Crafts Hobbies Books

Very informative, I have learned and used several different techniques in this book. There is an abundance of creative ideas. The techniques described are very easy to follow and apply. The money spent for the cost of the book was so well worth it. Worth every penny and more!!!

I first saw this book in a metalsmithing class and liked it well enough that I bought it for my home library. Ms. Gollberg reviews a number of techniques for cold-connecting metals and illustrates them with excellent photographs. Her materials lists are complete, her instructions concise, and her projects are always interesting. I may not ever make anything from this book as shown, but the ideas and techniques provide plenty of inspiration and guidance.

As a wire artist and beginning silversmith I found this book a great addition to my collection. The photos were great and the ideas throughout were most helpful. I would recommend this book to anyone that loves making jewelry. It would be most beneficial to the experienced jewelry maker.The ideas and patterns are not for the beginner but, it would challenge you to learn more as they are very beautiful and unique.

As a beginning or even as an intermediate metal-smith, this book is useful for demonstrating cold connections. The projects are easy to follow and they are easy to modify so you can put your own, individual touches to finished pieces. The gallery was inspirational and shows just how much you can do without having to resort to using a soldering torch and lots of messy chemicals.

I took a jewelry class taught by Joanna when I was in college and I absolutely fell in love with the art/craft. I was happy to find this book since it serves as a nice refresher for some of the techniques I'd forgotten. This book is simple enough for the beginner and has enough ideas to inspire a pro. The nice thing about this work is that many of the techniques used are cold techniques so there's no need to worry about having a torch or solder handy (although a flex-shaft and jewelry saw are frequently used). Buy it! Not only will you get a great book but you'll be supporting a wonderful person.

This book is very inspirational! The photos are beautiful and the instructions are very clear. I haven't yet made anything, but I know there will be a learning curve. I don't expect my first project to be as gorgeous as the ones in the book, but it won't be because of a lack of clear directions! I am a visual learner and there are lots of pictures so I feel that I will be able to follow along. I also own a couple of the author's needle felted creations and she is a true artist!

A lot of information is packed in this compact, spiral-bound book. Its smaller size makes it ideal to pack in a tote. Marsha knows her medium well. Lots of eye-candy, good instructions, lots of useful instruction.

I am a dedicated crazy-quilter, too. Of all the books available on the craft, I would highly recommend this new book. Hers, plus Carole Samples' "Treasury of Crazy Quilt Stitches" are the two must-have books for any serious reference.

This book is the BEST that I have found on crazy quilting! I have quite a collection of books on this subject and if I could keep only one, this would be it! Beautiful, well illustrated, great explanations. It has all the answers. And to make it even better, it is ring-bound so that it lies flat which makes it so easy to use. This book gets an A+ (from a strict grader)!

I recieved my book promptly and in more than excellent condition. It was securely wrapped and sealed. What more could you ask for? Thank-you so very much for your top notch customer service.

THIS BOOK HAS GONE IMMEDIATELY INTO MY TRAVEL-TIME CRAFT BAG!
IT'S A TERRIFIC RESOURCE AND THE SIZE AND BINDING MAKE IT IDEAL FOR USE ON TRIPS.

THE AUTHOR IS SO KNOWLEDGEABLE AND EXPLAINS THINGS SO WELL THAT I'VE COME TO ADMIRE HER WORK AND USE HER BOOKS FOR REFERENCES WHEN I CRAZY-QUILT, WHICH I LOVE TO DO AT HOME BY MACHINE OR ON THE ROAD BY HAND. THIS IS IDEAL FOR PEOPLE AT EITHER BEGINNER OR INTERMEDIATE LEVEL.

Excellent book with clear instructions and drawings. I like that the book can lay flat so that one can follow the instructions easily. The size is also great as one can travel with it easily. A great buy, I highly recommend it.

This book is great for a beginner or an advanced decorator. The book contains everything from delicous recipes to step by step directions to make gourmet looking cookies, and ideas for all sorts of themed cookies.

I love that it breaks steps down so that it is not overwhelming and seems easier to accomplish.

I could not reccomend this book more. It would be great for a gift as well!

I purchased this book for my friend who has a home cookie business, she loved it. Great ideas and useful tips.

If you can buy just one book about cookie and/or decoration, buy this!!!
It is the really must-have and it changed my way of thinking about cookies!!!
Just 4 fundamental recipes (plain, chocolate, gingerbread and a nutty-yummy one) and LOADS of interesting tips about speeding the process of roll-bake-decorate-send. And what a wonderful edition too: with a old-fashion look I found so appealing!
Good writing and funny, too! And cristal clear instructions...
I love this book!

The cookies decorated in this book are just fun to look at if nothing else. And if you have similar talent to the author, you will have a great time duplicating some of the cookies shown in this book. If you are a beginner though you may be frustrated (like me) that the decorating tips are not that clear. If you can't use it to improve your own cookie decorating, it still makes a great coffee table book.

I have always enjoyed making decorated sugar cookies at Christmastime, but they were never that great. The cookies themselves were only okay, my frostings always smooshed down and I never knew what to do with the actual decorations, I was a woman with cute cookie-cutters, but without a plan. This is the book that changed all that.

I've now made the plain butter (with the tasty lemon zest) and the chocolate butter cookies serveral times and have yet to be dissapointed. There were a few tricks about rolling out the dough and when and for how long to chill the dough that were worth the price of the book alone. From the cookie recipes themselves to the royal icing and flooding techniques to how to get the decorating sugars to stick, the book is well written, FULL of great pictures for ideas for all occasions and explanations for techniques that I thought I knew, but didn't.

I love this book, it brought my decorated cookies to the next level and I couldn't be more pleased. After reading through this book I went out and increased my cookie cutter collection and can hardly wait to make even more! This book has a place of honor in my kitchen and I highly recommend it to anyone who doesn't mind taking a little time (decorating cookies is time consumming no matter who's recipes you're using)to make a truly stunning result.

Have only skimmed through this, but am looking forward to getting back into sewing with it after a 25 year hiatus! The instructions are very clear and the pictures are great.

Since I still have not received this item after weeks of waiting it is impossible to review it. I can say this, however, I will not be placing any further orders with this vendor.

Simply put, THIS is the best sewing book. I have many, and this one continually is the one I go to for reference. The pictures are large and explanations are clear. It is a compendium of the Singer series of books, and I also have many of the single subject books like "Sewing with a Serger" and "Sewing Essentials" but this book collects the various important topics in sewing and gives you a handy paperback for reference. Sturdily made, and lasting in application. At this price you can't miss.

I found the book to be very informative. I bought one for myself and as a gift for my 34 year old son. For the beginner like my son, you just can't go wrong with this book. It covers so much, like recommends and explains the tools you'll need, how to lay out a pattern; it even has projects to sew.I recently resumed my hobby of sewing and some things just don't change over the years. The photos help so much. I highly recommend this book. I had the books spiral bound at Kinkos making it so easy to lay flat.

I am a middle aged male whose last sewing class was in Jr. High. I have tried my hand on very small projects (pen holder, pillow), with no instruction and some success. That said, I'd guess I'm part of the target market for this book. Some reviewers say this book assumes you know how to sew, and since I have a machine, there is a little truth to that. The problem is, how many pages should a beginner book spend covering your machine? Well, if you are truly new then you need a lot of comparative information and really that's something you can only get through dealers and seamstresses/tailor's, because a lot of your questions are probably covered by the manual and are also a matter of personal preference. This book doesn't cover a lot of this area- but I don't count that against it. I suggest new sewers do what I just outlined (see dealer or seamstress/tailor and ask), read their manual if they already own a machine or go to the library and browse the sewing section. If you go into the process entirely blind you'll unneccessarily spend money on a lesser book covering basics that may be machine or user specific.

That said, I bought this book hoping to get enough from it to actually sew a garment or project after reading it. I'd say your chances of that as a new sewer are not impossible but not great. The reason is the topics seem kind of rushed over and out of context. It's as if someone assembled a bunch of articles but didn't take the time to explain how each one interrelates to the next. The pictures are nice but there could be more. All in all I was disappointed with this book.

Since I've bought this book I've had a chance to look at a few other books in the same category (luckily my library has a pretty good selection). In hindsight I think the much better book is the New Complete Guide to Sewing (Readers Digest). It covers a wider range of topics and puts it all together, which is very important if you're to make heads or tails out of the vast language of sewing.

Best of luck to all new sewers out there!

This is an excellent book with great photographs and clear and helpful instructions. It is equally helpful to the beginning or experienced beader. I loved browsing through the photographs getting inspiration for projects of my own! Because this book has two authors with different techniques and ideas they are able to compare the way they do things and make clear that we each have our own way of accomplishing the same task. The way they compared their techniques and approaches was extremely helpful and interesting. This book will inspire anyone to develop their own personal style and try something new.

You will be spellbound by the gorgeous jewelry designs in this groundbreaking book! I bought "The Art of Bead Embroidery" along with "Beading with Cabochons" and I have already taken on a grand design myself even though I am new to 'seed beading'. The gallery photos are irresistable inspiration. These two designers are certainly at the forefront of this beadwork style. I suggest both books will give you tutorials and ideas to keep you beading and getting rave results.

THE ONLY DRAWBACK TO THIS BOOK IS THAT IT INSPIRES YOU TO DO MORE AND MORE BEADWORK, TAKING UP MORE AND MORE TIME. IT'S A BEAUTIFUL, CONSISE BOOK THAT MAKES THE DESIGNS SEEM SIMPLE AND EASY TO DO. IT REALLY MAKES YOU WANT TO BITE OFF MORE THAN YOU CAN POSSIBLY CHEW, OR HAVE THE TIME TO CHEW. IT IS REALLY A BOOK FOR PEOPLE WHHO LOVE TO BEAD - LEAVES NOTHING TO BE DESIRED. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT FOR ANYONE WHO LOVES TO BEAD, OR WHO MERELY LOVES TO LOOK AT THE OUTSTANDING PHOTOGRAPHY. BY ALL MEANS, PURCHASE THIS BOOK - TO KEEP OR AS A GIFT.

Even if you never make a project from this book, you will truely feast your eyes on the astounding works of art you will find here. Combine that with really warm and friendly dialog, and I totally loved this book. I have not tried to follow the project directions yet, but they look very nice.

The main reason I purchased this book is the type of work that the authors create. The second reason is because I have met her and her husband in the past as we all have a biker lifestyle.

She lives in my area. Her work is so magnificent that it is scary. I looked at this book very carefully and was just in awe. She and her co-author were destined to meet and collaberate. Spelling stinks sometimes!

These ladies have the talent that beads the band! They are queens of jewelry making. The items are beautiful beyond words. And yes, I plan on using their pieces as ideas for my own envisioned pieces but my skill level is just entering intermediate. I discovered that stringing is not something that I want to do full time. I have been looking all over for info on very intricate pieces that I might be able to attempt to make.
I live in Butler, PA and was just very happy to see there really are other beaders in western PA.

Ladies, keep up that most dramatic and beautiful work. Keep writing books so I can keep on keeping on!!!!

HIGHLY recommended.
Thank you.
Jeanne Zimmerman

Lots of information of good information on the frame, variations on the frame, building the frame, etc. The mat and mount sections seemed a bit light, but the information was good. I would say the mat and mount section was on the beginner side but framing ran well into the intermediate range. Overall a decent book but not quite great unless you are more interested in builing your own frames.

This book was and is just what I needed, it covered everything I was concerned about from sizing, what to consider in colors of the mats, taking out the mystery of materials, what you need and what you don't need. From doing a simple single job to doing multiple displays. I like the author's presentation of why and what to consider when you approach a job, keeping it simple. I have another matting/framing book which I am now getting rid of as this one is covers all that I need. Unless you are a professional you will not be sorry for getting this book.

I have been doing amateur framing for about seven years, and have read a lot of framing books. This book is (easily and definitely) my pick as the best book for beginning (and more experienced) amateur picture framers. What I liked about the book: * lots of helpful colourful photos; * easy to read text: * shows that you don't have to spend a lot of money to get into this hobby / profession and produce excellent results; * covers many useful topics without getting into the more advanced, more complex topics (e.g., gesso); * at the end of each section, the author summarizes the important points. The best thing I like about this book is that the author provides many rules-of-thumb; for example, how much of a border should there be around a piece of art work; how wide should be the frame; how deep should be the rabbet; what colours are best given the colour of the artwork; etc. It is also nice to know that most of the things I taught myself (the hard way) are "correct"! With this book, I now understand why I am doing it right!

The book is not perfect. For example (as one reviewer mentioned) the whole topic of making your own frames is virtually ignored. The discussion of equipment related to the frames themselves (e.g., clamps, etc.)is also almost non-existent. Since I have been involved in picture framing for some time (but nothing too complex), I found the coverage of some topics rather, well, silly (e.g., how to read a ruler) and also disagreed with a few of the book's statements. This is to be expected; we all approach the topic differently, and as the author states, framing is a combination of art and science.

Nevertheless, this book is my first pick for learning the important aspects of picture framing.

If your a beginner then I think you'll like this book. I was looking for a book that could explain color and give advice about what size a mat should be. I found it in this book. Written very clearly with many pictures or illustrations.

After reading the many reviews I purchased the book. I found it worth the money I spent as it reviewed most topics with Matting, Mounting and somewhat a little short on the framing. Would have given five stars if the discussion on making the framing was a little more discussed.

I did purchase the Logan CD on making your own picture frames, promptly returned it as there was more in the book on making picture frames.

I checked this book out of the public library. After reading it cover to cover, I immediately signed into Amazon.com and ordered a copy to keep for myself. The book provides easy to read and understand directions for every step in the quiltmaking process.

"Heirloom Machine Quilting" is a book you will refer to many, many times. It will help the beginner as well as expert because it is full of helpful instruction, hints and examples plus learning projects to try. It will expand your mind!!!.

This is an excellent reference book on all types of machine quilting. Gives all of the tips and details needed to be successful at fine machine quilting.

I have many books on this subject among my quilt books but this is the one I would recommend most highly. Takes machine quilting to a new level for home quilters. Her work is done on your ordinary sewing machine and the book has detailed information on how to achieve the results we all want. Do yourself a favor and buy this.

I took a two-day class from Harriet Hargrave. This is the next best thing. Her book is a book you want to read carefully and study. It's not a quick read. It's informative and well worth the time. It is a great resource.

Interesting book with fun projects. The illustrations are enticing, making a knitter want to try creating using the easily understood directions.

I follow Ann and Kay's blog, and this book did not disappoint. Beautiful pictures, well written patterns, funny and touching stories, I would recommend this book to knitters of all skill levels. I think there's something for everyone here, and I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of their next collection.

I LOVE this book - and frankly have an addiction to many items. I come back to them over and over. I have also forced my addiction onto others who now know where my addiction comes from. The ballband dishcloth, the burp cloth, the mitar square - how did I live without these in my knitting world? I have made the patterns in the book as well as making modifications to them over and over. You will never get sick of this one. I will treasure this book FOREVER! Get this book - you won't be sorry! And don't forget to check out the ladies' blog - great stuff!

I love this book! I bought it for myself, and then bought one later for my sister-in-law for her birthday. It has some easy patterns and some for the more advanced knitter. If you are looking for something different - not the same old sweaters, scarves, and mittens - you'll find this is a great book. Most of the patterns are for the home, but there are patterns for a house coat, gown, and baby sweater. The writing has a certain witty charm, and these ladies have found interesting things to use for yarn, and interesting ways to involve their families in knitting. I don't think you'll be disappointed with Mason-Dixon Knitting.

I am in love with this book. Truly. I've only owned it for 3 weeks, and I feel like it has gone everywhere with me since I made the purchase.

3 weeks in and I'm working on my 3rd pattern from the book.

This book is great for knitters who enjoy the basics of knitting... the kind of knitting where you can pick up your needles and GO. The authors give you a basic pattern and all the tools you need to take it and make it your own.

I think every knitter everywhere should have this book.

I should mention that I actually sat down and read it cover to cover... the writing is so warm and light... the authors make you feel like you're sitting in their living room having a conversation with you. It's lovely.

Actually this is the third set of these books I have bought... I keep giving mine to others who are interested in bow making. This volume in particular is excellent for someone starting out.

A great intro to making wooden bows. Covers all the basics, wood, design, cutting, tillering. I found the section on bow design particularly interesting. Intuition is totally wrong about what gives the most arrow speed. A great book.

This volume is very explicative and not lost any details of his points. All the volumes makes a great help, and even a single powerfull source of information, to anyone who want to make the finest traditional bows, i recomend !

OK, so I'm itching to get into building my own bows. Step 1, head down to the local bookstore and get this book--I mean, do any kind of search on the subject, and it's the first thing you always find. And now, I've read it. And you know what? I'm even more confused than i was when i started.

Where should i even begin to complain about this $23 I will never get back? Well, let's start at jump street...The first and most glaring problem is, this is NOT an instructional book for the aspiring traditional bowyer, as I thought it might be--and as the back cover led me to believe. Rather, it is more of a sourcebook for those who already have a pretty strong working understanding of how to build bows. This is the book you ought to buy if you've already got a handful of bows under your belt; bows of different types and styles. I could imagine some bearded old Jim Bridger type sitting in his den, reading and re-reading it, with a hundred different bookmarks in it, and about 10 sentences highlighted on every page.

But if you are trying to learn how to build your own bow, and you don't know too much about it--by all means, DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND LOOK SOMEWHERE ELSE. This book uses shop talk about every other sentence, and from page 1, nobody ever bothers to actually define what all this shop-talk actually means. You kind of have to just try and infer from the context very crucial central concepts--like which side of the bow is the back, and which is the belly...or what string follow is, or about a million other things. Case in point, there is a section in the chapter on bow construction (chapter 1) where the author describes a "standard wood bending test." He explains how to put a standardized staff of wood in this little device to test its flexibility characteristics--they even show a picture of the little device (which you are to build yourself for this purpose)--but he NEVER ACTUALLY EXPLAINS HOW to build the device. G

All I'm left with, after reading this junk, is the hope that someday, after i read a few better books on the subject, and build a dozen or so bows of my own--well someday this book may be handy. As for now, if the power goes out and i need something to burn for heat, this is it. I just sit and scratch my head as i leaf through the pages, thinking, Oh that might make sense, if i knew what this word meant. Or, wow, I know what tillering is. I wish this damn piece of crap called THE BOWYER'S BIBLE actually detailed the process, such that i might actually be able to follow some step by step instructions on how to do so!

I just wonder who edited this book? How does a professional editor not realize that this book creates more questions than it provides answers?

Yikes.

Anyway, not to keep Amazon from getting any new business--if you know how to build a bow, and you want to see some interesting pictures of like 50 different kinds of Northwest Indian patterns you can paint onto your work--or if you feel like looking at pictures of bows some guy made out of junk wood, or reeds, or broken arrows, well this is the book for you!

As for me, the search continues.

The Traditional Bowyer's Bible Vol. 1
by Numerous contributors
A collection of craftsmen come together to demonstrate the building and dynamics of different woods into different types of bows. There are three books in the series Vols.: l, ll and lll they cover all aspects of wooden archery equipment from yew bows to flint arrow tips. Flat bows, decorations, strings and quivers etc. Fine archery to primitive.