Arts and Crafts Books

Excellant, the book looks as if it is brand new. I would gladly do business with this seller. Thank you.

The Art and Craft of Flower Pounding is awesome. This arts and crafts book is well written with easy to understand directions. The photographs of the projects presented in this book is a motivator in itself. The ideas are endless. Flower pounding is easy enough to do for a child's summer project as well as for an adult. My family is really enjoying this new craft so much that we had to go out and purchase a few more hammers! I highly recommend this book - especially if you are looking for a new, easy and unusual craft - this is it!!!!

I found Laura Martin's book over a year ago, and following the very easy to understand steps, have learned to pound flowers, leaves, and stems onto treated material (she gives the receipe)and also on paper. I have been able to spend many stress-relieving moments with my board and hammer in my little flower garden on cool mornings capturing and preserving the lovely blossoms which I have used to make very special cards, gifts, and treasures that will last a lifetime. I am now teaching this art to a few good friends and some young girls in our homeschool group, encouraging them to buy this book! My 9 year old daughter and I love to make "Flower Fairies" and "Flower Ballarinas" to put on cards, in frames, and on material for pillows and handmade journal covers, etc. The ideas shared have endless possibilities! If you have had a stressful day, go outside in a shaded area, sit on a blanket with your supplies, pick a few wildflowers, or blooms from your garden, or even some from the flowers you find in the floral market of your grocery store, and pound to your hearts content! I especially appreciate Laura Martin's knowledge of flowers shared in her "Plant Guide" in the back of the book. It has inspired me to plant more flowers, spend more time at the floral market and public gardens. I have even purchased seeds from a Wildflower Company online to grow this spring on our 1/2 acre of land that is usually overgrown with weeds! When I visit our kids in Oregon next month, we plan to find some ferns on our hikes that we will pound while taking a rest from our hiking. We will have these beautiful plants preservered as a wonderful reminder of our visit! As a homeschool family, we are using this art to teach our daughter about botany, keeping a visual record of the plants & wildflowers in a notebook, and then looking up the names in books at the library. And we are learning how to cultivate the flowers and are keeping a diary of that process! Highly recommend this book and craft for Garden Clubs, Girl Scouts, and the boys like it, too!

I enjoy this book but had hoped for more instructions than is given. She talks about the materials and techniques but would have liked to see an example with steps all the way through the process.
Beautiful ideas and results on Jane's embroidery!

What an idea generator! It's a beautiful picture book also. Makes me want to "stretch my wings".

This book is fabulous. The work that Jane Hall has done is pure art. Fiber Art to the ultimate. I love how she has developed so many wonderful techniques to achieve the natural looks. I am devouring this book, cover to cover. You will love it!!

I own many books and I have to say this one is by far my favorite. Many fiber artist and embroiderers will be drawn to this book, not only for the exquisite photography of Jane Hall's work, but also for her ability to express what inspires her. You will find that we all share the same inspirations and aspirations for our projects. I recommend this highly. Not a how-to book.

Henry Glassie has written one of the great books of the 21st Century. His descriptions of the history of Bangladesh provide exactly the context needed to understand the folklife and art that he chooses to present from this nation. Glassie balances his own thought-provoking and insightful interpretations with articulate and intriguing texts, edited together from hundreds of hours of interview material. In this manner, Glassie guides the reader to a great understanding of the incredible artistry of the people of Bangladesh. Reading this book forces one to reflect on a range of important issues -- the central one being a compassionate concern with what it means to be wealthy or poor in Bangladesh, and in America.

"Art" must be taken very broadly, not to misjudge this book by its title. Glassie is such an honest, humble writer, one would forgive him for staying with the high arts, but he brings us into the back yards of potters and other craftspeople who labor in mud and obscurity. What I appreciate the most is his exquisite sense of the moment. Glassie never generalizes or universalizes; he shows us how lives and art change (not constantly, but imperceptibly, and also in sudden surges), and at the end we know more about all people by knowing more about these few.

The author has captured the essence of East Bengal in this marvelous book about art in Bangladesh. While the primary medium is pottery, the book also touches on rickshaw art, engraving, boat building, straw mat production and others. More than a description of art and the artists, it delves into the philosophy of Bengal and reaches depths of religious understanding (especially among the Hindu community); that many of us who lived in Bangladesh did not encounter. If you love Bangladesh, this book is must reading.

This lavishly illustrated, full-color book starts out with the creation of nine art dolls and their makers. Every detail of the beautiful dolls is shown up close with general commentary on how they were put together.

The completed dolls were then sent on a 19-month journey from artist to artist and their travels were recorded in art journals that are also splendidly displayed in the pages of the book. The amount of creativity within both the dolls and the journals is staggering - I can't even put the proper words to it. This is one art book you will never regret buying.

This book has been a great resource for a fun project a group of "50" something friends have started. We keep going back to our 20 individual copies to reread and be inspired.

This lavishly illustrated, full-color book starts out with the creation of nine art dolls and their makers. Every detail of the beautiful dolls is shown up close with general commentary on how they were put together.

The completed dolls were then sent on a 19-month journey from artist to artist and their travels were recorded in art journals that are also splendidly displayed in the pages of the book. The amount of creativity within both the dolls and the journals is staggering - I can't even put the proper words to it. This is one art book you will never regret buying.

These designs are a delight to paint and embroider! Each transfer is clear and easy to use, (almost like a stained glass pattern) and there are designs for several different types of projects, from small designs to intricate borders. Each time I look at the book, I'm inspired to start decorating.

This book is full of beautiful art nouveau designs that could be used for many varied applications. I bought this book to help me design my latest tattoo and it has been extremely helpful. I would recommend this book to anyone who needs detailed art nouveau floral patterns.

I love the designs, and recommend tracing with a knitting needle with dressmaker's carbon if you want to use the designs more than once.

The Art of Fine Enameling is not just for practicing enamelists, it is for the collector and art lover, too, as the book includes so many beautiful photos and easy to read descriptions of the major enamleing techniques. As a how-to book, it is for both the beginner and the more skilled enamelist and works well as a text book because of it's easy to read desciptions and it's comprehensive troubleshooting section.

You can read more about the book at
http://www.kcEnamels.com/enamel_book
which lists the Table of Contents, shows you each of the project pieces, includes some additions to the book like a list of photo references of each artist's plate in the book and more.

Seldom am I so impressed by a book that I feel you absolutely must have it, but I can't imagine anyone interested in enameling not having it. This hardcover book contains 160 fully packed high quality pages with 423 color plates and 13 demonstrative sketches. Twenty artists have contributed a wealth of knowledge on their own unique variations of enameling techniques. The projects are: Basse Taille created by etching with natural elements by Ingrid Regula; Champlevé by Katharine Wood; a Cloisonné Brooch created directly in the setting by Karen L. Cohen; Decals and applications of other embellishments by June Jasen; Fusion Inlay Under Enamel by Charles Lewton-Brain; Ginbari Foil Embossing by Coral Shaffer; Grisaille by D.X. Ross; an amazing 8 page mosaic Limoges project by Ora Kuller; Liquid Enamel and Glass Ball Additives by Judy Stone; Minimal Firing (2-3 firings) Enameling by Averill Shepps; Mounting large enamel installations by Marian Slepian; Plique-`a-jour Pierced-heart Pendant by Diane Almeyda; Raku-fired Bowl by Jean Tudor; Separation Enameling by Tom Ellis; Sgraffito Plate and Stenciled Tile by Sally Wright; Silk Screen for Enameling by Ute Conrad; Stone Setting Within an Enamel by Dee Fontans; Torch-altered Metal with Cheesecloth Stencil by Roxane Riva; Torch-fired Beads by Aileen Geddes; and Vessel Forms - how to successfully enamel vertical surfaces - by Sarah Perkins. Additionally, there are Photo Galleries scattered throughout the book representing another 51 of the finest enamelists, with a total of 71 represented in the book.

Each chapter is laid out beautifully and clearly: Tools, Materials, a short overview, Metalwork, Enameling, and Finishing, each in numbered steps. A highlighted box prior to the overview lists Techniques to Know with page references to instructions covered at the beginning of the book. Another lists colors needed to replicate the project as illustrated. "Notes" throughout include helpful hints such as how to avoid problems with a specific instruction, or special touches the author might add at this point. "Tips" include where to find specific tools or supplies. The 3" margin is filled with clear step-by step photos.

The book opens with a brief history and then a complete glossary of terms, techniques and tools used in the book. I thought it brilliant to place these terms first as an integral part of the book instead of an afterthought at the back. The Enamelists' Tool Kit was not just a complete list of everything you could need, but warnings and instructions on how to maintain a safe studio - also important information before jumping headfirst into a project.

The section on Enameling Application covered every possibility, including tools, with referrals to project pages, and firing, including supports, heat sources and their care. Studio Basics, Tips and Tricks included where to scavenge tools, when to high fire, and excellent photos of the four stages of firing. Cohen clarifies the 6 grades of sifting and when to use each with a fine chart. Her helpful hints throughout, such as capturing silt with coffee filters when washing enamels, are wonderful and highlighted so they are easy to spot. She continues with sections on test firing and color analysis, computer-aided designs, metal patterning, soldering/fusing, metal preparation, wirework, basic enamel applications, foil application, finishing , metal finishing, and mounting. Then she added a miscellaneous section, in case she forgot anything. There are 31 tips in these sections alone. Written by Cohen, this information is referred to in every chapter in the highlighted "Techniques to Know" boxes. The final chapter confronts 14 common enameling problems with 56 possible causes and solutions.

This book is overwhelmingly well- organized and leaves out nothing. The artists represented are amongst the best and so are their projects, which can be created in any studio. It's a treasure. It belongs in every studio and every school. Don't miss it!

I really enjoyed this book on enameling. I have always wanted to get involved with this art, but I was concerned that I wouldn't understand any of the terms or processes. I found the book easy to find answers to my questions as I progressed with any steps. I have the opportunity to see many different techniques so I can make decisions on the style I want to use. Keep up the great work - I wish there were books up to this quality level in all the arts!

This book is absolutely delightful! The clarity of presentation with techniques, patterns and finished projects lends itself to becoming a well-worn resource. The only drawback is that I wanted it to be double the size with even more patterns and gallery pictures! What wonderful lay-out! I took it to bed for a week just to feed my soul.

This book inspired me to make paste paper immediately. I have learned many of the techniques within this book firsthand from very talented book artists. Then for the last 3 years I taught young children, adolescents and adults how to make paste paper, to make their own journals and even luminaries. I saw this book on the web. I don't know how I missed it before, but am actually grateful I found it now. It showed up at a time when I felt ready to go deeper. It is well organized, with colorful detailed examples. Great for beginners and those with experience. So! This summer I am playing with this book. I'm making my own brayers and practicing the various papers illustrated. Thank you, thank you, for this dear book!

This book is one of the most enjoyable, helpful and inspiring book I have read. I had not worked with paste paper before, and this book has precise instructions on how to begin exploring this art and what issues to anticipate. The best thing is, the book shows you how to make beautiful art with things found lying around the house. Having read the book, I see possible paste paper tools in everything around me, and I would buy this author's other books.

This book arrived in perfect condition, was still shrink-wrapped and sent by priority mail. The vendor could not have done better by me, the customer.The book itself contains so many of the works by Dow and others whom he influenced that it will be many weeks before I have been able to study them all. And that was the purpose of my buying this book--an opportunity to study works by master artists. What I generally learn--after careful observation of master works-- sinks in and soon establishes itself overtly; for example, I find myself more able to recognize quality or the absence of it in decorative items around me. Even my gardens benefit from the expertise that I have absorbed. So, I am absolutely delighted by the book itself and by the superior service evidenced by the seller. And thank you, Amazon, for providing the available options for purchasing this magnificent book.

This is a valuable book for anyone interested in the decorative arts, especially for understanding the impact of the respected artist and teacher, Arthur Wesley Dow within both the American Arts and Crafts movement and American visual culture. It is a book suited both for the serious academic as well as the art enthusiast. Nancy E. Greene an Jessie Poesch have achieved a fine balance between their insightful scholarly text and the beautiful illustrations of prints, watercolors, photographs, pottery and furniture by Dow and other well-known exponents of this aesthetic shcool. This is truly a visual feast, a great book all around!

Lots and lots of visual reference material. You get to see Dow's work and then see the way his ideas and techniques bore fruit in the imaginations of his students. A perfect combination of useful text and outstanding color illustrations. This is a great example of the beautiful variety and creatifity at work during the few short years of the arts and crafts movement. Arts and Crafts was much more than a heavy dark brown Stickley table.

If you've purchased several books about decorating with Arts and Crafts style and wish to get a more in-depth knowledge of the movement, it's proponents and influences, then this is the book for you. From William Morris to Gustav Stickley, Jane Addams to Frank Lloyd Wright, the author covers the who's who of the movemement, large and small. The book is full of excellent photographs and covers a broad spectrum of the styles popular in Europe and America and how it's design philosophy was incorporated into everything from jewelry to homes. When one thinks of the Arts and Crafts style, Stickley's Craftsman style usually is one of the first things that comes to mind. The "Arts and Crafts Companion" quickly proves that there is much more to the style including Nouveau, Minimalist and Japanese influences. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to have a great reference book as well as to learn much more about the Arts and Crafts movement.

I really enjoyed this on several levels. It's a beautifully produced book, with gorgeous illustrations and photographs, and it provides a very good introduction to the Arts and Crafts movement. The book includes information about its origins and leading exponents, and sections on archutecture, furniture, design, and crafts, all copiously illustrated. There is also a list of sources in the back. This book is excellent for browsers, for those wanting a good introduction to the Arts and Crafts movement, or for those who just like beautiful art books.

This book is informative, well indexed and offers great quality with regard to print, photographic images and text for the price. Very readable.

I was looking for a basic book on arranging silk florals with instructions for basic tabletop arrangements. I was also looking for the fundamentals of silk flowering arranging. I finally found this in this book. Although this book is also about dried flower arranging, it still had more info. about silk flower arranging than 7 other books I have purchased. It was published many years ago but is still current. If you are looking for floral designers showing off their artistic and in my opinion, nothing I would ever make, designs this book is not for you. If you want an artsy, coffee table book try The Art of Floral Arranging by Eileen Johnson. The Art of Arranging Silk Flowers by Emilio Robba is another pretty book and I like it better than the former. Fabulous Faux Florals by Ardith Beveridge has some very good pages on the basics of flowering arranging but the designs, I thought were only ok. Silk Flowers: Complete Color & Style; Guide for the Creative Crafter by Judy Blalcok also has several pages of good instruction on the fundamentals of arranging silk flowers. I just wish there was more of it. My second favorite book would be Silk Flower Arranging: Easy, Elegant Displays by Marcianne Miller. How to Arrange Silk Flowers If You Think You Can't has several pages of good information but the designs are dated and to me, unappealing. Another pretty book is Paula Pryke's Flower School: Mastering the Art of Floral Design. The fundamentals are explained and the information is good but this book deals with fresh flower arranging. If that is what you are looking for, it is a great book.

I found this book very helpful . the projects are simple and easy to make. if you are just staring out then this book is for you.

Decorating With Silk & Dried Flowers is a great book. It has all the information you could want to do flower arranging. The pictures and explanations are also wonderful. I recommend this book to anyone interested in floral design. It's well worth buying enjoy!