1 comments about Artist Trading Cards (Twenty to Make).

1. I like the concept of explaining a particular technique, then showing how the same technique was used to make several different ATCs. Instructions are clear and artwork examples are beautiful and inspiring. Some materials may be difficult for some readers to purchase, however.

5 comments about Mixed-Media Collage: An Exploration of Contemporary Artists, Methods, and Materials.

1. This book is not just a collection of pictures of interesting projects, but each artist includes what inspired them, materials used and tips on creating similar works. You can get ideas from each artist to use in your own work or just enjoy getting in to the head of the artist. There are lots of different styles, techniques and ideas and they are all well illustrated with great photography. This is one book I'll be sure to keep around.



2. I have many, many books in my mixed media, collage library. This one is awesome. I go back and look at it time and time again for new inspiration.



3. After a quick introduction to collage and collage tools, the book is divided into two sections.
   
   Section one features in-depth profiles of five artists. Each artist is interviewed and interesting questions are asked about their creative process, their inspiration and why they choose to use the materials that they do. Multiple pieces of their artwork are shown. One project is featured with stepped-out directions and photos so you can learn their technique.
   
   The five artists profiled and directions for their project are:
   1. Laurinda Bedingfield: 3D collage book sculpture with photographs
   2. Barbara DePirro: using acrylic gel medium to create the look of encaustic
   3. Paula Grasdal: printmaking and collage
   4. Sharon McCartney: mixed-media multi-paneled wall hanging
   5. Teesha Moore: mixed-media journal page
   
   Section two is a gallery of two pieces of artwork from 20 different contemporary mixed-media artists. The information includes brief technique explanation, inspiration, and a list of supplies used.
   
   The strengths of this book are that there is a great variety of type of artwork represented. This is not a book of fads and trends. It was clear to me that each artist is following their own voice and making their own unique kind of art that they enjoy working with. For this reason I treasure the book, because there are other publications on the market which seem to display the `trend of the season'. This book is fresh and unique. Just seeing different types of artwork and seeing these artists using their own inner voices to guide their art (even if I personally didn't love the look of all of it) made me want to go and make some art.
   
   The book closes with some essays on the topic of the artist on the Internet. Directions on how to do photo transfers and how to do encaustic collage are provided.
   
   The book has a products resource guide, a vendor listing and a directory of all the artists featured in the book.
   
   The paper in the book is high quality glossy paper. The layout is very nice and the photographs are in full-color. This was very nicely put together.
   
   I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in mixed-media collage. If you love to read about what inspires artists and about people's creative process you will really enjoy this book.
   
   On a more personal note...
   My personal take-away from this book is a feeling of freedom of expression and a desire to go make my own personal style of art. In the past I have felt uncomfortable when I was creating art that was not the current trend, especially after reading certain books or a certain art magazine. Also while doing mail art swaps I have been criticized for making art that is not the hot fad of the day, for using different colors or materials than some people were. I personally don't plan to copy the work of these artists even though there are stepped out directions for five projects. What each of us takes away from a book is unique and that is alright.
   
   I also really enjoy reading about what inspires artists and what their creative process is like. I smiled when I read that one artist creates while sitting on her living room floor with images all around her. I prefer more talk of the creative process and inspiration rather than the books that only feature the finished art piece yet leave me wondering, "What was the artist thinking, why did they make that?".



4. I am not quite sure what I expected from this book. Yes, I did think there would be the same type of collage and craft but what I did not expect was the same old hats on people, heads on other bodies (refer to T.Moores stuff on the cover and inside) techniques that have been done to death to name a few negative points. It was a grave disappointment. It would seem there really has been nothing new from this area of paper arts for an awful long time.
   
   A few good points about the book is that it uses some male artists in a predominately female field. Further, the photography and lay out is very good. It also discusses faux encaustics. Sadly, I bought it and sold it in the same week.



5. Definitely a grab bag of goodies: Nuts, prizes and candy (literally). After reading other reviews, I had to put in my 2 cents. Yes, some of the pieces in this book are more "crafty" than others. The cover of the book makes no claim to presenting art rather than craft. The word "art" covers more ground today than in the past & I would consider most of these pieces works of art. Duchamp's mounted urinal entitled "fountain" was considered art in its day (and probably still is). Art is in the eye of the creater and the beholder. If you're not creating or beholding, then why bother to complain. So what's the matter with the pieces presented in this book? What's the matter with craft anyway? Geez.
   
   The techniques explained might not walk you start to finish and help you achieve the exact works of art presented here. They do provide starting points for the reader to come up with their own artworks. Sorry, there are no step-by-step methods to transfering photos to lampshades. There are loads of insights into how each artist creates. I purchased this book to read each artist's "spark", their methods, and their tools. I also want to look at the beautiful photos again and again.
   
   My only complaint about this book is that there is not enough fiber art.

3 comments about The Potter's Book of Glaze Recipes.

1. This Book is a great book for any beginner Potter. It has over 400 recipes for glazes and it also explains how to adjust the glaze ifyou have a problem. I love my Book and I know I will use it for a very long time.



2. Easy to use and keeps open while I work on recipes.Great size . Great pictures on nice paper.



3. I am thrilled with this new book I recently purchased, I have had Emmanual Cooper's other books on glazing and recipes - and found them most informative and the glazes pretty true to explanation
   I also have found that they are quite stable - we fire in the higher 1260.C upwards catagory and the sometimes glaze recipes unless worked out correctly can be very unstable and uninteresting.
   All in all a very worthwhile book and easy to use, a definate "MUST HAVE" for your collection

5 comments about Polymer Clay Surface Design Recipes: 100 Mixed-Media Techniques Plus Project Ideas.

1. This book had some interesting techniques in it, but for the most part this isn't something that will get a lot of use. I'm not all that into uing paint on my clay and this book has several paint treatments. So for me, this book wasn't that great.



2. I really like this book for the fact that although i do not use polyclay often, this books ideas on color, scheme, and technique can work for most media. i thoroughly enjoyed the eye candy but savor it mostly for the secret recipes on coloration. i would recommend this book for all involved in visual arts.



3. Great information, I would recomend it to anyone who likes Polymer Clay.



4. This book needed writing! Thank you, Ellen for sharing years of experimentation and innovation. as you created your art. The specific information contained within its covers could well save an artist much time and money.
   
   Great information and a must have resource on surface treatments and polymer clay.
   
   Donna Kato, author of The Art of Polymer Clay



5. Some techniques in this book were new to me and some I have done for years. I like this book because it is a good collection of surface treatments all in one place.

5 comments about Electric Kiln Ceramics: A Guide to Clays and Glazes.

1. The paperback is not just a paper version of the hardback, which Amazon makes it sound like it is, but a whole different, and much better, book. The hardback (edition 2) has poor black and white photos and treats many subjects in very cursory way. The paperback has wonderfully original art in color, and is very thorough on ways of marking and glazing. I was not careful and now have a crummy 2nd edition hardback which I don't know quite what to do with.
   My 5 stars are for the paperback. I would only give 2 stars to the 2nd edition hardback.



2. For someone new to firing and glazes, this book is an excellent place to start. It explains things in simple terms, provides pictures and demystifies the process. While it doesn't provide an in-depth discussion of chemical changes and formulas or more than some basic recipes, it provided the basics I was looking for.



3. I'm still not sure we're going to invest in a ceramics kiln, but this was a very interesting book about the craft. Too much biography of famous contemporary ceramic artists (totally uninteresting - these are not names that mean anything to me, so, bleah), but otherwise interesting explanations of different types and techniques. A very worthwhile book - it will probably either galvanize you into investing in the kiln and materials, or turn you away from it, saving your money!



4. The images in this book are amazing! Every significant ceramic artists is represented. This is a must have for anyone who wants a complete guide to ceramic artists who use electric kilns. One of the best ceramic books available.



5. Contains a wealth of detailed info about electric kiln construction and usage, and about how to mix and use clays and glazes. The editor should have done a better job, because the wording is sometimes awkward and tedious, but it's still a good reference book containing very valuable information. Also has many excellent photos of finished work, as well as side essays about individual ceramists.

5 comments about Art from the Heart: Mixed-Media Collage.

1. Art from the Heart: Mixed-Media Collage
   
   An amazing book of projects, pictures and supply lists. I love altered art and this book is one that I treasure among my favorites!



2. I borrowed this book from a friend and am now ordering my own copy. I look forward to referencing it as I create my own art. Ms. Scanlon makes the greatest pieces. I enjoy watching her blog, reading her first book Sewing on Paper and now she has taken it to a new level with Art from the heart. I hope to see more sewing on projects in the future. Maybe an option for her next book?



3. Fantastic book! This book is very inspiring and informative. The photography is excellent and the instructions easy to follow and understand. I can't wait to try out more of her ideas!



4. While this book has gorgeous projects - it lacks real instructions on how to make these items.



5. This is a wonderfully creative book with many ideas for artistic expression.I highly recommend this selection.

2 comments about Ceramics: A Potter's Handbook.

1. One of my all-time favorite references. I really love this book. It was a "suggested reading" in my pottery class, and I am very glad I purchased it. I'm an artist that is just as much about researching and understanding as I am about the actual doing and studio side of my work. This book is a treat and I highly recommend it.



2. A wealth of knowledge can be found in this timeless book that covers all the major aspects of ceramics.

   For the novice, it covers the the world's history of ceramics. Discusses clay and glaze compositions and gives step
   by step explanations of the various techniques from wheel throwing to hand building to making plaster molds for
   slip casting.

   For the advanced ceramist, there is good information of various kilns and their construction. It offers analysis of
   several major clays, frits, and feldspars as well as other useful reference tables including some recipes for
   glazes from low fire to high fire.

   I first bought the book in '82 as a college freshman and it has proven a valuable aid ever since. It is on the top of
   my "required reading" list for anyone interested in getting involved with studio ceramics.

No comments about Collage Journeys: A Practical Guide to Creating Personal Artwork.

4 comments about Vintage Collage-Works: Artful Ideas with Antique Ephemera.

1. This book is a beautiful journey into the world of vintage images and ephemera with some very creative project ideas! I really enjoyed it!



2. I bought the book based on the title and the cover and how lucky to hit the jackpot. This book is brimming with inspiration! Offers step-by-steps for the less experienced artist but the step outs aren't so overbearing that a more seasoned artist can't take the projects and explode in a frenzy of creativity. Several pages of clip art in the back for scanning and using - a great addition for those who are just beginning their ephemera collections.
   
   I would say this book, quite aptly, caters to every level of collage or mixed media artist who loves working with ephemera. Love this book! One of my favorites.



3. I love this book! I am an admitted fan of Maryjo Koch's work since discovering her feather art on some wrapping paper. Unlike many other books on collage I own, every image in this book appeals to me. Her "technique" instructions are helpful and there is a great section of clip art images to cut out or scan in the back of the book. I also like her ideas for easy, tiny projects like collaging matchbook boxes.



4. I was somewhat disappointed with this book. It is a nice take on mixed media collage with tips on painting, but not as new or innovative as I had hoped.

5 comments about 500 Teapots: Contemporary Explorations of a Timeless Design.

1. This is one of my favorite 500 books. It is the perfect book for those days when inspiration is hard to find!



2. I bought this book and looked through it with post its to label all the interesting teapot ideas I was drawn to. When considering this book, I wasn't particularly drawn to the cover teapot and wondered if I would be disappointed in the authors picks, but I wasn't. This is a great visual resource for my classroom and studio.
   
   As someone else has commented, I would have given this book 5 stars if the author hadn't repeated multiple photos of very similar teapots by the same artist.



3. As a ceramics teacher who teaches her students how to build teapots, this book is a wonderful resource. The pictures are great and it helps give students a better understanding of what a teapot can look like.



4. But if I were a little teapot, I'd be one of the beautiful ones in this book. There are teapots both plain, and beyond description to fascinate, amuse and amaze you. If you know a little about firing ceramics, and glaze technology, the information provided will deepen your appreciation of each teapot. You may find that some of these artists are in your area, and have ceramics for sale. Or if you just like teapots, there enough teapots here in beautiful color photos to sate your appetite.



5. 500 TEAPPOTS is an wonderful book and is sure to inspire both potters and tea drinkers alike. It is a wonderful companion to 500 BOWLS. I hope they publish ANOTHER 500 TEAPOTS (BOWLS, too).