercio pays tribute to art and the science of art.

I have built almost everything in the book. I made a few mistakes because I misinterpreted the drawings, but if you study the drawings very carefully before construction then you will truly enjoy this book. Author needs to write another book like this. Watch the interpretation of Dado and rabbet joints in particular.

This book was the first that I picked up when I started building my own furniture. The projects turned out great and the finishing process that he recommended was excellent. The diagrams and step by step instruction give you all the information that you need to complete each project even if you're an amateur like I am (you do need to have/buy some good power tools though). I've made two of the projects he describes and there are still a couple more I'd like to do.

I would classify myself as an intermediate level woodworker and a book expert (I am a librarian after all) and I can honestly say that this is one of the absolute best books of its type on the market. As I see it, the normal downfall of a book such as this is the authors either spend way too much time giving us all of the philosophical and historical background behind the furniture style in question, or once they actually get to the furniture projects section they disappoint by selecting such rare (and odd) pieces to reproduce that the book ultimately becomes more of a novelty rather than a useful tool.

I am thrilled to say that the authors of this book got the balance between philosophy and practical matters just right. There is just enough about Arts and Crafts fundamentals here to whet the appetite for the projects which follow. And speaking of the projects, this is good stuff! Out of the twenty two projects offered in this book, I can honestly say that I would be very happy to build fifteen of them and put them in my own home. In a book this size I am usually lucky if half of the projects are appealing enough to want to build them for myself, and keep in mind that I am a HUGE fan of this furniture style.

Bottom line is that the color illustrations (although minimalist to the beginner's eye) are compelling to the more skilled among us, the choice of projects is excellent, and the bibliography of suggested reading is very good. I highly recommend this purchase.

This is a good A&C furniture book for the intermediate woodworker. The authors cover pieces from the simple (wastebasket) to the more difficult (entry bench, sideboard). A nice touch is that besides covering the usual Gustav Stickley pieces there are items by other A&C companies of the time (Shop of the Crafters, Limbert, Greene & Greene [actually architects, but they designed the furniture for their buildings], L & J.G. Stickley, Roycroft). The introductory chapter covers a brief history of the style, next is an introduction to some of the general woodworking techniques needed, and then the various projects with good photographs and explanations (there are a couple of minor editorial glitches, but they cause no real problems). The projects also vary from a duplicate of the original to slightly modified interpretations. A useful technique is given for staining/glazing the furniture to achieve the traditional golden brown color without actually having to fume the pieces in concentrated ammonia (a smelly, dangerous, and potentially lethal approach). So if you are a somewhat experienced beginning woodworker, you should find some great projects here to move you on to the next level. And even if you are a very experienced furniture maker, you will find some nice pieces you might want to make too.

Beadalicious
25 fresh, unforgettable jewelry projects for beads old and new
Sonya Nimri
Watson Guptill

Sonya Nimri is one of those women who can effortlessly and excellently do just about anything she sets her mind to doing as she shows in her charming second book Beadalicious. A feast for the eyes and the imagination replete with recipes for one of a kind repurposed vintage jewelry creations, yummy meals and even hand crafted soaps and body scrubs, Ms. Nimri's book is deliciously divine. Everything is served up with heaping helpings of style, panache and that certain je ne sais quoi.

When challenged with turning her grandmother's old costume jewelry that was languishing in a box in her apartment into something a young and stylish young woman might wear, Ms. Nimri succeeded brilliantly. This book shows you how to take vintage jewelry apart, combine it with new components and turn them into tempting new designs in a flash. The designs are chic, simple and striking and the instructions clear and easy to follow. I loved the photos of the jewelry on real people (including the lovely author herself) so you can get a real sense of how it might look on you. Although it's focused on jewelry, there is a smattering of stylish fashion projects to inspire your creativity.

Everything is cleverly presented as if the book were a cookbook and you can approach it that way, using Ms. Nimri's ideas as recipes to jump start your creativity and adding a dash of this and a pinch of that from your own imagination. Get out to the yard sales, thrift shops, flea markets and online auction sites and gather up cast off vintage jewelry and open up Beadalicious to explore Ms. Nimri's take on making something old into something fabulous.

Margot Potter
Author
The Impatient Beader series, Beyond the Bead, Bead and Wire Jewelry Exposed

This book has some great step-by-step instructions, with illustrations - great for a beginning beader. The projects are all pretty easy to do, simple yet fashionable. As an advanced beader, this book comes mostly as inspiration, but inspirational it is! My favorite projects are the Lucky Charms necklace, the Blossoming Branch, and the Long John Silver necklace. I also love the Festival of Lanterns bracelet and the Cozy Nest Ring. Oh, and the Daisy gardening Boots are too cute! Okay, so I love it all. Sonya Nimri gets a big thumbs up, I love her color choices and bead combinations.

I met the author at an event and she is as charming as her writing. I have already been inpired to make a charm bracelet similar to the Lantern bracelet featured on the cover. I enjoy the format of including a recipe of some kind with each project. However the most valuable part for me has been the very clearly explained and ink illustrated wire techniques and tool/bead round up at the start of the book. The legacy of reading this book is that I look at all of the old costumey stuff that I have inherited from relatives with new eyes, especially the chunky faux gold chains that I hitherto considered useless.

Too much fun, great book for putting together you own pieces. After this book, its encouraging to know that instead of buying a necklace that someone else has put together with a gold chain and a few vintage pieces that sells for $$$, you can make your own, in your style.. Its so easy, she shows you how to put the pieces together, w. diagrams etc, and how to turn an item into an incredible piece of jewelry. I got a group together with all of the pieces, buttons, pins, spare earrings etc, and we used the book as a guide. Amazing what you can come up with and it changes how you look at some of the new jewelry designs, esp. when you can do it yourself. I found that one of the books biggest fans was a friend w.out pierced ears. They don't exactly sell many clips these days... so now she knows how to put together her own for big nights out!! Enjoy. Its a book for all ages, styles and expertise. I am buying in bulk for birthday gifts...
> Plus! I am totally pulling this out with my god daughter, its right up her alley.

I loved every page of this fun, hip design book! Not only is it a jewelry project book, it is a "how to" book...in this case, how to live your lifestyle with great enjoyment, written by the author in a fresh and engaging way. For example, Beadalicious includes recipes which have to do with the projects (Sonya's "Rich Amber Caramel Popcorn"---mmmm! for when you are makng some glorious amber earrings!) and ways to pamper yourself ("Sweet Dreams Eye pillow", set next to a pretty necklace of star and moon felt charms -- so enchanting!). This collection of lifestyle projects is a great addition to the jewelry projects and really helps you get to know the author, Sonya, who is full of energetic and imaginative ideas for creating fabulous fun new jewelry from old sixties or seventies pieces, for example. She really knows how to take apart and redesign a piece, so that you have learned an excellent lesson on jewelry RE-creating.

I could study this book for hours. One project I was particuary taken with was the Long John Silver necklace, which has so many gorgeous charms on it of all sorts. That has my m.o. all over it! She has some great wire wrapped rings as well, something I love, and she comments next to the red Phantom quartz stone which she has wrapped that it is red, for the "heart" chakra, and explains a bit about what that means. I love commentary like that, and I also like the way she wraps. By the way, next to that was a recipe for pink lemonade! Everything is joyous and fun and goes together!
You can buy this book as a starter book for a younger beader (who would love it and eagerly grow into it), or you can enjoy this book yourself, no matter what your age.

Sonya lives in Venice Beach, California. She is just a totally fun, knowedgable jewelry designer, and her terrically photographed book is a complete hit, as far as I am concerned! Five stars PLUS!

My grandaughter and I recently read this book together. She is seven and loved the book; both the story and the character of Beany. Beany is a great kid who faces a typical school dilemma with thoughtfulness, patience, courage and a sense of humor. When her best friend "deserts" her, she does not become whiny or grouchy and doesn't complain to her parents. When Beany is forced to do a school project with a classmate who she is not comfortable with, she does her very best to succeed and she does! The ending is a happy surprise. We are looking forward to reading all the Beany stories.

As the parent of a 7-year-old girl, I recently discovered Beany when my school teacher wife brought one of the books home. Since then I have read several with my daughter, and plan to purchase all books in the series. There are many similar books available to kids in this age group (my daughter calls them "chapter books"), but the Beany series are the best for our family at present. They can be read by good readers ages 7 and up, but are also short enough an adult can read them to a child.

Beany's problems are timeless - reading this title will bring back memories from childhood. The story conveys Beany's experience of being paired up with a difficult kid for a science fair project. Watching her friends Carol Ann and Stacy enjoying their project together, Beany feels understandably left out. My daughter had just experienced a similar problem with kids down the street, and I think reading the book helped put the issue in perspective.

The character Beany has pathos, a quality enhanced by the author's skill as well as by illustrations that seamlessly convey parts of the story. The book also subtly conveys a decent science lesson within an entertaining story line - bravo! Ms. Wojciechowski has an eye for a child's experiences, something I could feel as I talked the book over with my daughter. As a parent, I am grateful to the author for providing such a morally centered and meaningful read for my child.

Susan Wojciechowski's Beany And The Meany is peppered with black and white drawings by Susanna Natti as it tells of a science project which sticks Beany with the class bully Kevin. How can Beany save her project and work with the meanest boy in school? A realistic dilemma will attract readers in elementary grades 3-5.

Two big things happen in Beany's classroom on the same day: a new girl named Stacy joins the class, and everyone teams up to do science projects. Beany's best friend, Carol Ann, pairs up with the new girl; Beany gets stuck with Kevin.

Beany knows what she likes: her family, her teacher, her best friend Carol Ann, and her stuffed moose Jingle Bell, campouts, and her big brother, sometimes. She knows what she doesn't like: Kevin. She think he's a bully and he thinks she's a nuisance. When they finally start working on the experiment, Beany learns that Kevin is smarter than she thought he was, and that he really likes science. Beany and the Meany is a simple, cute story about getting along and working together.

This story could have been heavy on jealousy and misjudging new classmates, but it wasn't, and that was nice to see. Instead of ditching her best friend for the new girl, it is made apparent from the beginning that Carol Ann was the "special helper" in the classroom that week, so she was assigned to help Stacy out. The two naturally became fast friends, as kids that age are so likely to do, and they spend a lot of time working on their own project together, but Carol Ann never outright ignores Beany nor vice-versa. Beany feels left out, but she is more sad than she is jealous. Of course, by the book's close, Beany has two new friends in addition to her best friend, and all is well.

The pictures and short narratives are wonderful. You feel like you are getting a glimpse into their real life, a life that's very different than most of ours. The poverty is shown but not dramatized. It shows the hard work, ingenuity, and beautiful spirit of the people. I hope to see more coloring books about Haiti in the future! This one is great!

This book would provide ALL coloring age children, not only with the usual line drawings to color, but would tweak their interest about the line drawings and then provide simple easy to understand explanations about the picture at the bottom of each page. Thus increasing their knowledge about a different people and different way of life

I recently had the opportunity to meet Kristopher Battles when he returned to the United States for a brief trip. While in Florida I received a copy of his coloring book, and have thoroughly enjoyed each page of it. Upon talking to Kris and his beautiful wife Kelly, I discovered that the pages of his book truly reflect life in Haiti. I firmly recommend that any lover of childrens books purchase this fine piece of work.

As a preschool teacher I found that "Bel Peyi Mwen" is an excellent tool for exposing my students to a diffferent culture. I recently had the opportunity to visit Haiti and the Dominican Republic and found this book a true representation of the Hatian culture. I highly recommend it to educators of all ages!

Morell's astounding level of research reveals the Leakeys individually, as a family, and as dogged searchers for the truth about man's origins--and as living, breathing humans. Through letters, diaries, journals, personal interviews, and family archives, they speak to the reader with unprecedented candor about their personal travails, but more importantly, about their early struggles for funding, their fossil discoveries in remote desert locations, their constant surprise by the historical record, and their uncertainty, to this day, about modern man's exact lineage.

Some Leakey peccadilloes, never secret, are fully documented here: Louis's constant womanizing and his "adoption" of young female researchers, such as Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Birute Galdikas; Mary's scotch-drinking, her cigar-smoking, and her intolerance of those on her Stinker List, some of them other researchers; and Richard's boyish brashness and arrogance, along with his health problems and dislike of Donald Johanson. Less appreciated, however, is the fact that before Louis's work and significant discoveries, people still believed that early man was from China or Europe, not Africa. Mary Leakey was the first person ever to excavate a Paleolithic site, and her meticulous care about documenting the tools and animals found in the same stratae as her hominid fossils, told here in detail, revolutionized the way fossils were recovered and catalogued. Richard found as many hominid fossils in two years (1971 and 1972) as Mary and Louis found in 36 years, and his level of dedication to research since finding his first hominid fossil at age 6, his mentoring of young researchers, and his creation of museums and foundations in Nairobi have perhaps received less attention than they deserve.

The Leakeys believe at least two and perhaps three or four different hominids may have lived in certain areas simultaneously, sharing space for a million or more years, and that the exact line of descent to modern man is still unknown. Tens of thousands of extinct, fossilized species of hippos, elephants, saber-toothed cats, crocodiles, antelopes, and even insects, unearthed by the Leakeys, are overwhelming evidence that if species, including hominids, do not change and adapt, they die. While some may argue about how certain hominids are labeled, no one can argue with their existence in the historical record, and nearly all of them have been unearthed by just one family. These contributions continue beyond the purview of this book into a new generation: Dr. Louise Leakey and her mother Maeve (Richard's wife) found yet another completely new hominid species in March, 2001. Mary Whipple

This is an engrossing story of archealogy's first family. The title hints at their adventures, loves, intrigues, battles, all most passionate. I could not put the book down. The landscape of archealogy will forever be, for me, after this book, a color filled map with the land of our ancestors fully pictured in my mind. No longer will archealolgists seem to be dull digging tan people,but exciting real people, made of the passion of us all. A superb read

Amidst the splendor and corruption of Africa, this family battle the weather, the government, the prejudices, the lack of funds, and even each other. Their intelligence and love for the country is evident as they search for prehistoric evidence of earliest humans. The more I read about them, the more I admired their contribution to East Africa and to the world.

This is a long, engrossing, detailed book about the Leakey family and their impact on paleoanthropology in Africa. It's a real pot-boiler of a book--hard to put down and a totally fascinating study of the family. You get a real sense of their human failings as well as their triumphs. The family comes across as stubborn, intense, egomaniacal and prickly, as well as totally dedicated to their pursuit of man's ancestry in Africa. Although the author has a higher opinion of the Leakeys than some of their rivals (Donald Johanson), she by no means glosses over the more unsavory aspects of their characters. I would highly recommend this book, regardless of your level of familiarity with paleoanthropology.

i think this book is a really good book and i think that they have a problem with money and that they are really bad at that and i am to and my mom like tells me the same thing and it is cool just to have something that relates to my life and my mom tells me no don't spend all your money and stuff like that and that means i have a TEXT TO SELF and i love to read and it is cool. thats all i wanted to say. p.s. i love the bereanstain bear books they are so cool and i just love them and they are so cool i wish i could be a good writter just like you but you are a really good writter and if i could be like you i would but i am glad i am diffrent than everybody i love your books.

the illustrations are what got me interested in this book when I got it from a book club as a kid. It teaches a good lesson about money and how to not act spoiled, and the idea that money should not make you greedy

I like this book because it showed me not to spend all the money i receive for special occassions on things that i may not need but i want very badly. It showed me that i need to be very careful with money and that spending it on everything isn't always a good choice.
Alyssa Seifferly

This is an excellent book it really helps kids learn about money. The illustrations are perfect for my four year old

This book has great crochet projects. They're interesting and fun, but not overly complex. I can't wait to dress my daughter in the jumper. It's lovely! The beaded wrap, lacy wire necklace and felted handbag will be great for the holiday season. I've never tried Tunisian crochet before, but it's really cool and it looks like knitting. Overall great book!

I recently purchased this book having been a big fan of the prior one, Basic Crocheting. If you are looking for a book to take you beyond the basics to a more intermediate level, Beyond Basic Crocheting is the book for you. I really like the layout of this book. The instructions are very well written making them easy to follow and what I absolutely love is that this book is loaded with many easy to follow enlarged pictures that make creating these beautiful and usable projects fool proof. I need all the help I can get and this book gives me the confidence and necessary tools to grow in this craft, which I love. The felted handbag, Motif Cardigan and Beaded Wrap are my favorites so far. I am looking forward to trying the Tunisian Crochet Scarf and Sassy Socks.

With the holidays just around the corner I decided to purchase several more as gifts for my friends, knowing that they will enjoy this book as much as I do. If you are looking to be challenged beyond the basics you will not be disappointed with this purchase. I can't wait to see what the next book in this series will feature...that is I hope there is a next book!

With this book, you have the instructions you need for tackling more detailed and complex (but not difficult) crochet projects. The materials and tools section is a big help as are the excellent photos and illustrations in the "skill workshop" that follows each project. I especially like the sections on working with wire and on Tunisian crochet. This is the perfect folow-up to Ms. Silverman's book, "Basic Crocheting."


Reviewed by an advanced beginner

I plan on making all 8 projects and have started with the toy bunny. There's a lovely beaded wrap, socks, little girl's jumper, diagonal pillow, Tunisian crochet scarf, lacy wire necklace, felted handbag and motif cardigan. All the patterns have close-up full color photos next to the instructions which are thoroughly written out (no schematics or symbols though). The cardi has 3 sizes 42-48"finished. This one shows how to connect the motifs while working them. The felted handbag shows how to felt it with pictures of the washing machine.The jumper shows doing ripple stitch pattern. The socks show doing an afterthought heel. The diagonal pillow shows this stitch close-up plus also lots of photos doing the reverse single crochet or crab stitch. There are tips throughout the book and even for the experienced crocheter, this book is definitely worth the price. Contributors in addition to the author are Annie Modesitt and Kristin Omdahl. I love the spiral binding which makes using the book so much easier.

This book is a wonderous compilation of educational guidelines on producing artwork and properly representing the beauty and complexity of plants using pencil and watercolor media. It also could pass as a coffee table book as the images are incredible. I was immediately struck at the techniques covered as every art book should - recommendation on watercolor/paper/pencils to use, other tools needed, shading & highlighting, importance of representing the tiniest details, color development (e.g. how to make the right green - I loved that part), depth and so much more. In many ways I was reminded of my university art classes I took many years ago, but this book covers so much more than I garnered through formal education. Those that purchase the book for learning how to bring plants to life on paper or canvas should follow the educational component of the book from the beginning to the end in order to gain the most on how to illustrate plants. By following this method, each artist will definitely get what this book offers - and makes one wish they could take part of the art classes taught at the Eden Project in Cornwall, UK. I definitely wish I could do so!

Everything the first 2 reviewers stated is so very, very true. The only comments I can add are superlatives to what has already been written.Garden Eden : Masterpieces of Botanical Book Illustration

This is an in depth clear book about the process of botanical illustration. Well written and great pictures. Recommend highly!

This book emphasizes how to produce botanical paintings, and it really succeeds there, with a profusion of color illustrations and explanations of color handling. There are also about 20 pages on pencil drawing.
One thing I do object to is the total absence of pen and ink techniques. This book is described as the best and most complete course in botanical illustration ever produced, and yet this cannot be true without pen and ink techniques. The vast majority of botanical illustration - as opposed to botanical art - is published as black and white. (I am a published botanical illustrator, all of the publishers I worked with wanted ink illustrations, not pencil). If someone is hoping to use this book to help start their career, it is lacking. But if you are looking to start painting botanicals as I am, it is great.