3 comments about Felt, Fabric, and Fiber Jewelry: 20 Beautiful Projects to Bead, Stitch, Knot, and Braid.

1. I returned this book. I knew I would never use it. I was not happy with the projects. There is a whole chapter devoted to crochet (I don't crochet). There are tatted items and macrame items (I don't do either). I expected more sewing projects. There are a few felt projects. I did not think the jewelry projects were pretty with the exception of the front cover. I did like that project but one project does not make me keep the book. I could not see myself making any of the jewelry projects and actually wearing them.



2. Unlike the first reviewer, I was pleased to see macrame and tatting projects included. And the crochet projects are not beyond my novice skills. So if you're looking for new ways to craft with your fabric and thread collections, this book will give you lots of ideas. And even this 60-year-old reviewer can see herself wearing some of these projects!



3. If you've been thinking about adding fibers and fabrics to your mixed media jewelry repertoire, this is an excellent book to get you going. Some of the projects in this book are elegant, some are funky and whimsical, but all of them are pure Sherri-creativity!

1 comments about Art of the Royal Court: Treasures in Pietre Dure from the Palaces of Europe (Metropolitan Museum of Art).

1. I've just returned from seeing the exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and now I can't wait to have the book. I saw the book while I was in the Met's Book Shop and it is absolutely great with so many pictures of the items on exhibit. If you can't get to the exhibit which is on thru Sept. 21st, this book is the next best thing!

1 comments about Color Your Own Impressionist Paintings (Dover Pictorial Archives).

1. I thoroughly enjoy this book. It was just as described and came in a timely fashion.

5 comments about Disney's FamilyFun Crafts: 500 Creative Activities for You and Your Kids.

1. this book only has about 20 crafts and almost all oif them use thread or pipe cleaners. They should have all of the supplies in the book but they make you go to the store and buy it. The crafts are not interesting and very boring. I suggest you don't buy this book.



2. Contains a good range of projects to keep the little ones interested and on-focus.



3. As an aunt of two nieces and two nephews and a volunteer library assistant, I've gone through MANY craft books, trying to find a good one since the girls especially seem to love creating their own toys.
   This series, and the other books in it, are WELL WORTH the money and shipping time, and what were what originally got me started shopping on Amazon.com.
   It's got plenty of illustrations and photos, the kids in it look like they genuinely enjoy the activities instead of just posing for the cameras, and the materials for most, if not all of them are cheap and easy to find for the most part at your local Wal-Mart, K-mart or craft shops.
   I recommend the entire series for busybody moms, dads, grandparents, godparents, aunts and uncles everywhere, as crafts and building together area GREAT way to bond with your little ones, and I have yet to see an unsafe craft in the books, so no worry about hazards either. Unless of course.. your kid has a taste for glue. XP



4. I bought this book quite a few years ago to entertain my grandchildren when they visited. The crafts are so easy and so much fun for all ages that I ordered a new one for my daughter-in-law to use with my grandson who is 3. Would recommend it to anyone who enjoys quality time with their children.



5. i LOVE this book. there are tons of crafts to do with children of ALL ages. If you can't find something in this book to do, theres a problem. Simple easy crafts from a-z. This is a book I will NOT get rid of for years to come!!!

5 comments about Cigar Companion (Connoisseur's Guides).

1. Excellent book for beginners and people who wants to know more of the world of cigars



2. I bought this thinking it would be a good reference and tell me something about all the different brands of cigars, but I don't find any value in it whatsoever. I feel like the author wanted a quick buck so he cut and pasted alot of crap from back issues of his magazine into this book so he could sell the same opinions twice. In addition to that, the brands discussed are very limited and only a few examples from each are featured. Take my advice: I realized that it is dumb to buy any book that claims to lists different types /brands/shapes of cigars because the information is always changing - look on the internet at cigar sellers' websites and cigar makers' websites, where you will find everything you need.



3. Great book with loads of info. Great for the beginner just getting into cigars for the first time. Very helpful backround info on the brands as well as tips on storing, buying, and lighting. A great book all around.



4. I bought this book to replace one by the same title and was dissapointed that it bears no resemblance to the 3rd edition that I had lost. While it is a handsome book, I was ultimately disappointed. What was a clear and concise review of many cigars widely available has become a very limited survey of a few cigars many of which are not easily obtainable. Most frustratingly, the reviewers will describe a certain stick as "the best of this manufacturer" and then go on to review a different offering from the same company without further reference to the cigar they deemed the most desireable. While the section on rare cigars makes for an interesting read, this seems more like a book for cigar admirers rather than one for buyers and smokers. I had hoped to find a book to help me make informed buying decisions. I plan to buy the 3rd edition-used!



5. I was disappointed as it was just like reading Cigar Aficionado, which I feel is not the best cigar mag out there.

5 comments about The Colouring, Bronzing and Patination of Metals.

1. More than pleased with this purchase. These guys put serious time and energy into relaying info about patination. They leave no questions unanswered, as well as, they give tons of formulas to create with. The amazon price is the best out there!



2. Very nicely done, but I concur with those who believe additional photos are a must. A CD-ROM with high resolution images to go with each of the authors' experiments would be a useful upgrade to an otherwise astonishing book.
   
   I do feel that this book flags the hazardous materials very well, in fact, included are recipes which are subsequently not recommended by the authors based on the total risk or risk/reward ratio. The authors do assume some basic intelligence on the part of the reader.
   
   There are in addition examples of some very effective patinations, as evidenced in the color plates, which are achieved with relatively benign chemicals and methods; these should appeal to those who are not willing or prepared to work with more hazardous materials. Know your limits.
   
   The techniques employed are described clearly. To cap it off, recipes which give consistently good results are highlighted by an asterisk, a very thoughtful feature to help navigate through the abundance of esoteric and useful formulae.
   
   Bravo!



3. I could read for hours and hours about the different colors that are discussed is this book. I would consider this book an excellent source for information on just about any color patina you are looking for on silver, bronze, brass or copper. There are several beautiful color plates, but not nearly as many as there are colors that are given. I am also very interested in specifics and would have like to have seen some color photos of the processes in action, but, I am now just making my own. Anyway, it is a great book and I am glad to have it in my collection.



4. The only thing I can say against this book is it should have more chemical explanations about the corrosion products formed as patinas, everything else is good.



5. Get this book. Not only does it contain all the recepies you could ask for, it is actually possible to ask the more artistically oriented suppliers of chemicals for a liter of, say, nr. 314 and they'll mix it for you.

No comments about Origami Paper Bright 6" 49 Sheets.

5 comments about The Pen Turner's Workbook: Making Pens from Simple to Stunning.

1. I recently bought this book. I has good examples that cover from the easiest pens to more complex ones (segmented for example). It's really good in showing step by step pictures on how to turn and finish pens. I covers all of the materials available in the market and it provides instructions for one finishing technique that seems to be reliable. It does not cover CA finishing, which is a common practice as well. It has a nice chapter about FAQ's and troubleshooting. It also has a few pages on how to market your products. It is not complete but it has more information than other books. If you are going to buy just one book, this is the one of choice!



2. I Have just bought a Rikon mini lathe and am very much a beginner. This book is perfect to help the beginner set up shop, select the correct tools, explains how to use them, and the basic steps to making pens. Several specific projects are also given at the end, some basic, and a few that are very advanced. Very good illustrations, and easy to read. This book was extremely helpful to me.



3. I'm new to pen turning and this book was all I needed to get started. It also had some great ideas for more advanced pens. Well illustrated and clearly written.



4. This is a great book, it will answer many of your pen turning questions. It will also inspire you to go on to bigger and better projects.



5. Can't beat the advice and instructions, step by step with a world of expert suggestions and photos. Shows how to make many pens I never thought I could, {not that I have yet}, but I've been at a few and can see the HOW at least now..! Thanks. G-G

5 comments about ReadyMade: How to Make [Almost] Everything: A Do-It-Yourself Primer.

1. I'd never read their magazine before, but I was hoping to find some serious projects. The only decent content was the history of the materials (paper, wood, metal, glass, plastic) examined. And that was far from worth the price.



2. I've purchased a few copies of ReadyMade magazine at the newsstand and enjoyed some of the ideas in those issues, so I went ahead and ordered this book, thinking it would contain more of the same. Big mistake.
   
   I feel confident advising everyone reading this review that there is nothing (yes, I mean not one thing) in this book that you will want to display in your home. A stack of empty laundry detergent bottles (totally undisguised) as a coat rack, anyone? When you picture your dream home, does it have cardboard FedEx shipping boxes (again, totally undisguised) hanging on the wall to hold your CD collection? Didn't think so.
   
   I will say that the book's copy is quirky and entertaining, and there's a lot of great trivia in here about the history of various materials, but I didn't buy the book because I wanted to know the history of paper-making; I bought it thinking it contained good project ideas.
   
   Bottom line: If you're living in a homeless encampment, there are things in here that will look great in your place. If not, don't waste your money on this dog!



3. This book appears to provoke profound ambivalence. However, for me, it was pee-in-your-pants funny and extremely inspiring, in the creative sense. In my review of the magazine by the same name, I said that it leads one to view the built environment in new and wonderful ways. The same holds in this case. In the reduce-reuse-recycle scheme, it makes an absolutely compelling case for creative reuse. This has two major benefits: (1) it helps overcome mindless consumerism and (2) it makes one a more appreciative and thoughtful person. Excellent outcomes. I recommend it highly.



4. As a reader of ReadyMade magazine, I was expecting similar projects in this book. I borrowed this from the library instead of buying it. I'm glad I did. I won't bother mentioning the same things other reviewers did, most statements I agree with.
   
   If I were still in college living in that dorm room or even in my first apartment, I do not doubt this book would provide endless ideas for my decor. I can guarantee the beer can wall divider would've amused me and my roommate to no end had we thought of making one for our dorm room.
   
   Aesthetically speaking, the book design and layout are perfect, but the contents... are kind of "ghetto". If your dorm/ apartment/ home has that edgy, rebel, ultra modern, youthful look, the items would probably fit in just fine.
   
   The projects are relatively inexpensive and most parts can be acquired by cruising down the streets or at the thrift store to pick up homeless furniture and materials.
   
   For those of use with slightly more permanent, quasi-furnished dwellings, the projects might not blend in as well. I don't see a TIDE bottle coat rack looking great next to... well.... any of my furniture.
   
   Since Amazon didn't list the projects, I will. They are as follows:
   
   Hardcover photo frame
   FedEx (triangular) Cardboard Mailer CD rack
   Poster-Tube Magazine tree
   Phone Book coffee table
   Shopping Bag woven rug
   Shoe box Shoji Screen
   Jewel Case wall mural (this is a pretty nifty idea for those pesky cases)
   Take-out Chandelier (colander plus clear plastic silverware)
   Water bottle chaise lounger
   No-sew messenger bag (featured everywhere)
   Stacked TIDE bottle coat rack
   Clothespin Doormat
   Pallet Bike Rack
   Chopstick Clock
   Drawer unit storage
   Door Mirror
   Veneer Lampshade
   Hubcap fountain
   Coat hanger wine rack
   Wall of beer cans room divider
   Ladder shelving
   Water bottle chandelier (glass bottles)
   Plexi Post-it board
   Window Frame light box
   Martini glass bird feeder
   Lampshade from old sweaters
   Denim dog bed
   Lace doily fruit bowl,
   Carpet kid chair
   And loads of other small projects...
   
   Any of those sound appealing to you? I'd suggest borrowing the book from your library first if you're not 100% sure the projects are for you.



5. This book is not a how to book. The beginning of the book tells you more that it is a way to get YOU to think about how to reuse materials. It has sections for each type of material, paper, plastic, metals.
   So if you are looking for a huge how to do-something, this book is not for you. But if you want to see some ways to reuse stuff and stimulate your own creative mind, this book definitely would be interesting to you.

5 comments about More Sensational Knitted Socks.

1. I dislike that the stitch patterns are all at the back of the book and that the print is smaller than the original. Although the creativity of sock construction is still evident and the stitch patterns take sock making to a higher level, I much preferred the first book. Overall, I will use this one sometimes, but the first book is the one I will pull out again and again



2. Although it took me a while to figure out the layout of this book, I absolutely love it. HOWEVER!!!! Watch out for errors in the patterns. If you check the errata pages at the publisher's website, you will find several important errata in the previous book, "Sensational Knitted Socks." So far, though, there are only a few reported errata in "More Sensational Knitted Socks." I know for a fact that there are more. Especially when knitting from the color work charts, BE CAREFUL; there are errors in at least two of the instep patterns. I am going to report one myself this week, so I figure there are probably more out there that are unreported.
   
   Also, I wish there were more than one technique described for working a short-row heel.
   
   All things considered, though, I do love the book, love the layout (now that I understand it), and recommend it.



3. What a great sock knitting primer. I especially appreciate the sections that pertain to your favorite method of knitting. The pattern selection chapters are so inspirational! I highly recommend this book to the beginning sock knitter but I also recommend it to an experienced sock knitter. I've been knitting socks for years and this book has inspired me to a new level!



4. This book takes care of my main gripe about most sock patterns, i.e. that they specify a brand name yarn, and don't even tell you what weight it is, so it's hard to use something else. Yarn names come and go, but with this book you can knit up a swatch for guage, and follow the charts to the right number of stitches and the pattern you like. Also, it gives instructions for whatever needles you like to use (I like two circulars).



5. Even if I knitted and learned for a year this book would be beyond me. I can barely tell its written in English--E=mc2???. For me this was money wasted.