Crafts Hobbies Books

I have 4 or 5 beading books and this is my favorite. It really answers the questions you might have if you are a beginner beader unlike many of the other books that claim they are for beginners. Great Book!

Not good! I was hoping for ideas for beginners. I'm not to creative and thought it might have some examples or ideas. Totally dissapointed.

The problem with the "For Dummies" series of books is that they are too simple for advanced users, but leave out the incredibly basic information that is essential for beginners. "Jewelry Making and Beading for Dummies" is no exception to this rule. This book provides supposedly step-by-step instructions for making a number of jewellery projects but glosses over many of the details that are essential if you have never used some of the techniques before. For example, I purchased this book because I was interested in pearl knotting. Although this book does include a small section on this topic, it does not include instructions on how to attach the clasp to the string. It merely tells you to do so.

Other drawbacks of this book are that the pictures are in black and white (with the exception of a small number of colour plates), and techniques are demonstrated using difficult to understand illustrations rather than actual photographs. Oh, and none of the projects in this book are particularly exciting either. Many of them depend on being able to obtain a specific type of bead to look any good, which my recently acquired experience has taught me is easier said than done.

This book is full of information as the Dummies series always is. I always trust that I'll get a good product when I order a Dummies book. A+

I have never purchased a book in the Dummies series but I happened to be at a bookstore and noticed Jewelry Making and Beading for Dummies. I was just starting out in beading and so I began to peruse the pages and decided this was the book I wanted! To me this book should be THE BIBLE for any one just starting to bead. Ms. Powley starts her book with easy projects, which gives the novice beader confidence, her instructions are easy to follow, and there is a glossary of terms in back of the book that is quiet useful. The book also has plenty of pictures so you get a chance to see how your jewelry looks as you follow her directions.

As a side note, the librarian at our local library knows my passion for beading
and asked what book the library should have for the novice beader. I said "Jewelry Making and Beadiing for
Dummies". It now graces the bookshelf at the library. It is getting dog eared but still it keeps on beinging checked out. It also graces my book shelf and I often reach for it. Worth every penny of my hard earned
money, and if you can get it on sale, with the money you saved you can buy more beads!
Sharon (Wannabe Beader)
Some where in Texas.

Had some ok spatterings of information , but overall I found it a bit dissapointing. Its a fairly big book but doesnt seem to really show anthing ground breaking. If I had seen it before hand I wouldn't buy it again. Thats not to say in the right hands this book wouldn't be handy .Has some interesting info on how to make your own hinges, apart from that the rest is pretty standard stuff.

Got this for my husband for his birthday and he loves it. Hasn't had a chance to build anything since, but it will definately come in handy. The quality of the book itself is very good especially for how low the price was. There are good pictures to follow and very thorough information and directions.

Given the scope of this work, I'm not sure what I expected, but I feel like, after reading a book on furniture and cabinet making, I ought to have some idea of how to construct a basic cabinet. While this book covers a wide variety of general techniques and types of joints commonly used, at no point does it tie them together; it discusses possibilities, but never synthesizes them into anything tangible, leaving me, at least, wondering which of the book's assorted grab bag of clever tricks might be combined to actually produce a cabinet. I already knew what a sliding dovetail was before I bought this book; what I sought to learn was the architecture and structural elements needed to design a cabinet. Strangely, I feel like I'm no closer to that knowledge than I was before I read the book.

I found this book very disappointing. The pictures were very pretty but that is pretty much it. The illustrations were confusing and of little use. It gives too much of an overview and no real specifics. I found woodworking for dummies to be a much better book for the beginning woodworker.

I don't buy many woodworking books because most, especially the ones sold by home centers, aren't very good. They lack detail, they're incomplete, and I often get the feeling that they're just cranked out without much thought. But this one caught my eye in a local bookstore and I'm glad I bought it.

First of all, the book can be used either as a reference or as a complete primer on woodworking. There's lots of information there, but not so much that you get bogged down. At first I just used it to brush up on specific topics, and then I went back to the first page and started reading it straight through. It's well-written; words are used well and not wasted. Photography is superb. Despite the reference to generic "Furniture" in the title, the book is heavily oriented toward cabinets, which it covers in great detail, even to the point of describing how to construct multi-light glass doors.

The first few pages are a little off-putting as the author describes what he considers an appropriate collection of tools and a space to put them in; unfortunately, many woodworking books assume that the reader has acres of space in which to set up a shop. As you read on, though, the text is more friendly toward the hobbyist.

In short, this is a great woodworking reference or tutorial. Don't be put off by the beginning of the book; it gets better. And the Amazon price for this book is much lower than the $40 I paid in the bookstore.

Not what I expected. Just ok but not enough to hold my attention. I prefer really cutting edge arrangements and this was a little to pedestrian for me. I wanted latest, greatest, hottest. It was none of these things. Simply Elegant was too simple.

I was surprised to see another reviewer calling the book pedestrian and not cutting-edge. I would say quite the opposite. I have a few other flower arranging books and I think this one is by far the most modern and stylish. The arrangements are very minimalist but that's what makes them so stunning and impactful. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in flowers and flower arranging.

I really enjoyed this book. The photography is fabulous, and I learned so much about the different flowers. I bought it as a coffee-table book and put it out in the living room. Then I saw my 12-year-old daughter reading it, completely fascinated. We went to the Korean market to buy flowers and started to arrange a bouquet back home--which is actually something Michael George recommends doing with the family. Our simple arrangement of tulips is holding up and continues to make us smile when we pass by it. We're already planning on doing more. A very nice book, which isn't in the living room anymore!

My mother ordered this book after she and I went to see a Michael George lecture at a local museum. To begin with, we really liked Michael George as a person and that made ordering his book an easy decision. He has a great sense of humor and, despite having celebrity clientèle, is down to earth and without pretense.

The book itself is stunning. Each glossy page features pictures full of color and life and the arrangements are truly inspiring. Michael's philosophy is to "keep things simple." He feels that, the more natural, the more beautiful and therefore one does not need to go crazy when arranging their flowers.

The book is divided in the following manner:

Foreword by Martha Stewart
Introduction by Michael George (in which he explains his philosophy)

PART 1: Floral Design
Chapter 1: Flowers in Today's World
Chapter 2: Tools & Tricks of the Trade
Chapter 3: Signature Flower Arranging Techniques

PART 2: Four Seasons
Chapter 4: Spring
Chapter 5: Summer
Chapter 6: Autumn
Chapter 7: Winter

Index

One of the best features of the book is Michael's explanation of his "Hybrid Tabletop" technique. He shows the reader how to do it (step-by-step) with classic and miniature calla lilies. The result is a gorgeous arrangement with stems that appear twisted (I'm not doing the way it looks justice with that explanation but I don't know how else to describe it). Michael uses all glass containers which really show-case the bright green stems. He gives instruction on stacking the flowers, before cutting, how to cut (and what tools to use), how to gently manipulate the stems of certain flowers to achieve varying looks, how to use clear rubber bands to hold your arrangements together, what temperature water to use in your arrangements and many other helpful hints.

In conclusion, this book is perfect for a coffee table but it is also so much more, given that it offers loads of instruction. Do not hesitate to purchase this for yourself or as a gift for someone else (this would be a great Mother's Day gift for any mother who enjoys flowers).

This book is by far the best if you want to learn how to solder jewelry pieces. I loved the way it is written, easy to understand, and the projects are a blast to learn, with wonderful color photos throughout the book. I highly recommend it for your craft library.

Highly recommended for those new to soldered jewelry making. The author clearly outlines a list of necessary tools and provides simply and easy to understand instructions for completing each of the projects listed in the book. I have purchased several hundred dollars worth of books on soldered jewelry making and this book is by far the best one to date. Instructions are clear, accurate and easy to follow. Projects are attractive, modern, and marketable in today's venues. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

I WAS NERVOUS ABOUT TRYING TO SOLDER, BUT AFTER READING THIS BOOK I THINK I CAN HANDLE IT. EASY TO FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS AND GREAT IDEAS!

I was curious about making the soldered pendant shown in this book and this book did not disappoint my expectations - just detailed enough, plenty of great pictures, and thorough in its instructions, leaving me with the feeling that I can definitely make these pendants to go with the beaded jewelry I make. I highly recommend this book.

I have purchased five books on soldered jewelry. I continue to return time and time again to this book! The instructions are crystal clear and easy to follow. Soldering can be intimidating...not here. You will be ready to go to the iron and get started after just one pass through this book! I just can't say enough about it. THIS IS THE ONE.

An Ok book, but I was hoping that the author would go into greater details.

My kids are young enough that the basic building schemes illustrated here are interesting to them. Some are beyond them (ages 5,6,11). They were somewhat disappointed there weren't more "models" or building plans to follow. I like it, though, because it just shows the basics then makes them use their imaginations where anything is possible. So, it's useful, but not an item I'd rave about.

A true labor of love, this is the most comprehensive guide around! A must-have for LEGO devotees.

THE UNOFFICIAL LEGO BUILDER'S GUIDE is the best "Overview" of the LEGO building system available hands down. The book has been written for beginners as well as more advanced builders. It's a great reference guide with tips, techniques and definitions for users of all ages. Anyone can buy and build a LEGO "set", but this book will give you the tools needed to build your own creations. Once those "sets" are in a hundred pieces and you want to try your hand at your own creation, this is the guide you will reach for to help you do it right.

The chapters are written is a simple easy to understand way and the flow of the material is easy to follow. There seems to be just enough information on each page that the reader does not feel like he/she is always getting lost when following the examples or descriptions. The illustrations are in black and white and are very clear and easy to see. Some might complain that the illustrations are not in color but I personally prefer the black and white. When building your own creation the lack of color is actually less of a distraction than it would be if you were building something blue and white and the illustration was red and yellow.

One of the best features of the book is the Bricktopia, a categorized list of the most commonly used LEGO pieces. It includes an illustration of the piece, a description, size and part number. I personally find it helpful to browse thru this area to get "ideas" for building projects. I have noticed pieces I forgot about that has triggered a "thats the one I could use" thought to help with a project I am working on or have been thinking of building.

I recommend this book to anyone interested in learning the foundations needed to build projects from simple to the more elaborate. LEGO builders of all ages will benefit from buying this book. Buy this book and leave it out on a coffee table and see how long it takes someone to pick it it up!

Bedford's book offers everything and anything that one could consider useful to know about building with LEGO. I love the way he describes how to design things using grids and how to organize large collections of LEGO bricks. He's even designed a game in LEGO that others can play! I highly recommend this book to all ages of LEGO builders.

When I was little, my mom was hired to "color" BW photographs for a local photographer with special paints. With her extra photos to practice on, I played around with the colors and chemicals and had such fun, often making the unknown ladies' lips horrendous shade of reds or purples to blues that clashed with their dresses, hair color, and/or glasses. I still laugh when I think about it and little did I know how my play would have actually been valued as a unique artform so popular today. This book brings back the FUN when playing with photographs printed on various media. Fun while doing art allows for creative freedom of trial and error. What I found to be extremely important about this book is that it gives you IDEAS to play with and test on your own. Suggested products, often those you have in your typical art box, can produce unique imagery when combined with photographic imagery. The importance of art today is the factor of playing with products to see what works and what doesn't AND how to make it look apppealing to others and draw them into the image for various reasons. No - this book doesn't give step-by-step information for each product used, but it allows you, the artist, the freedom to try things for your self.

I love the numerous TIPS provided throughout the book - many are common sense, but others really come in handy in the understanding of the product application on various media (i.e. what works well or what doesn't work - e.g. antiquing with walnut inks - using different types of pens and implements to vary the writing/marking style, using a spritzer for various spattering patterns, crumpling the paper before inking to get a crack-line ink pattern, etc.). These tips may give those who want a more detailed step-by-step info a heads up if they are afraid to try things on their own. So consider the Tips handy information to work from during your creativity process with photograph art.

Many sections have a linear TIMELINES on how products were developed and used over recorded history (e.g. oil painting on images; woodblock prints to modern printing and stamping; development of acrylics; use of oil pastels and pencils in art; development of the felt tip markers and their uses; stencils; inks; history of paper;...and so much more to list here). Additional information on where to get products and what products were used on various projects throughout the book is provided on the latter pages along with a section of "Portfolio of Art" showcasing numerous artists along with an excellent glossary for reference.

Last - the author and I encourage all artists interested in the modification of photographs in mixed media art to really explore the possibilities. Combine products and techniques. Test new things out. Feel free to EXPLORE, CREATE, and EXPAND your horizons and see what you can do to make photographic images sing with a special theme all your own. Use your old photographs (that is those you don't care if they get ruined), photocopy them, scan them onto different products (silk, handmade paper, vellum, etc.) and then use modifying products to create something that speaks to you. Angela Cartwright's book "MIXED EMULSIONS" can give you the courage, as it did for me, and will inspire you to go in paths you may not have thought possible when exploring art using photographic imagery as the basis of each art piece created by you.

Anyway - isn't that what ART is all about?

This book turned out to be much deeper into mixing media in art than it seemed to be at first. It will be a great experience to try more of them.

Angela gives a raw honest instructions that are easy to read & achieve your own results. A great buy

This is a great book, full of inspiration for anyone who is looking to dabble in altered photographic imagery. Written by Angela Cartwright (if you've never seen the Sound of Music shame on you), the book contains very generous amounts of ideas and tips for your next altered project. There are some images from other artists as well, such as C.W Slade, Claudine Hellmuth and Traci Bautista to name a few. Even if you're not interested in altered imagery, buy it for the art work within it. Worth every cent and wait to cross the oceans to get here..

Though I am able to make a lot of different crafts as I've been a teacher in France during several years, and author of one book released in 1999 in French, I precise, I always had problems with using photos in my crafted items, as I often had very bad surprises. That's why I bought this book, to learn, to know more about working on and around photos.
I also like to find something different and original, not always the same "how to do this or that", and I must admit I learned new things with this book, it made work my imagination, it is original, we feel the author knows her stuff very well, but there are also other artists' creations, and it is really very well explained, even for beginners.
So, I recommend this book which is, I think, useful, even absolutely necessary in any crafter's studio or home.
Yael
"Une Nouvelle Vie Pour Vos Objets" Authors : Yael Bolender and JP Delpech, Didier Carpentier Publisher on Amazon Canada and France

What a pleasure to open a book and be awed by its quality and content, delighted

With few exceptions, I enjoy the Lark "500" series of books, Pendants and Lockets is no different. Sticking to the photos only with minimal wording publication concept, this is not a "how to" book it simply showcases a veritable smorgasboard of amazing contemporary designs. The enormous range of materials used to create these pieces is appreciated, nothing seems to have been left out. Of course all the to be expected precious and non precious metals and stones are there, now add plastics, textiles, papers, glass, all the clays, resins and found objects.

Continue with every possible technique you can think of, and then some, with design concepts that for the most part are also extremely wearable ( and yes there are some that leave you with a what the?? feeling )and you have a great book. Make no mistake here, this is contemporary jewellery, don't look here for the traditional or you will be disappointed.

Everypage is a highlight, with Jacqueline Ryans Untitled ( pg 14) gold and enamel pod looking so real it was stunning, Jin a Jung's - A dot of Illusion was incredible, visual illusion of geometric patterns done so well and Karen McCreary's Geode Pendant in Acrylic, gold leaf and silver were both elegant and fluid with stunning colours. These may have stood out for me personally, and I am sure everyone who views this will have favourites too.

Whilst there were some well known artists showcased it was great to see so many new names and better still I had not seen over 95% of the photos before.

I have been left in awe of the designers who have created pieces that challenge your thinking, delight with their interpretations, playful and serious and leave you knowing you have just witnessed Pure Magic. Well done to both Lark and the exceptional job the jurors Mike Holmes and Elizabeth Shypertt have done. This is a book that will be my night time reading for many days ahead.

This book explains everything you need to know about fold forming for metal used in art and jewelry.
Wonderful pictures and great explanations of how to do form folding...

The word was on the street with jewelry designers about this book. When I ordered it, it was already backordered. Great pictures and written instructions. Can't wait to get my hammers humming.

This book gives every possible way to fold form. There are many techniques and lots of pictures. I would have given it 5 stars if there had been more pictures of finished products with fold forms.