Arts and Crafts Books

This is a replacement for myself and I bought extra copies for my daughters. The book is very well done with easy instructions and even beginners can follow and get a fabulous finished product.

Another wonderful Leisure Arts collection! This book really does offer something for everyone. Many Afghans are worked while holding 2 strands, which always makes for quick rewarding projects. There are also several strip/motif patterns that are good choices for working on the go. Sophisticated Swirl on page 66 is especially stunning, it will impress your friends and you because it looks very complicated but is actually very simple!

Delightful book, lots of large hook with 2 strands of yarn patterns, as well as mile-a-minute patterns. Easy to follow directions, and quite a few standard type patterns for the traditionalists among us. You won't be sorry if you purchase this one. All crochet.

I'm a casual crocheter. I love this book! It's got a great instruction section at the back and lots of variety in the afghans. I like that there's a full color of each item and the instructions right next to it. No searching to find what you need. You can lay the book open and see the instructions and the picture at the same time.

This is my only crochet book. I actually use the patterns to springboard ideas for dish clothes.

I really enjoy this book. There is a variety of styles, sizes and pattern types to try out. Also, the book tells you the yarn weight and gauge, not the brand of yarn, so substitutions are easy. The only draw back is that there isn't any rating system as to the difficulty of each pattern - a careful reading is necessary before starting any project.

highly recommended. beautiful photos - clear instructions - gorgeous designs. As a vintage ribbon work lover, this book has it all.

when you want to make a gift special this book will have your flowers very creative and lets you pick those special colors with out a lot of mess. great book

Excellent. Very easy instructions and easy projects. I was immediately able to make beautiful flowers out of ribbon. Highly recommended.

This book is all you need to know - materials, techniques, inspiration for projects. If you'd like to learn ribbonwork, this is the only book you need.

This is the 3rd book I've bought on making ribbon flowers and it is certainly the one to make it easier for you. Her flower directons make your ribbon flowers look like the ones you buy.

I love this book! With the historical information, detailed illustrations and photographs this book is the perfect addition to my fiber library.

Fantastic. A though history of the art as well as detailed photos and explanations of techniques making it easy for you to review a technique and apply it to fabric.

Excellent book!! If you study textile arts or just like tie-dyeing--I strongly recommend getting this book!

I knew this was "THE" book to have for shibori technique instructions. However, the very pleasant surprise was all the history of shibori! It would be fascinating even if I wasn't intending to learn the technique. The instructions are very clearly presented. I have already tried a couple of the techniques with very good results and I'm only a beginner!

Many detailed instructions on methods, very nice photos of works by some very talented artists both past and present. If you want to do shibori I would say this is a must have. If you are interested in the history of dyeing techniques this is a great text. I love it.

I have Diane's original, self published version of this book, but having this version, with all the colored pictures, is worth the price of buying the new edition.

For those who like such, there are also specific patterns using the stitches-- something I dont remember the original ook having.

AWESOME. This book is detailed, very easy to follow, and causes visions of projects in your mind that you JUST might be able to do now. This toom of teaching bead weaving goes above and beyond other books written about the same subject.

Highly recommended for content, price, and excitement. Buy it now!!

Lovely book. Wonderful photos and clear instructions of various stitches used. The historical pages are very interesting. Looking forward to the next book!

I love this book-have made one bracelet, and am onto a second one. The instructions are so easy to follow and there are lot's of different patterns to try.

I cannot begin to describe the appreciation I have for this book. Being an Amercian of African decent, I always appreciate learning about the culture and history of people from different parts of the motherland. I have been trying to find a how-to-book on making African beaded jewelry. From what I observed from books about African Art and culture, the jewelry is always so colorful and beautifully designed. I want to make and wear jewelry that imulates the beauty of African styles of beading. Through a perspective of a person of African decent, I would have liked to see photographic examples of jewelry made by the Africans, which the book shows, but with more of them and the instructions demonstrating how to make them. However, the author has made the jewelry shown in this book to truly represent styles and beauty of African beaded jewelry. The photographs, the jewelry and instructions in this book are fantastic as others have mentioned and plus some.

This is one of the best of the Lark publishing series of 500 glass objects and 500 brooches. The photos are first rate and the selection is overwhelming. I put tags to mark my favorites and to show my students when I teach glass fusing. Even though the book is about lampworking, glass fusers can learn from the great combinations of color, unique design ideas and really high quality beads. I only wish there was a newer edition with the newest group of beads from beadmakers who continue to develop even more interesting beads.

If you make jewelry, or make handmade lampwork beads, this book is a treasure trove of incredible work.

First, I probably need to say I'm a bit biased, as a bracelet and beads of mine are in this book. Regardless, if you are a bead lover, you can get so captivated by the beads in this book that hours go by unnoticed.

As a beadmaker and a jewelry maker, I was mesmerized trying to figure out all the different techniques and thinking of ways I could use all these gorgeous beads. The variety of styles, colors and techniques is very broad. Even in the few years since this has been published, though, hundreds of new tools and types of glass are now available that were not when images were submitted for this book - makes me think it's time for "Volume II"! Even so, there is more than enough in this book to put any bead lover in a trance.

As others have mentioned, this book is NOT a how-to or project book in any way, shape or form. It's a beautifully produced, colorful catalog of work by many bead artists. There is even a list by name and location in the back in case you want to find a particular artist (I know - I was contacted by another local glass artist).

If there is any 'criticism', at least in my opinion, it is the lack of some sort of logical organization. (Or if there was one, I obviously wasn't logical enough to grasp it!) But that really didn't detract as each page was sort of like opening a present. Similar to how beadmakers (and probably others that use kilns) feel when they open the kiln in the morning - it's like Christmas everyday! You know what you put in, but glass+heat+oxygen+fuel combines in ways that you often cannot predict. (OK, some days it seems as though Santa decided you'd been bad this 'year'... Even so, it's exhilarating to open the kiln!)

Lark Books' whole series of "500..." (or in this case "1000...") books are all gorgeous and fuel for your creativity!

Beth Boal

This is essentially a picture book of beads. If you're looking for a book to show you how to make beads, then this is not it. There is no instruction provided. If you make lampworked beads and you're looking for inspiration, then this is a must have. The photography is well done and in full color. The beads are just breathtaking and awe inspiring.

This book is pure eye candy!! For those who just appreciate beautiful works of art, or those who are involved or learning lampworking, this book is amazing. No instructions, just pictures of finished glass beads, but that is more than enough.

Altered Art showcases some of the most fun altered art out there today.
This field is expanding exponentially - it seems so accessible - and offers
a relief from the generally serious world we live in.
Not that altered art can't (and doesn't) have a serious side all its own. As illustration, compare the Nori Dress by Dee Fontans on page 140 with I'll Fly Away on page 128 by Betsy Reeves. They each speak to the same theme in two entirely different languages.
Terry Taylor has assembled an incredible array of talented artists, doing what they do best, altering the bits of our wonderful, wacky, crazy and sometimes sad world into a storytelling vision of art that transcends time.

.. brilliance! You won't get through it in a day or two. I have never seen so many photographs in one book before. The projects are awesome and the author, Terry Taylor, has chosen some fantastic designers to display their work. Terry is brilliant and it is evident in his art. This is an extremely inspiring book.

This book is pretty great. There are a bit fewer "great" projects in it than I had hoped for and a few things more basic than I would have liked, but the bulk of the book is great. It's very inspirational and just plain fun to look at. The book shows a lot of pretty piles of found objects without showcasing an actual project made from said items in most cases but there are tons of other examples to look at. There are also several tips on how to do things, such as solvent transfers, which are nice. I would recommend this more to a newcomer to altered art or someone who doesn't mind spending the money to look at things they likely already know how to do. Again, the prettiness of most of it is worth it though.

I browsed through this book at the local craft store at least three times over several visits before I finally decided to buy it. I sure am glad that I did! Not only is it visually appealing, filled with so many wonderful ideas, techniques, and creative springboards for one's own ideas, but it simply, yet clearly gives directions on so many different techniques. In fact, I think that the only technique that was mentioned but not fully covered was soldering.

Everything else was carefully explained, and beautifully detailed. It does cover: altered art (obviously), altered books, cards, jewelery, dolls, techniques, copyrights, history, and much much more.

I have been creating mixed-media collages and altered art for about 2 years now, so I'd consider myself, well, not a beginner but not as advanced as others. But I believe this book would be helpful to anyone, at any level. I highly recommend it and enjoy it each time I refer back to it.

It is an absolutely beautiful book, filled with great projects and suggestions. For someone with creative aspirations but little direction, just flipping through the pages provides so much inspiration.

I was completely over the moon when I looked at the pictures in this book. Never knew how beautiful freemotion embroidery can be. I often see quilts that are a bit "common", but I like the special effects that Annemieke (my namesake) can make with thread, adorable book!

The artwork is gorgeous, the layout and design stunning. One of the most beautiful art books I own.

Absolutely stunning work using fibers, paint and fabric...plus an eye for nature. This artist is amazing and dedicated to her craft. I would love to see what she is doing now as this book shows her development of this unique style...one that is truly hers...up to the late 1980s to early 1990s. I consider this a beautiful addition to my high end coffee table books and my friends who visit agree. Classic.

This is one of the most incredible books that I have seen. The artwork is phenomenal. This is book not only qualifies as an instructional guide but as a coffee table book. It is a feast for the eyes.

What inspired me most in this book was the fact that the artist works with a very old and simple sewing machine, and she manages to create some of the most unique quilts I have seen. I could spend hours and hours just looking at the photos. The subject matter is highly realistic, and has a lot of butterflies, moths, birds, and other wildlife. I would recommend this book as an excellent gift for yourself or for a really good friend.

This book is a boot lovers dream come true! The quality of photography is excellent and the historical discussion brings the art of bootmaking to life. There are so many styles of boots represented here as well as bootmakers past and present from all over the United States. The art of the boot is a love affair that covers the world and this book gives ample voice and photographic interpretation to that subject.

This book is worth more than it's monetary cost. Simply by the historical content so hard to find. I enjoyed reading it. The pictures are great and the fine examples are totally mindblowing. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning of "boots".

Big rich photo detail (that many baby-boomers will appreciate.) The cowoby boots in this book are the closest you'll ever find to life-size.

Tyler Beard asked America's finest bootmakers to send him their most spectacular boots...and they did, many remarkable pairs were made especially for this book. These new and vintage cowboy boots range from wowzie-zowie to "museum-quality." No pair could be counted as plain, or the least bit ordinary.

This book is a must for every collector. Tyler gives an unmatched, detailed history of cowboy boots and portrays the life and lore of America's top bootmakers. (A few who have since retired or passed on.) This book is one of my favorites.

Howdy, For all of you boot fanatics around the world, Jim and I will be serving up a new helping of bodacious beauties in the form of "photographed boots" in an upcoming book, which will complete our boot trilogy. Start hollerin' and stompin' and callin' 1-800-748-5439 to demand what is rightfully yours!!!! The book will be published by Gibbs-Smith Books in 2005.

Cowboy boots aren't just your functional black or brown work boot; but can be works of art in themselves: just take a look at Tyler Beard's ART OF THE BOOT for evidence! In 1992 THE COWBOY BOOT BOOK was published to celebrate this fact; since then the number of boot-makers around the country has nearly doubled. ART OF THE BOOT combines Jim Arndt's lovely color photos throughout with in-depth surveys of the companies and bootmakers involved. Highly recommended for any with an interest in cowboy culture or boots.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

What would vintage Barbie lovers and collectors do without this and the other 2 books by Sarah Sink Eames? Without a doubt her books are the best on the market for identifying all the wonderful vintage outfits for Barbie and her family. Beautifully presented, detailed and comprehensive information. Each outfit is presented by name, stock number and years made, as well as detailed descriptions of the fabrics used and the accessories accompanying the outfits. Original outifts that came with the dolls are also shown and described. A trip down memory lane and the next best thing to owning all the wonderful outfits.

Another great book by Sarah Sink Eames!-Great outfits and pictures-easy to see values-Fun to see how Barbie and friends followed current fashion trends for the late 60's and early 70's-very helpful to any vintage collector!!

Great book. Found outfits and the year they came out. Do Recommend if you are into Barbie clothes...

If you are a collector, you should have this book on your shelf. Comprehensive, complete, with photos galore. A+++++

In Hong Kong, it is not popular to collect vintage Barbie dolls so that it is not easy to explore specific related knowledge. This book really helps a lot. It is a bible for every Barbie collectors!

Hi,
This book was recommend to me. It's all about the patterns, which is good if this is what you are looking for. I was trying to find something more on how to put colors together for jewelry making. So if its quilting your looking for than I guess this is a good book.

I'm an experienced "beader" who creates art quilts. I also teach classes on art quilts and contemporary quilt making (which includes embellishments using beads). I would strongly recommend Nancy Eha's book "Bead Creative Art Quilts" for both the experienced and inexperienced at beading. Nancy provides tips, tricks, and techniques on beading stitches, using beads on quilts, and finishing quilts with beads. Diagrams and instructions are clear and easy to follow. I am very pleased to have this book in my library of reference books. Thanks Nancy for sharing your magic!

I am not a quilter but I am developing an interest and skill , I hope , in beading on fabric. I found this book by Nancy Eha particularly helpful in extending my knowledge. The diagrams and patterns are clear and easily followed by all skill levels. The book has numerous illustrations, clear text and excellent pattern sheets at the end, for the user to develop their own patterns.I feel I will use it a lotand can recommend this book to other beaders. Jane Haultain. New Zealand

Best book on beading quilts ever. Have used several of the ideas presented with excellent results.

Clear drawings for duplicating the designs with methods for going off on your own. Includes gorgeous photography to inspire. A MUST for your library both for eye-candy and technique.