5 comments about Figures in Fabric.

1. This book is a mind boggling display of some of the most fantastic work you'll ever see! An absolute must for anyone interested in making dolls--or for any artist!



2. Lisa Lichtenfels is awesome! Her sculptures are so absolutely breath taking even on paper. I keep this book on display on a shelf and even the non doll and art lovers can't help but notice it and comment on the beautiful photos.
   
   The step by step and multiple angle photos on the figures really appealed to me. This book is more wonderful than I thought it could be. I see something new each time I look at it.



3. WOW!! ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! Everyone in my class wants one!! A teriffic book for all Dollmakers and Collectors.
   Included in the 160 pages is the Gallery with 37 stunning pictures of different dolls made by Lisa.There is also a "Progress of a Figure" section complete with illustrations showing you how to make a Figure.
   Then comes the "Evolution in Fabric" which is a Gallery including many more pictures of Lisa's work over the years.
   
   Great book for the Coffee Table !



4. LISA'S BOOK IS AN INSPERATION FOR THE DOLL MAKER AND WILL CHALLENGE
   YOUR COURAGE TO TRY HER METHODS.NOT FOR THE FAINT HEARTED.
   SOME INSTRUCTIONS BUT YOU NEED TO PUT THE EFFORT INTO HANDS ON AND
   TRY,TRY AGAIN.A WONDERFUL BOOK A JOY TO READ AND QUITE SPIRITUAL.
   A MUST HAVE.



5. The day I receivd this book,on my birthday, my heart lept for joy I have waited patiently hoping to get a copy but not so expensive.Im 62 live on SSI so my funds are far short of my dreams but my son darling that he is surprised me. Turns out this was well worth the wait,and maybe 60.00I'm sure that the author deserves every penney as she is inspired and authentic. Sharing her knowledge with the rest of us mere mortals is indeed a gift.Hard to believe she can make fabric behave in the way she does but it takes patience and love of the designer so if you are not patient or inspirable save your money and blend in with the crowd with this book as an inspiration you will break out of the mold and be the butterfly you dream of.I love it.I will never part with it.
   Thank you Lisa

5 comments about Anatomy of a Doll: The Fabric Sculptor's Handbook.

1. The book follows no particular sequence and leaves much unanswered in basic steps. For example, page 35 which instructs on making a fully sculptural head is initially clear, basically 3 circles are needed and you'll come out with a fully sculpted head with no nose. But, then there is a drawing of a fully sculptured head with a nose. This head appears to have 4 pieces. The increase caused by splitting the face with the nose in half...but, is this nose appliqued or glued on? Is it then covered with another cloth? This is never answered. And what order is easiest in sewing this face together. If you sew parts 1 and 2, the face, then part 3, the piece which hold in the padding to the face should be smaller (remember, you sewed the face together) and now you need a smaller circumference for part 3, or should it be pleated. According to the author, "learning will be quicker and more enjoyable if you allow yourself to have ideas, to play with them, and to experiment with the techniques." She continues and it becomes condescending. I spent more time than necessary trying to determine exactly what steps to take and when.. she never tells the full story and jumps from one subject to another without warning or explanation. I have plenty of ideas but needed help with the basics in order to apply my ideas. You won't get that here. There are many beautiful figures made by the author and other artists and a brief statement of the technique used. The book is a waste of time and money.. I closed the book and started from "Scratch". I will list the book here on Amazon if any of you want to buy it.



2. Anyone who cannot understand and follow this book's instructions and illustrations should not attempt to make art dolls. They do not have the necessary creativity and would be better served by a major pattern company. This is the most informative and inspirational books I've read on art dolls. All of Susanna Oroyan's books are informative, inspirational, and food for the soul of the dollmaker.



3. I am a cloth doll maker and never fail to find inspiration when I read this book. I look through it frequently for ideas and for technique - and never fail to find something I can use. This is a basic book for any cloth doll maker and I can't recommend it highly enough. I belong to a cloth doll club and everyone owns one of these books and wouldn't be without it.



4. Talk about INSPIRATION! This is a wonderful book for all doll makers, beginners and experts alike. There are clear directions for many different techniques, and so much variety in the techniques that you will NEVER come out of your sewing room! This book is a must have for all doll makers and sculptures.



5. IF TRYING TO TEACH YOURSELF DOLLMAKING A TOOL WITH MANY TIPS OF
   DIFFERENT METHODS.I HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH FROM IT.ALTHOUGH I HAVE HAD FAILURES IT IS MAKING MY SKILLS GROW.ANOTHER MUST HAVE.

5 comments about Jan Foulke's Guide to Dolls: A Definitive Identification and Price Guide (Jan Foulke's Guide to Dolls).

1. Any collector who works with dolls knows there's a wealth of guides for specific types and brands on the market and not a few general guides, but JAN FOULKE'S GUIDE TO DOLLS is better than most: it packs in one of the most comprehensive coverages we've seen, including an antique and modern section of details, covering composition and factors influencing collectible prices, and including histories and even doll clothing prices. It's billed as a 'definitive collection and price guide' and doesn't miss its mark, packing in the details essential to proper pricing and identification.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch



2. A must have for collectors. Foulke is well-known in the doll world. This latest guide is clearly organized and contains information on a variety of collectible dolls.



3. Each author and each doll book has a personality of its own....... I found this specific book very helpful, very realistic, and prices and values leaning a bit towards the lower range value in many cases, which is a good thing... I recommend this book. My sister is now rapidly becoming a doll collector and has a good eye for quality dolls.. She will find this book very helpful and will be surprised at Christmas when she opens this gift......... I also found new doll makers in this book mentioned.



4. 
   I was very pleased with Jan Foulk's latest book, "A Guide To Dolls", her first identification and price guide since the last Blue Book she and her husband edited. She is so talented, and our Doll Club, locally, always looked forward to the Blue Books. I have them all in my library.
   
   Also, I am so pleased we have Amazon to help in our searches on any subject.



5. Whether you have an antique china head doll or a vintage GI Joe, this Guide to Dolls is an identification and price guide that's worth having. It seems to replace the Blue Book of Doll Values that Jan Foulke has become known for. (Her last Blue Book was the 16th edition.)However, don't let the name of the book fool you, it is just as comprehensive as the Blue Books and is still packed with a lot of photos to help you identify your existing dolls (or those you may be considering purchasing). The first few pages cover doll collecting in general -- what to look for. Ms. Foulke then provides a few brief suggestions for buying and selling dolls at auction before getting into the meat of the book--the price guide.
   
   The book lists dolls by manufacturer and by mold number in case that's all you have to go by. Each doll or type of doll includes a reported price or price range for a doll in good condition.
   
   Whether you are an avid doll collector or someone just trying to clean out the attic, you may want Jan Foulke at your side before buying or selling your dolls.

5 comments about 200 Years of Dolls: Identification & Price Guide, Third Edition.

1. This book has been so helpful to me and my friends this author has covered everything



2. Dawn Herlocher's 200 Years Of Dolls Identification And Price Guide, 3rd Edition unlike competing doll guides, over 5,000 dolls of all kinds are identified from Raggedy Ann editions to Barbie. The book comes packed with color photos - but the inclusion of manufacturer's marks, comparison charts and histories is what makes 200 Years Of Dolls so special. Of course, there's the latest pricing to aid in valuations. Over 275 doll manufacturers are included in a lovely coverage.



3. 
   I refer to this doll book often. Any author who attmpts to include 200 years` worth of antique and collectible dolls in one book has quite a feat ahead. But the author does a wonderful job. This hardback book is printed on quality paper.The photos are very nicely taken.Information is very helpful.



4. I used this book while conducting an estate appraisal of a collection of some 45 high-end collectible dolls, all in pristine original condition with boxes, hang tags, etc. and some with custom-made display cases. Only 20-25% of the dolls in the collection were listed in this book.



5. I just got done looking through this book, which is the 3rd edition and is dated 2005. I bought this book for $2 used on Amazon and that is all it is worth to me. I bought it for business purposes and if I'd paid the full retail price, I'd have been inclined to return it.
   
   The photos are nice, full color and close up enough to get a good feeling of what each doll looks like, but there are many more dolls mentioned in text that are not pictured. It makes it hard to identify a doll if there's no photo of it.
   
   For example, I mostly deal with Barbie and other fashion dolls and dolls of the later 60's and 70's. There is a section on Barbie but it offers only a few photos and most of the dolls listed are only mentioned in text. If you didn't already know what you had in your hand, how would you be able to look it up?
   
   Crissy is one of the most popular dolls made by Ideal and there is only a mention of her in the 4 pages devoted to Ideal. There is not one photo of Crissy or any of her family. The only photo I saw listed under Mego was a NRFB Cher doll from the 70's. All the other Mego dolls are only mentioned by name. This book also does not list dates for most dolls. I find that frustrating, too. And the prices suggested as the value are very theoretical. Maybe pre-Ebay somebody would have spent so much for Barbie, let's say, but prices are not that good today, although the author does state she based prices on the doll being in mint condition and with original box, outfit and accessories. Still, I haven't seen too many Barbies in the condition she describes go for quite that much online.
   
   Now, I don't want to say this book is all bad. Its just very incomplete in terms of it being a real history of 200 years of dolls. Its a very brief overview of dolls throughout the last 200 years and most of the photos that are featured, are of antique dolls, not fashion dolls, even though many fashion dolls are listed in text. I don't feel it would be worth $30, which is the suggested retail price. This book would be greatly improved by adding LOTS more photos and if it were spiral bound. Its very heavy and thick (415 pages) and pages don't stay open well. There's a whole chunk of pages seperating from the spine already and this book was like new! I also think the year for each doll should also be added next to the description. Again, a nice effort but falls short. It may be that it is too great of an undertaking to be covered in one volume. I feel the author should have covered less to give us more.

5 comments about Collector's Guide to Pez: Identification and Price Guide, 3rd Edition.

1. Buy something else with your hard earned money,my friend.I have been involved with Pez since the 50's and I am tired of the constant profiteering.Ed Haas must be turning over in his grave,my friend.



2. Being a personal friend of Shawn Peterson would probably leave you with the notion that I have a biased opinion. Having known him for a number of years and knowing his passion for collecting PEZ, I assure you that a significant amount of time, effort, and research went into this book. In reading a couple of, what I feel are unwarranted, negative reviews of this book I'd wholeheartedly disagree with their assessment. This is an outstanding book of reference with excellent photography and informative narrative. I recommend it to anyone in the hobby, or anyone simply wanting to reflect back to their childhood and reminiscing about a much simpler time in life. He's done an outstanding job in assembling an historic perspective of the company, rare and unusual dispensers, as well as common variety and new offerings. Buy with confidence and enjoy!



3. Although it's not a highly competitive category, this book takes the top spot in Pez guides.
   Being the newest, it has the most up to date pictures, prices and products.
   The extended section on candy packs, and Pez paper products/inserts is helpful, as other books lacked in that departement.
   Overall it's a solid price and picture book, with accurate estimates and such. It's the best of what's out there, so it's worth a shot.



4. Many people like myself collect Pez dispensers. It is a wonderful hobby to have because it is virtually impossible to find every variation of every dispenser there is. Sometimes there are many different variations of a single dispenser, for example the colors that were made. This is where this guide comes in handy. In here you will find colorful pictures of almost every known dispenser made, along with pictures of some different variations. This helps you know what you are looking for when you want a certain dispenser. Listed also are estimated values of the dispensers, which is also helpful in giving you an idea of what that certain dispenser will cost you normally. Also pictured in this book are different inserts from the packages, different displays that were available, different flavor packs that have been packaged with the dispensers and even Pez with unique or foreign packaging. This is a great book for collectors and even those who are a little interested in Pez dispensers. The pictures and information make it easier to know what you are looking for, so if you are looking to collect Pez I recommend this guide as it will be a big help to you.



5. Shawn Peterson's Collector's Guide to Pez is filled with useful information on prices and availability of almost every Pez dispenser ever made. Along with wonderful, colorful photos and great details, Peterson has included great information for both beginning and advanced collectors of Pez products. His information on convention, collectors groups, and bargain hunting are particularly useful as a resource. In a hobby as fun and varied as Pez collectiong is, a great tool is needed. Peterson's text is the Bible for lovers of Pez both young and old. This is the only book you need whether you are a new collector or an old pro. It is definetly worth the money and will be a great addition to your growing Pez collection.

5 comments about I Am Plastic: The Designer Toy Explosion.

1. I bought this book without really knowing it, trusting the reviews and the intriguing cover. I was not disappointed. (Except by Amazon's delivery- the book was torn and not clean). This book shows a lot of funny toys. No words, only nice funny pictures. I would recommend this for anyone who likes toys and action figures.



2. You couldn't ask for anything more from a toy review. Beautifully presented and with enough info to get what you want.



3. This book has great images of toys from around the world. I bought it for a friend who is a graphic designer and she plans to use it as a visual reference for a childrens book she is illustrating.



4. This is one of those books that simply has to be seen to be believed - who would have thought that toys (yes, toys) could become a new artistic medium? Within "I Am Plastic" you'll find a wild and wonderful selection of toys from creators from across the globe, everything from evil cartoon characters and superdeformed abstractions to fantastically detailed and realized robots, gorillas, and others. Browsing through this volume I was reminded of the art in the book "The Art of Modern Rock: The Poster Explosion" - the artists and their art in each of these books seem to have the same feel, the same vibe and life to them: definitely non-conformist, and definitely imaginative, as though pop culture was put in a blender and the results painted on canvas or molded into plastic toys. Anyone interested in modern art would do well to give this book a look.



5. one of the best toy art books around, lots of designs, this book is a must have

5 comments about The Official Precious Moments Collector's Guide to Figurines.

1. Just received this book in today's mail, and frankly, other than the pictures of the pieces, it is, in my opinion, not worth the paper it is printed on. There is NO secondary market except internet auctions for Precious Moments any more. This guide lists "Free Puppies," for example, as a value of $2,100 - they sell regularly on auction for $300 - $450, depending on whether or not they have a box. Last week, one with an original brown cardboard box (extremely unusual), went for just under $600 in mint condition - a beautiful piece. The rest of the "Original 21" are priced through the roof - some of them 10 times and higher prices than what reality is. There is a disclaimer in the book claiming that the prices vary from spot to spot, and they got this information from dealers and collectors around the country. I wish they would give credit to these so-called knowledgable people, and it would be nice to know who paid $2100 for "Puppies" and how many years ago that happened.
   
   For the pictures, the guide is fine, but beyond that, DO NOT rely on it for accurate price information - even many of the suggested retail prices in the book are incorrect.
   
   I give this one a thumbs-down. There is no secondary market to amount to anything in collectibles any more, in my opinion, and this book's prices just encourage disillusionment among collectors so they keep buying (or investing?) in pieces, hoping to make good money when they sell. It ain't gonna happen - there is a ton more merchandise out there than anyone ever guessed back 30 years ago at the beginning of this.
   
   Buy what you like, like what you buy, and don't expect to put your kid through college when it's time to sell - you might not get back enough money to even pay the bookstore bill!
   
   For what it's worth - my opinion!



2. This guide is an essential reference for any serious collector or anyone buying or selling Precious Moments figurines. The lack of serious competition will make sure this sells. However, there is little improvement in this 3rd edition over the 2006 second edition. The addition of the newer figurines and an update in pricing, which seems to average about 16% increase, are the main differences. There is also a size difference. The second edition was a handy 8.5" x 5.5" but the third ed is 11' x 8.5", which I believe is too large for a soft cover book. There is no new information about each piece that is not in the earlier version. It would have been nice to include the size of each item. There is an annoying change in the index that consolidates several previous entires into entries by series. For example, instead of separately listing the sugar town skating pond there is one listing for the series 'sugar town' with 18 page numbers.
   
   Overall, I was disappointed in this guide and would recommend that anyone not needing information on the last 2 years figurines stays with the 2nd edition and awaits the 4th.



3. I think this book is a great way to keep track of my Precious Moments and give me a current value of each one. However, because values change from year to year, it could be a lot of work transferring them to a new book each year. I think every couple of years would be fine to keep track of what you have unless you purchase numerous figurines every year.



4. Took a while to receive due to release issues, but once received, Book is great!



5. The 2007 Bomm Precious Moments guide is truly precious since it incorporates retail and secondary values into the same book. The cross-indexing by figurine title and model number is also wonderful. The photos are great quality, too. The guide is a must-have for all collectors!

5 comments about Collector's Encyclopedia of Barbie Doll 2008: Identification & Values (Collector's Encyclopedia of Barbie Doll Collector's Editions).

1. This was a gift for my wife who collects Barbies not to sell but to enjoy displaying them. The book doesn't mean anything to me but to her she is like a small child reading or just looking through it anticipating every turn of a page. It made her happy and that what rates this a 5 star in my book anyday.



2. This is a collector only. Its not a price guide for all Barbie's ever made, like it makes you think.



3. J. Michael Augustyniak's COLLECTOR'S ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BARBIE DOLL COLLECTOR'S EDITIONS 2008 is a 'must' for any Barbie collector or any collection catering to doll collectors. It packs its pages with the latest values and updated color photos, including descriptions, notes on special collections and Barbie attributes, and more. If only one Barbie doll collector's comprehensive reference were acquired for a general lending library, it should be this one.



4. I found this book to be very helpful in that I have a BARBIE COLLECTION and needed to find out the value of my 200+ collection for insurance. Although not all of my dolls were in this book I still found many of the values that I needed.
   Great value for the money spent



5. I just love this book! everything is great....
   I love looking at all the dolls.......

2 comments about Ultimate Handbook Volume II (Littlest Pet Shop).

1. I bought this book for my neice and daughter (both age 6). The two girls love LPS. They sat together and read what each pet likes and dislikes and laughed. It was so sweet. My daughter and I read this book at bedtime, and she enjoys learning what her Littlest Pet Shop pets like. It has many of the pets in it and gives them more character as the girls pretend play with their pets.



2. It's a good book to help kids figure out the names and the animals and know what they want to get next. Advertisement? Definitely, but informative and with every pet there's a story. Helps kids get into the LPS play since they know the background.

1 comments about Childhood Treasures: Quilts by and for Children.

1. This book showcases a collection of quilts made for and by children for doll beds. Some of them are quite old, whereas others are fairly recent. The photos are well done and the book's layout is easy to read.
   
   I picked this one up on a whim, and while I enjoyed this book, I don't see it having much re-read value for me. I was hoping for some ideas for projects I would want to make in the future, and while it was interesting I wasn't inspired to duplicate any of the children's work.
   
   I'm giving this book 3 stars, mostly because, while interesting, it didn't leave a lasting impression.