3 comments about The Complete Jewelry Making Course: Principles, Practice and Techniques: A Beginner's Course for Aspiring Jewelry Makers.

1. Very worthwhile for serious artist beginning mtalwork. This is not for a "beader" type of hobbyist. Lovely book, well represented, well laid out, instructions clear, pictures good.



2. This is a relatively good place to start metalsmithing if you have some knowledge of jewelry making. I'm very new using and forming metals, but I have been doing wirework and beading techniques for over five years. At some point beaders often have a desire to move on. This was a good choice for me when that time came. I am well pleased with this book.



3. Maybe I already own too many jewelry instruction books but this is my least favorite. There are only a few projects in the back and I don't really find them all that inspiring. I do think the bezel setting section was very thorough - maybe more so than other books I have.

5 comments about Home Machinists Handbook.

1. I have never used a metal lathe or mill, but I am trying to decide if I should get a small one. I am a woodworker, with a decent woodworking shop, so I'm fairly good at mechanical things. As stated early in the book, it isn't for machine shops or starting a business. It is for Home Machinists. There is good information and introductions about what the various machines and tools are, how you use them, and what types of things they can do. Good discussion on metals, as well as tempering, etc.
   
   While I am still not sure if I am going to make the jump to getting machine tools, I certainly think the knowledge gained was worth the purchase price.



2. This Book it's a good start for somebody that is beginning in the world of machinist it's clear and an easy guide to somebody that give it's first step in machinist world and also a practice guidance for experience one's.



3. Very much for the beginner, but some good tips and techniques. More valuable for Sherline owners. Seems like there is too much detail in some places, especially in the chapter on hand tools. Later chapters on machine tools occasionally use terms that a novice would not understand. A glossary and better indexing is needed. It's a bit dated; 1983 copyright.



4. This book is very confusing. The diagrams are often several pages before or after the text that discusses them. The projects are incomplete or downright stupid. (For example, making parallel bars isn't a project, it is a trivial operation that should have been shown in the main test.)
   
   I would suggest anyone interested in a home shop purchase "Machine Shop Essentials: Questions and Answers [Illustrated]" by Marlow, Frank.



5. This book is geared towards an absolute beginner with no knowledge of machining, tools, or measuring. I thought there would be more details on how to use a lathe (i.e. setup, cutting techniques, etc). Just a basic overview of the tools used in machining. The small manual that came with my Sherline lathe was more useful than this. Other reviews on Amazon, led me to believe that this book was better than it really is.

1 comments about More Fabulous Flowers: Mini-quilts in Dimensional Applique (That Patchwork Place).

1. This book will keep you busy for many, many days/nights to come. The flowers are fabulous to look at but at the same time they are very time consuming.
   
   The book begins with an introduction to what dimensional flowers are all about, followed by a tools and supplies section to show you what you will need to create them. A 3-page basic quilting section is next and a 9-page section covers how to make the different flowers.
   
   There are 20 projects that include flowers made from Prairie Points, made by ruching and made by strip-piecing. Each pattern shows a color photo of the finished project along with the finished size. A short paragraph about the project begins the pattern instructions. A materials list, making the quilt top, making the flowers and finishing the quilt are the sections that make up the whole pattern. There are some graphics to help explain the written instructions and full sized templates if needed.
   
   There is a 3-page gallery of quilts made with these flowers and a page on where to find the resources. The final page is a two-paragraph bio about the author. If you are into detail, this is the right book for you.

1 comments about Understanding Textiles (7th Edition).

1. I had to get this book for my textiles class. The book is done in a rather boring format (it is pretty much just a reference book, what did I expect?!) but it was extremely useful for that class and for many more I have taken. Interesting tidbits throughout the book if you are at all interested in fashion and textiles.

5 comments about Model Making: A Basic Guide.

1. This is an elegant little book of line illustrations dealing with the art of architectural model building. It is not really a "how to" book. This book is ideal for people who already posses plenty of artistic talent. They will see basic concepts and be able to go from there.
   
   If like me, you want to make models to help out with your kid's school projects, this book is not for you. For anybody looking for a step by step guide to making models, I would recommend a book by Games Workshop called, "How to Make Wargames Terrain", a beautifully illustrated guide book aimed towards teenagers



2. Very basic. Lots of different techniques, none covered in depth. For the very beginner.



3. The book was not detailed enough, but it had some very insightful tips. All the pictures were hand drawn. I wouldn't recommend it for beginners. If you are causal beginner, you might try something SIMILAR to a Warhammer Terrain how-to book (table top games would be too specific). Something like that would have more step by step photographs and detailed instructions for making models.



4. A very well illustrated introduction to the art of architectural modeling. Good discussion of materials and methods, as well a some introduction to the aesthetics of the business. Excellent for beginners.



5. Good book for what it is, but it really is very basic and the techniques are not for anything complex.

5 comments about Silver Threads: Making Wire Filigree Jewelry.

1. Been interested in filigree for a while now. This book makes it very easy to read. The instructions are very simple and I'm able to follow them without trouble. To learn the basic shapes was fun to practice. I can look at other jewelry and know how it's done thanks to this book.



2. I wasn't really sure that I wanted to buy this book. Boy, am I glad I did! Besides the beautiful projects, we are told how to make our own filigree wire. The projects are explained well, with great pictures. If you are looking to get into filigree work, this book is a great addition to your library. Thanks for a great book, Jeannie.



3. Having seen this author's jewelry and her projects featured in magazines, I couldn't wait to get her book. I'm pleased to say that I wasn't disappointed. While not for the beginner, it's an excellent reference for someone who's somewhat familiar with jewelry making, yet just starting with solder work.
   
   Ms Rhodes-Moen opens the book by giving a brief history of filigree jewelry and showing a variety of it's styles. She goes on to offer information on suggested supplies and equipment, and how to use them.
   
   The following projects are lovely and her step-by-step instruction is detailed and easy to follow. You are even told how to correct pieces that don't turn out quite right. The book ends with samples of her own work and by giving insight into how to move on to designing your own pieces.
   
   This is a must for your jewelry making library.



4. I love this book completely! The illustrations, the size, the information. I really like the way the author gives technical information along with practical recommendations about filigree. She explains everything very clearly and includes personal tips along the whole book. It covers information about wire, soldering, filigree shapes, templates, projects, suppliers and a lot more.



5. I found "Silver Threads" in my local library and was pleased with the clarity of the instructions. I'm puzzled, though, that the author notes her designs are copyrighted and cannot be made for sale (only for personal use or to be given as gifts). Yet series of joined ogees and nautilus spirals have been used throughout jewelry-making history by filigree artists in various countries; they are hardly unique. See the British Museum's "7000 Years of Jewelry" for examples of related jewelry designs.

5 comments about A Potter's Workbook.

1. Clary Illian has given the ceramics community an amazing gift by writing this book. Not only is she thoughtful and clear, she inspires potters (whether beginners or professionals) to make better, more personal pots. Filled with examples -- beautifully photographed by Charles Metzger -- which add flesh to her supurb text. Every potter should consider this must-reading.



2. If you're looking for a book on technique, which I was, RUN AWAY! This book is about the philosophy of making pots. I found the title misleading; I expected something more concrete (no pun intented). This is a cerebral book; it has its place, and I may learn to love it, but not today. Today I'm just disappointed.



3. Once you have some skill at basic throwing, this is the book you need! Clary examines aesthetic principles of pottery. If you have wondered aloud just what has happened to your pot as it emerges on the wheel, you can get your answer here. Why does your pot look cumbersome while the person next to you has double the clay and yet their creation is light and airy? If you have pondered the question, you need a course in the matter. There are no colored pictures because the book is about form and not about glazes or other embellishment. No more bowlng pin vases for me. I am on to lovlier pots!



4. Clary Illian presents a decent book dealing with the conception of form in pottery. She details aspects of functional pottery such as volume in relation to function, and little details like rims and bases, handles and spouts.
   
   Overall I think her approach is extremely limited. she mentions only briefly in the beginning chapter that she will be presenting only a functional approach. But even within that approach I feel she takes a very narrow stance.
   
   This book is OK if you want to study how to become a potter who makes functional pots (but not if you want to actually glaze those pots). It will not help you contextualize the role of hand-made ceramics in postmodern america, which is something that I think all ceramists need to think about.
   
   Pros: not just a schematic approach, but a workbook of ideas and concepts, as they relate to functional pottery. Ms. Illian clearly has a deep appreciation of the material as well as a great deal of experience (she worked for bernard leach!).
   
   Cons: reads like journal scribblings. often more white space than words or pictures on the page. very limited vocabulary and conception of clay. many of the sketches and greenware examples (they're all greenware) feel like complete throw-aways.



5. An excellent resource for the novice or the professional. Wonderful read, and great pictures.

5 comments about Return to Elm Creek: More Quilt Projects Inspired by the Elm Creek Quilts Novels.

1. Book gives insight to blocks that were relevant to that era as well as those still loved today.



2. I especially enjoyed memories of the delightful Elm Creek books intermixed with the patterns for the quilts from those books! It was like enjoying the stories all over again.



3. If you've read the novels you will find this book of special interest. It shows examples and gives instructions for some of the mentioned quilts. If you are a quilter you will have been looking forward to this book. Hapy Quilting!!!



4. I have enjoyed immensely Return to Elm Creek quilt patterns. This has answered many questions from reading the series of books. Being able to comprehend the amount of time AND talent involved by many of these women from 100+ years ago is overwhelming at times. I am enjoying work on Sylvia's Bridal Sampler.



5. After reading the Elm Creek Stories. I have been inspired to start a quilt. All I need is the time. The Projects are as intricate or simple as you would what them. I think I well pick simple to Medium and chose my own colors.The Quilter's Homecoming: An Elm Creek Quilts NovelThe Quilter's Legacy: An Elm Creek Quilts NovelAn Elm Creek Quilts Sampler: The First Three Novels in the Popular Series (Elm Creek Quilters Novels)

5 comments about Beaded Crazy Quilting.

1. I purchased this book to get some ideas for embellishing my crazy quilts and have not been dissapointed. This book explains the stitches well and also shows how you can place beads with the hand embroidery to enhance your design. There are quite a few ideas and the pictures are very enticing. I have used several ideas from this book and gotten rave reviews on the quilt blocks I have done. Well worth the money!



2. Love this book! The instructions are very clear, lots of ideas and very inspiring!
   
   Very nice.



3. The book is gorgeous. The instructions are very concise and usable. It's thrown me into a beading and crazy quilt frenzy!



4. I highly recommend this book for anyone, beginner to expert, as a way of embellishing quilt work. The instructions were clearly written and the illustrations complemented the written instructions in addition to being quite attractive. Wonderful book!



5. I really enjoyed this book. I just sarted a crazy quilt and it was the type of beading I was looking for after a long drab winter

3 comments about Nursery Style.

1. This is an amazing Nursery book, it does not matter if you are vintage, classic or modern in your taste. It's very instructive on how to create a one of kind nursery. Loved It! Beautiful rooms and ideas!



2. I found this book to be worth every penny. The inspiration in decor can be applied on any budget, which is the beauty of the authors' suggestions. I thumb through this book every night and seem to find something I hadn't noticed before each time I do. I love this publication!



3. I've flipped through many nursery books and this book is beyond compare. Buy this book if you're looking for modern beautiful and unique styles. The book does cover 'vintage' decor aswell but the authors have done it in a very current and modern way that most moms our time will love. It comes with design tips that help you cut your budget aswell. I feel that, if you're the type of parent that wants to decorate a nursery without it looking too childish or toys'r'us looking this books is for you. A fantastic find for me.