Reviews (1)

Not Just For Beginning Businesses!
Ms. Brabec made this book very personable by featuring tips from various artists. I was also glad to see extensive coverage on building a business using the computer.Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. General    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Home-based businesses    5. Management    6. Marketing - General    7. Reference    8. Small Business - General    9. Small Business/Entrepreneurship    10. United States    11. Business & Management    12. Crafts & Hobbies / General   

Reviews (7)

One of the good ones that is worthbuying.
A winner in all ways.This book is for the people who have done the little crafty bits and have not lost interest in favor of a new hobby of the month.It is for those who love the texture and reflectivity of this artform's materials and want to find out more.
Excellent overall source
I bought 5 mosaic books while learning the technique and this is my favorite. Of the books I have read, this has the most comprehensive guide to the actual process of making a mosaic.There is an extensive section of tools, as well as the best explanation of the direct and especially indirect method that I have seen.Pictures are plentiful too for every step and offer some fabulous examples of what is possible with the art. Unique projects
So far, every mosaic book I have collected has something to offer.This one has a few notable characteristics.The section on tools and equipment is more complete and detailed than other mosaic books I have seen.Beginning mosaic books usually suggest some kind of spatula, a tile nipper, and glass cutter.Quite a few other tools are suggested and described here, as well as what they are for.Although I feel daunted about buying and using so many different tools, it is helpful to know what I can look for if a particular project requires something different.Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Mosaic    5. Mosaics    6. Pottery & Ceramics    7. Reference    8. Technique    9. Art techniques & materials    10. GAMES (bks) - Games TRD PB   

Subjects:  1. Ceramic Arts And Crafts    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Directories    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Native American Art    6. Navajo artists    7. Navajo pottery    8. Pottery & Ceramics    9. Pueblo artists    10. Pueblo pottery    11. Reference    12. Social Science    13. Sociology    14. Women's Studies - General    15. Antiques & collectables: ceramics & glass    16. Art of indigenous peoples    17. Ceramic arts, pottery, glass    18. USA   

Reviews (1)

Gotta have it for the practicing artist.
I was looking for an illustration book with different techniques and stumbled onto this one.It's got great color photos and good explaination on how to use the mediums.It's very inspirational.I can't wait toexplore more. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Drawing In Specific Media    5. Graphic Arts - General    6. Graphic arts    7. Hobbies/Crafts    8. Reference    9. Technique   

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Encaustic painting    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Painting    6. Reference    7. Transfer-printing    8. Art techniques & principles    9. BG-JUVENILE PROP - BG-JUVY ACTIVITY    10. Crafts & Hobbies / General    11. Painting & paintings   

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Papercrafts    5. Reference    6. Scrapbooks, Memory Books    7. Paper folding, origami   

Reviews (15)

A great beginning book on making herbal soaps
I wanted some insight into how to incorporate herbs into my melt and pour soap, and I found this book very helpful. Contrary to what another reviewer said, not all melt and pour soap bases contain alcohol and fillers - it is possible to get m&p soap base that is composed of natural ingredients. Not for beginers....
I noticed that this book is lacking of showing how to work with the glycerine in order to make this soaps. I don't believe this book is for beginers in soapmaking. Other than that, it has nice photos!

Glycerin soap? Who knew!
I own another soap making book from Sandy Maine and enjoy it very much, so decided to try another one.After purchasing it from Amazon, I quickly realized that this book is strictly glycerine soaps.There was no indication of this from what I could tell.I wanted a book on actual soap making, not pre-made soap enhanced by botanicals.In summary, the title or book summary should mention that this book is about melt and pour soap only.Consequently, I returned the book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aromatherapy    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Reference    5. Soap    6. Cosmetics, make-up & skin care   

Reviews (2)

very basic hatmaking only for turn of century
Less information than the bodice and corset workbooks, for those who are familiar with the author. This book focuses on turn-of-the-century women's hat shapes: wide brim and shaped sweetheart brim. Author listsfabric/notion requirements and provides numerous b/w illustrations to walkyou through basic hat-building technique. Geared to very basic hats, whichyou can put together with a home sewing machine and glue. Maybe even toobasic - info hardly fills one side of each page. Trim instructions covergathered tulle ruffles and bows, fabric roses, big bows, and ostrichplumes. I would like to see expanded trim info, principally more complexribbon decorations, other feather types, maybe even stuffed birds andveiling. Since hats of this time period were such a huge fashion statement,I don't feel the book adequately covers the construction possibilities. Butif you need to build a basic hat and don't want to take a class or buy awood block, this is your best option. Would be perfect for the school dramadepartment that needs to produce dozens of hats for a period production. Ifyou're entering a costume masquerade or have ambitions toward seriousmillinery, you really should look for Albrizio's Classic MillineryTechniques instead.

Great "Little" Book
There's lots of info in this little book! From patterns and how-to-dos to designing ideas. A must for costume and doll clothing designers! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art & Art Instruction    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Design - Textile & Costume    4. Hats    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Millinery    7. Reference    8. Sewing    9. Fashion design    10. Theatre, drama    11. Wardrobe & makeup   

Features

• Illustrated

Reviews (1)

An incredible pick for artists at all levels of talent
Mosacists will delight in an in-depth survey which covers the technical, cultural and historical context for creating mosaics. Goodwin's guide takes the form of an A-Z encyclopedia of techniques and creations, covering everything from mosaic history and technical details on mosaic creation to the entire design process. An incredible pick for artists at all levels of talent, working in the medium. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Enamel Arts And Crafts    4. Encyclopedias    5. General    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Mosaics    8. Pottery & Ceramics    9. Reference    10. Art / Design / Decorative   

Reviews (8)

I love this book !!!
This book is wonderful if you are going to get a tattoo of a certain Kanji it has tons to choose from. I use this book almost everyday.. this is by far one of my best purchases.

Excellent format and descriptions
I have been an admirer for Oriental Culture, and willing to understand Chinesse and Japanese writing.This book is an excellent source which explains a lot of Kanji symbols, and has several notes about interesting facts about it.I recommend it to all people looking to introduce themselves into this enigmatic and wonderful language.
Fantastic resource
Easy to read, follow, and use right away. Shows formal, modern, flowing, and stylish character sets. Describes the root, meaning, and nature of common Japanese words and phrases. The calligraphy is excellent. I only wish it was longer and more encompassing. Among other things I use this book as a supplement to Write Your Name in Kanji text by Nobuo Sato to write the characters more elegantly.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Art & Art Instruction    2. Asian    3. Chinese characters    4. Crafts & Hobbies    5. Design - Decorative    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Japan    8. Japanese language    9. Language and culture    10. Reference    11. Tattoos, Mehndi, & Body Painting, Etc.    12. Terms and phrases    13. Art / Design / General    14. Decorative arts & crafts    15. Industrial / Commercial Art & Design   

Reviews (3)

Pitelka's "Clay:A Studio Handbook"
I have read several books (library) on pottery and technique and THIS book, for all inclusive information, beats them all.One definitely that should be in everyone's studio.Easy to quick reference.Easy to read and understand.I actuallycould visualize making forms as I read the text.It gets right down to the molecular events that happen in the kiln, things I didn't know before.Wonderful work!! Take a class, then read this book.You'll want to play with clay the rest of your life.

Perfect studio handbook
This book is wonderful.It contains information on everything from properly wedging and centering clay, to how to set up your own studio and select equipment.It's informative without being so academic that it's hard to read.I would recommend it to anyone who is trying to supplement their knowledge of ceramics. I have more hands-on pottery experience than academic, so this answers all the little things I've been wondering about such as "What is the difference between earthenware and stoneware?", "How does a noborigama work?", or "What is the proper way to photograph my work?"This is the perfect studio reference book.

For anyone with a yearning to create three-dimensional art
Vince Pitelka's Clay: A Studio Handbook is a comprehensive, highly detailed manual on all the myriad ways to create and enjoy clay sculpture, from hand-building to potter's wheels to kiln firing and glazes, to exhibiting and marketing finished works. Written in sensible language easily understandable to the lay reader or novice hobbyist, yet covering all the material a professional needs to know, Clay: A Studio Handbook is the perfect guide for anyone with an interest in learning or improving their clay craftsmanship, whether for fun or for profit. Black-and-white photographs and drawings visually model the many styles and techniques presented, making them easy to imitate. Clay: A Studio Handbook is strongly recommended for anyone with a yearning to create three-dimensional art. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Artists' studios    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Design and construction    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Marketing    6. Pottery & Ceramics    7. Pottery craft    8. Reference    9. Ceramics & glass technology   

Reviews (4)

Good Plans - Exactly what I needed
This was a very good book.Of course if you are looking for the exact plans measured off the real thing then save yourself some time. If you are looking to make Medieval-looking furniture and are not an Authent-o-cratthen you will like this. It has good solid designs and plans for the modernmedievel enthusiast.Gets you from point A to point B using tools that wehave in the 21st century and is the best I have been able to find.

Good plans for medieval furniture, lousy research!
The plans offer a good starting point for anyone interested in medieval furniture construction, but please don't take the accompanying background seriously, because it is full of inaccuracies and insubstantiated rumors. This said, if you are an enthusiast of medieval furniture, use the projectsin this book as a starting point for your own exploration of medievalwoodwork and to guide you in your research.

Not very useful to the beginning woodworker
There are many problems with this book.The author uses the wrong terminology; he makes mistaken assumptions on the construction of the furniture; his woodworking methodology is very lacking; he dosen't appear to be a seasoned woodworker talking about making medieval furniture, but someone into medieval times writing about the furniture; 8 of the 19 projects are considered mideval on a technicality - beging made 50 or so years before the time frame ended;he says dovetails sould be cut with a hand held saber saw.I can picture people running to the local home center and buying 2x material and digging at it with dull chisels claiming it is medieval because it is crude.There are some good points.The tapestry and candle stand are inspiring, and the couple pages of resources at the back of the book. Anybody serious about medieval furniture should not consider this authoritative. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Drawings    4. Furniture    5. Furniture, Medieval    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Measured drawing    8. Reference    9. Reproduction    10. Woodwork - Furniture/Cabinetry    11. Furniture & furnishings manufacture    12. Woodworking   

Reviews (1)

Good Beginner Book
This book would be good for someone who has never tried Calligraphy. I am a beginner that just finished my first class and I found the book to be a little too basic. On the positive side, there are a few good pro/con liststhat explain the advantages and disadvantages of some tools, nibs, inks anderasers. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art & Art Instruction    2. Calligraphy    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Reference    6. Techniques - Calligraphy    7. Techniques - General    8. Lettering & calligraphy   

Reviews (3)

Enhance your paintings with custom frames
A proper frame is of a great importance for a painting. It can either make it shine in all its beauty or simply spoil it. In spite of wide availability of framing materials nowadays, it is surprisingly difficult to find exact hues required for the balanced color harmony that suits a particular piece of art.
Well writeen book with few shortcomings
Chapter 1 Materials and Equipment How-to general reference, well illustrated
Demonstrates in full color, step-by-step photographs all stages of making and decorating frames and mounts. This useful and well designed book is an encyclodedic introduction to picture framing crafts. It offers comprehensive descriptions of equipment for both beginning and advanced techniques and explains a wide range of decorative effects, from wood and paint finishes to gilding. It gives advice on how to restore and repair frames and includes an inspiring creative gallery of finished frames by professional artists. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Framing    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Picture frames and framing    6. Reference    7. Technique    8. Crafts & Hobbies / Framing    9. HOME REFERENCE - HOUSE PLANS TRD PB   

Reviews (8)

Now for the bad news
I recently inherited my father in law's stamp collection.My wife wants to sell it, to raise some much-needed money.I bought a current Scott catalogue and determined that one of the U.S. plate block albums is "worth" $350.My wife was told by a stamp dealer that he will only pay about 10% of catalogue value.That would make the album worth $35.
Great Book on an uneasy subject for collectors
This book does two things well:
This book can save you money
I'm not planning to sell my stamps - but this book has saved me money by giving me some insight into what kind of stamps will never be worth the time or money spent on them!I also love Datz's vignettes of life in the stamp trade! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques / Collectibles    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Postage stamps as an investmen    5. Postage stamps as an investment    6. Reference    7. Reference - General    8. Stamp collecting    9. Stamps    10. General encyclopaedias    11. Stamps, philately   

Reviews (1)

great pics and some fresh looks on ideas
The first 17 pages of this book deals with safety,materials, molds,gel subjects,types of embeds,how to place embeds,wicks and positioning wicks, coloring/scents,using glitter, containers,and decorating containers.This is neat in it's own way because it gets that stuff out of the way, while other authors use it to fill up their books.Read more

Subjects:  1. Candlemaking    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. General    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Reference    7. Candle-making    8. Crafts & Hobbies / General    9. Hobbies, Quizzes & Games    10. STUDY NOTES - SparkNotes   

Reviews (10)

Awesome Book! A "Must Buy" for Novices and Experts Alike
I bought this book after learning how to do a couch stitch. After one night of beading, I had learned many different stitches and was creating works I didn't think I could do! This book is a "must buy" for any new beader and I can't help but think that it would also be a good book for anyone who has been beading for a while but needs some new ideas. I checked out several beading books, and really believe this is the most helpful! Thank you Nancy! You've inspired me!

Off the Beadin' Path
I have worked thru the exersizes in this fun book and found it to be an exciting and a challenge to me to push the boundrys of creativity a bit.Such fun and clear illustrations what a joy.Easy to follow and well written.Better than a lot of the other bead books I own.

Off the Beadin' Path by Nancy Eha
From the personal growth challanges in doing a Discovery Journey journal, to the examples of stitches used in creating original beadwork I have found Nancy's book a wonderful way to get out of the creative stuper I was in after moving from Ct. to Fl. I now can just sit down and throw beads together and before I know it I have a wonderful piece of bead art that all my friends admire, and to tell you the truth some of them envy because they feel I am so talented, (if they only knew the secret was what I learned from Nancy's book.) A must have in any beader's book collection to open up the artist in all of us. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts & Hobbies / Glass & Glassware    3. Reference    4. Self-Help    5. Beads    6. Beadwork    7. Glass & Glassware   

Reviews (6)

This book was very disappointing.
As a beginning to intermediate beader, this book was a disappointment to me.I guess I should have taken the title more seriously!The projects lack inspiration and the photographs are of poor quality.Many of the pictures are repetitive.I also felt that the book is not organized in a logical fashion and, although it covers wirework, it does not even mention wrapping a donut or a pendant or a basic rosary turn.If you are looking for a really good basic book on beading or you want to find some fresh new projects, this book is not for you!

No pictures for critical steps
I purchased this book to learn HOW TO ATTACH CLASPS. Well, there are NO PICTURES to go along with the step by step instructions. I am a total NOVICE at this, and with all the great reviews I figured this would be the ONE BOOK to get ... no. I still have no idea how to modify a necklace on a leather cord to attach a clasp. If anyone can offer any help, I would appreciate it. But I would not buy this book if you don't know how to attach clasps.

Great source of beadwork and info; but not very inspirational!
While the title of this book is rather offensive, it must be admitted that the text inside provides a thorough introduction to all types of beadwork.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Beads & Beading    2. Beadwork    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Reference    7. Fiction / Suspense   

Reviews (5)

Fabulous resource for the experienced crafter/artist!
I love this book. It is very concise and densely filled with idea after idea of creating different kinds of textures and surfaces and small constructions and patterns and subtle image tranformations using a variety of (mostly) easy to locate or purchase materials in extremely creative, rich ways. It is wonderful fodder for the imagination of art teachers, set decorators, designers, artists in a variety of media, and crafters looking to add spice and variety to their creations. However the reader is assumed to bring a certain amount of vision to the table and this book would be frustrating for a paint by the numbers type. The book is a compendium of ideas with enough instruction to achieve the desired results, but how you use it is up to you, and it helps to have some artistic background to fully utilize the ideas herein.

Wonderful array of projects, great for rubber stampers
This is wonderful book for crafters of all types. With 200 different projects, you're sure to find something to perk your interest.It is amazing how simple many of the techniques are and the stunning results that can be achieved with them. The title inspired me but the book did not
I was disappointed. After reading the glowing customer reviews, I was expecting a lot more inspiration.143 pages of pictures with very little text, it would be better suited for a pamphlet. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Handicraft    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Paper work    6. Reference    7. Textile crafts    8. Handicrafts    9. Home & House Maintenance   

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Reference    5. Tools    6. Woodwork    7. Woodwork - Tools    8. Woodworking    9. Woodworking tools