Arts and Crafts Books

This book is so invenitive! I have been altering clothes for years and failing at least half the time but this book has made them all a success.It is a great instructional to get you thinking outside the box about some of your less than desireable clothes. The projects are understandable and clear and not full of out of reach materials. Sonya and her projects are relatable and inspiring.

This book is the best craftbook I have ever read (I'll be honest and say I've only read about 15 in my life). Anyways I stumbled across this book at my local book store last week when I was looking for a cook book. The projects in it are easy to follow and they are things that you would actually want to make (unlike most craft books). Anyone with a small dog needs this book since they also have a super cute outfit that took me no time/no money to make.

not only is this book awesome, but i had the awesome luck to be at a table next to sonya at a craft show recently, and she is just awesome!!! if one were to buy books based on the character of the author alone i'd say buy twenty copies of this one becuase this girl is just about the nicest funniest person around. AND there's lots of fun things to do in this book! i can't wait for her next one!

Sonya Nimri's JUST FOR THE FRILL OF IT tells how to put together a hot new wardrobe - with items you already own. These can be items which have lost their luster, or are shoved in back of a closet for some reason - but Nimri shows how to turn these once-appealing clothes into new styles, from pairing a scarf with an old sweater to produce a novel tango top to stretching old ties together to make a new shirt. The focus on contemporary styles for 20-somethings makes for a fun, appealing idea book packed with easy sewing instructions and color photos: perfect for libraries seeking something different and practical for a needlework addition.

this book was so much fun! I bought it and sat down for a night w. friends w. wine and dinner and we all brought what we thought was "junk" from our closets... who knew! by the end of the night we had bunch of new fun outfits to wear, tshirts, shoes, my fave black dress (worn a few too many) and even a garter belt! All new fashionable stuff -- who knew! It was super simple and so easy to follow, plus this kept me from a shopping spree, and it was one fantastic night w. friends!!!! I definitely recommend it!

I am sitting down w. my niece to redo her school wardrobe next week! I hope it goes as well as this!!!!!

THIS BOOK IS A MUST HAVE,IF YOU LOVE THE JAPANESE SWORD AND THE SAMURAI.TONS OF BEAUTIFUL PICTURES ALL IN COLOR.TSUBA AND FITTINGS.

Being relativelly new to the subject of Japanese swords and fittings I was quite impresse by two things:
- Quality of the pictures
- Description of the items
I think this is worht having for anyone that trully appreciates the japanese swordmanship and art itself.

Very amazing photos, and quality information on each photo and sword. I would highly recommend this book to anyone.

This review is a joint effort with Laerte E. Ottaiano
The book is very good . It has a few annoying errors. I give example of two of them: On page 171 there is a tsuba described as "Design of Egret and Crab" . However the Crab is not there . It is on the back of the Tsuba and is relatively ugly in our opinion . On page 193 there is a tsuba described as "Design of deer and the moon". Again the moon can not be seem. It is on the back of the tsuba and is very,very, beautifull. You can check what we told in the book by Ogawa Morihiro on the Boston Collection. The great thing of this book is that it presents a new way to way to apreciate Tsubas.Kinko( as oposed to steel , sukashi tsubas) were underrated in the USA and Canada. Only steel tsubas were considered old and of true use by Samurai.As this book teaches us this is not so. Kinko Tsubas were used by Samurai and Sukashi Steel ( or Iron ) Tsubas are not usualy so old . This came as a great relief for us . We always thought that Kinko tsubas were works of art. It is a grest relieve to find this in this book

On top on anything else, this book has the best pictures of japanese sword fittings that I've had the chance to see so far. There are many good close-ups that show well the work done by the craftmen.
Earle goes through explaining the evolution of sword fittings by presenting the influence of History upon the samurai, and their needs.
He also exposes techniques, although not in depth - it is not the purpose of this book - and materials used in the making of the tsuba and other fittings.
I believe he succeeds in bringing the reader to understand the how and the why behind those very impressive works of art.
The works chosen - among the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston; probably the greatest collection of japanese swords and sword fittings outside Japan - are just plain divine. The pictures were all taken using digital technology, and -as a photographer - I must say it is above anything I'd have expected from any technology and any subject. A must have for any japanese art/craft/design/sword lover.

I bought this book after meeting the author. The book cover doesn't look as pretty as other books but they are wonderful! The writing is marvelous! I learned a lot about the Lewis and Clark Expedition from this book. I was also impressed with the activities that go along with the book. Very nice. I wish I had bought the book on Columbus and the exploration of the New World, it is out of print, but I bet it's good!

This book is full of information and activities that are interesting to kids. Many pieces of information that I never came across in other books. For younger children (4-7), the best one might be Lewis & Clark: A Prairie Dog for the President.

Build a keelboat, learn how to use a compass, carve a canoe - all of these adventures await you in The Lewis & Clark Expedition! Terrific book which makes the Expedition come alive. The activities and illustrations are excellent and have proven to be winners with children of all ages.

What a lot is packed into this brief (112 pages) activity book for children! It's a vivid account of the Lewis & Clark Expedition, rich in adventure, yet also presenting the journey from many political and cultural angles. Activities and lively descriptions bring out not just the physical conditions of the trip, but leadership dilemmas, and moral issues faced along the way.

The book is filled with apt and frequently witty illustrations. Also, numerous intriguing asides about the trip mesh nicely with the main narrative.

Facts are presented; questions are posed. Children are asked to think - and after the mental activity - they'll come away from the book feeling they were there

The Lewis and Clark Expedition, by Carol Johmann, is a fantastic book filled with first-hand information about two of our U.S. history's famous explorers. Johmann includes excerpts from Lewis & Clark's own journals, as well as from some of their fellow soldiers. This lends a great deal of authenticity to Johmann's book, as well as gives the reader a feel of being right alongside these men as they progress on their journey west.
As a home-schooling mom, I especially find Johmann's kid-friendly style of writing refreshing as well as informative. The inclusion of various age-appropriate crafts throughout the book is a great way to stimulate further interest in the reader, and gives the child an even greater understanding of what these two men and their crew dealt with during their journey.
I highly recommend this book. For the home-schooler, this is an excellent social studies curriculum combining intellect with creativity. For public schools, it's a fantastic way to draw the students in and give them a more thorough understanding of the trials and accomplishments Lewis & Clark underwent. For parents who want to give their child(ren) (or themselves) a more informative and well-rounded experience of Lewis & Clark's exploration for westward expansion as well as to determine if a single water route existed across the continent to better accommodate for trade, this is the book for you!
Ms. Johmann, two thumbs up!

Luminous Landscapes exceded all my expectations. I was fortunate to attend Gloria's workshop in 2004 in Durban, South Africa and enjoyed every minute. It is wonderful to have the book now to refresh my mind, to give more inspiration and to learn new techniques. The book is very good worth for money and very well and clearly illustrated. Instructions are easy to follow. I can highly recommend it to fellow-quilters.

This book is one of the best I've seen. There are some well written and well-organised sections dealing with the principles of composition, colour and stitching techniques. Gloria usually starts her landscapes with a painted background, so she gives a short well-illustrated section on fabric painting. Most of that stuff is available elsewhere, but it is assembled and illustrated particularly well.
The second half of the book contains details of her construction methods. One of those is using freezer paper on the right side of the fabric for appliqued shapes. The second - her signature style - is pieced sections on point, blended into the applique design. She gives clear diagrams
and inspiring examples of this technique. She then gives some examples of how to achieve different effects for trees, water and reflections. There is a gallery of student work, and two fully illustrated projects with paper patterns included at the back.
In my view this is excellent value, a perfect blend of practical tips and inspiration.

I like this book because it shows me lots of different ways to make designs on fabrics. I can use them in my own designs. Don`t have to make copys of others designs.

Just as the title describes, this book is filled with luminous, georgous quilts and every secret you need to know on how to make your own. Gloria has given detailed instructions and methods on how to create every aspect of landscapes, backgrounds, forgrounds, sky, oceans, animals along with details on how to combine fabrics, apply paint and she has even included patterns. This book is easy to understand and recommended for beginners or advanced quilters wanting to take their creative abilities to a new level.

If you love Gloria's quilts you will love this book. I have done two workshops with Gloria and it is very useful to have this book to put everything she covered in the workshops and more as a permanent resource. It is very detailed so is wonderful for people who have not had the opportunity to attend a workshop.

I found the pictures and descriptions very helpful. Good ideas and easy to follow, even if this is new to you.

Very clear directions and instructions with lots of pictures. This should be the first book that anyone buys, if they're wanting to make dollhouse dolls... simple enough for a beginner. Historical details.

I was very frustrated when I was looking to but miniature dolls because they are so expensive. I'm a do it yourself kind of person and this book really helped me through the entire process to make my own dolls. The book starts with a description of all kinds of polymer clay and the author makes her recommendations of clays suitable for miniatures. The book has patterns to make women, men, girls, boys and babies. There are different variations for the different periods (for example the position of the breast to fit better the different styles of dresses, the shoes, etc.) It also has variations to make the dolls look older. The diferents periods represented in this book are: Tudor, Regency, Victorian, and Edwardian. It comes complete with patterns, fabric guidance and full instructions on how to dress the dolls and how to make the wigs. A lot of photos of beautiful dolls in a doll house setting. Do not get discoreage if at the beginning you don't get good results, the author herself advises to practice until your skills improve. It really doesn't take much. Buy this book, you won't be sorry.

If,together with this review,I could place a picture of the two dolls I was able to make following Sue Heaser's instructions in this book,you would know why this book should be in everyone's library (that is,all miniaturists). Do not miss out on the author's "Making dollhouse miniatures with polymer clay". This is,in my opinion, another "five stars" book that I absolutely love.

I do a lot of different handwork, including very occasional polymer clay, but I bought this book because my then 5 yo daughter loved it. Everytime we went to the store that carried it, I browsed patterns and fabric, she lusted over this book. Finally, I just had to give in to her before someone else bought "her" book. :-)

We haven't been disappointed. The illustrations are very clear, and very much to scale. I love having clothing patterns for the dolls available- they're worthwhile even if you never make one of the dolls. The clear directions make it almost easy to make a face that actually looks like a face. The supplies lists are very straightforward and doesn't include anything you can't easily pick up at your local craft supply stores.

I highly recommend this book, even for children. A 6 yo is a little young to be able to carry out the project on her own, but working together with an adult is very possible.

The quilts are stunning and relatively easy to make. You learn which technique for half square triangles works best for you and the directions are easy to follow.

This is one of the better technique books I've seen. There's so many different ways to make a perfect triangle block you can find the one that works best for you! The quilt projects are stunning and fun. Great for beginner to intermediate quilters.

This book has wonderful quilts! It suggests beautiful colors and the instructions are great and easy to follow. If you like leaves, this book is a must have!
Sandy

The use of color is fantastic, from traditional to artsy. As an added bonus there are also some very inventive border treatments. There are some terrific techniques here and the directions are easy to follow.

I LOVE FALL and this book puts me in the mood to quilt for those cool autumn days coming up. Plus by making the maple leaf block, Ms. Bartos makes that one block look like many others just by the way she orientates the block itself.

The author shows us nine ways to make half triangle squares which is the main square that makes up the maple leaf block. Read the how-to's and decide which method works the best for you. Once you have chosen how you want to make your half triangles, go on to the how to make a stem section. There are three ways to make these and one should work for you.

Pick one of the twelve patterns and start sewing. Before long, you will have a table runner, a quilts or a wall hanging from half triangle squares. Each pattern has a materials and cutting list with a photo of the completed item. The finished size of the item and the finished block size are given as well.

Instructions on how to make the blocks for the project are listed next and there are graphics to help explain the instructions. Assembling the project and finishing suggestions complete the pattern. What are you waiting for? Grab a copy and start working on that comfy cool weather quilt.

This is a wonderful book that goes into great detail about how to write each letter. The author knows so much about copperplate and she offers great advice and tips. Listen to her advice! Instructions are very easy to follow and I got a really great understanding of writing copperplate. Great for beginners or for those with experience who want to work on technique.

This book is wonderful! Mt daughter got interested in calligraphy after a project in school about colonial America. I bought this book for her to try to learn one of the styles of that period. It was a bit much for her, but I became fascinated by it and quickly began to improve my own penmanship. This style of writing is not the easiest form of calligraphy out there, and I wouldn't reccommend it for someone just learning to use a calligraphy pen, but after a little practice holding the pen and some basic calligraphy like unical or roman, an older child or adult will find this a very helpful book.

I have a number of books on Copperplate. This is the most thorough, and produces the best results. Winters sweats the details, both in the letterforms (which all the books cover), but in the fine details of them, details of posture, help in choosing paper and ink (A real issue when trying to learn copperplate -- the right paper can make all the difference).

Absolutely, if you're trying to learn Copperplate, get a copy of Winters and read it. It will make all the difference.

After studying calligraphy through workshops and lessons since 1989, I decided to add Copperplate to my repertoire. I found learning this style requires a whole new "think" on writing: different flexible pen nibs, pen angles, paper slant, stops, bold and hairline strokes, and of course incredible(albeit refined)embellishment. This book holds prime position in my library, is ink-stained and spotted, has pages unbound from overuse, and is the most perfect way to learn this hand as any I have ever seen. Every time I want to use Copperplate on a commission or project, I haul it out to have beside me, to remember all the little specifics that make Copperplate so beautiful. I love this book!

First to Eleanor--thank you thank you thank you! For giving me a handwriting style that will last centuries yet.

Ahem... Copperplate hand is beautiful, and instead of having to guess how to go about making it right from a one-page sample, you have a kind and considerate teacher walk you through a complete tutorial in a real-world classroom pace--with every intention of actually passing down this beautiful hand--warts and elegance--all--from her years of experience into your fingers. This text will be your guide to teaching future generations this beautiful hand. I am honored to have found this book and even more honored to have the chance to learn this hand from a true master. I hope you will find it, as I did, that her tone is considerate, experienced, and helpful every step of the way--she made _every_ _word_ _count_. She will never bore you.

At this moment I plan to work on this hand whenever I take notes. I have a Namiki/Pilot Vanishing Point fountain pen, and although the default nib cannot vary stroke width through pressure--it's a hard nib--I have every intention of enjoying the styling of copperplate in my everyday writings. Like any others who have recently rediscovered the pleasure of writing a journal, I am using a fountain pen or a roller ball on a Moleskine brand notepad. There are many blogs and online write-ups helping you get into this fun activity. Check them out. But I realize I need a cursive hand to work on, otherwise my handwriting would remain illegible! But thanks to Ms. Winters--I am saved!

The book is a nice book with interesting designs but not my style of work

Carol has hit the jackpot with this book. It is definitely not the a repetition of projects found in other books. All are new and fresh ideas and designs. The layout focuses on a type of jewelry then moves through difficulty levels from beginner to advanced. Each step is accompanied by clear, detailed instructions with photos. Her designs are appealing and interesting and I don't get the sense that they were just created to fill out the book. Even if you don't make the projects there is a wealth of ideas and techniques to explore and try out. Tip boxes are placed to explain points of construction and alternatives to her instructions. Basic materials and tools review is in the back which means that 90% of the book is given to learning these new and exciting ways to work with metal clay. This is a definite must have for your metal clay/jewelry making library even if you're not a beginner.

Metal clay can produce fantastic jewelry results, and METAL CLAY BEYOND THE BASICS shows how to get these results with 24 projects in five jewelry categories covered in step-by-step written instructions and photos. There are even directions on how to blend metal clay with other materials, from ceramics to gemstones. An outstanding survey evolves.

Absolutely loved this new book. I found it to be full of unique projects using multiple techniques and innovative ways of doing things. I liked Carol's style of writing as well as her content and hope to hear from her again and again .
A good measure of how much I liked a book is where I want to spend my next vacation....Carol's studio would be great!
Debby Kirkwood

Wow! This book has something for everyone. Each project section is laid out starting with a beginning project, moving through intermediate and on to advanced. No mater what your skill level is currently, this book will take you to the next level and beyond. It's well written and organized beautifully with a wide variety of projects and techniques. All the projects are unique and different. It definitely inspired me. I can't wait to try out these projects! I recommend this book highly. It's a great addition to any metal clay library, whether it's your first book or you have a whole shelf full.

Excellent instructions, good photos, and even new ideas. Inspirational. This one goes beyond the basics that McCreight is so good with. One of his better books and they are all good.

Tim has gathered beautifully photographed examples of remarkably intricate and creative boxes and lockets. However, rather than intimidate the novice, his instructions are so clear that one can turn out a modest success quickly. This book is to box making what Stark's book is to chains.

Moving on from Jewelry: Fundamentals of Metalsmithing, McCreight has produced an excellent reference book for the metalsmith. Certainly not intended for a beginner, this book is inspirational in the examples shown, beautiful photography, clear consice instructions and more than adequate step by step photographs of some of the techniques. This is more about techniques used than a project based book. Even if you are a beginner, the photographs/gallery alone are worth buying this book for so that you can aspire to create pieces on a par with some of the artists represented in this book. I will never look at a box or locket in the same way.

I found the section on hinges to be worth the price of the book, and another section on catches is almost as good. Many other topics are covered as well. The color photos illustrate what can be done with the techniques and materials being discussed. A wide range of styles is portrayed, and not everyone would find all of them to be attractive, but that really does not matter. You can create something in your own style using the techniques described. This is a reference work, but I also consider this an instructional book with a number of projects anyone can pursue if he or she owns the basic tools for metalworking.

After having enjoyed his "Jewelry: Fundamentals of Metalsmithing", I decided I definitely wanted to purchase Tim McCreight's book on boxes and lockets. I had no doubt that this book would be as informational and interesting as the previous book, and I was not wrong. This well-written book excels not only in its specialized instruction in hinges and catch mechanisms, but also in its foundation of basic and intermediate metalsmithing. In addition, the wealth of color photographs of works by many other artists in addition to the author provides a veritable trove of inspiration for one's own original pieces. The appendices provide helpful information and numbers pertaining not only to fabricating boxes and lockets, but to all silver and goldsmithing in general. I must concur with the general consensus that McCreight's book are all essential resources for the metalsmith.

Even though this book was written in 1969, the practical ideas and observations it offers are just as valid today as they were then. If you were marooned on a desert island and you had only one book to read, this would be the one I would pick. I enjoy reading this book and I highly recommend it.

Read this book before you make your PowerPoint presentation and you will not regret it. The irony is that PowerPoint hadn't been invented yet when this book was written.

"Moving Mountains" is about the real world of making presentations in business and academia. The author really knows what he is talking about. His insights into the psychology of presenters and audiences go way beyond the superficialities of many of these books, written by consultants who never really had to keep alive a crucial project. One of the best features is that Boettinger wrote before anyone was using personal computers with PowerPoint, so he concentrates on the real and permanent issues of presentations, not the unimportant features of a specific tool, and it's easy to use his insights with modern technology. It is worth buying this book even at the high prices charged in the used market, and it should be a prime candidate for a reprint edition.

This is a must-read book if you ever plan to make a presentation, even if it's just a presentation to yourself as it will help you clarify your thinking. The book is nearly 40 years old now, but don't be fooled. The language is a tiny bit archaic, but the ideas and suggestions are golden and timeless. It contains ideas for presentation of ideas, organization of projects and critical thinking. The last chapter on generating ideas alone is worth the price of admission.

I've read books on public speaking and making presentations for 40 years. I've been a priest, trainer, speech coach for Microsoft, speech writer for a Supreme Court Chief Justice in Washington State, and coach of people who appear on television. Moving Mountains is so insightful that I have passed on Boettinger's ideas for the past 20 some years. No one source has more insights into human nature, graphics, and persuasion and is written in lush, practical language. Simply the best book I have ever read. Period.

Seek this book. I've read books on presentations for 40 years and teach public speaking across America. This is the most insightful book, in fact the very best book I've ever read, period. The psychological savvy into groups, the chapter on graphics and visuals, the hundreds of little tips and techniques is unmatched. His emphasis on meeting the audience's needs is brilliant. I've been using Boettinger's ideas for more than 20 years they've helped me earn more than a million dollars and still no author has matched his fluent style, novel-like descriptions, and breath of knowledge. Search and purchase.