Crafts Hobbies Books

An excellent resource for the novice or the professional. Wonderful read, and great pictures.

If you're looking for a book on technique, which I was, RUN AWAY! This book is about the philosophy of making pots. I found the title misleading; I expected something more concrete (no pun intented). This is a cerebral book; it has its place, and I may learn to love it, but not today. Today I'm just disappointed.

Clary Illian has given the ceramics community an amazing gift by writing this book. Not only is she thoughtful and clear, she inspires potters (whether beginners or professionals) to make better, more personal pots. Filled with examples -- beautifully photographed by Charles Metzger -- which add flesh to her supurb text. Every potter should consider this must-reading.

Clary Illian presents a decent book dealing with the conception of form in pottery. She details aspects of functional pottery such as volume in relation to function, and little details like rims and bases, handles and spouts.

Overall I think her approach is extremely limited. she mentions only briefly in the beginning chapter that she will be presenting only a functional approach. But even within that approach I feel she takes a very narrow stance.

This book is OK if you want to study how to become a potter who makes functional pots (but not if you want to actually glaze those pots). It will not help you contextualize the role of hand-made ceramics in postmodern america, which is something that I think all ceramists need to think about.

Pros: not just a schematic approach, but a workbook of ideas and concepts, as they relate to functional pottery. Ms. Illian clearly has a deep appreciation of the material as well as a great deal of experience (she worked for bernard leach!).

Cons: reads like journal scribblings. often more white space than words or pictures on the page. very limited vocabulary and conception of clay. many of the sketches and greenware examples (they're all greenware) feel like complete throw-aways.

Once you have some skill at basic throwing, this is the book you need! Clary examines aesthetic principles of pottery. If you have wondered aloud just what has happened to your pot as it emerges on the wheel, you can get your answer here. Why does your pot look cumbersome while the person next to you has double the clay and yet their creation is light and airy? If you have pondered the question, you need a course in the matter. There are no colored pictures because the book is about form and not about glazes or other embellishment. No more bowlng pin vases for me. I am on to lovlier pots!

I love this book! I bought it on a whim, and I'm so very glad I did! The layout and photography are lovely, and the hardback construction of the book is remarkably nice for the price. Best of all, it is filled with wonderful patterns -- patterns that are sexy in a way that makes me feel beautiful and tasteful. I already have most of the book pegged for future projects. I heartily look forward to a fun and intimate journey through it with needles and yarn.

P.S. My husband loves this book too. He's also pegged quite a few projects for me. :)

I love knitting and I love making lingery. Two of my favorite things in one book. Both the beginning and the advanced knitter will find projects in this book. I am a public knitter and I am not sure how I would feel about knitting a thong or bra in one of our administrative meetings. Yes, I do knit in meetings or my red personality will take the meeting over in order to get back to the real work. But back to the book, it has great project and many of them will stand the test of time.

The patterns were very pretty, but I needed more room in the bust area.

I know I could have just change/add the bust darts on some of the patterns.

It just didn't suit my needs.

This book is better and contains more than you could even imagine! As far as sexy knits - this is by far the best book out there. I know that knitting underwear might not be every ones cup of tea, but that book is filled with much much much more than just that. Stockings, gloves, little sexy tops. I found the patterns to be well described, easy to follow and for knitters of every level. If you are looking for a timeless sexy knit book ... this would be it!

I loved this book. The designs, along with two other books (Fitted Knits and Romantic Knits) inspired me to give knitting another try after a 12 year break. Almost all lingerie you buy is knit already. It is machine knit fabric. To revisit the idea of knitting undergarments for beauty rather than warmth is genius. I have been able to find all supplies and yarns locally or online. Some patterns include plus-sized sizing. However the bra cups do only go to a D. I am a G. However, I am so used to having to figure out how to alter sewing patterns to fit, I was not too intimidated by doing it with knitting. You just need to check your guage, honestly measure, and do the math. For any one who says why bother, why bother making anything yourself? It is for love of fit and for love of the art.

Beautiful book on fresh flower arranging. Lots of information and lovely photographs. There is good technical information regarding the basics of arranging flowers in general. Her designs are beautiful but personally, not something I would want to reproduce. They are too edgy. She is obviously very talented. If you are looking for a book on silk flower arranging, try Decorating With Silk & Dried Flowers by The Home Decorating Institute. Even if you are more interested in silk flower arranging, there is still a lot of good information about color, line, texture, etc. in this one.

This was supposed to be a NEW book. All the pages were stuck together on the bottom of the book and when I got them apart you can see a huge water stain. This was the first time I had ordered from Amazon and I will never do it again!!!!!

This book is being used as a text book for an advanced floral design class I am taking. Very useful for the advanced or beginning floral designer. Pictures are very detailed.

This book is amazing! Detailed, gorgeous photos and instructions to create the best floral arrangements of your life. New ideas on every page, lots of suggestions for supplies and techniques.

I would never contest the beauty of this book, but I found the lessons section to be lacking in terms of specificity. After all, this book is meant to be instructive. The instructions were often much too general for someone actually trying to learn floral design. Sometimes the generality is along the lines of 'put the twigs in the vase, put the roses in the vase,' while at other times it is more specific. In essence, the real process of placement is sometimes excluded.

Also, many of the arrangements are of a similar style, round and mouned, and though this is a particular style, I would have appreciated fewer examples of this type of bouquet, which I consider to be less complicated to make. As a florist, I would recommend this book to other florists looking for interesting ideas for using alternative floral materials such as food. I would also recommend this book for beginners needing very basic informatioin, such how to use greeneries and basic floral tools.

I would not, however, recommend this book for beginners or florists hoping to make commercial sorts of arrangements. After all, her book is the "art" of floral design, not the "economics" of floral design. Many commercial floral arrangements make more economical use of stem length and amount of flowers. This is not universal, but it is something to keep in mind when deciding who to buy this book for.

My daughter loves working on this scrapbook. It helps that we have a digital camera and can print photos here as we need them.

This was more fun for my daughter than working on worksheets. We practised writing and drawing and I learned alot about what she did at school. (if asked what she did at school, the answer was usually, "I dunno"). this scrapbook was something we had fun working on together, and you don't need any additional supplies. I'm going to buy the 1st grade one now!

my grandson is three-years old and loved this book! he sat down and in one day had gone through the entire book. my daughter and my son-in-law erased the pages when he was sleeping so he could do them all over again!

My daughter loves these "Kumon" books. We now have several and the Amazon price (with free shipping) was cheaper than we'd pay at our local store. Also the selection here is awesome!

This is a lovely book, but it really seems to be for 4 or 5 year old kids. Or precocious 3 year olds.

My son (5) loves all the Kumon books we have tried so far (Numbers 1-30, Capital Letters, Mazes - Animals and Mazes - Things that go). While he normally does not like to practice writing skills, he spends a good amount of time on the Kumon books and I consider them a good investment. His 3 year old sister is very skilled with the mazes as well (we bought her the beginner maze book, also excellent). The quality of the paper and images is superior as well, compared to most activity books out there. Highly recommended.

This book got me really going on hand sewing, my mom had only taught me the blanket stitch may years ago. They are all great monsters with huge attitudes. John teaches you the basics in very simple terms. Some of the monsters are easier than others, but they are all worth the time and effort. His simplicity allows you to mix and match and use your imagination. They make great gifts for kids and adults, but maybe a bit difficult for kids under 13 to create.
I bought bigger socks and more stuffing quickly.....men's extra large cotton socks stretch very well and make giant monsters!

I've owned this book for a few years now. My son and I totally love creating our own monsterpieces. The directions are easy to follow. First the author gives you general directions (and helpful tips) then he follows it up with a step by step if you want to copy one of his creatures. The materials are inexpensive and the end result is fabulous. I highly recommend for those who like to get inspired, learn the technique, and then run with their own creativity.

Bought this book as a gift for my 30-something brother and he and his friends enjoyed hours of raucous laughter while using the book to create many of their stupid sock creatures. A good book to use as inspiration for an older child activity like in 4H or Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts as well. Brings out the inner artist, tactile creature, hidden silly in people.

The first time I saw a sock monkey, I thought it was one of the coolest things I had ever seen and immediately went out to buy a pair of socks in order to make one. The whole idea of making a toy that was that detailed, out of nothing more than a pair of socks, fascinated me. Once I had finished making my sock monkey, I was all ready to make some more sock toys. However, I'd already made a sock monkey and couldn't think of what I would do with a second one, which sort of put a stop to my sock creations.

"Stupid Sock Creatures" is a book written for people just like me; people who like the idea of making toys out of socks, but who can't think of what they would do with a second sock monkey. It contains instructions for creating 8 different sock creatures, as well as advice on the art of sock toy construction (which can be used to design your own toys) and a gallery of other sock creatures that can be used for inspiration.

Most of the creatures are very simple to make and would be appropriate as a child's first sewing project (that's not to say that they wouldn't also appeal to adults - I'm 27 and I think they're great). Basic sewing technique instructions are given and there are no paper patterns to deal with (most of the cuts are approximate and made by eye-balling the socks). Admittedly, the toys don't look as professional as the toys in some of the other craft books that I own (which is why I gave this book four stars, instead of five), but they have personality, and, to quote "Pulp Fiction", personality goes a long way.

One of the best manuals that I ever seen. It matches the re-use of cast-off socks with the ironic looking of the creatures. Reasonably, one source of insipration were Bill Watterson's monsters. You can feel the author's enthusisam just by opening that book. The instructions are clearly explained (me too, that I'm quite a problematic sewer, I succeeded in having my own creatures), and a space for creativity and self-expression is also offered to readers.

This book is excellent, very detailed. It gives patterns, bead counts, color choices, and the instructions are very good. I have the second book too and it's just as good.

Well, I just finished my first little bead box. It is so lovely. I enjoyed a bead project that was a non-wearable. The complete project does not take as long as I thought it would. I'm not sure you should tackle this if you are not comfortable with peyote patterns or if you have not beaded any project with a geometric shape. Definitely read the beginning of the book with the general instructions before you start beading otherwise you will never be able to follow the word pattern. If you choose to make any of these boxes - you will not be disappointed.

Great little book. Directions are a little hard to understand, but with taking it slow and easy, the designs are easy to make.

This book was great. I looked it over and was not sure I could follow the instructions but once I started I found it to be pretty easy. Her helpful tips were great as if she anticipated the problems I would have. Also the projects didnt take as long as I had thought they would. I am a medium level beader so have only limited knowledge when I started these projects.

While I have yet to make any of the boxes from this book, I have read it thoroughly and am anxious to begin a box. I have seen boxes others have made from the instructions in this book so I feel confident in recommending it to others. The instructions are clear, don't leave you with questions, and help you to produce a piece worthy of the effort it takes. Again, glad I added it to my personal beading library.

I'm just beginning to make cards so when I read the reviews I thought this sounded like a good book to start. It's so much better than I expected. With these cards no one will know I'm a beginner! It also has very helpful pointers about supplies and techniques. It was an excellent choice & I imagine I will use it for a long time to come.

THIS WAS ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I HAVE BOUGHT - WONDERFUL - EVEN HAD A FRIEND ASK ME WHERE I GOT IT BECAUSE SHE WANTED TO ORDER ONE. THANK YOU.

I am a beginner to card making, starting when I thought it shouldn't be difficult. But then when I have all of the materials needed, which were ready made blank cards and some stickers, then I realized alot more is needed, and the most importantly: "the know how". This book is awesome, it teaches me in a simple and clear way how to do easy, great and classy cards. It helps me tremendously, as it also explains what tools and accessories to buy. Now I found out that making cards is not simple, and it also expensive.. It's fun though.

I purchased this along with "The big book of handmade cards and gift wrap" - really like both of them. I figure to have lots of fun and save $$ too.

I love love this book. It has so many great ideas inside. The cards are easy to make and the instructions are very easy to follow. I highly recomend it to anybody who likes to create her own cards

The most in-depth reference book I could have asked for. Exactly what I wanted and needed.

Pierre's book is considered the bible of Faux and is a must have reference guide for the experienced faux finisher!

A great example of the marbles he is so famous for can be found in the Morrocan mural he co-painted with Sean Crosby in the hot new book benefiting charity "The House that Faux Built" Transform Your Home with Paint, Plaster and Creativity The House That Faux Built check out the search inside feature.

This book contains excellent descritions of equipment and techniques used for decorative painting. It is well inllustrated and easy to read.

GM

I purchased this for my daughter who is a faux painter. She loves the book. She says there are many techniques in here that are new to her and she is enjoying doing them.

Great resource book. Cool techniques...a bit intimidating for a beginner but full of information.