Arts and Crafts Books

There are so many stores selling crafts across the Southwest that it is overwhelming. I love the look of the Southwest, but I never know what to buy--and you see so much tacky touristy junk out there, from dream catchers to turquoise jewelry that is actually plastic. I'm so glad I ran across Laura Morelli's Made in the Southwest, because it helped me cut through the trash and go straight to the real deal! In addition to being user-friendly, Made in the Southwest is beautifully photographed, a pleasure for the armchair traveler as well as those of us who like to indulge in retail therapy!

My friends and I just returned from a girls' getaway in New Mexico and Arizona. Thank you, Laura, for this fabulous book! We road-tested Made in the Southwest from Albuquerque to Santa Fe, then on to Sedona. Following Laura's recommendations, we found some beautiful and fascinating crafts, but mostly we just had lots of fun looking! The information was comprehensive and accurate, a real time saver for us since we had limited time. Plan to use it again next year when I go to Phoenix and Scottsdale.

I collect Native American crafts, and this is the only book I have found that explains in simple, layman's terms what to look for when shopping from everything from baskets to pottery. The author distills a huge amount of information down into easy to use guides on pricing, quality, and history. The listings of shops are right on target--only the best of the best!

If you are in the market for Southwestern crafts--anything from Navajo rugs to cowboy boots and turquoise jewelry--you'll want to take this guide along. It includes invaluable tips on pricing, quality, and value. Don't get ripped off by the cheap imitations you see in stores all across the Southwest! Use Laura Morelli's Made in the Southwest to make sure you're getting the best deals on authentic Southwestern crafts.

I live in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and know many of the stores and craftspeople listed in Laura Morelli's Made in the Southwest. The author has really done her homework. This book includes only the best of the best! If you stick to Laura's recommendations you can't go wrong!

Escher's work is so engaging and interesting. Everyone has seen Escher's work, even if they don't know the name. I've used his work to teach math, graphics, and problem solving. My college students love analyzing his work.

I bought this book as a gift, and it was an excellent choice. There are many example works in the book, plus interesting explanations.

In The Magic Mirror of M.C. Escher, Bruno Ernst, an acquaintance of Escher's until Escher's death in 1972, presents a thorough summary of the life and work of Escher. Ernst devotes a chapter to the life of Escher, and uses the rest of the book to describe his amazing work. He includes the different themes and styles that Escher used, and devotes a good amount of space to each work discussed. The book is extremely thorough and includes large clear illustrations of the works themselves and also of earlier drafts of the works and mathematical descriptions to assist the reader. This is the most concise book of Escher and his work I have ever seen, and Ernst has done a fabulous job on it.

The work of Escher has captured the imagination of many people and in this book Bruno Ernst (a personal friend of Escher) expands our understanding of the artist. After a brief but concise biography, the author throughly analyses the most important facets of Escher's artistic output: the illusion in drawing, the use of perspective, the creation of impossible realities, simultaneous and contrasting realities, crystals, and the infinite. Escher was an artist who was unique in in his work, he stands by himself, and this book is a helping tool in understanding and appreciating the unparalleled magic of his work.

The greatness of this book on the work of M.C. Escher is that it shows how he worked up his ideas for various pieces. It also gives a thorough explanation of his thought and design process. It is truely a shame that this book has gone out of print. I sincerely hope that the publisher brings it back.

I just picked this book up thinking that there has been a "NEW" book published on M.C.Escher's work.When I got it home ,I checked it against other Escher books and was disappointed to find it is the same book published several times before and by different publishers.
As you can see the ,publication date of this edition is shown as April 6,2007.Therefore, the reviewers here must have been looking at a previous publication,possibly the one also listed here as a paperback in 1987.The copy I had was even earlier,published by Ballantine in 1976.
The quality of this Taschen Edition is very good, in fact, superior to the paperback editions I have seen; and will be enjoyed by anyone who likes M.C. Esher's work ;but the material included has not changed.
I believe this is an excellent book ,and agree with the reviews already written on other editions.
I guess what we have here is A 25 Year Celebration of its first publication.
This is an excellent chance to obtain this book and will be enjoyed,particularly by people new to Escher's work.The fact that this edition has now come out speaks volumes about what a great book this was,and it's great to see it available again.

This is a great book that really captures the attention of an eleven year old . We have yet to make some of these creatures!

I have been teaching K-12 art for 30 years. During those years we art teachers sometimes get into a rut of doing the same projects over and over. My students love paper mache, but I was simply bored to tears. I first came across Dan Reeder's "Screamers" book on paper mache. My students loved the idea. Then he published this nifty book and took Screamers to another level of fun, silliness and grossness. The photo step-by-step process is easy to follow and the finished examples are a sheer pleasure. So often students become frustrated at their inability to make something realistic and beautiful. Now my students can hardly wait until they are old enough to make the critters and ugly creatures! Let there be ugliness!!

A creative and different take on creating art. Lots of pictures and step by step instructions that are easy to follow. And it would be useful to anyone just starting out making 3-D creatures, whether ugly, or lovely. Many of the techniques would work well for either one. Loads of fun for beginners. I create craft kits for all ages, mostly using paper and this book is a fresh approach to an old art-form. Also earth friendly since you can use recycled paper and other found materials. Enjoy the process and have fun. JJGoodwin.com

This is a great book. I wasn't quite as fond of it as I was with "A simple screamer", but the information in it is golden. This book expands on the lessons of Mr. Reeder's first, showing methods for making smaller screamers, how to make fins and scales, plus listing some interesting and unusual projects with interesting alternatives for materials. As an added bonus, the book also shows how to impress upon your children a wealth of experiences for their future psychological counseling sessions.

Having taken both of Mr. Reeder's books to heart, I am reminded of the first words my mother ever spoke to my wife (my girlfriend, at the time). She said, "By now, you've certainly noticed that my son is ... unique." I can see from this book and Mr. Reeder's previous one, that he is a man after my own heart.

Be that as it may, it's still a great book for rainy day and class projects. I highly recommend it.

This book offers more details.The instructions are easy to follow. It gives great ideas for wonderful creatures. I teach Middle School Art and can't wait to share this book with my students! It's great!

to my daughter with the four kids. Can't say she'll ever have time to look into it but she surely buys enough of the real stuff that she should. Can't say that I've looked into it myself.

I have to assume that this book is very good. I bought it for someone else and had it sent directly to them. They specifically asked for it by name and author.

I think this book is wonderful! If you have any of the "how to make and do things" type of books some of these recipes might be included but to see them all laid out in order with recipes for different things is very nice! Plus most of the recipes all share common ingredients so you don't need to buy a lot of hard to find stuff for each project.

The way this book is laid out,with one recipe per page and large print,is very easy for children to read.My daughter really enjoyed being able to read the list and help mix up the ingredients.We especially liked the gloop and glop recipes for making slime.

If you work at a school or daycare or if your kids go through paint and playdough like it is going out of style,I highly reccomend this book to cut supply cost because whipping up large batches of supplies will save you lots of money and if you get the kids involved is an awesome learning experience!

This book has been a great help to me as a stay at home mom of a toddler!! Great ideas to keep her busy when the weather is too hot to get outside(or as winter approaches too cold!). I love the ideas and my daughter has loved the varied activities in her "art" time!

Every parent, teacher, childcare provider, and scout leader should have this budget friendly book. The variety of recipes, science experiments, and resourceful materials presented are valuable for expanding a child's education. Using just about everything a person already has in his/her kitchen, creative materials can be formed with little cost. It includes over 100 recipes, and presents ideas for every season of the year.

I recommend buying this book, not just to have fun with your children, but for the knowledge they will gain, homemade gift ideas, holiday decorations, and the many other educational teaching elements it provides. You will find simple, but affordable gift ideas for children to make, discovery table suggestions, and many experiments. Each chapter of the book lists what children can learn and accomplish. Whether your child needs help learning measurements, hand-eye coordination, or learning science, you'll find this book to offer it all. The recipes and activities offer instructive and physical advantages for children, and teach them, as well as parents, about ways to recycle.

The Author has worked with young children for over ten years, and the quality of her experience in this book is evident. She understands that family resources are difficult to manage and still afford the extras, while providing an educational and fun activity for kids.


Kristina N. is a thrifty stay-at-home mother of six children, and home schools her preschooler. She does freelance writing in her spare time.

A fantastic, helpful and well done book! Each item is carefully described and the directions are easy to follow. You won't believe how easy and inexpensive it is to make these gorgeous little creations. Inspiring! I have made several of the items portrayed in the book and I am amazed at how well they came out the very first time! I'm sure you will treasure this jewel as much as I do!

Can be used by the new miniaturist as well as the experienced. Good color photos and easy instructions using items found easily. Full sized patterns for some plans. Patterns and plans for the whole garden from walls to tools to vegetables to a patio chair. A truly enjoyable read. Can't wait to try the specific flowers listed in the book.

I recently ordered this book and was delighted when I opened it. I was a lot better than I thought it would be. It is color throughout, with specific detailed directions on how to create many specific types of flowers (begonia, several rose types, camellia, hollyhocks, poppy, geranium, delphinium, larkspur, nasturtium, petunia, iris, pansy, chrysanthemum, dahlia, carnation, & aster). All look quite realistic, except the pansy (too bad, its my favorite flower). It also describes how to put together many specific garden types, including a water effect. The water technique is quite a bit easier to do than some I've seen with model railroad techniques, but reasonably realistic. The book also details how to make several different garden furniture pieces, an added suprise I hadn't expected. Overall a great book with detailed color photos. Excellent!

"Choose from a variety of realistic miniature plants that range from quick and simple models to meticulously detailed reproductions. Full plans and instructions are provided for eight projects: Trellis Arch, Walled Garden, Patio Garden Pond and Rockery, Cottage Garden, Greenhouse Garden, Kitchen Garden, and Window Boxes." (description from Alibris)
I've always been intrigued by dollhouses and miniature furniture, but had never thought to provide a tiny garden to go with it. This is great for miniature enthusiasts.

Excellent book;great pictures and diagrams. I would highly reccommend to anyone

wonderful photos', informative narrative, the new guy can't go wrong. And the speed of shipping can't be matched. Thanks all around.

Marble Mania will prove to be the standard to which other marble related books will be compared to. A thorough, comprehensive view of all aspects of marble collecting. Graphically superior with detail that will be utilized by not only the beginning collector but the advanced collector also. Mr. Block has taken the time, performed the research and compiled this vast amount of information into an enjoyable, eye and mind satisfying beautiful book. Mr. Block is clear in his intentions to continue to be the leader in an area of great challenge, I can't wait for Mr. Block's next marble book. The bar has been raised!

Marble Mania has fine photographs of every imaginable marble from pebbles found alongside streams to the Industrial Revolution in Germany & Austria. Here the cutting of agate cubes & polishing them into marbles for export all over the world became a huge cottage industry. You have to see the beauty of all the clay, pottery, crockery, china & porcelain globes. It was fun to read this big book. Found myself chatting at the local recycle shop about the blue canning jars in their windows filled with marbles. Eyeing them eagerly, with a little more knowledge & a few more names.

I bought this book for my husband (from Amazon) for Xmas. Not only is the book very beautiful, but he has become an expert in his own right. With a year-2000 interest in things retro, marbles are enjoying a boom. We now have jars of them everywhere, looking great and, according to this great book, appreciating in value as we watch. With the help of the pricing guides we discovered that we already owned some very valuable marbles, and have since acquired more. In fact, the book paid for itself about 10 minutes after we got it, with the discovery of an unrecognized treasure.

i loved this book because it gave you funny expample of how to play i also loved it because it gave you marbles that you can play with.
from,
caroline

This book is the ultimate must have for any fan, collector or movie buff. Clark Kidder has done an amazing job gathering together new & old, rare & popular and foreign & American Marilyn Monroe memorabilia. The book is full of luscious photos. Many of the photos are in color. Each item is detailed and is given an approximate value. The book includes values on: magazines, books, dolls, plates, posters, statues and countless other items. The book is well made with thick paper and easy to read text. If you shop on Ebay or antique shows or just want to know the value of your Marilyn collectibles you will need this book. Thank you Clark! CHERYL

Awesome guide! The best as finally been put out for a reference price guide on the best ever movie star MARILYN MONROE! Even she would be amazed I bet! Terrific job! Thanks for all the hard effort in making it! All worth it!

This book is a must have if you are a Marilyn collector or even just a fan. Not only are there thousands of listings but, there are thousands of pictures too! This book is the perfect tool to start you on your way to collecting Marilyn Monroe memorabilia. There are tips given by the author such as using the internet to find items, how to spot an original & much, much more!
You will refer to it again and again. I highly recommend this book. It's a purchase you'll be glad you made!

Beautifully illustrated and indexed a true "must have" for all Marilyn Monroe "afficionadoes" and serious collectors as well.
I truly enjoyed perusing through this book and appreciated how Mr. Kidder gave a thorough "overview" of Miss Monroe's career, "photo modeling" thru her "starlet" years thru her very brief "super stardom". The author also presents a biographical overview of the Stars'life. All in all, really loved this book. Of notable mention,Mr. Kidder's first book, (Marilyn Monroe Collectibles: A Comprehensive Guide to the Memorabilia of an American Legend), co-authored by George Zeno, was their first as well as successful effort on this subject.

This brand new, year 2002 224 page, softbound book is sure to delight any Marilyn Monroe fan. There are more than 3,500 items shown, and plenty of useful information on collector clubs, buying on the Internet, and insuring your items. You'll find a wealth of informative text included, along with a complete index to make item location easy. Over 500 large full color photos are shown. Fan clubs and collector sources are listed. It is the most up-to-date, comprehensive price and I.D. guide available. Every type of Marilyn collectible is shown in this book. Add it to your library.

I have developed an affinity for Mariner's Compass quilts, due in part to the quilts shown in this book. I kept renewing it in the library, and finally bought it.

I also purchased WedgeworksII - Mariner's Compass in conjunction with this book, but will be returning this small patternbook which exclusively uses piecing from enclosed templates(not as accurate or beautiful as the quilts in Mathieson's book). Actually, Mathieson does offer template piecing as an option, and she even reviews a freezer paper method. I look forward also to drafting my own mariner's compasses with help of chapter 2. I only wish there were more quilts for inspiration - even though there are plenty, I can't get enough!

I have taken a Mariner's Compass class from Judy, and I have both her MC books. They are great! I highly recommend them.

This was my first purchase through Amazon and I am very pleased with the promptness of the service. The condition of the Mariner's Compass book by Judy Mathieson is excellent and I am very happy to actually own it. I have taken it from our quilters library but always had to return it before I could do much with it. Now that I own it I can take my time, study it, and finally decide on which project to do. Thank you to the family in California for their help in getting this into the mail so quickly.

This books covers the lotwith regard to designing a Mariner's Compass quilt. The author uses examples of her own work as well as others. There are excellent instructions on how to create your own quilt using a variety of piecing techniques. The examples given cover a range of colour themes. One of my favourite books.

Here the author stretches to show you repeatedly how to break down what appears to be a difficult project into a very approachable project. This book is both a technique book as well as a project book. You CAN complete this project from all that is provided in this book.

Take the time to study the examples and question why those choices were made. This book has volumes to teach you as well as aid your growth as an accomplished quilter. There is such joy in mastering points and excelling in this art of quilting and this book is a marvelous practical gift to yourself.

If you want to make marquetry, buy marquetry or just appreciate marquetry this is an excellent resource. It has the kind of detailed information coupled with drawings and a bounty of color photos rarely seen in one book. Worth the money!! Go see the exhibit at the Getty!

This book is published by the Getty museum, which has an absolutely wonderful permanent exhibit on marquetry that includes many fine examples and a touchable how-to exhibit depicting start to finish manufacture of marquetry furniture. The book is a detailed how-to on various types of marquetry (including wood, metal and stone) with both color (over 150 color photos, more color pics than B&W) and black-and-white pictures of a large variety of examples from Renaissance through 17th and 18th century through modern (not too many or too-weird modern), plus many photos showing marquetry in progress in the how-to section. It is also a large, beautiful enough book for your coffeetable. If only every art/craft topic could have such a wonderful book.

I have two books of the same author: Masterpieces of marquetry (or something simmilar since it is written in French) and Marquetry. Each of the books cost over 100 USD in France and belong to a collection this author has published on the same subject. The Marquetry book (in English) I believe is the best book of its class. It has very detailed sketches of real antique designs. It not only explains the techniques but also stone inlaying, designing of tools and benches for cutting materials, etc.

Marquetry is impressive if you are making a simple flower or a project as ornate as the examples that are given in this book. Covering the art form from the early adopters in France and Italy, he explains in detail the procedures, as well as the tools that are used. When you see some of the pictures of the projects, you will think that you need a lifetime of practice to get to those levels, and maybe you do. They are so elaborate and ornate that you will appreciate what can be done in the art form.
The book is large and is something worth featuring on a shelf. It is wonderfully illustrated, and they don't short you on the full color photographs.
The chapters are; Veneer Decoration, History, The Marqueters Workshop, The Materials, The Instruments, The Drawing, Preparation, Procedures, Frisage and Jeux De Fond, The Construction of Cutting Tools, and Conclusion.
The book is 14" x 10" and every page is packed with beautiful color photographs, and at the very least a drawing. Makes for an interesting read, as well as seeing what is being explained in full color. With so many full size color photos, you can see why the book is more expensive than a standard book.
Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned practitioner in the art form, this book will capture you. See the highest forms in the art, chosen by the top museums for display. All in all a first class reference. Highly recommended.

I found this book to be completely comprehensive on the subject of marquetry. Everyone who loves this art form will want to have this in their library.

E um livro muito interessante, porem, apenas para quem tem curiosidade ou gosta muito de marchetaria. Belissimas imagens. Quem faz marchetaria nas horas vagas tera uma boa referencia, inclusive com a historia dessa arte. Capa dura, muito ilustrado, acredito que tera um lugar de honra em sua biblioteca.

Mauricio - Brazil

This is absolutely the best glaze book for the functional potter that is available today!

This book lives up to its title. If you want a book that covers Cone 6 Oxidation Glazes in an understandable manner, I highly recommend this book.

In addition to the technical information the authors actually supply (in Chapter 6) some beautiful glaze recipes that meet their standards for functional use.

Being a novice potter in search of answers regarding cone 6 glazes, this book was my 5th glaze book to purchase. I only wish that I had bought it first and I would only own one! I found this book straight forward with great information regarding not only glaze mixing but successful firing. I would recommend it to anyone trying to get started mixing their own glazes. I had tried many glaze recipes from other books and the web, only to be disappointed with the outcome. The recipes in the back of this book work wonderfully. I am thrilled!!

Very useful reference. Assuming you know other aspects of ceramics, this book seems to contain all the info you need to succeed with cone 6 glazes. It's not only for cone 6 though, because much of the info will apply to other glazes as well. Includes a solid explanation of glaze theory, balanced by a wealth of very detailed and practical considerations for getting the best possible results in the real world.

I can't recommend this book enough for the potter looking to better understand glazes and the firing process for cone 6 oxidation ware. It's detailed but unpretentious and will be accessible to the non-chemist potter for which it's written.

Hesselberth and Roy have obviously spent a great deal of time and money learning what makes a glaze stable and safe for functional use. This is not a recipe book, though the recipes included are outstanding; rather the authors wish to better inform and equip the potter in 1) better matching his clay bodies with his glazes, 2) ensuring minimal leaching of toxic materials from his glazes, 3) learning to rely on stable and reliable materials in glaze formulation (so long Gerstley Borate), and 4) teaching the potter ways to test whether a particular glaze is safe and stable.

The authors will be the first to say that what's provided here is not exhaustive but this book goes further than any other glaze book I know of in promoting the use of stable and safe glazes that fit well and look good. If you're like me, the price might discourage you. It's an investment well worth making though, and I haven't regretted it. I've now worked in two studios that have based their entire glaze palate on the recipes and principles provided in this book, and the results are reliable and beautiful.

I really think this is going to set the standard for glaze books and cone 6 glazing for a long time to come.