5 comments about Origami Zoo: An Amazing Collection of Folded Paper Animals.

1. My daughter and I are fairly experienced origamists, and we were not able to complete a single one of these animals.



2. Of all my origami books this is one of my least favorite. It does have some real Nice designs however half of the book the diagrams are not colored to assist with correct folds. All though it could have had better diagrams created all the projects in the book are fun to do.
   
   Difficulty: Medium
   
   This book i would recommend to be a second or third book to an collection due to the poorly done diagrams. The skill level for this is beginner to average level folds.



3. Origami Zoo compiled many animal models that we all know and the folds are not difficult and each model averages around 50 steps: Be forewarned that 2 of the models are folded from rectangles, and one model, the spider, is folded from a triangle which will upset some origami purists who like squares. But all in all Origami Zoo is another nice book.



4. This is harder than it looks. Patience is a requirement. My swan was all right, but I decided not to do any more. It just wasn't for me. Others may find it fun.



5. Lang's book on Origami is a good buy for anyone interested in this ancient art of paper folding. It covers models that are simple to fold all the way to models that require more skill. It also includes quite a large variety of animals to explore.

5 comments about Making Candles & Soaps For Dummies.

1. There were conflicting pieces of information in this book. I am sorry I bought it.



2. This book gave helpful hints, was explained in plain English and was well it's price in prevention of mistakes. I definitely recommend for anyone who is starting to make soap or candles to read and follow this book until you get your own process down.



3. The Weakest of Books, Better Available
   
   Being a professional candle maker (3rd generation) and an avid reader, I have a huge collection of candle and soap making books. After looking over "Making Candles & Soaps for Dummies" for perhaps the 3rd time, I can honestly say that there are many better books covering both subjects. This book covers only the very basic information and will leave you with more questions than answers.
   
   For the candle side, I highly recommend Beginner's Guide to Candlemaking or the instructional video Introduction To Candle Making
   
   On the soap side, try Smart Soapmaking: The Simple Guide to Making Traditional Handmade Soap Quickl Safely, and Reliably, or How to Make Luxurious Handcrafted Soaps for Family, Friends, and Yourself.
   
   These are both great hobbies that can become good sideline business and there are good resources available on the subject... this book is not one of them.



4. I usually love the "Dummies" books and was hoping this one could teach me about soapmaking. It really didn't have much in the way of helpful information and I ended it returning it.



5. I did not read the sections on candle making, so this review is strictly based on the soap sections. I found this book to be one of the most helpful ones I've read (I checked out a lot from the library). True, it does not cover the cold process, but as the more simple, melt and pour method is all that I'm interested in, this book is right on target for my needs.
   
   In addition to the color and fragrance info, it discusses stenciled soap, soap on a rope, variegated soap, embedded soap, three-dimensional soap, imprinted soap, soap balls, customized shampoo, massage oil, bath salts liquid soap and more.
   
   I also enjoyed Chapter 19 which is devoted entirely to aromatherapy. It lets you know what a particular scent is noted for (i.e. boosting memory, fighting infections, relieving congestion, calming effect, etc.), as well as whether it is photosensitizing (increases your chance for a sunburn), a possible irritant to sensitive skin, possesses antibacterial qualities, etc.

4 comments about The Everything Candlemaking Book: Create Homemade Candles in House-Warming Colors, Interesting Shapes, and Appealing Scents (Everything Series).

1. THIS IS A GREAT BOOK FOR ANY CANDLEMAKER. THIS IS ALSO A GREAT BOOK FOR A BEGINNER.



2. The Everything Candlemaking Book: Create Homemade Candles in House-Warming Colors, Interesting Shapes, and Appealing Scents (Everything Series)
   
   This is a great book! I picked it up and learned a lot about the history of candles, which really intrigued me. When she talks about how they were used for warmth, light, and fragrance in the time before electricity, I was enriched with a deeper knowledge of candles. I was also intrigued when she talked about their spiritual/religious significance and how they are viewed by various religions. I have always wondered about that sort of thing.
   
   The recipes/directions for making different kinds of candles (rolled, tapers, pillars, containers, etc) is pretty clear. She also gives you tips on some common tools that you need (skewers for puncturing air bubbles, lollipop sticks for immobilizing the wicks, etc) and how she gets them very cheaply (She shops second hand stores, garage sales, and discount stores for most of her supplies!).
   
   I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is a beginner all the way through novice (she has a lot of tricks for making the most complex things with her candles).



3. I will agree that this book has a wealth of information, such as history and useage of candles, along with good descriptions of the types of candles, etc. But what it lacked was good pictures showing step by step processes of candlemaking. It described a lot of things in text, but I am a picture person. Also I didn't find anything about Soy candles. Anyway, I was a bit disappointed due to the lack of pictures.



4. M.J. Abadie's The Everything Candlemaking Book lives up to its name with all the facts, how-to instructions, tips, safety precautions, and much more needed to embark on the creative and satisfying art of making one's own candles whether just for fun or for practical use. From the history of candlemaking, to step-by-step instructions on getting started, to making candles for holidays and special occasions, to using intricate techniques such as applique to ornament candles, to recommendations for tools and supplies, to using unique containers, to incorporating candles into rituals, to adding scents and other personal touches, The Everything Candlemaking Book is a first-rate instructional reference for anyone ready to roll up their sleeves and enjoy a unique and rewarding activity.

5 comments about Encyclopedia Of Candlemaking Techniques: A Step-by-step Visual Directory.

1. This book has so many creative and wonderful ideas for making candles. I would recommend it to anyone!



2. This covers just about anything you want to make when it comes to candles. Very easy to understand.



3. The book show an advance stage of making candles but you find out very usefull to use the projects when your business start to grow. The projects to mold the candles and create a sculpture needs to improve in the explanation of "how to mold" to format a wizard for example. I think an artist in sculpture has no problem, but I am a beginner, I need to wait to try such techniques. I recommend this book for people in a advanced stage in the art of making candles.



4. The Encyclopedia Of Candle Making by Sandie Lea is an excellent book for anyone with the least be of knowledge in candle making. However, with that said you really need to know the basics to get this book because a few things are not explained in detail in the beginning.



5. I bought this two weeks ago off of amazon with some other books. I am really impressed with how well written and informitive this book is. I am really looking forward to applying it.

1 comments about The Handmade Candle.

1. Not only is this book beautifully photographed, but it is full of helpful, detailed information. Some of the candle books I have contain outdate and old-fashioned looking projects, but this book has projects full of contemporary candles and great design ideas.

5 comments about Gel Candles: 40 Creative Projects.

1. I am still waiting for this book bought from Jersey XRAY since Oct 23, tried to talk with Amazon.com, their computer system ENABLE the item NOT RECEIVED THE ITEM. I had to dispute the transaction with my bank.
   thanks



2. This book is very instructive with great photos and is in very good condition. It was a bargain!



3. Great book, gives alot of information. A must have if you enjoy making candles.



4. I love the pictures and the easy to follow projects, I recommend this book if you would like to make your own gel candles.



5. I am the author of this book. I am compelled to respond to the negative review written October 27.

   Of course the reviewer has a right to her opinion, however it is incorrect that I recommend people "set an untabbed wick in gel". In my introduction, on page 4, I state "The wick must be self-tabbed with a metal holder". In my general discussion of materials required, on page 21, I state "the wick must have a metal T-Tab at its base which is at least 7/16" high". Finally, in my detailed discussion of wicks on page 22, I explain at great length why a tabbed wick is so essential (it would be a fire hazard to not use one).

   I do not believe that the reviewer has read my book very carefully because her statement about wicks, as well as her other statements, do not reflect the content of the book.

   Thanks for taking the time to read this statement.

   Sincerely,

   Kaila Westerman

1 comments about Candlemaking for the First Time.

1. I bought this book for my daughter-in-law. It has great information and simple instructions for a beginning candle maker.

5 comments about Gel Candles: Creative & Beautiful Candles to Make.

1. This book is fantastic, I really love all the information. Excellent!



2. This book does have some pics with short wicks(which the candlemaker could fix) and one or so of the crafts could be fixed differently to keep the wicks away from embeds. The rose candle on p.49 could still work in a larger container with a shorter wick. The paper used in the candles is against the glass and away from the wick. As with all crafts, the crafter can use his judgement and change around things. That said.

   This book has beatiful pics and some great ideas. The marbles/stones candle is very pretty. There is a garden scene with the garden supplies(that could be bought at Wal-mart in crafts)at the bottom, a wire candle,various shell candles, candles using stated nonflamable gold leaves,a glass shard candle,a candle using springs(you make springs yourself,great for a man),broken glass shards candle,fruit/vegetables at the bottom candle,tubular gel candles(could still work with rounder tubes)with materials,there is a neat shark candle, a candle using spare screws,nuts,bolts,ect.(very nice for a man),Pics with candle jars in a jar,use of button coins,ceramics,a very nice fruit cocktail,use of sand in between gel layers(different), a metal dinosaur candle,a birthday cake candle using gel and whipped gel made with crayons and real birthday candles,christmas ornament candles,cylinder/beaker candles for science looking candles,and beer caps candle or other caps.

   This book does have flaws, but has great ideas/pics too. The candlemaker can always perfect these ideas and still use this book.




3. I don't know what either the Michigander or the Nashbabe are talking about. Rankin goes into depth about flash point and the importance of a clip-on thermometer and the dangers of gel.

   The ideas in here are solid, inspirational and very creative. I was quite impressed with all the various candles that Rankin mentioned but I must admit she sorta hints that GELS cannot be taken out of their mold (she only talks in terms of this as a plus factor that you show off the mold).

   Don't know why Cusick is here; not on my copy of the book. It's Rankin only.




4. Some of the items are very cute and creative, but as another reviewer states, you would be ill-advised to actually burn many of these candles and taking a significant risk to sell them. It's a start, but don't use this book as your definitive way to make gel candles. It's more a "crafty" type book than a true book about making candles. And "crafty" books aren't a good idea to use when you are making things that are designed to burn. Use caution.



5. Let me start by saying that if you are a beginner, please use caution if you purchase this book! In the same manner, if you are a crafter who sells your work, you would be taking a HUGH chance by producing and selling many of the designs that are detailed in this book. This author uses everything from embedded plastic beads to actual paper used to line the glass of one candle. She even suggests the use of paper, photocopies and photographs as EMBEDS, but goes on to caution that one should "be sure to place the wick well away from all paper products." How can ANY gel candle maker suggest paper as an embed to someone and then be able to sleep at night?

   One has to wonder how much practice the author has in making gel candles since most of the wicks in the pictures are VERY lopsided and way off centered ( I guess she didn't heed her own words under the heading "Taming Rebellious Wicks.") In many of the candles, only a partial wick is used (about 2" or so) for, according to the author, "safety and aesthetic reasons." HA! The wicks that are pictured all the way to the bottom of the container are not even anchored, which, when dealing with gel is VERY unsafe. Firstly, an anchored wick is less likely to fall over, and secondly, a high-collared, tabbed and anchored wick will extinguish the candle BEFORE it reaches the bottom of the jar and thusly not allow the container bottom to get too heated and possibly ruin the surface it is sitting on, or worse.

   It gets more ridiculous AND more dangerous. In the martini example, a REAL olive is used, in the "Sweet Dreams Scented Candle" plastic letter beads are suspended in the candle, in the "Insect-Repellent" candle, very large plastic bugs are used (I think their plastic since they look like it and on the material list "colorful, plastic or ceramic bugs" are called for) and a disgusting variation for this candle even suggests using a "large, interesting bug" ("already dead, of course") as an embed. And in the "Tubular Gel" candles, the author has poured the candle into long (possibly 12" or more) extremely narrow tubes of glass, using an unanchored, short wick, of course! There's more, embedded Christmas ornaments, silk flowers and even a wooden toothpick!

   Okay, enough about the dangers of the candles in this book, now I will focus on the LACK of instructions.

   Wicks. Although a whole page is devoted to this topic, the information is very vague. Sizes, available coring (or coreless alternatives), and surfaces are not covered other than to mention that zinc wicks are available and not to use paper wicks. No discussion on wick size relevant to the containers diameter, the hazards of using lead wicks (if one can still get their hands on them) and why, or the pros and cons of using a waxed or unwaxed wick. I suppose this most important component of candle making is left to chance for the beginner.

   Fragrance. Discussion under this heading is left to a minimum. The author does state that fragrance can cause your candle to ignite. She does mention the words "flash point" but does not explain what this means nor does she explain to the reader what the fragrance oils should and should not contain (so as not to be readily flammable) or what is the minimum degree flash point that a fragrance can have before it is considered dangerous for gel. Additionally, the author does state that the wrong fragrance can cloud your gel or the wrong amount of fragrance can be dangerous, however, she never tells the reader what is the right amount or, at the very least, what percent (according to weight) one might consider using. Nor does she speak of the virtues of fragrance when used sensibly, or of the types that can or can't be used (i.e., perfumes, essential oils, etcetera).

   Embeds. Been there!

   Dyes. This section is OK, except that the author neglects to mention NOT to use embeds that may have been dyed with toxic paints.

   Containers. Ok, but does not warn against containers that are too narrow or containers that are somehow damaged.

   Additionally, this book lack in other areas such as: no mention of warning labels and no mention of resources and suppliers, save for The Chemistry Store in the acknowledgements.

   I cannot help but to think that because of the sudden popularity in making gel candles and because of the lack of written material on the subject that this book was put out in thoughtless haste so that the author and publisher could cash in on the publics eagerness to be creative. And, because of the fact that (to the best of my knowledge) this is the first "commercially" issued book on this subject, the publisher (and writer) should have exercised foresight and assumed that many beginners would, because of a scarcity of published information on the subject, purchase this title, and as such, they should have given heavy thought to the scope of the book concerning both safety and directions.

   As with all books (and to be fair), there is some favorable contents within the pages of this title. It is laid out well and has very nice photographs. And, if you are EXPERIENCED in making gel candles and know to disregard the potentially dangerous examples, it does offer some unique ideas.

   Finally, to all you newcomers, safe & enjoyable gelling is possible, with the right directions; therefore, I recommend the book "How To Make & Market Gel Candles That Sell Like Wildfire" by Lynn A. Thomas. This "plain Jane" looking book is bursting with both common sense and ideas and the author also maintains a website with tons of resources.

   Suggestion: purchase both books. The latter for the know-how, and the former for a bit of visual inspiration.

2 comments about Aromatic Candles.

1. This is a very pretty book, but deceptive. The recipes call for a few drops of essential oil per candle - if you like your candles fragrant (ie. the kind of person that would be attracted by the title) you will find these have little or no smell. I was also puzzled that the author called for vanilla essential oil, because, well, there's no such thing, it doesn't exist.
   
   If you don't care about that but think the candles are gorgeous, don't expect yours to look like these. The most glaring example is the bayberry candle - the author calls for genuine bayberry wax instead of fragrance and adds no color. The candle pictured is dark red, but natural bayberry wax is pale green, and by following the directions you won't get anything remotely resembling the photo. Also many of the candles are two colors, and the order given for pouring them will give candles with colors in the opposite order and proportion than what's pictured, and the instructions on temperature control of the wax are inadequate to give a smooth join between colors. And there's a gorgeous marbled candle that I would love to know how they did, but the method described won't give you a candle that looks anything like the picture.
   
   This book seems to fit into the category of another pretty craft book that doesn't have good instructions and just ends up disappointing.



2. Excellent book with a good background on etheric oils, how to recognise and combine them and finally how to prepare candles using the different oils. The book has a very nice layout with a lot of pictures inviting to be very creative!
   Material needed is quite a lot (especially if you start from scratch) but if preparation of candles is not a "one-shot-event" it is definitely a good investment. After a little bit of training these candles are the best presents to good friends and you can be sure to be invited again! ;-)

3 comments about Big Book of Candles.

1. This book shows step by step how to make different candles. First she put a very big picture of the final product, then she provides the list of supplies including the formula, measurements, temperature, all that you need in the most perfect order, very clear and beautiful pictures, a professional work. Also she shows many different ideas of candles. some of them so sophisticated, I loved the book. Other thing that call my attention, she teaches you how to mold, how to sculp the candles to form a little angel, for example. This is a detail that it is rare to find in another books. I really recommend this book, the gallery of pictures is divine. Thanks Sue, your ideas will really help in my small business.



2. This book covers all the basics of candle making and includes some really great projects to get you started. Its the first book I turn to when I want to make candles



3. I like ideas in this book a lot. It inspire me and make me want to make candle. Especially in the Moulded Candels that show me the idea that easy to apply, also, this book has beautiful gallery at the back.
   I recommend this book as your first book to start your project.