Reviews (12)

Cute, but disappointing
There were some great ideas, and I do appreciate the tools listings, but overall I was a little disappointed. It just didn't seem to be as in-depth as I had hoped. I hope that she expands on her texts in the future.

I love this book!!
Whenever I'm thinking of doing a project around the house, I always refer to my copy of Junk Chic.Kathy has great modern ideas that are easy to do, don't cost much, and look great when you're done.If you like to decorate, you need to add Junk Chic to your book shelf!!

I don't have much money but these ideas are great!!!
I have always wanted to have a home that looked this beautiful, but never have had a lot of money. I have so enjoyed both the satisfaction of doing these unique and very affordable projects and then sitting back and seeing what I have created. I would recommend this book to anyone. I have seen the "Junk Chic", Kathryn Elliott on the local TV morning show (as a quest) - she is inspiring to say the least. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Decorating    3. Decorating - General    4. Decoration and ornament, Rusti    5. Decoration and ornament, Rustic    6. France    7. Hobbies/Crafts    8. Home Improvement / Construction    9. House furnishings    10. Interior decoration    11. Crafts & Hobbies / Decorating    12. LITERATURE - LIT CLASSICS TRD PB   

Reviews (4)

Great Book!! Beautiful Projects
I bought this book yesterday at a local craft store after just glancing at it for a few quick moments. I am so happy that I bought it. It has lots of ideas and projects that I haven't seen before and some that I have seen but done in a different way. Everything is kept fairly simple so even novice clayers can enjoy and use the book. As to the review that states you can't find the items that are needed in the book, there is only one project that you would need to do some work to find the items needed and that is for a kaleidoscope pendant, which while interesting is not something that I will be making anytime soon. As for the cyanoacrylate glue, if you look at most super glues you will see that is what they are made from.

Exceptional book!
Dotty McMillan is an exceptionally talented artist, and this book is both inspirational and instructive.The projects range from very simple (clay handles for tools) to complex (dragon skin box)--but all are achievable.This may not be a book for the very beginning clayer, but it is very detailed and metciulous in its instruction.The projects are very beautiful as well--I particularly like her "dragon skin" vessel--beautiful, functional, and again, attainable by the average clayer.
Not for beginners..
I'm an experienced "clayer" and I loved this book.It was full of inspiration and really great ideas for me.However, if you're just starting in polymer clay art, it does use a lot of advanced techniques and assumes you already know what you're doing. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Arts And Crafts    2. Ceramic Arts And Crafts    3. Clay    4. Crafts & Hobbies    5. Crafts / Hobbies    6. Decorating    7. General    8. Hobbies/Crafts    9. Polymer clay craft    10. Pottery & Ceramics    11. BG-FICTION OVER $5 - BG-LITERARY $5+    12. Crafts & Hobbies / Pottery & Ceramics    13. Handicrafts    14. Modelling (in clay, wax & other plastic materials)   

Editorial Review

Aimed at professionals and dedicated amateurs, Read more

Reviews (20)

Top notch presentation
This is not the next step for those who have been sponging and doing strié on the wall. This book outlines the top end of decorative finishing. These are difficult-to-master techniques and you should be a trained artist (realistic painter) before attempting much of what is described in this book.

Very detailed, but not worth that much money.
I couldn't wait to get this one! It is very detailed. Teaches you step by step AND gives you the names of all colors used. The method to get to the end result is a bit tricky, the brushes he uses can get very expensive, and I think that there are other ways of getting the same result, without all the expensive brushes.

Stellar! Stellar book! Stellar results!
This is a great book, and I highly recommend it. I have a few books on Faux finishing but they are no where near as complete, and with the others the results can be considered questionable, or shoddy compared to this one. The teachings in this book will astound you. Everything is pictured step by step. You will learn to achieve complete, and believable transformations. There are also some great examples pictured of finished interiors that will inspire you to create.
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Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Decorating    3. Decorating - Painting/Wallpapering    4. Finishes and finishing    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. House painting    7. Interior decoration    8. Residential Interior Design    9. Art techniques & materials    10. Decorative arts & crafts    11. Interior design    12. Painting & paintings   

Reviews (1)

Review key elements of style, cover basic materials and equipment, and provide plenty of color embellishment.
There are many ways antique fabrics, unique collectibles, and flea market finds can be used to decorate a house, and these twelve easy projects offer step-by-step directions for so doing, even embracing kitchen and garden in the process. Chapters in CREATING VINTAGE STYLE: STYLISH IDEAS & STEP-BY-STEP PROJECTS review key elements of style, cover basic materials and equipment, and provide plenty of color embellishment.
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Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Decorating    4. Decorating - General    5. Handicraft    6. House & Home    7. House furnishings    8. Interior decoration   

Reviews (5)

What a beautiful book
Im into card making and decoupage and this book is a treasure.nothing like it in the books or craft stores.pages are very well made.pictures are wonderful along with the colors.many uses for all imagies..B.W.

Victorian Scrap Gallery
Exactly what I needed for craft work.Very fine quality and a good buy.

Great ideas!
Originally I bought this book for scrapbooking � great images.Then I realized why not personal greeting cards for birthdays and holidays?!And when a friend wanted a theme for a party, I used the images from the book for invitations, placemats, centerpieces, coasters etc.And I�ve only just begun. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Cut-out craft    4. Decorating    5. Decoupage    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Papercrafts    8. Prints, Victorian    9. Scrapbooks    10. Antiques & collectables: books, manuscripts, ephemera & printed matter    11. Art Forms, Treatments & Subjects    12. History of art & design styles: c 1800 to c 1900    13. Paper crafts   

Reviews (5)

Elegant little book
Photography is excellent.Very clear instructions. Good for new crafters as well as those with experience. Variety of patternsis excellent.

Very nice beading book
This was the first French beading book that I bought. As a beginner, it was a little hard to figure everything out at first, but with some practice and the detailed pictures in this book, I was able to come up with a nice finished product. The things I liked about this book, specifically, were how the first project illustrated the four basic techniques that would be used throughout the whole book. Once I fished the poppy, I almost couldn't believe it would be that simple! I also liked how each project was unique by demonstrating a new concept or some variation of the original four basic techniques (for example, striping the tiger lily and split loop for the dogwood).
Great for beginnners!
This was the 4rd book on french beaded flowers that I picked up and I found it to be the best so far.The instructions are very detailed with photos of each step along the way.More detailed than other books I have tried to learn from. If you prefer photos showing the steps as opposed to just hand-drawn diagrams, then this is the book for you!
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Subjects:  1. Beads & Beading    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Decorating    5. General    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Crafts & Hobbies / General    8. Flower making    9. LITERATURE - LIT CLASSICS TRD PB   

Reviews (7)

Author Corrects Oct. 27 Review
I am the author of this book.I am compelled to respond to the negative review written October 27. This book is DANGEROUS!
As an experienced gel candlemaker I'm appalled at the dangerous projects this book showcases!Never, I repeat NEVER seat an untabbed wick in gel.HELLO - it's a fire hazard! Speaking of fire hazards, please don't embed many of the items recommended - just because it's "not near" the wick doesn't mean it can't catch fire. Some tips are great, others did not work
I loved this book since I saw it with those wonderful pictures and detailed instructions.I particularly liked the floating candle project and since I make my own gel, I made the 9% self standing gel candle according to instructions.The gel worked great, floated well but the candle did not light at all!!!!!I was making these candles for a wedding party and there was no way to light those candles.I changed the wick for a different thickness and nothing worked until I tried again the 5% gel.It burned OK!The candles float well only they are not as stiff as with the other gel. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Candlemaking    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Decorating    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Handicrafts    7. Hobbies, Quizzes & Games    8. Home furnishing & decoration   

Reviews (3)

Disappointed, sort of
I love the quality of the pictures of the final projects and the overal quality of the book presentation. However, I did not like the "refer to page [x]" for the step-by-step techniques in each project and the pictures of the steps did not help much. Every technique is not the same from project to project. It seemed a lazy approach to the book layout. Other than that is was OK.

Altered Art for the First Time
An excellent offering for artists of all levels, Madeline Arendt opens your eyes to new and easy ways of creating keepsakes that will become family heirlooms.Her directions are simple to follow, and she gives the reader permission to take the project and "jump off the page."A great addition to any artist's library!

From expert to novice there is something here for everyone!
If you are new to the altered art craze or an old hand you will find inspiration and great advice in this book.The projects are well thought out, delightfully original and inspiring.Learn a variety of techniques easily with step by step photography or just gaze at the artistry to stir your own creative juices.This book is a must have for anyone working with paper, fabrics, paints, or inks. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Altered books    2. Assemblage Art    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Decorating    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Papercrafts    8. Crafts & Hobbies / Papercrafts    9. Handicrafts    10. NEW AGE - ASTROLOGY TRD HC    11. Paper crafts   

Reviews (1)

Beautiful Designs
I was delighted to find this book.One look at the cover and a flip through the pages and i knew I had found the jewelry making book for me.I have been making jewelry for years and like to get new ideas. The designs in this book are beautiful!Even though the projects look easy enough for a beginner and don't require anything special, the ideas and final pieces of jewelry have me itching to get in my workroom, and i consider myself an advanced jewelry maker.The extra tips, suggestions and additional photographs are also great. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Decorating    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Jewelry    6. Jewelry making    7. Pearls    8. Crafts & Hobbies / Jewelry    9. Jewellery & jewellery-making   

Reviews (1)

where is my book?
This book was to be delivered by the 30th of August.It is now the 7th of Sept, and still no book.One star is generous, and predicated on the hope the book is still to come. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Decorating    4. Encyclopedias    5. General    6. Handicraft    7. Hobbies/Crafts    8. Reference    9. BG-JUVENILE PROP - BG-JUVY NON-FICTION    10. Crafts & Hobbies / General    11. Handicrafts    12. Sale Books   

Editorial Review

Beautifully designed and photographed, Read more

Reviews (5)

Fantastic and very helpful
I have just started having some lessons of BEADING and COSTUME JEWELRY. This means that I'm a biginner, but in a very short time I found myself looking on the internet for some free patterns so that I can see if I'm improving or not in this new hobby which may also gives me a fortune. And during may surfing on the WEB I went to the Amazon (...) where I have found myself in a mine of Gold of all sort of Magazines. This gave me the whealt to move step forword, and by all means I did, because I bought two very useful magazines which I'm sure that I am going to keep AMAZON the favorite to buy from. One last thing is that not only Amazon kept their promise of their date, but I have recieved them Ten ( 10 ) days before. I recommend Amazon as best suppliers to my friends.

Exquisite ethnic designs
Oh my gosh, what beautiful jewelry pieces!This is the best jewelry book by Sara Withers that I have yet seen.The title lives up to its name because the beads used and the designs all have an exotic, ethnic look.Each chapter focuses on designs representing a particular culture, i.e., Native American, Europe, Middle East, Far East, and Africa, the pieces having an updated, sophisticated look. Disappointing ... Not what I expected from the reviews
I have to take exception to the reader reviews of this book.I ordered the book based on these reviews, but now that I have it in my hand, I find that I'm very disappointed.While the book design and layout are fine, and many of the beads are interesting, I found the projects to be disappointing.For the beginning beader, this book may provide some inspiration, although I think the instructions are very sketchy, at best. I'm still searching for a good design book on beading.In the meantime, I do like "All Wired Up" by Mark Lareau -- the gallery of jewelry designs at the end of his book are great!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Beadwork    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Decorating    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Jewelry    7. Jewelry making   

Subjects:  1. Amatuers' manual    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Decorating    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Jewelry    7. Jewelry Arts And Crafts    8. Jewelry making    9. Reference    10. Crafts & Hobbies / Jewelry    11. Jewellery & jewellery-making   

Reviews (2)

Scrumptious bags!
I was amazed when I opened this book at how luscious these bags are! Rich brocades and deeply died ombre ribbons dominate the pattern style, much different than the lacy romantic bag on the cover. All the bags are very easy to make (the fabrics and 'main ribbon embellishment' tell a lovely visual story without needing another thing.) The basic bags look so rich when you're done that you can't believe they're hand made. The authors tell where to get the supplies, (always a relief.) The materials from the cited suppliers are VERY expensive and so if you are more the 'do my own thing' artist, you can look around and replace most of the fabrics and ribbons with any materials you love. And if you horde vintage lace, buttons, and tapestries, you will end up with a masterpiece by dressing it up even more with your own bits and pieces. You can also follow your own preference for bead v. crochet v. sew v. embroider to dress up the basic pattern - and there are a few variation ideas in the book.
Great Book by Talented Authors
This book was on my "must have" list as soon as I knew that it was going to be released and it did not disappoint!
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Subjects:  1. Arts And Crafts    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Decorating    5. Fashion    6. General    7. Handbags    8. Hobbies/Crafts    9. Sewing    10. Crafts & Hobbies / General    11. LITERATURE - LIT CLASSICS TRD PB    12. Needlework & fabric crafts   

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Decorating    4. Earrings    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Jewelry    7. Jewelry making    8. BG-MIND & BODY - BG-PSYCHGY/SELF HELP    9. Crafts & Hobbies / Jewelry   

Editorial Review

Martha Stewart's decorating ideas are deceptively simple. Thematerials are readily available and the instructions are easy, masking the sophistication it takes to realize the simplistic beauty of aplain white plate with a single maple leaf as a place card. "GoodThings" is what Martha Stewart calls the "easy tips"segment of her television show, and, in fact, all of the tips in thisbook are remarkably easy (at least, in comparison to some of her otherprojects). Martha's potato, sweet potato, and onion latkes areremarkably good, and are particularly recommended for those who maystill doubt whether they can match Martha in their own kitchens. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Cut & Paste Job. Avoid
Rehash of articles in her magazine.Avoid.

Nothing Good Here But Try....
...these others books that I think are grand: The best of the magazine !
If you don't subscribe to Martha's expensive magazine (I don't), then this book is the only thing you need to own.It is the best of all the good ideas without weeding through ads. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Decorating    5. Gifts    6. Handicraft    7. House furnishings    8. Interior design    9. Seasonal    10. Crafts & Hobbies / Decorating    11. Floral crafts    12. Home furnishing & decoration    13. Household hints   

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Decorating    4. Decoration and ornament    5. Fashion    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Textile Arts - General    8. Textile crafts    9. Needlework & fabric crafts   

Reviews (9)

Good for Learning the Basics
A variety of patterns gives a good overview of beading and the many different looks you can achieve.

A Treasury of Beaded Jewelry: Bead Stringing Patterns for All Ages
An excellent tool for creative beading!

Great for beginners to intermediates
I really liked this book.I dot this book near the beginning of my beading career and find that I still refer to it regularly to refresh my memory on beading methodology.It is an easy to follow guide that has easier projectss for beginners, as well as more time-consuming and difficult projects for the more advanced beader.I love these designs, and one design can be used over and over in different bead colors.As you become more comforatble with them, you can make your own variations and build upon what they have shown you.I definetly recommend this book to everyone interested in jewelry beading. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Art    3. Beads & Beading    4. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions - General    5. Crafts / Hobbies    6. Decorating    7. Jewelry    8. Jewelry Arts And Crafts   

Reviews (1)

Interesting book
The book has alot of period houses and interiors to look at. The picture detailing is great but the book lacks alot of instruction. What instruction it has is informative but is inconsistant. I only recommend this if you are very artistic and creative already and can figure out how to create these lovely houses. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques / Collectibles    3. Doll furniture    4. Dollhouses    5. Dolls    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Miniature craft    8. Toymaking - Dollhouses    9. Crafts & Hobbies / Decorating    10. Handicrafts   

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Christmas cookery    3. Christmas decorations    4. Crafts & Hobbies    5. Crafts / Hobbies    6. Decorating    7. Decoration & Ornament    8. Hobbies/Crafts    9. Interior decoration    10. Seasonal    11. Crafts & Hobbies / Seasonal    12. FICTION - FICTION TRD PB   

Editorial Review

Frustrated by the exorbitant costs and uneven quality of available wedding accessories, a mother-and-daughter team set out to rectify the situation by designing their own. The result is a lovely book filled with nice ways to add a personal touch to all aspects of a wedding, from the preplanning stages to the ceremony, honeymoon, and long after. Although many ideas are typical wedding-craft items (bridal purse, ringbearer's pillow, keepsake garter, sachets, and the like), the presentation is appealing, with good photos and instructions for 52 step-by-step projects, plus dozens more ideas for simple craft items, from picture frames to scrapbooks to party favors. Most items are relatively inexpensive to make and require only basic sewing or crafting skills. Sidebars offer useful advice on finding a good photographer, getting a passport, caring for fine linens, and much more.Read more

Reviews (3)

Not very original - OK for a few "first ideas"
I had read good reviews of this book and wanted to get some ideas for my upcoming wedding. After looking through the entire book, I found only one or two ideas I liked -and I'd already seen them before.I hoped for lots of neat favor ideas - instead, it had the completely unoriginal "almonds in tulle". Excellent resource!
I recently purchased this book, and was thrilled to see the number of projects that are included.It has an excellent selection of projects that can be realistically completed by even an amateur crafter.I have markedpractically the entire book with notes on how I plan to incorporate thevarious projects into my wedding.I was already planning on doing alot ofthe things myself, but this book provided some additional insight into theprojects I already had planned and then gave me some new ones.Anexcellent investment for anyone interested in saving money on weddingplanning and decorating and willing to put in the time necessary.

well-balanced, great book
What a great idea - combining upscale but affordable wedding crafts with informative sidebars.My favorites are the party favors and Honeymoon at Home - I plan to use it for my own wedding, then keep it to use for makinggifts and brainstorming for ideas for friends' weddings. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Decorating    4. Equipment and supplies    5. General    6. Gifts    7. Handicraft    8. Hobbies/Crafts    9. Wedding decorations    10. Weddings    11. BG-HISTORY - BG-AMERICAN HISTORY    12. Handicrafts