Reviews (1)

great and insightful
a great book full of ideas and instruction. helpful ideas about text production - buy it ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Book design    2. Bookbinding    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Handbooks, manuals, etc    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Papercrafts    8. BG-HISTORY - BG-WAR    9. Crafts & Hobbies / Papercrafts    10. Paper crafts   

Reviews (4)

Early book structures analysed, described andillustrated
Histories of bookbinding almost all concentrate on the outward appearance and decoration, and ignore the construction of the book.
Highly recommended
Charts, drawings and photographs complement the scholarly yet readabletext so perfectly that I was able to recreate a 10th century bindingcorrect in every detail after reading this book. Highly recommended forstudents of historical bookbinding particularly and binders andmedievalists generally.

Highly recommended
Charts, drawings and photographs complement the scholarly yet readabletext so perfectly that I was able to recreate a 10th century bindingcorrect in every detail after reading this book. Highly recommended forstudents of historical bookbinding particularly and binders andmedievalists generally. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Bookbinding, Medieval    3. General    4. BCE to c 500 CE    5. Bookbinding    6. Medieval European archaeology    7. c 1000 CE to c 1500    8. c 500 CE to c 1000 CE   

Reviews (4)

Beauty and The Book!!!
Absolutely Michael's best work to date and the book only he could do justice to. This book really has it all and is not only perfectly written with THE most concise instructions that one could hope for and anyone can follow ... each project becomes more exciting than the last.
Exuberant and inspiring
My book shelves are full of books on bookmaking. Many repeat the usual instructions for traditional bindings, sometimes with a little twist or inovation. However this book takes inovation a giant step forward. I have made matchbook drawers and pyramid boxes before but Michael Jacobs sent my imagination reeling. His creations are so exuberant and so inspiring but not beyond the capabilities of an average crafter. The illustrations and instructions are well laid out and easy to follow. This book is a "must have."

The Ultimate Bookmaking Book
Books Unbound: 20 Innovative Bookmaking Projects is the book Michael Jacobs has always been meant to write.
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Subjects:  1. Book design    2. Bookbinding    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. General    6. Handbooks, manuals, etc    7. Handicraft    8. Hobbies/Crafts    9. Paper Crafts    10. Papercrafts   

Subjects:  1. Compass in art    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Patchwork    6. Patterns    7. Quilt Making    8. Quilting    9. Quilts & Quilting    10. Quiltmaking   

Reviews (7)

A Keeper
As a childcare provider I love this book it is a creative way to learn the alphabet a great resources if you make up your own curriculum. You may photo copy it for many years of use instead of purchasing aboxed curriculum every month for a certain number of children. Parent's are always interested to see what their children have learned.With each letter of the alphabet it is always different and interesting. But most important children have fun as they learn.

Great Book
I'm a teacher, and I have to say that this is a great book!I love how it breaks down activities by letter and also gives lesson ideas, too!It's very user-friendly!

Great for Pre-k!
I used this book with my 2004-2005 Pre-K class. It's very easy to incorporate the lessons into your daily/weekly calendar. My students particularly enjoyed the letter bag game (put mystery items into a pillowcase that begin with the letter you are teaching. Pass it around and have the children grab out 1 item and try to guess what it is). I incorporated it into show-n-tell Fridays. IE: Bring in something that starts with letter B. I would put those show n tell items into the letter bag & the kids loved seeing their item pulled out of the letter bag by other children.
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Subjects:  1. Activity programs    2. Alphabet    3. Bookbinding    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Creative activities and seatwork    6. Curricula    7. Early childhood education    8. Education    9. English language    10. Papercrafts    11. Study and teaching (Early childhood)   

Subjects:  1. Book design    2. Bookbinding    3. Books    4. Crafts & Hobbies    5. Crafts / Hobbies    6. General    7. Handbooks, manuals, etc    8. Hobbies/Crafts    9. Minor Arts    10. Textile fabrics    11. Handicrafts   

Reviews (3)

Well worth the money
The two things I like most about this book is its thoroughness in the techniques it shows and its easy to understand and follow instructions. Not only does it give step-by-step written instructions, but it also shows you pictures at each step, unlike some craft books that only give you a picture of the final project. The book also contains a variety of projects, and they are decorated in different styles. Most other craft book only offer one style, such as very -artsy- (i.e. colorful) or very -country-. There is nothing wrong with these styles, but it is nice to have a variety of inspiring choices, such as this book provides. I reccommend it to both the beginner and more experienced crafter.

Excellent Resource for those who want to make books or paper
Altho' I am somewhat of a beginning artist, I want to use my form to make books and embellished items.After comparing this book to others, I found this WELL worth the investment -- even at full price.I can hardly wait to get started!It covers very basic techniques to more advanced, "artsier" stuff, and makes it simple enuf to follow along and figure it out.Complete with great photos and simple instructions...if you're interested in making books or paper, this is a great resource...

Excellent Book
I have 5 books on making photo albums and books. I love this book. The book describes how to make paper and then get's into how to make books. It is by far a useful resource to own. A+++ in my book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bookbinding    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Papercrafts    6. Reference   

Editorial Review

Volumes abound on creating scrapbooks, but few possess the elegance anddepth of Diane Maurer-Mathison's Read more

Reviews (6)

Art of the Scrapbook
This book isn't just a book that shows some examples and gives you some templates and says "go do this"... This is a book that any true artist would love to have in their collection. It gives complete instructions on construction of paper arts and all facets of the craft. There are more projects in this book than I have found in any other book on the subject. The projects are explained with clarity and I learned how to do things I would have had to take a class to learn. The author is a real artist not just a craft person. I recommend this book to anyone that wants to take this craft to another level.

The best one
I own quite a few scrapbooking and bookmaking books, and this is the one that got me hooked. I absolutely love this book. The tools and materials needed lists were extremely helpful in getting me started. The author also shows some terrific and easy techniques that I haven't seen in other books. The gallery sections are incredible -- beautiful without being completely way out there. Lots of practical ideas for projects. I can't recommend this book highly enough.

Thorough yet easy to follow instructions
As a long-time rubber stamper, I began making books earlier this year.This book has great instructions for all different book designs, as well as decorating techniques.I found the instructions easy to follow and well detailed.This is a much used resource in my craft book library. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bookbinding    2. Conservation and restoration    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Minor Arts    7. Papercrafts    8. Photograph albums    9. Photographs    10. Scrapbooks    11. Scrapbooks, Memory Books    12. Paper crafts   

Reviews (4)

worthless
You can assemble this so-called kit together yourself at only a fraction of the cost (even at the bargain-basement price). Let's face it, the tools provided here are poorer than poor, the same scissors, glue, and needles you'd find at any 99C store. As for the instruction book, you'd be much better off buying a real volume on book repair from either Amazon or one of those library supplies store (such as Gaylord). That leaves only the bulky box itself. I suppose it does look better than a shoebox on the bookshelf. But you'd be a fool to pay so much just for that. In short, for the same amount of money, why not buy yourself a nice new book instead?

Wow! I was looking for just this kit!
I got an issue of a German women's magazine Freundin and theyfeatured this Booklover's Repair Kit. I'd been looking all over for a proper set of materials to repair some old bindings. This is simply brilliant. Scarlett O'Hara['s book] was not beautiful...
At last someone has grasped the depth of personal sentiment attached not merely to content but to the medium, the books themselves, those volumes with their loose covers, cracked bindings and torn pages.Thank you, Ms. Ellis and Messrs. Wiggins and Lee.Read more

Subjects:  1. Bookbinding    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. General    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Antiques & collectables: books, manuscripts, ephemera & printed matter    7. Care & restoration of antiques    8. Crafts & Hobbies / General    9. Handicrafts   

Reviews (15)

Inspiration but no step-by-step instructions
This book is great for inspiration for the experienced papercrafter.That does not mean you have to be an expert.The projects featured are unique and definately got my creative juices flowing.This book is not for beginners looking for a how-to manual for hand bookmaking; there is an assumed understanding of some basic skills that are not explained in detail here.

Inspiration but no step-by-step instructions
This book is great for inspiration for the experienced papercrafter.That does not mean you have to be an expert.The projects featured are unique and definately got my creative juices flowing.This book is not for beginners looking for a how-to manual for hand bookmaking; there is an assumed understanding of some basic skills that are not explained in detail here.

If you want INSPIRATION
Love this book. One of the best craft type books I ever brought.Does not show you the basics.In fact it does not give you much instruction at all (You could buy "Creating Handmade Books" by Alisa Golden, which complements this book well by teaching the stiches, bindings, etc.)"Making Memory Books" makes for a great inspiration book.One to pick up and flick though when you want new ideas.I have sticky notes all through my book with notes to my self about what I can do when I get around to the project.Its going to take me several years to get through it all. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Blank-books    2. Bookbinding    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Design - Book    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Papercrafts    8. Photograph albums    9. Scrapbooks    10. Scrapbooks, Memory Books    11. Decorative arts & crafts    12. Handicrafts   

Editorial Review

Ingeniously crafted artists' books are not merely a set format of pagesheld together by a binding; they are individual expressions, unique creativestatements that may take many visual forms. The unique creations in Read more

Reviews (6)

Well written, good directions
I bought this book to get a feel for the basic small bookmaking process.It is very straightforward, with directions that seem easy to follow, and many diagrams & photographs to help guide you to a finished product.It has some beginner, intermediate, and advanced projects, so essentially there is something for anybody who wants to learn about the craft of handmade books.I wouldn't recommend this for a young crafter -- it's definitely written for a person with at least a small knowledge of paper craft who is looking to expand, and the directions would be too difficult, I think, for anyone younger than high school age.

Great to get the basics and advance from there
Great for starting into book making.The majority of the projects in the book are more about folding paper to make structures but the structures in themselves make books like the accordion fold books, star books, tag books, tunnels, signatures within accordions, etc.For me this was perfect.The book starts with a glossary so you can get the vocabulary down and then starts in with techniques for sewing and scoring.The majority of projects use the accordion fold book as the basis but there are lots of varieties and terrific photos of completed projects to inspire.The instructions go step by step and also have 3-d line drawings showing you where to fold and such.The book builds from very simple booklets to more complex ones where you use the Coptic stitch to create more traditional books.I love the variety and it was just at my level to build confidence along the way as I learned the vocabulary and techniques

Five Stars All The Way
"The Art & Craft of Handmade Books: New Ideas and Innovative Technique" is such a great book on creating/making your own handmade books and journals. The book is full of amazing photographs to give ideas and inspiration, the instructions are comprehensive, and the added diagrams guide you through the process of page folding and binding stitches. Read more

Subjects:  1. Bookbinding    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Papercrafts    6. Crafts & Hobbies / Papercrafts    7. Handicrafts    8. NATURE - Animals TRD PB   

Reviews (6)

Repair Your Beloved Books
The Care and Feeding of Books Old and New is a lovely little volume that provides the novice book repairer with all the information they need to make minor repairs on damaged books.The authors do an excellent job of describing the tools needed and methods to be used, and are very clear about what sort of damage should be tackled only by an experienced book binder.The repair of loose pages and broken hinges are covered, as well as what to do about a stinky book.
Great book for a LIBROCUBICULARIST

The author should write a book about her dogs and bookstore
I didn't find the information contained in this book particularly helpful, although someone with less experience than I might learn a thing or two. However, I love the author's attitude toward dogs and found her references to her dogs very amusing. I think her publisher should offer a contract for a book about her dogs and her bookstore (book people love to read about the pets who greet us in bookshops). The author's talent for lighthearted, humorous writing combined with her obvious love for animals would result in a funny, highly enjoyable book that should sell well. I would be the first to buy it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques / Collectibles    3. Antiques/Collectibles    4. Books    5. Care & Restoration    6. History Of Books And Printing    7. Library & Information Science    8. Antiques & collectables: books, manuscripts, ephemera & printed matter    9. Bookbinding   

Reviews (12)

Good as a supplemental book
Interesting book that has spreads from altered books by a number of different artists.Each example shows a different technique and tells you in a paragraph or so how the artist created that particular page and what they were trying to say through it.Its not a step by step book so its better to already be familiar with altered book techniques first but once you have the basics this will give some good examples and other ideas.(e.g. "to create a dreamy, wash-ed out effect, the artist primed the pages with gesso and then worked layer by layer with watercolor crayons.")There are other books that I'd buy first before this one (like Altered Book Workshop by Bev Brazelton) but this is a nice addition to the library too.I don't have an art background - I'm self-taught - and I kind-of feel like I have to read between the lines and experiment to get the effect that is desired.I think someone with a few art classes under their belt would get even more out of the descriptions that I do.Great book though, glad I have it.

my first altered book...
i've browsed through the selection offered at bookstores and i must say this one blows me away totally so i had to buy it off the shelf and bring it home! this book doesn't necessary go through the steps of creating one, but by the detailed pictures and variety, plus a bit of your crafty imagination, we can achieve a lot more via our own creativity, using ideas from this fascinating book to create our own altered books. not to mention an AB idiot like me, the information it offers all the way from AB communities to materials is priceless. i can't wait for more from Holly. ^_^ keep 'em comin'!

Misleading blurb, but a beautiful book about artist's books
Only 4 stars because if you buy this book for what it's supposed to offer you'd be disappointed. This is not a book about the HOW to alter books.. but more of a journey at looking at other people who have.Read more

Subjects:  1. Altered books    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Assemblage Art    4. Crafts & Hobbies    5. General    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Papercrafts    8. Bookbinding    9. Handicrafts   

Reviews (1)

Really, book making (right on your kitchen table) made simple!
From the recent spring cleaning of my personal library, this little palm-size book suddenly caught my eyes again. It's a step-by-step guide to creating your own notebook, sketchbook, dreambook, anything book. I remember I bought it at the time when I was just starting up my own retail store (specialising in learning & creativity books) to complement my strategy consulting business.
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Subjects:  1. Book design    2. Book ornamentation    3. Bookbinding    4. Do-It-Yourself   

Reviews (3)

A "must-have" addition to every library
BOOKS, BOXES & WRAPS is everything we've needed and waited for. The easy-to-follow instructions and super illustrations make the projects very doable for even the least experienced craftperson. Fantastic book!!

Excellent
If you can only buy one book on bookbinding, make it this one.Webberley and Forsyth cover a variety of bindings, and provide clear directions with line drawings for each one.And, besides just bookbindings, they also provide clear directions on making boxes and wraps.At the end of the book they have a "binder's tool chest" that provides many techniques I have not found in other books.The only downfall of this book is that it is all in black and white:no color photos accompany the directions, and no picture gallery of other artist's works to provide inspiration.Yet, the number of techniques they cover more than makes up for the lack of color.

Easy to follow directions, simply illustrated
Marilyn Wibberley has done a superb job in illustrating and walking the neophyte through the steps to construct books, boxes and various froms of wrapping. Any newcomer to the art of constructing books, will find it easy to follow the instructions and produce an elegant finished item. Written in a step by step fashion, I found the instructions to be precise and clear.The book abounds with many different presentations from the expected book form to scrolls and different types of wraps to contain that special letter or note.With a minimum of items anyone can construct a book or box to show off that special idea. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art & Art Instruction    2. Bookbinding    3. Hobbies/Crafts   

Reviews (2)

Awesome companion to "keeping a nature journal"
If you have the original book "Keeping a Nature Journal" then you will find this journal to be awesome.It is for using what you learned in book 1 to make your own recordings. Beautifully bound.Very nice item.Of course it is blank...it is a journal.

Complete Waste of Money
This book is a complete waste of money.There is a reason there is no look at the inside of this book available... and that is because it is mostly BLANK pages for YOUR journal.I wanted a book that would teach me through the AUTHOR's experience -- not my own.This thing is becoming a Xmas present for an aquaintance. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bookbinding    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Journal Writing    5. Nature    6. Reference    7. NATURAL HISTORY, COUNTRY LIFE & PETS    8. Nature / Reference    9. Stationery items   

Subjects:  1. Bookbinding    2. Crafts / Hobbies   

Editorial Review

Craft designer Marie Browning has a knack for inventing wonderful books. Her exquisite creations are shown to great advantage in Read more

Reviews (9)

Beautifully done
I have not yet started my project, but am confident that this book provides good instruction. The pictures are great, and helpful for sparking new ideas. The instruction is detailed, and there a variety of different techniques displayed. I would have liked a list of sources, instead of just "available fine art stores", but overall this was a good purchase.

the best book I have ever read!
I had bought another book in Amazon about scrapbooks and journals and even if it had good pictures of the final projects it lacked photos of the different passages. I have Browning's book now and really you can't go wrong. DIfferent techniques, plenty of explanations, great ideas from the simple "messages" note pad to the more complicated seeds book! I can't wait to try her ideas that I consider as a starting point for my own creativity!

Great Book for Beginners
I think this book is an excellent start for beginners.I have never made anything before (book, album, etc.) and once I read through the book one time I was able to make an open spine book in one day.Instructions and photos are great. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Blank-books    3. Bookbinding    4. Crafts & Hobbies    5. Crafts / Hobbies    6. Handbooks, manuals, etc    7. Hobbies/Crafts    8. Papercrafts    9. Antiques & collectables: books, manuscripts, ephemera & printed matter    10. BG-TRANSPORTATION - BG-TRAINS    11. Paper crafts   

Reviews (11)

Instructions galore
Finally, simple instructions for the many things that some - but not all - scrapbookers know how to do. If you don't know how to use an eyelet it doesn't help to be told "Insert eyelets at the corners" without being told just how to go about it! Smiley uses photos and definitions and doesn't skip steps in the instructions. In the Resources section, the list of Web sites is worth the price of the book.

Disappointed with this one
Although the book is a photographic delight, if I wanted to see other people's work, I would have bought a copy of Somerset Magazine.
Great Bible for Making Fabric Books
For anyone wanting to create fabric books this book is the place to start.Multitudes of ideas and how-tos are included.Great instructions on how to print onto twill tape with a computer were put to use in my very first project.There is enough information here to keep me going for quite some time.Helpful text book and a feast for the eyes. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Altered books    2. Bookbinding    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Quilts & Quilting    7. Scrapbooks    8. Scrapbooks, Memory Books    9. Textile Arts - General    10. Textile fabrics    11. Needlework & fabric crafts   

Reviews (2)

Excellent resource
I am a librarian, and I often resent having to pay a professional bindery to reconstruct poorly-made or worn out bindings.I have used this book to teach myself the basics of book binding with great success, and minimalinvestment in terms of equipment and supplies.The directions are clear,and the illustrations and photos are generous and helpful.I haverecommended this book to colleagues whenever possible.

Best How-to book on bookbinding for the beginner
I've bought a lot of books on bookbinding, but this is the one I found that is the best for the beginner just trying it.Great pictures, easy to follow instructions.Assumes a mininum of special equipment.Its theright place to start ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bookbinding    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. General    5. Hobbies/Crafts