Arts and Crafts Books

Like all of Tim's book this is a keeper. What a great reference to have on hand. I had no prior background in casting and this covers it all from the very basic to the more advanced. A great buy.

Very good information put in easy to understand language and tips to cast on a budget.

Don't let the sub title Studio Reference throw a scare in you. With its lay flat binding and clear and concise steps, you will be using it in the studio as a ready reference book. As somebody who owns and have read over 25 books on casting and foundry work. This book was a light read compared to some it doesn't get bogged down in to much tech for tech sake. If you just want to find out about what it takes to do a little casting or jump in and go all the way this is the one book for you. I own it.

This book, like McCreight's other books on working metals, divides the subject into easily digestible portions and treats each topic separately (often on a separate page) with a short discussion. Line drawings help clarify important points. The focus is on the tools, materials, and techniques of lost wax casting, but also covers sand casting, the use of flexible molds, using the services of a foundry, and other topics of concern to the studio metalsmith. It's a great reference tool if you need to look up the proper sequence to use in a particular technique, or a formula for making your own crucibles. Learning to cast almost requires hands-on instruction, and this book alone cannot provide that. But if you're already familiar with casting, it's a wonderful reference.

Tim McCreight's books are always excellent, and PRACTICAL CASTING
is yet another gem. I especially appreciate it's easy to follow format and the author's generous "make-it-yourself" directions for tools and gadgets that can be easily put together by the jewelry crafter. These tips really come in handy and save having to buy yet another expensive doodad to complete a process.

I gave this book to my friend's daughter and she absolutely adores the book. It's so imaginative, beautiful and well-written that any "princess" you know is bound to love it.

The illustrations are gorgeous, and the writing is enjoyable for an adult to read as well, because there's a bit of tongue-in-cheek humor sprinkled with some fairy dust throughout that had me purchasing my own copy after I gave it as a gift!

An absolute charmer from start to finish, Princess Crafts is a magical mixture of craft projects and handbook for princesses both
young and old. Full of fun, fashion, and oodles of glitter, the
craft projects are creative without being complicated. From
Rapunzel Ribbon Wigs to Fancy-Prancy Dancing Slippers, this crafty
book will surely bring out your inner princess!

Both of my goddaughter's LOVED this book! Each had their favorite craft---Your Carriage Awaits allowed Nicole to have the most glamorous bicycle on the block---she was certainly the princess on her custom designed chariot! Nicole was also inspired to have a princess party with her friends! Alexa loved making the Rapunzel hair and couldn't wait to show her dad how fun it was to have cool super-long ribbon hair! This book was so well written--easy to follow instructions and entertaining factoids. Little girls love to play dress up and it's great that there are ideas for all kinds of beautiful princesses---sparkly, glittery fuzzy & more!

This book is chock full of fantastic craft ideas for kids of any age, economic status and creativity. The author is able to take items we already have around the house and make fun and diverse craft projects. I highly recommend this book to anyone that has a princess in THEIR family.

Princess Crafts celebrates the "modern princess," as it combines classic princess ideas from literature and film with a modern twist for the soon to be independent woman. The creative and fun craft projects (which mostly require simple and easy to obtain supplies) will entertain little girls endlessly (and some adults too). The text, charmingly written by Hauser, is clever and humourous yet consistently provides clear instructions on the projects. Parett's dynamic illustrations and high quality photographs also provide a solid road map for the crafts. Finally, one of the best aspects of this book is that the projects and activities are sure to inspire these young princesses to be creative and crafty beyond the scope of this fantastic and original book for kids.

This book is an ABSOLUTE MUST for a rag rug weaver. It is the best book I've found yet that describes not only the art of weaving rag rugs but also tries to give an historical account of looms that were made. I used this book as a reference when I bought an used loom. Since the labeling was missing on the loom, the previous owner could not identify what kind of loom she was selling. I was able to not only identify the loom, but I knew from this book that the type of loom I bought was appropriate for rag rug weaving. If you want to learn rag rug weaving, this is the book to get!

Paula and Janet did well with this book. I am a novice rug weaver and found the directions to be easy to follow and the results pleasing. Definitely buy this book if you're looking for something on weaving rag rugs!

A great source of information. Thank you for the speedy service.

I love this book because it's hard to remember all the steps to weaving when it takes so long to accomplish any project, and this book has all the stuff I need. It's a resource for my "library" for frequent reference.

This book was great for us as beginner weavers. A loom was given to us - all in pieces. By remembering his grandmother's loom and with the pictures in this book, my husband assembled the loom and is now weaving his second rug. This book has lots of information and pictures and is an excellent guide for us "beginner weavers".

This happened to be the first seed bead book I bought, and though I've collected a few others, it remains my favorite. The instructions are clear, the illustrations are excellent, and the project ideas are inspiring (and do-able). My favorite: The spiral stitch -- see the design shown on the cover in Crayola-like colors. It was not only fun to make, but came out exactly as shown. The book is organized in a way that makes sense: after an overview of the materials you will need, there is a chapter devoted to each stitch (with variations). It's full of pretty things you'd actually like to make. (Please note this is seed bead stitching - there is no loom work.)

This is a very creative book by a very gifted artist. Very detailed instructions. I really like it better than most beading books.

This is the best bead book I have ever brought I have beaded for the last 4 years and I found that it was easy to read and very good for the begining and the advanced. The best purchase I have made for a long time. wonerful wonderful sylvia martin

Introduction is kept to a minimal 6 pages which includes very helpful material on seed beads. Chapters are peyote, brick, right angle weave, tri and quad stitches, daisy chain, spiral rope stitch and Russian stitches. Each chapter has a good basic project followed by variations that would interest the more experienced beader. Also there are many suggestions for changing the project perhaps from earrings to also a bracelet and necklace. All the steps in a project are shown with color photos. Steps of procedure are clearly explained and the materials list is very similar to that in the Bead and button magazines. Projects include several quick ones like rings and earrings as well as bracelets, etc. I made her striped ring in brick stitch and found it to be great to wear even though I never thought of wearing rings before. Today I made the daisy chain set above. There are so many good ideas here . The book is so well written that it's almost like the author is sitting by telling me how to proceed. If you enjoy working with seed beads, definitely pick up this one.

MANY BEADING BOOKS ARE MADE FOR THE NOVICE OR BEGINNING BEADER. THIS BOOK , HOWEVER, HAS GOOD INFORMATION FOR THE EXPERIENCED BEADER. THERE ARE HINTS AND LITTLE "TRICKS" THAT CAN HELP HONE ONE'S CRAFT. THE PICTURES AND DIAGRAMS ARE CLEAR AND VERY EASY TO FOLLOW

This is a great little book with big ideas! I teach sewing to kids and have used some of the projects in our classes. I think a good sewer ages 12 and up could independently make some of these on their own!

I gave this book to my [...] Grand Daughter along with a sewing machine for her Birthday. It was a great hit! The projects in this book were great and just right for a young girl learning to sew. We both just love this book.

I brought this book for my 10 year old grand daughter. She found it easy to understand.

Judy Sadler is great-- I also love her knitting books. I've looked through stacks of library books about sewing and knitting as a novice adult learner, and find that her books contain the clearest instructions, avoid a lot of confusing technical chatter, and jump-start you on sewing or knitting right away without assuming you know terminology and abbreviations. From this book specifically, I have made the pin cushion and the makeup bag (both turned out really cute and looked just like the illustration), and plan to make a few more items. These were my first-ever attempts at using a sewing machine, so I was impressed.

Hope she writes a longer book full of more sewing projects.

My 8 year-old granddaughter asked if I would teach her to sew. I am not gifted with natural teaching abilities, but I told her I would have a go at it this summer once school was out. I needed a book with simple but fun projects that a young girl would want to make. Making something she would have no use for or that was so difficult as to frustrate would only discourage her. The book Simply Sewing is full of easy fun projects that most kids will enjoy doing. A Beach Bag, a simple skirt are a couple of the projects in the book.
My granddaughter is excited to start sewing.

What a lovely book. The photos are absolutely superb. So clear. Love the photo's of the owners wearing them. Such a diverse range of designs. The skill of the designers & the jewellers who made them is just brilliant. If you love jewellery this book will not disappoint you.

Excellent adventure into an art form using precious metals and jewels to make the perfect man made crowning glory. The text and photos bring a historical context to enjoy the art and creativity this subject requires. The gems , the glitter and imagined glamour make this book a must have along with Geoffrey Munn's definative text published earlier "Tiara's : A History of Splendour" .

I was lucky enough to SEE the exhibition at Vic and Albert in London and that is where I got this book. Tiaras were absolutely fabulous and the book transportes the magic and splendor very well. I gave this book to a friend who owns antique jewellery shop and am thinking about getting another copy for myself.

Wow! I just got this book, and G.Mann's huge other tiara book. This one is based on the exhibit that was done at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and contains not only old tiaras, but modern ones done just for the exhibit. There is very little overlap between the two books, so I was not disappointed. The photos are huge, clear, and show lots of detail. There's also lots of good information. The other, bigger book is a better deal at $47, but this one's no slouch either, and the price and size would make it a great gift.

[...]

I recived this book as a gift. It was one of two books on tiaras by G.C. Munn, this book gives you a look at what kind of Tiaras are being made and worn by todays Women. The Photos are of good quality and sharpness You can see the Craftmanship in each piece.
If you ever wanted to have your own Tiara this is the closest thing to it.

Excellent topic and book. Covers the material very well. I was very suprised by the depth in the material.

I thought this book was just great...to sum it up. It was new and exciting. I've been to a few of the locations listed in this book and the pictures are exactly like I remember them. I actually got a chance to check out the dvd included and was amazed by the layout and objects that were listed on it. I have been a Bond fan since I was a kid and i have to say this is a must have for any Bond fan especially one that is living in Florida or interested in the movie series or locations.

WHAT A WONDERFUL BOOK AND BONUS CD.IF YOU PLAN TO GO TO THE FLORIDA KEYS AND ARE A JAMES BOND FAN THIS BOOK IS A MUST.I HIGHLY RECCOMEND IT.

This book is a must for any James Bond fan! It's also a great guide for anyone visiting the Florida Keys. This book is full of interesting facts, places to visit & things to do in Key West. We visited the Keys last year, but will have to go again, this time with our trusty 007 Exotic Location Book...it should be fun seeking out the locations where many famous James Bond scenes were filmed from "Licence To Kill." This book also has a fantastic Price Guide for hundreds of 007 Autographs, Posters, Props, Costumes & Collectibles. Imagine your surprise when you start looking up the price on some of your old 007 toys, old beer cans, records, etc., and find that some are worth literally hundreds of dollars!!! This book is a great buy that comes with a bonus DVD exclusively for the James Bond fan. Mr. Arnold's book is a fun, easy read, with great pictures and descriptions of both the locations and in the price guide section. Like I said, every single James Bond fan WORLDWIDE should have this book in their library of 007 collectibles!

Jim Arnold has expanded his "License To Kill: Exotic Vacation Key West" to a 160-page book format in trade softcover, a significant expansion from the soft wraps handbook he created in 2004.

Arnold, a Tampa-area Florida resident, knows Key West well and frequently travels there for their famous annual fests and celebrations. Some background and Key West history and travelogue is included before he plunges into film locations from the underrated License To Kill (1989 starring Timothy Dalton as James Bond and Carey Lowell as Pam Bouvier).

James Bond aficionados have good fortune, as there are hundreds of exterior locations still recognizable from the films worldwide. A Star Wars fan cannot board the bridge of the Millennium Falcon, but Bondians have places to go on every continent except Antarctica. Almost the first hour of License To Kill was shot around Key West, and more than a dozen James Bond locations are on Arnold's quick pick map of the big island, with all of them a short walking distance from the famous Mallory Square. Or take Arnold's advice to rent a comfortable golf cart in town and see another dozen or so locations he points out further a field on the Key.

Key West is one of the best Bond sites overall and has a large number of Bond movie and other film locations, which Arnold describes. License To Kill trivia and about 60 additional film locations are included from Miami and Key West to around Florida, making this book a good reference for a movie fan to use and enjoy on a trip to the Sunshine State.

Arnold added a photo and text directory guide to more than 200 James Bond collectibles, many of them in stock at his Reel Art props store. Arnold is a big fan of the series who replicates and duplicates many of the screen used items from 007's most famous adventures, and he has included a pictorial guide to his pieces along with many of the toys, games and nostalgia from the 60's onwards that will bring back "happy Bonding" for baby boomers on up.

New for this release, a bonus DVD was added, which includes an hour of footage from 2003's SpyFest convention in L.A., some of the Bond Collectors' Weekends and other fan events, and of course, footage from Arnold's personal tribute trips to see the Key West and Miami-area Bond sights.

This is one of the first ever books devoted to Bond movie locations and hopefully more will be on the way soon for fans to enjoy. - - Matt Sherman, BCW Productions

This is a book your kids will enjoy, as far as you would ever expect your kids to enjoy a math workbook. The puzzles do build up a bit of suspense, and I like the problem solving approach. Recommended!

Nice and challenging. My kids are happy with it. I give them one challenge from this book on the drive to school every morning and give them 10-15 mins to complete. It's nice to have books like this. They're only 8&9 but they cover most of it.

I'm a private math tutor and am using this book as a Friday reward for two sixth grade girls who are studying algebra one with me. It is challenging in some interesting ways. It is full of story problems to be unraveled, about two kids who are detectives. I had given it to my daughter, who was the first year teacher and she said her kids loved it more than any other part of math. They can be solved alone or in groups. I really recommend this book.

I used a couple of these mysteries in my 5th grade classroom. The students enjoyed them because it was different then the way they usually practiced problem solving. The only downside to this book is that I think it is more challenging than the ages suggested. There were only a few stories that were appropriate for my 5th graders and those were still very challenging for them. I wouldn't reccommend this book to someone with a general ed. 4th grade classroom but it is perfect for junior high (6th, 7th, 8th) students!

This product helped my grand daughter who was having math difficulty better understand math concepts. She was having fun at the same time.

EXCELLENT review of many techniques, styles and approaches to clay tiles. Well presented with very good reproduction. A great addition to any potter or artists library. Expanded technical data would make this edition even better, but I still rate it a "9"...

Among the very best of the Lark Books "500" series. Brilliant color and design, not limited to traditional tiles and encouraging to the artist craftsman.

This book is a bounty of styles and artistic ideas for what tiles could and may become, with an open mind and some creative techniques. As a beginning ceramicist, this is exactly the sort of thing I was looking for; as I wanted to break out of the traditional 4x4 square and make something wholly unconventional. I wasn't sure if my ideas would work, but after seeing what others have done I am inspired to make my dreams a reality. Thanks to books like these, I can let my imagination run wild and my only limit will be time and creativity.

I must agree with the previous reviewers, the work in this volume certainly merits "Inspiring" being in the title.

As the juror states in the book's introduction, so much of the fun of this book is seeing the widely varied approaches the artists have taken with this format: figurative, abstract, painterly, sculptural, small-scale, architectural.

Full disclosure: my work is also included (p 409), and I am honored to have been selected and published next to so many visionary artists.

What a pleasure it has been to explore the works contained here, some by artists I know personally, or by reputation, and still others I am encountering for the first time. Highly recommended!

At the risk of being self serving (my work is featured on page 411) I have to say as a clay artist in general and more particularly as a tilemaker this collection is inspiring. The depth of styles and techniques used here is incredible; as someone who has to date been primarily using glazes and underglazes, the examples in this book have immediately sent me back to my local clay supplier in search of new ways to express myself in clay. A must have for anyone who aspires to create art through the medium of tile.

What I love the most about Jeff Wilhelm's reading strategy books is that I always come away with ideas I can use the next day in the classroom. This book has ideas you can use in the classroom on EVERY page. Teachers, myself included, don't have all the time in the world and can't read all the articles and books on new research that we wish we could. But make the time to read this one. It is worth every minute!

This book arrived in excellent condition. It arrived much better than I thought it would. Thank you so much.

I have not found a better book to help students really get into literure and LOVE IT!!!

It is exciting, informative, and has great ideas for teaching literature!

Wilhelm's book, Action Strategies for Deepening Comprehension is one of the most valuable teaching resources I own. I've had phenomenal success with the hotseating and tableaux activities, only two of the terrific resources in this great book. Kids of all ages love hotseating in particular because it's so much fun. In a nutshell: one kid gets in front of the room (I drape a piece of red fabric across the stool) and "becomes" the character. He/She may have a "helper" of their choosing by their side. The rest of the class are "reporters" who ask the character any question they choose. The student in the hotseat may confer with his "helper" in order to answer as the character would...and therein lies the beauty of this. As the questions and answers unfold, everybody is thinking and when an answer doesn't ring true, the majority
will know it and question it.

We've done this with multiple characters as well as the "author." The questions are nearly always completely authentic; as kids, most would feel stupid speculating about motive, etc., and asking questions, but as
"reporters" it feels completely natural. I love to see the light bulbs go in everybody's head when new ideas--synthesis!--occurs.

One of my best hot-seating moments was after reading "The Gift of the Magi," a difficult work for my 8th graders. We'd hotseated the two main characters as well as O. Henry, and it was the question to O. Henry that did it. A girl who had a real problem with making inferences asked him why he'd written the lines about Della being afraid that her new short hair made her look like a Coney Island chorus girl. My student, Tony, clearly had paid no attention whatsoever to that description--in fact I was surprised that anyone had-- and he really had to think. Finally, he answered, saying, "I wanted Della to be a little bit afraid that maybe she didn't look like a (and he stressed thsi)nice girl."

The book also offers a number of other "action" activities that you can use. For my money, these are terrific
for any age! I encourage you to check this out. I also had the pleasure of hearing Dr. Wilhelm present his research and findings on his new book, Going with the Flow, and I was wowed to hear him in person as well.

I took a workshop with Wilhelm this summer. He demonstrated these techniques and I quickly bought the book.
This book has revolutionized my teaching and I am going back to school this year incredibly excited about using it in my classroom. I teach kids that struggle and this is going to be great for them.

Wilhelm is a dynamic speaker. If you can, snag him for your school's professional development or run to any workshop he is giving.

Enjoy!