5 comments about Taunton's Complete Illustrated Guide to Finishing (Complete Illustrated Guide).

1. I have been working with wood for more than 30 years. The descriptions, explanations, and charts in this book are wonderful. The illustrations are superb -- a typical Taunton Press production. Highly recommended.



2. Before I read Jeff Jewitt's book on finishing I knew almost nothing about the finishing process. After reading this book cover to cover almost five times now, I feel confident about applying a finish to my first project. Jeff's writing style and knack for explaining make learning the often misunderstood art of finishing a pure pleasure. You will learn all types of finishing and application styles from padding, wiping, brushing and spraying. Jeff covers preparation of the wood surface all the way through staining, filling, sealing, top coats, and finally buffing. The plethora of color photos really gives you a good idea of what he is describing and enhance the text tremendously. You will not be disappointed with this encyclopedic description of wood finishing.



3. A must have reference work on wood finishing. High quality photos. Covers everything I can think of, and then some.



4. The Taunton's Guides are well written and illustrated with many color images. This one has a tremendous amount of information, but beginners may be put off by the large number of finishing materials and heavy machinery that are discussed; if you've just built a table and want to know a couple of ways to finish it, this book may be excessive. But if you want a full discussion of finishing techniques and you can sort out which ones are for you, this book is fine.



5. Tiene una explicación sencilla y muy gráfica, los libros de Taunton tienen un gran nivel, sólo echo de menos una versión en español para asimilar más rápidaente los conceptos.
   está muy bien explicado para la parte más complicada del woodworking puesto que un buen acabado marca la diferencia de un trabajo.
   lo recomiendo como casi todo lo de Taunton.

2 comments about Mixed-Media Collage Jewelry: New Directions in Memory Jewelry.

1. What a most wonderful book. Most artists struggle with sharing techniques with others. Here Janette Schuster and friends share full details on a number of magical projects that are so clear and concise, even someone who feels like they have two left hands, will feel that they can create and be happy with the results.



2. Wow ! What a fabulous book. Very well written, with easy to follow instructions. The art inside these covers is just so inspiring,
   as a Jewelry Designer I found this book gave me a whole new outlook at Altered Art Jewelry.
   I would highly recommend this book to all.

5 comments about Sublime Stitching: Hundreds of Hip Embroidery Patterns and How-To.

1. This is the first book on embroidery that I picked up. It has been great for a newbie like me, but I have a feeling more advanced embroiderers might find it frustrating. The patterns are pretty basic, but there are many and plenty you can do to embellish what's given. I found the color pictures of her work beautiful, and the photos gave me some good ideas for what I could do with my own. I did rely on the beginning section and found it helpful with regard to how to prepare your materials, iron on the patterns, what size hoops to get, etc. The section explaining the individual stitch types was a little frustrating. I did have to rely on a different book that had actual pictures of the stitches in action (this book uses simple 2D drawings) in order to learn them. Overall though, this pattern book is very cute, the inside pockets for storing patterns are handy, and the binding means it will hold up well.
   
   Embroidery is a very fun and inexpensive hobby. If you're thinking about starting, this is a fun book to begin with. It will give you plenty of ideas of projects to do for other people... whether it be a new baby or some kitchen curtains.



2. This is a good book because the front section covers basic stitches, and the rest is tons of wonderful patterns to cut out and use on just about anything. I have used many of them on various items, and most of them are basic enough to be mixed and matched to come up with unique motifs. I also like that the book has pockets to keep the patterns you cut out.



3. This book is everything it says it is and less. Ok it is an ok book. I purchased it for the iron on transfers. First let me say that there are many in the book so I cannot fault them there. I was sadly disappointed though that they were all so outdated. You might as well spend a dollar here and there and buy some of Aunt Martha's iron on transfers. Or better yet, some tracing paper. There isn't anything in this book that you can't doodle yourself. I would say for those just starting out, this would be an excellent sourse of transfers if you like funky little space ships, mariachi dancers and fruit. I did like the martini glasses, lol.



4. I do like this book, but I have to say that I was looking for more modern themes and thought this book would provide. I was a little disappointed when I thumbed through the transfers and only found a couple that are significant. I have other transfer books for the basic patterns, but this book does provide some basic stitch options and instructions that are helpful.



5. This book has tons of embroidery designs that are fantastic, as well as a comprehensive guide to the basics of embroidery stitches. However, I found that a lot of the designs that were offered in her book weren't as great, for me, as I would've hoped. Overall, I only liked maybe a quarter of the designs to use for myself or family/friends. I have no use for babies or kid patterns, so a lot of those weren't for me. There were also a lot of "standard" designs - which is a good and bad thing. (For example, baby rattles, Scottie dogs, words in script) It's bad because they wouldn't be that hard to find somewhere else, or for free, but this book has all of them in one place to make it almost a beginner's Bible for Basic Embroidery.
   
   [...]
   
   Definitely a great book, I highly recommend it as a go-to guide for basic embroidery designs, with some slightly advanced ones to work up to. If you aren't pleased with all of the patterns in the book, then don't stop there, go to Ms. Hart's website.

4 comments about Origami Paper: 24 7" x 7" Sheets in 12 Colors (Origami).

1. As a beginner, this was a nice set of paper to work with. Lot's of colors to start and easy to fold..



2. This set of origami paper was very convenient and my 8 year old daughter had a lot of fun using it. Not to mention the convenience of having it shipped right to our mailbox. She loves to get mail and packages. The price was very reasonable too.



3. The paper was fine. I used it with a basic origami book. My group of 7 kids went through it all in about an hour. It probably would have been a better value if I bought it at the local craft store.



4. I thought the paper would be thiner, but it has a substantial feel to it.

5 comments about Collector's Encyclopedia of Depression Glass.

1. Like many people who collect depression glass, I stumbled into it while breaking up housekeeping in my grandmother's house last summer. As we went through her cabinets and packed up the things she couldn't take to her assisted living facility, I found numerous pieces of pretty colored glass that I took simply because I enjoyed the various colors and patterns. When my mom suggested that some of it was depression-era glass, I went to the library and found a previous edition of the Florence's book and went nuts when I saw what these pieces were worth. My grandma did too! Later that fall, the book was indispensible when we were cleaning out my great-grandmother's house to put it up for auction. I found 5 large boxes full of glass. This book was very useful in helping catagorize what I had, and how much to insure all of it for.
   
   This edition of the book is great because of it's photographs of each pattern. It makes it very easy to identify a lot of pieces just on sight. It also contains extremely useful information on reproductions which is fantastic to have when looking for glass, particularily at flea markets, estate sales and online where a lot of people mislabel patterns. The pricing is also helpful so you can see when people are simply trying to make a huge profit, rather than asking a reasonable amount.
   
   The reason I only gave this book 4 stars, though, is because there are many patterns that are not included in this edition. In the foreward, it's stated that not all patterns are contained because it would cause the price of the book to increase. However, by excluding several patterns, you are forced to purchase another book which means spending more money as well. The book is also difficult to bring along to antique stores because of it's size--most stores won't let you bring in a large purse or bag. But overall, if you are a new collector or looking to become one, this is an important book to have in your library.



2. Best book out there for dealers of depression glass, but they forgot a usable index or table of contents. To make matters worse, some patterns are alphabetized as No. ###. No index of alternate names (some patterns have 3 or 4 commonly used names). The table of contents is the same as the alphabetical listing by page, totally useless. The official company name is the pattern name it is ordered under, regardless of the popularity of other names.
   
   Pictures are great. Many prices have been reduced in this 2007 version, bringing pricing into line with what you should pay/charge. Common pieces (cups, small plates, etc.) can be got on eBay for about 1/2, but more in demand pieces (cereal bowls, dinner plates, serving pieces, tumblers) go for just about what is in the book. Verbiage for patterns normally indicates the marketability of the pattern, but wish there was a prominent "popularity score" above each color the pattern comes in. Some colors in some patterns have absolutely no buyers, which is an extremely valuable piece of information. Would recommend using --,-,+,++.
   
   They use a purist definition of depression, so you'll have to also buy the 40s 50s 60s book to complete your reference of what is commonly known as depression glass. There are pictures for about 1/2 of the pieces available, and generally a larger closeup for pattern identification. Success of pattern identification is probably 95% (best we've seen).



3. A must have book for begining collectors of depression glass -- good pricing - if you don't buy on e-bay - if you go to the glass shows gives you fair prices for most items -- e-bay buyers - GOOD LUCK, most everything is WAY, way over the value of the item you want.



4. anyone interested in finding out what they have or what to look for, as far as depression glass or collectible glass, Gene Florance is the person to look for. I've got most editions of his books. and my parents also swore by his books. every edition has a little something extra, different or new. easy to follow and excellent pictures!



5. VERY HAPPY WITH THE DETAILS AND INFORMATION ABOUT DEPRESSION GLASS. I HAVE ABOUT 300 PIECES AND AM NOW ABLE TO IDENTIFY MORE OF MY COLLECTION.

3 comments about Print Liberation: The Screen Printing Primer.

1. This book is a great primer on screen printing! It is kind of like "T-shirts for Fun & Profit"-lite. This book is particularly useful for the weekend warrior or part-time entrepreneur. The step-by-step examples are terrific and clearly explained. As soon as I paged through it I came up with some ideas.
   
   That said, if you are looking for more detailed information, you should also pick-up How to Print T-Shirts for Fun and Profit. But get this one, too!



2. This is a fantastic purchase for both beginner and experienced silkscreeners, but is particularly great for those wanting to get started. The book is inspiring and interesting, providing detailed steps for creating your own prints on fabric, paper, and other objects. It also includes a history of silkscreening, a glossary, material supplier information, tips for starting your own business, and several free transparencies that you can use for your first print. Great buy- I highly recommend it.



3. This book includes all the information you need to try some basic screen printing. The instructions are detailed enough to lead a complete novice through the screen printing process without being redundant or uninteresting. The book also has some great graphics and covers some valuable information on screen printing history and important figures in its development.
   
   Definitely the perfect source if you are just getting started with screen printing - this book has it all!

1 comments about Great Group Games: 175 Boredom-Busting, Zero-Prep Team Builders for All Ages.

1. As a pastor for Youth and Children, I am always looking for new and creative games. This book is a wonderful resource for "just-for-fun" games as well as for trust-building games. The de-briefing that is included after every game has insightful questions for all ages. I have used many of these games with both elementary age children as well as youth with great success. It has many of the classics as well as great new games and I recommend it to those needing to add some games to their repetoire.

5 comments about Ricky Tims' Convergence Quilts: Mysterious, Magical, Easy, and Fun.

1. One look inside and I just couldn't wait to make won of these. Easier than they look. They can be so very pretty.



2. A fantastic book. I was really looking forward to receiving the book and my expectations were realised as the book arrived in double quick time. Thanks Amazon!



3. To know Ricky Timms is to love him and the incredible energy he brings to his work. His methods are never "same old,same old." If Timms has done it, you can bet it's innovative. He's as much inspiration as process. Definitely should be on your quilt book shelf.



4. This is the easiest assembly I have ever done. I used leftovers, two colors I hated, and one of those "What was I thinking when I bought that?" psychadelic squares... Well, the end result was FAB-U-Lous. The directions are very clear, Ricky's writing is enjoyable. Will be a permanent fixture in my quilting room. Thanks Ricky !!!!



5. I saw an example of this convergence quilt in a quilt store and wanted to learn more about the pattern. Book is well layed out with clear and varied photos. Ricky Tims gives you a simple first convergence project and then shows variations that are gradually increasing in difficulty. He discusses fabric selection, gives tips, has a trouble shooting section. I recommend this book if you want to try a more artsy type quilt that can be made from simple to more complicated.

5 comments about The Complete Potter's Companion.

1. This is a very pretty book, and it does cover a breadth of material, but it's very shallow. An entire book could be devoted to each chapter. It provides a good overview of what can be done with clay, but in the end, I have to turn to other books to get more than a cursory understanding of individual processes.



2. I'm new to pottery and found this book to be informative. I also found many creative ideas that sparked my own creativity.



3. This book is a nice addition to any beginner potter's library. It is not in depth but offers a wide variety in information that is useful and helpful. It is most definatly in my 'top 10' of pottery books.



4. Very informative with great step-by-step photos also. This book is really good at showing a wide variety of techniques and including historical information that is really interesting.



5. I have ordered from Amazon.com several times now and each time the item has been shipped right away and in good shape. This last purchase-The Complete Potter's Companion arrived quickly (it was a college class book) and it great shape. The decription stated it was used in excellent condidtion. It most defintely was. In fact if it didn't say used, I would never have guessed. Good job

5 comments about The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns: Basic Designs in Multiple Sizes & Gauges (Interweave).

1. This book delivers what the title promises. There are patterns for making basic garments in a range of gauges and sizes. This is not a book full of different, new, or funky patterns. They are very basic, allowing you to use the yarn and needles that you desire. So, if you wish you could just find a basic hat, mitten, glove, scarf, vest, or sweater pattern, this book is for you. If you are looking for something with a lot of new designs, you will be disappointed. I give the book 4 stars, because I feel that it is a bit pricey for the size of the book. But, other than that, it is a good addition to your knitting library.



2. I bought this book and Ann Budd's Handy book of sweater patterns at the same time thinking that this would be a great basic pattern resource.
   Unfortunately, after trying several paterns from both books the only thing consistant are the numerous mistakes. Fellow reviewers who stated that cast on stitches were too numerous and patterns written backwards are correct. As a longtime knitter my suggestion is save yourself a lot of wasted time and frustration and invest in Elizabeth Zimmermann's books and videos instead of Ms. budds.



3. I'm an advanced beginning knitter, ready to progress beyond scarves and caps. The book has templates for those things, as well as socks, mittens, vests, and pullovers. I want to knit a sweater, but the patterns I'd found before didn't work out for me. I like the fact that this one doesn't get into which yarn or needle size to use, it just shows you what to do for whichever gauge you choose to work with. You don't have to choose $200 yarn to make a basic vest.
   
   With the different gauge instructions in the book, you can actually take measurements and fit something to the person you're making it for. Since I'm not familiar with garment construction (haven't sewn before), this allows me to make just a basic sweater to get used to doing that. When I get good at that, then I can experiment, maybe use a finer gauge and some different colors, design my own. I like the flexibility of it.
   
   Anyhow, you won't be sorry--buy this book if you want to make, well, just about anything!



4. If you ever needed just one knitting book, this is it. This is like having milk and butter and eggs in the fridge. You can't make anything without it.
   there is a good solid foundation of pattern, technique and freedom of design. I also highly value all the gauges that are provided, because I never have the yarn for the pattern, or vice versa. It takes a lot of guesswork and frustration out of sizing.
   I have owned this book three times, because someone has always 'borrowed' it, and I never got it back! This last one doesn't leave my house so I don't have to buy another one! Now go! create! enjoy!



5. This is a book for the serious knitter who wants to make items larger or smaller. The "how to" do this and other adjustment problems in knitting is discussed and shown. A useful book for making something fit!