Arts and Crafts Books

Very pleased with this book & I'm sure I will use it many times over.

This happy, upbeat book clearly and simply teaches the technique of buttonhole applique, as well as providing a background for this unique style of quilt block. Enhanced by many full color photos and full sized patterns, it will be treasured as a favorite. After purchasing this book, I was please to find the sequel, "Willowood", which takes the quilter further into the adventures of buttonhole.

I made two Christmas gifts the first year. Her instruction and pictures make these colorful and quick projects easy and Jean makes you, the quilter, look great too!

...The book contains tons of clear instructions, pages and pages of patterns for the applique', and so many cool projects. In fact, the book is filled with wonderful project ideas that will keep you happily crafting for some time.

Everything everyone has said before me is a testimony to this book.Its such a value and its such a pleasure to finally find a carving book that lets us all no..hay we really can do this..ive been so intimidated and in awe of carousel carvers and this is a book that works to let us all no..We Can.B.W.

GREAT BOOK! Basiclly all I can say. Better than a How-To book. Its a barrage of many wonderful stories, history, and some awesome pictures of the best carvings I have seen. Keep up the good work Bruce, and BUY THIS BOOK!! EVERYONE!!!! :)

If you have no other book about carousels, this is the one to have. Not only does the book illuminate the history of carousels, dispelling some common myths along the way, but the step-by-step, well illustrated process of carving a carousel is clearly explained in easy to understand terms. As Bruce's identical twin brother I can attest to the heart, mind and artistry that goes into every one of Bruce's creations. Many years ago I received a call from Bruce and he pleaded for my help. I replied that I had no knowledge or skill. Bruce persisted and taught me how to carve carousels using the same steps and techniques described in this book - several of the carousels I have carved are pictured in this book. Perhaps one of your creations will be in his next book!

Although this magnificent book is being marketed as a strictly how-to book, as a lover of carousels I attest to the fact that this book includes more history and delightful anecdotes about carousels, horses, designs and designers than any other book ever. Bruce encourages you to set your imagination free. Also, there is a step by step structure showing Bruce's one of a kind process. Even if you don't carve or don't want to start, it is still enlightening to see how this present day master carver makes lovely masterpieces for carousels and living rooms.

This book shows a lot about making comic {books or strips.} My name is Joe. My partner, Adam and I run a small comic book business called JARRtoons, and this book helped our business a lot.

Sincerly,
Joseph

This book shows alot about making comic {books or strips.} My name is Joe. I and my partner, Adam, run a small comic book business .......and this book helped our business alot.

This book shows alot about making comic{books or strips.}My name is Joe Rood Watkins.Me and my partner, Adam Ross Ledoux run a small comic book business called JARRtoons, and this book helped our business alot.

sincerly,
Joseph

This Book is a great sequence to the Cartoon Book. This book teaches young artists how to shade, shadow, use cliches, More lettering,Cliche Situations, Onomatopoeias, HATCHING, Sillhoutes,much much more

I purchased this book to use as an extension to a portrait module I was doing with year 8. The information and illustrations were perfect and allowed the students, and me, to build on drawing skills that had been learnt previously. Initally I got them to do some of the books exercises they then created a character which was developed into a comic strip.
My 10 year old grandson also enjoyed drawing and developing his own cartoon characters using information from the book.
Recommended for anyone looking for useful information on cartooning.

The books were received as advertised, in a very timely manner. Excellent service.

Cartooning Basics is an award-winning, step-by-step cartooning guidebook for doodlers age 7 and up. Though the simple illustrations and plain-terms instructions are readily accessible to young people, they are equally instructive to amateur adults seeking to hone their cartooning skills and learn how to create cartoon characters. Now in an enlarged and revised format with a foreward by Jim Davis, creator of "Garfield", Cartooning Basics covers how to get ideas for 'toons, common symbols, especial tips for expressions and facial features, showing distance, depth, and perspective, and much more, while the many, many illustrations demonstrate how all cartoons begin as a collection of simple shapes, from which details are elaborated. Highly recommended for practicing artistic techniques or just plain drawing fun.

My seven year old daughter recieved this book as a gift and just loves it! She has never felt very comfortable in her artistic abilities and this book has provided her with the instruction she needed to build up her confidence. She practices with the book almost daily and now insists on making everyone's birthday cards using characters out of the book and ones she has created on her own. It was such a great gift that we now give it as a gift; along with a pad of drawing paper, a fun pencil and an eraser, it is always a big hit!

Whether you're interested in 2D or 3D, Preston Blair is an excellent source for animation principles. It's a shame it's Out of Print and only available through scalpers who apparently care neither about good animation nor passing on Mr Blair's wisdom accessibly - it's all about the bottom line for them. At over $5.00 a page (I wouldn't mind paying Mr Blair this much directly, but not some scalper), check your library instead. Or write to the publisher and ask them to put it back in print. Great book though! Bad scalpers, shame!

Preston Blair does it again - another fine instructional guide on animation.

I wish his books never went out of print -- It was challenging to find the predecessor to this book (Animation I).

I want know about Animation .

I was facinated as the artist/author gave me a glimpse into the style and technique that Walt Disney and his crew of animators developed to create Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, et al. It was really ground-breaking stuff in its day. Explained well; illustrated well.

This book offers the beginner and experienced carver alike a clear and easy to understand way to make your own miniature carosel animal. Horse shown, other for inspiration. You'll like it.

The instructions and illustrations in this book makes carousel woodcarving for the beginner or pro a real pleasure. Everything needed in the way of instruction is included in this book. A great addition to any woodworker's library.

I have taken classes from the author, and the book is written just like his classes. The book goes step by step through the whole process of carving the carousel. I have observed some of Mr. Rienhardt's other works and I hope he continues to write other great books on carousel carving.

This book includes the plans for many horses and there aren't a lot of separate parts per each horse, which is good. He handles all you need to know in a basic, down to earth manner including wood grain, finishing, etc. He's carved over 1,000 horses so I guess he knows what he's talking about. I hope he puts out other books about different carving styles of carousel horses (especially Mullers) in the future.

After visiting Charleston and meeting this wonderful, talented gentleman, I bought the book to learn more about him. It is well written and describes beautifully the wrought iron gates that he designed and built in this lovely city. If you've seen any of his work either in Charleston or the Smithsonian Museum, this book will add to your knowledge of this very talented African American, now 95 years old.

John Vlach gives us an interesting biographical study of Philip Simmons' blacksmithing in this richly illustrated book. The book begins with Simmons' accounts of his early life in the Sea Islands off Charleston's coast. He then describes how Simmons' life changed when he discovered the love of his life: blacksmithing. Vlach and Simmons provide enough context to show how he began learning the art. The book then gives us a portfolio of Simmons' work, with a special focus on the elaborate gates that epitomize much of his artistry. These photos were selected by Simmons, and Vlach provides fine commentary on each illustration. This commentary gives readers a better understanding of blacksmithing, and it trains the eye to examine this type of ironwork, thereby enhancing one's appreciation for Simmons' skill. One of my favorite chapters is a vibrant presentation of Simmons' work with apprentices. He describes interactions between Simmons and Willie Williams to provide a vivid depiction of the folklife of a blacksmith shop. This chapter reveals the passion that both artists feel for their work. The book's final chapters show how Simmons has been honored for his work, and they provide a fine tribute to his many accomplishments and his inspiring artistic vision.

I am sorry, but I never read the book, but I purchased it as a gift for friend. However I had the pleasure of meeting Mr Simmons on a tour of Charleston, South Carolina in 1998. He is an incredibly lively person who is full of humor and has countless stories to share. I remember one in particular, when he spoke of his years as a boy when there were only horse & carriages for transportation. Then he said the age of the automobile came to be and folks would stop whatever they were doing to watch in awe as the automobile went by. Then he chuckled quietly as he descibed the same behavior today when a horse & carriage goes clamoring through town. There are no words to describe the artistic craftmanship of Mr. Simmons iron works, you simply have to see for yourself. As for Mr. Simmons, he is a proud yet humble man about his craft, his works and his life, you should meet him for yourself.

a stirring and engaging account of a man whose life spans almost the whole century, who grew up in a fascinating environment, regularly crossing between worlds while he served an apprenticeship, and went on to cross between other worlds, a folk artist who is regarded by the art world as a peerless sculptor, whose work is exhibited in museums. THis is a great study by a preeminent folklorist that will interest anyone.

Worth every penny I paid!
Great book for beginners and advance artist. Step by step instructions with pictures at the same pages, Easy to learn in every step from shadings to highlightings in every details!

This book is wonderful. The pictures show so much detail and the step by step guide makes it seem like the teacher is in the room with you. Everything you need to be a successful painter is included in this book.

This book is wonderful. The pictures show so much detail and the step by step guide makes it seem like the teacher is in the room with you. Everything you need to be a successful painter is included in this book.

This book is wonderful. The pictures are in color and show such good detail. The step by step guide makes it seems like the instructor is actually in the room with you. This book is great for intermediate to advanced painters and would recommend to anyone who enjoys this hobbie.

The designs are just what I was looking for. The stencils are a heavy plastic; very high quality. I want to see more by this author. I hope there is a volume II. I have found a new hobby!!

There are three sheets of heavy white plastic with 6 stencil designs.

One sheet contains a single design - a Chinese dragon. Another sheet contains two circular motifs. The third sheet contains a fish, a dragonfly and a flower motif. All are beautiful. I agree with the other reviewer - we need a Volume II! I want many more of these designs.

great high-quality pre-cut stencils - would love to see more - perhaps a volume II.

these are easy to use and high quality! would love to see a volume 2 also.

Focuses on the romance and idealism of the artist and his art rather than just functioning as a clinical review of his work... as of this review date (2001), new hardcover copies are still available from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Online Store. I've purchased two.

This is a portrait album of a sampling of Christian Dior's masterpieces shown in the 1996 New York Metropolitain Museum of Art's retrospective. Every garment is beautifully captured. The detail photographs are exceptional.
But this is more than just a picture book about the 11 years Dior designed under his own name. The text offers a balance of historical costume references that Dior used in his creations against the social and economic era he designed in. It is both interesting and informative--two words that usually don't co-exist in most fashion references.
As a coffee-table book, this is a must-have for fashion afficianados. For those who can visualize and appreciate the complexity of drape and construction in some of the garments, there is no excuse not to own this book

The photographs of Christian Dior's magnificent creations are breathtaking. But the writing is unbearably pretentious. Unfortunately, this characteristic is a hallmark of most academic writing. But get the book anyway. Dior was an artist, a seeker of Beauty, and we're all the richer for it.

This book is gorgeous--fabulous photography, lots of detailed shots (I love the way they concentrate on the dresses and don't feel obliged to get the manniquin's head in every shot)--glorious! Get this book now!