Arts and Crafts Books

Because I could preveiw this book on Amazon, it met my expectation when it arrived. It was shipped quickly and arrived in excellent condition. Really easy to do business.

This book is excellent for describing technique. It's easy to follow and do. There are lots of interesting patterns and techniques you would be hard pressed to find elsewhere.

There is nothing traditional about what is described here. These are techniques for modern dodads and keychains. Still, it's great fun.

I came upon this gem while searching for ideas for using a packet of porcupine quills which a friend had purchased for me during his travels. I ordered the book online, based solely on a review which sounded promising. Little did I know what a treat I was in for!

The photography is stunning and whets the reader's appetite for undertaking the projects. The photos of the projects in various stages of completion are very clear. There is no difficulty in counting individual beads or determining where one row ends and another begins. In addition to the photos, there are diagrams which illustrate traditional stitches, as well as project patterns. Written instructions are explicit and complete. Ms. Geary has added a beadwork glossary, again with crisp photos and easy-to-follow diagrams. This is an indispensable reference for beaders, offering information on beading topics, in general, and Native American techniques and components, in particular.

In addition to the eighteen projects in the book, Ms. Geary has provided a succinctly and elegantly written introduction to the role of beading in history and particularly among Native Americans, e.g., its spiritual, cultural, and economic significance. Each project offers a brief, but very informative, introduction on the geographical and tribal origin of the piece or technique, and suggested variations, designed to spark the reader's own creativity.

Within one week of receiving this book, I had completed three of the projects and designed a fourth, based upon one of the author's patterns. This is a resource I will return to over and over, both for specific information and as a springboard for my own imagination. In the meantime, I'll be looking for more of Ms. Geary's work!

The author has indeed educated this anglo on some very interesting Native American traditions. Her writing is superb and the photographs of the completed projects are divine, thanks to Nancy Palubniak, photographer. Instructions are precise and very understandable. The step by step illustrations are also comprehensive and easy to read. I have been a collector of Beading Books for 12 years and this is my favorite, so far. I highly recommend every officianado of Native American traditions and beadwork purchase this book for their collection.

There are some good books on techniques and materials in the shelves out there. There is also a lot of kitsch out there that makes beading look like a second class skill or hobby.

This book excels in making beading a first class art. Although the Projects and techniques say they are from the Southwest, they are universal. The symbols do focus on the San Carlos Apache tribe. The finished product would be Worthing of giving as gifts or placing on the mantle:
Sonora-weave Choker
Netted Gourd
Floral Bracelet
Bone-hair-pipe Bracelet
Leather medicine gag
Triple-strand fetish necklace
Bear earrings
Comanche-weave feather
Chile Pepper
Corn-stitch earrings
Phoenix key ring
Kokopelli amulet bag
Netted basket
Flat round peyote basket
Powwow perfume bag
Navaho bead rug
Kokopelli pin
Medicine wheel

The book also contains information on Native American beadwork from the Southwest. Native American Spirituality. And a pretty good glossary.

Of course everyone will have their favorite; mine is Netted Basket.

I never received this book ~ Wondering why? ?

I receiced the book on Native American Beadwork promply and am happy with the order. Bill

In Europe, people dress up in buckskins, hang out in tipis and emulate the Native Americans of days gone more than a century and a half ago. Their attention to detail seems to be no less than compulsive, and this book is an ultimate product of this compulsion for authenticity, accuracy and completeness.

Barth has completed an instructional masterpiece of Native American Bead work that I give to experienced Native beaders to their astonishment. If you want to learn technique, buy this book.

I found the book to be one of the best sources of information pertaining the native- american -style beading, espeacially the transmontane beadwork. I have found there several hints and pieces of information I was looking for for several years. Thank you, Mr. Barth.

and that ain't an easy pathway to find, believe me. I love Barth's insistance on using only the most traditional methods, when there are multiple techniques that could be covered. His instructions are so clearly illustrated and explained that I've actually gotten a grip on a method that I have failed to understand for years and am presently using to cover a walking stick with - traditional style gourd stitch. Most books simply teach the two step method and don't even mention the older, three step method and when they do, their instructions tend to be so confusing that I end up with a stick wrapped in a tangled net of tiny beads and thread. But thanks to Barth, I finally get it!

The other methods he covers, lane stitch, loomwork, diagonal weaving and others, he covers with equal clarity and skill and I'm looking forward to using this book to upgrade my abilities and make my art jewelry better than ever!

Inspirational...helps get your own creative ideas going when you see some of the incredible stuff other bead artists are doing. Has a small how-to section which is not very helpful, but the photographs are wonderful.

This book full of photos with amazing artworks. I was surprized what people can make with beads. You can find a lot of great ideas or you can give this book as a gift to someone who enjoys beading or just loves albums with beautiful pictures. You gonna love it!

You can't be a serious bead artist if you don't own this book, that's all there is to it. The introduction itself--with its cogent and encompassing trace of the contemporary groundswell in bead art--is worth its price. As a source for the work of the most well-known and emerging artists this book is a museum in itself. Ms. Withers is to be commended for the beauty of her presentations as well as for her sensitivity to the deeply spiritual and downright funky satisfaction both the bead artist and the bead art owner derive from the humble bead.Diamonds may be a girl's best friend, but women prefer beads. And yes, real men do make bead art!

This book is for one thing only - inspiration! But what inspiration! I'm an actually on my second copy of this book as my first became so worn from my paging and drooling.

The pieces are shown alphabetically by artisan with a two line biography, then a brief desciption of the piece and a listing of techniques used - I love the fact that the dimensions are given with each piece! There is also included an artisan's statement giving you insight into how the artisan sees his/her work.

As this was originally published in 1992 some of the resources are out of date but a web search will remedy that. Also, don't buy this book for instructions on how to do the beadwork, this is strictly eye-candy and how sweet it is! This is the book I pull from my shelf often to remind me of how much I love this medium, how far I have to go in my explorations, and how much fun getting there will be!

Sadly this book is out of print, but if you are a serious beadworker or someone who wants to see the best that beadwork can be - spend the time and money to get a copy of this treasure.

Back in 1992, If you said "beadwork," people would think of the simply strung love beads of the 1960's, or they might consider Native American beadwork. Yet the art of serious beadwork was still alive and was growing, thanks to people like the authors of this book. Unlike today, when there are more books on beadwork than one could possibly read and still have time to actually DO some beadwork, there were no real books on the kinds of beadwork being produced by a few small pockets of artisans.

Then "The New Beadwork" was published.

It would be hard to overstate the impact that this slim volume has had on the art of beading. In the early nineties, if you wanted to buy a book on beadwork, this was it. Not that anyone buying the book would feel as if she hadn't gotten her money's worth - this book became an instant treasure. It was a major factor in elevating a certain calibre of beadwork to an art, just as a beautiful woodcarving or an ancient mosaic is art. The beadwork in this book is so far from love beads or the macrame potholder hanging in your grandmother's kitchen, it seems almost criminal to speak of them in the same breath.

Any serious beadworker, or anyone who aspires to be a beadworker needs this book, as inspiration and also to see how far we have come. If one could only purchase a half-dozen books on beadwork (which would be tragic), this would have to take a place with "The Art and Elegance of Beadwork" and "Creative Beadweaving" by Carol Wilcox Wells, "The Beader's Guide to Color" by Margie Deeb, "The Art of Beadwork: Historic Inspiration, Contemporary Design" by Valerie Hector and Lois Sherr Dubin, and "The History of Beads: From 30,000 B.C. to the Present" (Unabridged Edition) by Lois Sherr Dubin. This listing is subject to debate, of course, but most beadworkers would consider these books to be the best of the best.

It's a pity this book is out of print - but it is still available, and still fresh and useful. It is a worthy purchase for anyone who wants to raise her beadwork out of the craft category and into the realm of artwork.

I know little about Oaxacan ceramics but was immediately drawn to this book by the unbelievably beautiful photos. many of the shots are done outside using natural lighting and it gives the pieces a lifelike feel that I find wonderful. And the creativity of the pieces themselves! A wonderful introduction to one type of Mexican craft.

This is a fantastically colourful & inspiring book...and of the many, many ceramic books I own this is definitely in my Top 5. Lots of beautiful & detailed photos and interesting text. The only downside is that there isn't really any "how to" section in the book to show you how to make the wonderful folk art featured.

Born and raised in México and having a deep appreciation of its diverse and rich folk arts traditions, and guided by the reviews, I bought this book. What others say is true- this softbound book is lavishly illustrated and is a wonderful introduction to the contemporary ceramics covered, as well as the six women potters dealt with. Thise with a love of Oaxacan ceramics will likely love this book as well.

There is but one, very significant problem: the title is, to me, completely misleading. The book actually covers two villages- Octolán de Morelos, and the reigning family of potters, as well as Santa María Atzompa and two of the many potters who work there. San Bartolo Coyotepec and the creator of world-renown black pottery, Doña Rosa Real de Nieto, and her descendants, for example, have no coverage in this book, nor do older more traditional forms.

Oaxaca is an incredibly beutiful state, with many traditions and crafts. This book covers a small fraction of them- and in my opinion misleads with a title implying it covers all the ceramics of Oaxaca. With that caveat, I highly recommend (and give a restrained five stars to) this book, within the scope of its limitations.

Having been to Oaxaca approximately ten times in the past 20 years, I can appreciate the quality and beauty of this fine book. The reasonable price of this "paperback" belies its perfect format/size and its gorgeous photography, text and printing quality.

I've rarely been satisfied with "crafts" books, but this one has been so perfectly written and executed, that it makes me want to jump on a plane and immediately fly to Oaxaca, to find and meet the fantastic artists presented here.

I met one of these women several years ago (Angelica Vasquez), and this glorious book will create an urge in many of its readers to meet her and the other artists that are included here.

I love this book. I have been to Oaxaca several times and have visited most of the potters in the book. On my last trip, I asked each of the women to sign my book near her picture. This is now one of my most treasured posessions along with my memories of Oaxaca. The photographs are great and the stories are beautiful.

I have read many books on filmmaking and I have a film school degree (from CalArts, as it happens, where Mackendrick once taught). You can't learn filmmaking from a book or from school, only by making films. Nevertheless, "On Film-making" comes as close as any book I've ever found to explaining precisely and beautifully the work of a film director. Whether you want to make films or are simply a film fan, this book will be an immensely rewarding and illuminating experience.

Great book by a great filmmaker and a great teacher. Anyone serious about how to create meaning in the cinema by using the "grammar," the form, should read this book. Ditto for the creation of story along classical lines --

Too intelligent to be a director, to make compromises in the craft of film making with the studio system of his time, Alexander Mackendrick only left us a glimpse of his own potential in his body of work. He did however pass his vision and passion for creativity onto the next generation in his teaching. In this book his voice is loud and clear, without being dogmatic. It's like having a drink with a friend in a bar and having him sort out all your problems with scripts, actors and life. No director should be without a copy. From the beginner to the established star everybody can find something in this book and all conveyed in the manner both intense and unpatronising that was uniquely his.

When Sandy MacKenrick told my CalArts MFA Thesis committee that my thesis film script was, "long, much too long, and very much too long" and, "doomed to never be completed", I was shocked and terrified.

Sandy was one of the most brilliant and irritating people ever to tell a story or to browbeat an egotistical young film student. His films and lectures convey that contradiction -- his every work is a pearl.

If you were not lucky enough to get Sandy's notes while at CalArts, you must buy this book.

Odds are good, you won't have the genius of Sandy MacKendrick, but you will appreciate how much you could grow as you strive to attain what he found so simple.

I was proud to invite Sandy to the first screening of my thesis film, "Pirate's Dagger", and it still hurts that he was too ill to attend. I wouldn't have gotten it done without his special form of encouragement.

Unlike most how-to directing and writing books, Mackendrick was an accomplished director with decades of professional experience. He speaks from hard-won experience, not dubious armchair notions of what makes a successful film or director. He is wise enough to know there are no "secrets" or immutable laws of storytelling, only rules of thumb. Every time I go back to it, I learn something new, and with every film I make, I am struck by points in the book which ring ever more true. This book will not make you a great director by reading it, but Mackendrick has the good sense and candor to know that a book or a course never will, only lots and lots of hard work and dedication.

Before I met Party Drinks by A.J. Rathbun, I would literally host my gatherings at the bar down the street, because I was incapable of mixing anything other than vodka and orange juice in plastic cups. A.J., friend to cocktailers everywhere, took me to school with his great book, and showed me how to easily make lavish libations on a cheapskate's budget and to make 'em look like a million bucks. The Summer Beer (beer, vodka, and lemonade) is a treat, even in wintertime. The recipes have little tales about the drinks so you can really "act like ya know" when serving them up. Don't weep for the bar down the street, though. Until A.J. can fit a pinball machine in his jam-packed guide, there's always time for a occasional tavern call. Bottoms up!

I love this book! It has so much more to offer than the book I bought at Crate and Barrel for 5x the price. It's quirky and fun and filled with unusual recipes. Great selection of drinks for summer days, cold nights, casual get togethers or swanky cocktail parties. Plus it's filled with tons of hilarious footnotes that are worth quoting while you mix. My favorite drinks (not just because the names are great): the Red Carpet, the Presidential, Silk Stockings, and the Slow Comfortable Screw. You have to try the mojito. This really is the prettiest cocktail book I've seen. Perfect gift item--just tie a bow around it and add a bottle of your friend's favorite alcohol.

Ne'er have the pleasures of contemporary pleasure-drinking been so lucidly and persuasively and clearly set forth with not only the time and liver tested recipies but also the literary, social, and personal contexts of a true, rare spirit such as Mr. Rathbun, whose fine poetry is as intoxicating as the pewter cupped juleps, the spiraling highballs, and the mystifications of the orange buck, known in the southern hemisphere as le mâle orange. I am buying a copy for every (over-21) friend this Christmas.

This book is worth reading even if you don't drink! If you do, all the better. Great recipes, very inspiring commentary. Rathbun quotes Gogol on vodka, W. C. Fields on whiskey ("Always carry a large flagon of whiskey in case of snakebite and furthermore always carry a small snake") and provides plenty of good party ideas for intemperate friends.

Said friends will also find this to be a welcome gift.

I think this will be a great gift for the holidays--I plan to get several to give to family and friends. The book is slim, but packed with lots of great drinks, plus gorgeous photos! One thing I really like about the book is that it gives lots of suggestions on variations of the drinks--in case you need to mix different amounts, or don't like or have a particular ingredient. Plus, there's some good general bartending advice at the beginning of the book.

So far we've tried two of the drinks. We had some friends over last weekend and my husband made the Champagne Punch, which has light and dark rum, lemons, and champagne. It was delicious! Even one of our friends, who isn't a huge champagne fan, really loved it. We also have tried The Rebecca, another champagne drink. We actually froze the raspberries in the vodka during the day, and had the drink in the evening--the frozen raspberries were delicious, and a perfect garnish for this very pretty drink.

What a gorgeous book. I've recently become involved in hotglass work myself and picked this book up out of curiousity. Not only is the book full of beautiful pictures and prose but the author also allows us a peek into Paul's techniques, which for me, is incredibly helpful and well worth the price of the book.

Even though it made me late I had to stop and soak in every page from start to finish as soon as I got it in the mail. I think at just about every page a smiling, "Oh my god!" came bounding out of my lips in admiration for this man's extreme talent.

Most of my art books end up on my studio shelf, but this one is so gorgeous and such a joy to view I think I'm going to make it a permanent fixture on the coffee table.

You will not be able to stop the "oohs" and "aahs" . The artist has developed a style unlike anyone else and the photographs are so detail you feel like you have become part of the piece. A work of art in and of itself.

It is a book that every glass lover must have.

Filled with beautifully detailed photographs of Paul Stankard's paperweights as well as excellent closeups of the making of his flowers and other paperweight inclusions. It also includes an interesting background on Paul's career and philosophy, but the multitude of wonderful color photographs of his extraordinary work are what make this book truly special.

While I wouldn't consider myself a "paperweight" fan, I admire Paul Stankard's work immensely.

For so long I've wondered, "how does he accomplish such wonderful things?". This book cannot show his unique genius nor how his imagination works, but it does show just enough of his techniques to sate my never ending curiosity.

You can see how a thistle is built. There are gorgeous pictures of how a glass bee is build and attached to a honey comb. Here are the dragonflies, the orchids and those amazing root people!

The book is filled with full color pictures, and many wonderful detail views. In Paul Stankard's case, "God is in the details".

I admired Paul Stankard's work before I read this book. I admire his ability ever so much more now that I've seen the immesurable detail that goes into each piece.

Lovely simplicity...Need I say more? Yes, hope this author creates another book or even a DVD!

this book is full of color photos and very good instuctions. Since I am a beginer this book provides step by step photos on how to create wire loops and making hoop earrings and much more. For the price you can't beat it.

This book was exactly what I was looking for, it had beautiful designs, easy to understand instructions and quick and easy ways to make beautiful and unusual earrings...I own many jewelry and beading books, but this one is at the top of my list...Do yourself a favor and get yourself a copy of your own, it's well worth it!

This book is so wonderful that I'm coming out of lurk mode to review it.

I came across Shy Siren during a quest for interesting items for a blog I write. After about two minutes I realized my mouth was still agape and I was on the verge of actually drooling. I knew I had found my jewelry design hero. Shortly afterwards, I received this book as a gift! Serendipity!!


This book starts out with a comprehensive (but not overwhelmingly scary!) list of items you will need to begin making the projects listed.

There is a technique section that is straightforward on what tools to use and when, and what technique is best for the look you want. I also love that the illustrations show a *real* hand using a *real* tool so you can copy the hand placement rather than having to guess at what the directions mean.

Once you gone through the basics (great review for seasoned crafters, or fabulous beginning for those just starting out) Sara delves into the projects themselves. Each project includes a list of techniques, tools, and materials as well as a time frame for completing the jewelry.

The designs are just lovely and use a range of materials that you can easily use as is, or change up to suit your needs.

How much better and easier does it get? Now, not only are they wonderful projects in and of themselves but I can easily see veteran crafters using these designs as inspiration.

To round out this book, Sara has added a list of resources, some of which I have heard of, some not.

This is a great book for everyone of every skill level and I know you'll be as pleased with this book as I am.

Thanks again to the wonderful gal who gave me this book as a gift! :D

Ok, whatcha waitin' for? Add it to your cart!

Sharing the love, Starr :D

Usually I know nothing about a jewelry-making book before I buy it, but this time, finding it was serendipitous. I had run across some of Sara Schwittek's designs on a website and I had written to ask her a question. My question was answered in her brand new book, so she recommended it. I could not have been more delighted. This singular book stands head and shoulders above most of my jewelry-making books. It is remarkable in several different categories: 1) beautiful design and lay out - I am married to a graphic designer so I am almost jaded by design. I love the work the photographer & designer did; 2) targeted to audiences of all levels - a beginner can simply buy off-the-shelf findings and make the earrings, or she can learn more advanced wire working skills by using the techniques that are included in the book. These tutorials are top-notch; and finally 3) her designs knock me out. This is probably the most subjective aspect of reviewing a book of this kind, but I have to say that her designs are brilliant - even inspired. It looks like architecture is a great training ground for a jewelry designer! (Sara is an architect by training.) I was inspired by this book to sign up for two beginning wire-working courses. Eventually I hope to be able to make my own findings which Sara demonstrates can be far more interesting than store-bought ones. I hope her publishers get her to do a book on necklaces and bracelets, but I can always adapt her designs to other pieces of jewelry.

Love this book - most of the publications I end up buying I only work two or three projects, but there are only two or three in this book that I'm not interested in trying. They glaze over the odd count peyote stitch a little and focus on knot tying a little excessively, but it's still an excellent and inspirational book in a world where it's challenging to find much about peyote.

Superb diagrams. Very easy to understand and follow.
Very tasteful projects. An excellent how-to book for moderately experienced beaders.

I cannot express how pleased I am with this book...it provided good wasy to follow directions AND the phoroas were very inspiring!

I liked the pictures, but haven't taken the time to actually do the projects. I would recommend this for anyone wanting to learn this aspect of beading. I've done a little of it before, and it can have some spectacular results.

I enjoyed paging through the book and looking at the great photos as well as trying the projects. A new beader will find the book very helpful and seasoned beaders will be able to do the projects handily and take off on their own from there. A great all-around addition to a beader's library.

My daughter found this book at the library, and we HAD to buy one to keep! Where else but Amazon could we get such a treasure, hardcover, for under $2????

The thing I like best about this book is the way the designs are organized. There are multiple items under each category (like animals or professions or vehicles or household items, etc.) It is simple to find ideas to personalize a project for anyone. We were able to easily use the designs and even modify them a bit to match the person we were sewing for (like changing the color of the uniform and adding a beard to depict my mailman husband...)

Jo Verso was one of my favorite designers. When she wrote a book for beginners, you could rest assured that you would be able to understand and follow her directions even if you'd never picked up a needle and aida or linen. I was devastated to hear that she'd been killed in an auto accident a few years ago. What a true loss to the stitching world!

This book is a wonderful reference. It will help anyone wanting to learn how to design and stitch cross-stitch. It goes from basic reference and teaching to relatively advanced design ideas. Jo Verso writes in a friendly, accessible style, as if you had a good friend sitting at your elbow, helping you along. The illustrations are clear and will help you see the mistakes in your stitching, to correct them and become better. The design ideas will encourage you even further than you thought you could go! I have designed several personalized samplers and designs for family and friends based on this book. Along with Erica Wilson's books, this is indispensible for any needleworker; unfortunately, many of Miss Wilson's books are out of print, but this one's not!

Every cross-stitcher should have this! It's a collection of small bits that can be combined, along with ideas on design.

Any hobbies your friends or family members have, you can find examples of here. I have made several wedding samplers by combining interests of the bride and groom. Any kind of pet at all - including snakes, goldfish, guinea pigs, and parakeets. Gilbert and Sullivan characters, and other drama motifs. People in general - examples of males and females, boys and girls, elderly people, people in wheelchairs, people with every kind of professional equipment you can think of. Classical music motifs, musical instruments. Different kinds of windows, doors, walls, and roofs so you can do a house that looks like yours, or the person's you are making the sampler for. Every kind of flower and vegetable commonly grown in home gardens. All the woodland creatures, trees, etc. for surrounding scenery. Flags for many nationalities. An astronaut.

Are you getting an idea of the variety in this book? I haven't mentioned a tenth of it!!

Some of the examples of samplers include ones she made for Prince Charles' and Diana's wedding; one for an elaborate garden with the appropriate quote from "Candide," several house-based samplers, and sample birthday and anniversary cards.

Grandfather clocks, peach-faced lovebirds, bee hives, violins, and oak leaves are among my favorites, that I have used in more than one piece.

Warning: once you buy this book, you will have so many ideas, you won't get anything else done for a while. If you get started right this very minute, you might even finish them all before the NEXT century!!

Jo Verso has patterns for a variety of modern-life figures in a distinctive and quirky style. The people look like cheerful little Lego people, and they can be put together in any combination.