5 comments about Backyard Ballistics: Build Potato Cannons, Paper Match Rockets, Cincinnati Fire Kites, Tennis Ball Mortars, and More Dynamite Devices.

1. Being a parent and a science teacher, I really love this book. It takes me back to my younger years when it was fun to launch anything more than 10 feet and still have all of your hair intact. What fun this book is! Gurstelle is great!



2. Nothing particularly creative in that book that anybody with some common sense wouldn't come up with.



3. Very smooth transaction. Extremely prompt. Will definately buy from this seller again! A+



4. This book seems to be a common book for the men in my life, old and young. It provides the basics on items that guys enjoy learning about and gets the creative ideas flowing into more research and "improvements." This would make a good gift for any guy that enjoys a good "boom!" Note to wives: Trips to hardware store are going to happen. While there, grab eye and ear protection for your kids. They'll enjoy getting into the fun of the learning in the projects.



5. Some of the stuff in here is dangerous, but kids will never respect danger if they don't experience a little firsthand. The projects in the book are a lot of fun and can teach you a lot about physics and chemistry.

5 comments about Craft, Inc.: Turn Your Creative Hobby into a Business.

1. Wow! I had no idea that this book was going to be packed with so much useful information! Ilasco questions some crafty designers already a few years in to their business for some real-world know-how and is full of vital information! I took notes on nearly every page and would recommend this for ANY business newby, even other than crafters! She talks about patents, taxes, payments, and more that can even be applied to the average families' life.
   
   I truly enjoyed this book and it was a fascinating and easy read - I didn't even think of it as being a "business" book!



2. This book was fantastic. It is packed with so much information! It answered every question I had. If you are looking to start your own craft based business you must read this book.



3. This book is amazing, it covers business forms, what to bring at craft fairs, how to name your business, advertising, publicity... you name it! I bought one to share, but I had to have my own it's so valuable. Thanks!



4. What a motivator! This book is jam-packed full of good advice for starting up your own art/craft-related business. In the midst of a major DIY and craft movement, this book is just the ticket for anyone who has ever thought, "Hey...I could do that."
   
   As an graduate from a fine arts college, I left school feeling overwhelmed about how to make it on my own. Taxes, laws, startup, recordkeeping -- it was all a blur, too much to handle at the time. But now I have (almost) everything I need in one little handy book. And trust me, I had looked everywhere for a book like this.
   
   The interviews are great offered me the most insight for starting up a business. Much of the marketing advice was pretty common sense to me, but might be helpful for those who have no idea where to start. And of course, the design of the book is wonderful. Pardon me for a moment for focusing on aesthetics, but the rounded corners and simple graphic design is very appealing!
   
   I would actually be interested in seeing another volume of this book that would be entirely about legal issues and recordkeeping -- this is the area where most of my questions are, and Craft, Inc. just grazes the surface of it. It would be awesome to read a simple, no-nonsense guide to business and legal matters, written in the same clear and entertaining style of this book.



5. This book was very useful when I was starting my business. I really like the design of the book it is very cute. I also like the stories and interviews of small business owners. I plan to keep this book as a reference.

5 comments about Creepy Cute Crochet: Zombies, Ninjas, Robots, and More!.

1. This is a fantastic book if you are learning how to crochet amigurumi. Very well explained diagrams which introduce you to the japanese terminology and will help you in your future projects. All designs are perfectly to be done by a beginner and the finished items looks like exactly as the one pictured in the book.
   I think is the best book to learn and make amigurumi, but in a creepy way XD
   Excellent book!!



2. I love these guys! The patterns are easy to read. She even has the chart. I have no learned to read crochet charts by comparing her written words to her charts. Any stitch or instruction that is not a "normal" crochet stitch is explained in the beginning of the book. I have several of them sitting on my end table. They are great!



3. This is such a fun book. My role-playing gamer daughter-in-law recognized all of the stranger characters (who is cthulhu?)and has already asked me to make some for her friends. Now really, who doesn't want a pocket sized grim reaper? Or a teeny little ninja? Doesn't every office cubicle need an office zombie figure? There's something in this book for every one of my strange family members! So if you are tired of happy little bunnies, maybe it's time to go creepy!



4. Just received the book and looked through it. It was just what I was looking for. The projects seem quite simple and just great for any little boy or girl who like creepy cute things. Thanks



5. While I like bunnies and duckies, I really love vampires and zombies. That being said, this book is pretty cool. What kept it from a 5 star: the instructions are a little complex when they don't have to be, and the author uses more expensive materials than is necessary. I like the idea of the handcrafted eyes as well..but definitely NOT child safe. That being said, I made the groom skeleton in an evening and he was fun to make. I recommend this book to people with crochet experience..and if no experience, make sure your LYS can help you through the sticky parts.

5 comments about Wrap, Stitch, Fold & Rivet: Making Designer Metal Jewelry (Lark Jewelry Book).

1. Wow! I don't know, maybe someone got up on the wrong side of the bed and wrote that first review. I thought the book was well written. It definitely had plenty of professional-looking pictures and loads of instructions. Everyone has a different style, but to say "the finished projects are on par with any elementary school art show" is kind of excessive. Must be some pretty special elementary school. If you're curious about different techniques working with metal, this book is well worth the price and will give you plenty of new jewelry ideas.



2. This book just proves you don't have to be a "professional metalsmith" to create fun and unique objects to wear. Mary's beautiful photo's coupled with the clear and concise directions make it easy for anyone to attempt any of her imaginative projects, even if they've never held a hammer or a piece of sandpaper in their hands. Her blending of fiber and metal techniques brings a fresh and welcomed approach to the field of wearable art and stretches the boundaries of more typical jewelry ideas. I also like her use of non-precious metals and found objects for those who don't want to make a huge investment in raw materials.



3. I agree with a review stating that this book promotes quite poor metalsmithing techniques. Yes, craftspeople improvise quite a bit during the manufacturing process, but there is no reason to reinvent the wheel, and reinvent it badly, at that.
   
   However, if one has some metalsmithing experience and can correct for the atrocious execution methods, there are ideas here that could be stowed away for future use. I almost wish that the author outsourced the production of her pieces to a professional and stuck with text and design only.
   
   If you are looking for a first instruction-oriented jewelry-making book that isn't too much of an investment, I would recommend one of Joanna Gollberg's books. For a more serious amateur, buy Oppi Untracht's or Alan Revere's volumes. As a (very) short encyclopedic reference to most existing traditional techniques, get Tim McCreight's professional edition of the 'Complete Metalsmith' (even the professional edition is too skimpy to be 'complete,' but it is a very useful reference source).



4. I was somewhat hesitant of buying this book after reading some of the reviews. I am really glad that I did actually purchase it though. I am somewhat familiar with the authors work as I have seen it in some magazines.
   
   Yes, I agree that it doesn't provide you with the best metalsmithing techniques, however, if you want a very organic look to your work and don't have the money to invest in the tools, it is a feasible option.
   
   I don't think this is a book that I would BEGIN with as there aren't a lot of detailed process photos. However, if you have any kind of experience and a little imagination you should do just fine with it. The author shows several variations of each project to show you how different each can look with just a little change here and there.
   
   I personally think that this is a worthwhile book to have in my collection. It provides a lot of inspiration for more organic looking pieces.



5. I'm sorry to say that I returned this book the day after I received it from Amazon. I have Ms. Hettsmansperger's Fabulous Woven Jewelry book which I think is quite interesting, but this latest book falls flat. I thought the projects were uninspired and repetitive throughout the book.

5 comments about Easy Origami.

1. i got this for my 6 kids and they've used it so much, the pages are falling out.



2. I like this book because the pictures and instructions were very clear. The difficulty of each piece is labeled. It is a good book for teaching children the art of Origami.



3. This book had several origami projects that every single student I had could be successful at. Good instructions. Very pleased.



4. I brought two of these books for my son and they were both easy to use and alot of fun.



5. This is a good starter book as it claims to be.. but as I leafed through it I realized that anyone who has had even some remote experience with origami or paper crafts will find this book ... perhaps too basic.
   
   I was hoping for at least a couple of more 'exciting' or slightly advanced projects at the end of the book, but the book stays simple till the end. Also, paper with both coloured sides looks better even for some of the basic designs.
   
   Other than that, it offers exactly what it says on the cover.

No comments about Mason-Dixon Knitting Outside the Lines: Patterns, Stories, Pictures, True Confessions, Tricky Bits, Whole New Worlds, and Familiar Ones, Too.

5 comments about The Prairie Girl's Guide to Life: How to Sew a Sampler Quilt & 49 Other Pioneer Projects for the Modern Girl.

1. Jennifer Worick has written another zesty, tidy, and oh so fantastic tome, this time on crafts from the great mid-west and "pioneer times". As with her previous books (which I recommend highly--especially "How to Live with a Man and Love it!") she injects her sardonic sense of humor into even the most basic of craft projects. As a pie maker, I thoroughly enjoyed the recipe for the Rubarb pie, and intend on getting one in the over this fall. For anyone who wants a quirky, vintage (yet simultaneously avant garde), and feel good read that allows you to escape from the modern world of email, texting, and teleconferences, this book is for you.



2. Jennifer Worick has compiled a collection of practical old fashioned skills that can still apply in our fast paced society of today. Combined with her personal and often humorous recollections of growing up on a small farm in Michigan, this book makes for a fun read. Written with the adventerous and often rough and tumble lifestyle of prarie women at heart, I also felt that it's a great book for men who enjoy embracing the American pioneer spirit that's inevitabely in all of us.



3. There's something incredibly soothing about reading about how to make candles, soap, and quilts, even if you never plan on taking the time to actually create all of them yourself. Jennifer Worick writing style is funny and light; spending hours reading this book feels like an escape in itself. And it even convinced me to have a tea party.



4. Old fashion skills that fit wonderfully into modern life. The Prairie Girl's Guide to Life is great! It's filled with useful skills that can be applied and used now.
   
   You know you've always wanted a rag rug, but couldn't quite figure out the logistics. Candle making, check. Spin yarn! Now you can give it a whirl too!
   
   Best part, it's separated into Kitchen, Bathroom, Bathroom, Bedroom, Parlor, and Barn and Beyond sections. Added bonus...Prairie Lingo, so you can feel all big bugs with your mad skills.
   
   You'll be like Laura Prairie Girl...but with indoor plumbing.



5. The Prairie Girl's Guide To Life is the perfect gift for an old hippie-type (me), and for a modern girl with a sentiment for "how it was in Nana's day". Hectic day at work? This should be added to your collection of soothing, come-down-off-the-ceiling easy reads. A paragraph or two, you're suddenly breathing deeper and are thinking homey type thoughts.

5 comments about The Foxfire Book: Hog Dressing, Log Cabin Building, Mountain Crafts and Foods, Planting by the Signs, Snake Lore, Hunting Tales, Faith Healing, Moonshining.

1. Since I ordered this book, we have really enjoyed reading all the information about dressing a hog even to the folk remedies. If this is of interest to you, then you will want this book. Although, we have butchered hogs in the past, this book has plenty of information for a beginner.



2. This is a book invaluable information and stories from America past. Part folklore part instruction, this book is one of many in the series that enlightens us about the basics of subsistence we might all do well to know.
   All the Foxfire books should be used as texts in a school setting.



3. Nostalgia in its purest form....knowing how my Grandma and Grandpa handled life. Foxfire books are great.



4. I am from the Appalachian mountains. I am collecting these books to hand down to my kids. This is definately the perfect way to preserve your roots. I HIGHLY reccomend the whole series. Don't let the old ways die!



5. Eliot Wigginton made his students immortal when he sent them into the southern mountains to interview and record the skills and crafts of the region.
   This is the first one of a fantastic series that serves as a standard reference for mountain culture. If you are a writer that has any intention of either historical--frontier descriptions or including characters from the region this entire series should be on your shelf or in the local library. Reading them will give flavor to your work.
   As a reader you can check to see if the hog killing scene from COLD MOUNTAIN is authentic. This is just one example, there are thousands of others.
   Writing as a Small BusinessUnder the Liberty OakSins of the Fathers: A Brewster County NovelThe Bluegrass Dream: A Wilderness Adventure of Early SettlersGuns Across the Rio: A Texas Ranger in Old Mexico

5 comments about Boatowner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual.

1. This is a great book. I love the extensive coverage of electrical systems, as it seems so many boaters have problems with electrical. I was a little surprised that the engine section only covers diesel engines. No big deal, as most of the other stuff applies to gas too (impellers, transmission, etc), but I wanted to know a little about a head overhaul and there's not much there for the gas engine owner.
   Still, I'd highly recommend this book to any boat owner who also has the gumption to do the work themselves.



2. I'm redesigning the electrical system for my boat and portions of this book has given me the knowledge to make informed decisions, with an understanding of the trade offs, about what features and capabilities I would like my new system to have. It has also provided information to allow me to make intelligent decisions about selecting new components to achieve my electrical system goals efficiently (save money by not buying things I don't need). I would recommend this book for the person with a basic knowledge of electricity who wants to understand either how their current electrical system works or how they might change it to make it better.



3. This is the second Nigel Calder book I own, and I am even more impressed. I am an ASA-certified instructor qualified to teach through bareboat chartering and coastal navigation. I have sailed on all sorts of boats, have owned a cruising style boat for six years, have heard boat owners and students complain about various problems, have read dozens of books, and through all of this have experienced so many mysteries related to corrosion, electrical problems, equipment problems, and issues with various boat systems. For the first time, I feel I have a single reference manual specific to boat systems that not only provides clear troubleshooting steps but goes beyond troubleshooting to clearly explain the mechanical and physical principles that demystify why things go wrong and how the troubelshooting steps systematically work through problems. The explanations are understandable, the instructions and safety tips are effective, and the diagrams and photos are valuable. It has already helped me deal with a grounding problem that was causing our main cirvruit breaker to trip!



4. No this is not a book for inland gas boats! This is a book for ocean going vessels. Both power and sail. I have cruised on a 28' Columbia (outboard) and a 41' Islander Freeport (perkins). It was a *must have* with the Cruising Handbook in 4 years of full time cruising. [...] Fairwinds!



5. I have a 1987 Catalina 30 sailboat with a diesel engine. I wish I had purchased a copy of this book six years ago when I bought my boat. I might have saved hundreds and maybe even thousands of dollars in yard bills by doing more of the work myself with the help of this book. I have the 2nd Edition published in 1995. I think it is well organized, well written, and I find the illustrations to be clear. A friend of mine purchased the 3rd Edition, which has updated information, particularly on electronics. However I am extremely satisfied with the 2nd Edition for my needs.

5 comments about Sew Everything Workshop.

1. This book is perfect for people who are totally new to sewing. Unlike other sewing books, it isn't an overwhelming encyclopedia of terms and techniques. It explains everything you need to know in a way that is entertaining and logical. Diana Rupp's warm, enthusiastic personality really comes out in her writing.
   
   Anyone who would label themselves as a "beginner" would like this book. A total novice will appreciate the instruction and an advanced beginner should enjoy the projects (super cute!). Intermediate and advanced seamsters will likely be disappointed, though, as the information in the first half is very basic.



2. I ordered this book because I've just got myself my first computerised sewing machine after a long break between seams. I'm delighted I did 'cause Diana Rupp has got the goods. She's hip and knows her subject inside out. She also knows beginner sewers and how easy it can be to get overwhelmed and frustrated when starting out. Ms Rupp takes her readers through all that with plenty of good humour (I even had a bit of a giggle). Diana Rupp has talked me through such basics as preparing my sewing space, sewing tools, choosing and working a machine, stitch types, fabrics, reading patterns and cutting, tailoring and fitting, hand sewing basics - and much more. There are easy to read diagrams mixed with heaps of color photos. In the back of the book are the easy to sew (and wearable)patterns to help me hone my skills and move beyond the endless cushion covers. Sewing instructions and patterns (created by the author especially for new sewers)are more detailed than usual to help the true beginner get off to a satisfying and productive start. I feel quite inspired to get creating. Only problem is - which project to choose?!



3. I've had past experiences with sewing, but mostly with repairing loose hems, buttons, and shortening pant lengths. I wanted a book that would provide a general overview on sewing--machine and by hand--and sewing garments and beyond.
   
   This book is excellent for the beginner and for those, like myself, who haven't sewn in awhile that need a refresher. After reading the book from the first week of arrival, I was able to start on some of Diana Rupp's simple projects (she includes 10 FREE easy-to-do patterns) within the following week and haven't stopped since and moved beyond her book. Within a month, I was able to create 1-2 new projects on a weekly basis* (mostly tops, shorts, and stuffed animals). In addition to this book, I also purchased alongside it the New Complete Guide to Sewing (Readers Digest). It's a good reference book to have on hand for those future intermediate and advance projects.
   
   *It's also a good idea to familiarize yourself with your sewing machine before diving into any of the projects not completing by hand.



4. This is just an all around great book. Although I find it redundant to explain all the sewing basics, every sewing book seems to do the same. The pictures are great, the instructions are clear and each project has a list of fabrics that could be used, difficulty of the project, and patterns for most of the projects in the book. The ones that don't have patterns are done that way because you customize the project specifically to your needs. Out of all the (many!) sewing books that I have I think this is the all around best one (In my opinion it even beats SewU for the simplicity). It has projects that include clothing, plushies, quilts and home decor.



5. I got a sudden urge to sew and after reading the positive reviews for this book, went out and bought it.
   
   The book has clearly written, easy-to-understand instructions for everything the beginning sewist needs to know: basic supplies, what to look for in a sewing machine, how to thread the machine, how to select and prepare fabric for a project, how to read a pattern, and finally, how to sew.
   
   So far, I've made one of the beginner projects out of this book--a totebag. My family and friends have complimented me on how nice it came out. I think it turned out really well and I'm very happy with the results. A lot of the credit goes to this book for providing such good instructions. Sewing seems like such an engaging, satisfying hobby. I'm looking forward to producing more of the items in this book.