No comments about The Raikes Bear & Doll Story.

2 comments about On Display: Displaying Your Treasures With Style.

1. I found 'On Display' in the local library and was delighted with it. The text is actually relevant to the photos and enlarges on the ideas illustrated without getting technical or arty crafty. In fact, even on its own, the text of the book inspires creativity.
   
   I am surprised that the previous reviewer was so disappointed. Perhaps a better book for her would be one on storage such as 'Organised Living' by Dawna Walter.
   
   The strength of this book was its ability to inspire me to develop my own ideas; such as using a floral cushion on a plain white sofa to inspire a large but simple abstract on the wall using one of the motifs. Then there's the old, pewter bucket holding large dried leaves, arranged as if pages in a book that prompted me to create a similar display with huge leathery leaves and an antique leather container. Surely success is when the reader says, "I could do that!"
   
   The book shows unusual and artistic ways of displaying your personal treasures and making them a charming and sometimes whimsical part of your decor. Even if you are into minimalism, a single possession can make a bold statement against stark white. The reader is helped to see the possibilities in anything: plates, bowls, books, bags, shoes, scarves, jewellery, collectables mixed with modern - even in one place, a display of old pick handles and heads is turned into a fascinating sculpture on a plain wall - right next to the pure lines of a modern chair. This display suited the muted, Spanish-style interior - not a syle eveyone would want, but it showed how it is possible develop a theme - and even mix styles with flair.
   
   I have ordered my own copy of Lesley Dilcock's 'On display' as there is still so much more to explore. It will take me a while to finish with this book.



2. I really looked forward to buying this book, because I was looking for an interesting, but uncluttered, way of displaying my pottery, vintage jewelry, etc. Unfortunately, though some of the illustrations are interesting, very few of them are truly creative. Most of the ideas I could have come up with on my own. And I was hoping that there would be some kind of "how to" aspect to the book as well, so that if I did see something I liked (i.e. shelves), there might be instructions as to how to create them. Unfortunately, there were not.

   Though I'll hang onto this book for occassional inspiration, it wasn't nearly as wonderful as I hoped.

4 comments about Tomart's Price Guide to Hot Wheels: 1968-1997.

1. This book gives you a great history lesson on Hot Wheels. The photos are great too! Good for the new comer.



2. Lots of great pictures, but the pricing levels are very arbitrary. Also, there are a few errors in the guide as to the existance and availability of some cars.



3. If you ever had any Hotwheels as a kid and have have wondered what they would be worth now, or how many colors and versions there were this is the book. Hundreds of color photographs and wheel variations through the years along with current values. Quite a bargain, excellent investment.



4. This book has been long awaited by the veteran and the novice Hot Wheel collector. Mike Strauss is assumed the "all knowing" Mr. Hot Wheel. This book with the previous, is the most comprehensive and detailed book on the collection since its conception. It would be impossible to conceive the cost to photograph each vehicle and give detailed definition should the collector assume such an endeavor. This book will be an added collector piece to the actual Hot Wheel vehicles. Thanks, Mike

1 comments about Buy Golly!: A History of Black Collectables.

1. Make no mistake
   This book is not only for Golliwog lovers.
   It is a fascinating history of this controversial black doll played out against the larger forces of racism and social change
   The author, Clinton Derricks, has meticulously researched his topic. That he is a Black American only adds to the book's authenticity.
   
   The lavish illustrations and the obvious love and care that have gone into its production make this book an essential for all golliwog collectors.
   
   I came across this book when I was researching the history of the golliwog and I believe it is the only book currently written on this subject

5 comments about Barbie: Her Life & Times.

1. I had no idea what to anticipate when I ordered this book, having heard only of the Billy Boy-designed 80's "Feelin' Groovy" Barbie (a lovely doll, by the way). I was quite pleasantly surprised to see the glorious photos in this book, which included, as others have said, clips from Barbie comic books and stories, which you rarely hear about, in addition to fantastic photos of Barbie in her 59-60's, 70's and 80's fashions. The text is interesting and informative (tho I found a couple small errors - the American Girl Barbie of the mid-60's didn't have a "flip" Marlo Thomas hairdo as Billy Boy conjectures, but a "page boy" style, which wasn't nearly as popular at her release as the doll later became, hence her rarity & desirability on today's reseller market), and I absolutely adored the many photos of fashion icons/real-life models from the 50's and 60's and their stylish clothing, from which Barbie's earliest outfits were clearly derivative. As a minor collector, I am always intrigued that Mattel went to such lengths to design and create these early doll outfits, out of luxe fabrics like silk, brocade & real fur that you wouldn't expect today's (or yesterday's) small child to play with carefully. But Mattel did go to these lengths, most wonderfully, and Billy Bob is able to capture that exact sense of amazement. He does an excellent job of featuring and providing history for some of Barbie's family, friends and later incarnations, and does a particularly great job defining Midge (and later Barbie BFFs as well). This is a book for Barbie-lovers and collectors, or for those nostalgic for that simpler, yet elegant era of haute couture. I wouldn't use it as a reference guide to clothing or dolls for the collector, however. It isn't complete in that sense - not all outfits are featured, nor are all accessories used perfectly accurate. But as an addendum to your collection of "everything there is to know about Barbie", it's suberb, riveting, and the photos are remarkable.



2. Having met the author in Paris in the early nineties I can sincerely say that Billy Boy knows his subject well.He is an expert not only on Barbie but on Bleuette and various other fashion dolls.This book gives a fascinating account of Barbie's itineraries as fashion icon and pop phenomenon.It contains some very interesting photos of Barbie's best outfits from the late 50ies to the late 80ies as well as a great gallery of Barbie portraits dressed by every well known designer.Also,lots of information on Barbie family members.A must.



3. Although more than a decade old, this book continues to fascinate me. Mattel owes a debt of gratitute to Billy Boy*, whose landmark coffee-table book inspired many, including myself, to start their own Barbie collections. I own three copies of this book, whose narrative is as fascinating as its photos (Twiggy and Malibu Christie are two of my favorite Barbie friends, and are given prominence in this book). The photography also captures the "fun" of Barbie, and are not merely dolls posed in a wire stand. "Great" says it all ...



4. This book about one of the world's greatest doll really emphisises the fasion of Barbie. The photos are absolutly stunning; with shots of the original doll to the French, Italian, Brittish, and American designers to Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Chanel, etc! He covers all the fasions of the time periods, which starts from when she was first debuted to middle 80s, and especially mentions the Haute Couture. The history of Barbie is very good; I think out of all the books I read about her history, this one has the most, and also the most facts about things that you never really knew. It shows alot of things that weren't coresponded to Barbie and her fasions mainly; It has the Bild Lilli and Twiggy dolls (a brief page or two), old comics or books on her, and on a lot of pages, you will see someone who was famous back then, who he thinks the doll had some connection to (i.e., Brigette Bardot, Elizabeth Taylor, Kim Novak, Marilyn Monroe, Bettina, etc.). It covers the Barbies and accsessories, like Flirting Miss Barbie, the twist and turn era, Color Magic Barbie, Talking Barbie, and many of Barbie's pets. A very good book if you are intrested in knowing what actually made barbie famous and knowing her history and fasions.



5. Most fans know Billy Boy as one of the "original" fashion designers who lent their skills to Barbie couture. Billy Boy was perhaps the most ardent admirer of the 11-1/2" fashion doll, and while his association with Mattel lasted for only two doll releases (1985's Le Nouveau Theatre de la Mode and her followup Feelin' Groovy), his tribute to the Fashion Queen Extraordinaire lives on in this book. If you are looking for a guide to identifying dolls or viewing a complete history of the most popular toy in the world, you'll be disappointed, but if you want a true tribute from one of her biggest fans loaded with pictures of one-of-a-kind dolls from the world's most well-known designers, then this is the book for you.

5 comments about Artdolls: Basic Sculpting and Beyond.

1. This is a very good book for the serious doll maker. I recommend it to anyone wanting to improve their skills.



2. This book is essential for anyone who would like to make Art dolls or any kind of polymer clay figure sculpture. The photography is useful and of a good quality, and the text is in-depth and helpful. I would reccomend this book to anyone, but there are just a few minor things I take issue with.
   
   Firstly it's the near complete lack of painting instructions. I have only found a few referance so far in the book regarding painting, and all it mentions is that you may use china paint for a realistic blush, and acrylic washes for shoes! I'd love to know, for example, the different types of paint you can use for the skin, and what Mr. Johnston reccomends against using, and perhaps some techniques for the painting.
   
   Secondly, I am concerned about the section on the soft-sculpted body. All we're told in regards to making our own is: "I advise starting with a pre-made body armature and stocking (both of which are available from retail shops)" Well. They are not available from "retail shops" really. I couldn't find them in any craft store, doll store, or art store in my entire city in fact! The only actual manufacturer of these "doll body stockings" that is easy to find online is Mr. Johnston himself, or rather, Mr. Johnston's website, which has a wide catalog of doll-making supplies. Looking at a photo of the body stocking, it looks actually extremely easy to make. A pattern for this flat thing could easily have been printed in the book so that we could photocopy it and size it to what we like, but no.
   I find this a very sneaky way to solicit business, that we NOT told how to make them so that we have to buy them from him. In Mr. Johnston's defense, he does mention the "2,000-stitch body" which is for advanced dollmakers, but we are not told how to make it. I hope it is in his advanced dollmaking book, which I do not yet own.
   This issue brings me right to my third and final point, constant self-plugging. Apart from the numerous referances to the fact that he provides doll supplies (with his website info in the back under "suppliers") there are huge reccomendations for ProSculpt. ProSculpt (which you can buy from his website as well as other stockists) uses one of his pieces as a logo, so I'm not sure I can trust this reccomendation to be impartial, but that's just me.
   There is also a paragraph or two devoted to how easy it is to work from a resin head armature, which one of his students started manufacturing from a prototype he made (hey, guess the only place you can buy that!). As well as his "Kemper-Johnston Primary Sculpting Tool" -- a tool he created himself and then got the Kemper company to manufacture. It's assumed for many of the tutorials in the book that you own one of these tools, as we're told to poke our primary sculpting tool here and there at certain points.
   
   I honestly have no problem with people plugging themselves and their own brand of supplies in their own book. After all, he wrote it, so why shouldn't he! *BUT* I do take issue when the sale of his own supplies comes ahead of helping the beginner. I find the way we are herded towards buying his supplies to be absolutly insidious, and it is a taint on an otherwise spotless book.
   
   I assure you that you CAN make your own soft-sculpted body, just look for tutorials online. You don't have to buy his premade ones! Also, why not photocopy the photo of the body stocking and blow it out in size and use it as a pattern? There's saving money!! And you can easily make head armature out of aluminium foil or sculpey, you don't need a special pre-fabricated resin one! It's just a luxury for the lazy. And you don't NEED a fancy $15 multi-purpose sculpting tool! Dental tools and rubber clay smoothers and fingers work just perfectly. Again, it's a luxury.
   
   All in all, this is a fantasticly written and illustrated book, one of the better art instruction books I've seen. Mr. Johnston is an absolutly fantastic artist, and his dolls are imaginative, alluring, and beautiful. We're all human, and the allure of extra profit can get to anyone (especially us starving artists!). So forgive him the plugging, read and love this book, and just fill in all the missing gaps with your imagination!



3. Good teaching, helpful details, nice stories behind some of the creations but many of the photos are very unprofessionally done. Considering the price of this publication more thought should have been put into the photography.

   Note: Mr. Johnston does quite a bit of "selling/self promotion" of his products in this book but it is his book so it's his right, right?

   Overall, a very good book on sculpting, sewing, encouraging others to succeed.




4. I've read all of Jack's books, taken his seminars and viewed his videos. As good as his books and videos are, this book is head and shoulders above them all. It may be the most complet text and photos available on polymer doll making. The photos are wonderful, the text is educational and the sculpting is excellent. Jack is one of the best doll makers and educators in America.



5. This is Jack Johnston's best work. I have read everything he has written and find this one amazing. If you make dolls you must read this book.

1 comments about Modern Collector's Dolls (Identification & Value Guide Sixth Series).

1. The hundreds of wonderful, clear pictures are a delight to see and a tremendous help in identifying dolls and placing comparative values. Great fun just to look at and enjoy!

4 comments about Collector's Compass: Barbie (r) Doll.

1. This is a great book for those that are looking to collect barbie and don't know how to judge a doll or what problems they might have. They will not have to learn with an expensive horrible experience.
   IT is good for new sellers because it presents them with all the questions that they will have to answer. AND finally tells them that GREEN EAR is not REALLY completely fixable and that this decreases the value of the doll!
   A mistake many novice sellers commit. Writing on their description "green ear, but I have heard it can be fixed"....



2. This book would be wonderful for many who are in to loving Barbie. It gives wonderful tips on collecting.... wonderful for beginners!!!



3. I checked this book out of the library and that was a relief, because I did not waste $12.95. I found nothing new or special in this book. There are plenty of other Barbie books out there that may be a bit more expensive but you will get your money's worth if you spend an extra $10-15 on one of them.

   There is no price guide, no list of the vintage outfits available, and only 16 pages of color photos. (16 pages isn't very impressive when you've seen Barbie books that contain hundreds and hundreds of color photos.)

   I gave this book 2 stars because it's fairly inexpensive and it could be helpful to a complete novice who has never read _anything_ about Barbie collecting. There are still better, more informative options for absolute beginners. A lot of the advice in here is generic common sense and BASIC information that could apply to any collectible hobby.




4. this book is compact and informational. it features photographs and plenty of tips and direction to beginners. The author includes cleaning, how to buy, and a beginning awareness on the world of barbie collecting

No comments about Hopi Kachina Dolls (Plateau, Vol 63 No 4).

1 comments about Collecting Foreign-Made Toy Soldiers: Identification and Value Guide.

1. Absolutely fantastic book! I purchased a copy and was able to identify every foreign soldier I had and sold them for big bucks. COuldn't be happier!!