5 comments about Robert Lee Morris: The Power of Jewelry.

1. This book is more about Robert Lee Morris than his jewelry. It contains more images of RLM than his jewelry. I returned the book.



2. I read the book and enjoyed all the photos from cover to cover!
   Robert Lee Morris is such a great natural designer, very genuine as human being.
   
   I found many similarities with his life and mine as a jewelry designer.
   I discovered that my first pieces were much like his style, when I didn't knew who he was and never saw his work before.
   
   Totally inspiring. You can be tempted to tear and frame the photos of the book as art pictures!
   
   Benjamin P.
   Puerto Rico



3. This book is more that the best expected. I am familiar with The RLM jewelry line and know this artist to be innovative and creative. This book gives an fascinating look at the man as a sculptor and jewelry designer.



4. In a world of cookie cutter jewelry where factories manufacture the latest trendy piece, thank goodness there is Robert Lee Morris. RLM is a very spiritual designer who is attuned to nature, human sensuality and an unending stream of creativity. I have never been to his studio in Soho, NYC. But I do buy his stunning silver jewelry on QVC. Whenever he is on tv, he presents pieces that are not only unique in design, but pieces that beg to be touched. His pieces are filled with spirit and love. For example, he created a twisted heart bracelet where the hearts literally flow into one another, rather than connecting them with the usual chunky links. He created a large molded heart ring that has FORGIVE inscribed on the inside. He takes the ordinary and makes it extraordinary.
   
   I encourage those who are not familiar with his pieces to try a pair of his exquisite earrings. I also encourage all current and future jewelry designers to study this book and his pieces. Here is one of the most innovative and prolific designers of our time. Study his book, go to his Soho studio, and check out the shopping site that sells his jewelry. You will be glad you did.
   
   One more thing. RLM's book is not just a history of his jewelry and how it was made and sold over the past thirty-five years. This book is a history of fashion, makeup and accessories and how they were designed and sold via the runway over the past three decades. This is a fascinating history of some of our most famous designers and the marriage of fashion and accessories.



5. 
   Women have been adorning themselves with jewelry and body art almost since time began. What earlier generations did not have was the imagination of award winning designer Robert Lee Morris whose bold, dramatic creations in gold and silver are worn by the famous, such as Madonna, Oprah, Cher, as well as the lady next door.
   
   The son of an air force pilot and a former fashion model, Morris was exposed at any early age to differing cultures. A four year stint in Japan left him with lasting memories of the beauty and customs of that country. Undoubtedly, this experience and others have been an inspiration to him.
   
   "I had a very powerful vision in my head when I first began to make jewelry," he writes. "It was this specific, cinematic image that grounded me and gave me a sound place from which all my work sprang in the early years, from 1970 to 1980. I could envision a post-apocalyptic world populated by Amazon women....."
   
   A major jump start for his career occurred when he was chosen to design the jewelry for Donna Karan's collections. Ms. Karan, an unabashed fan, wrote the foreword for this volume. "Robert's designs are remarkably sensual, They beg to be touched. When you hold or wear them they become part of you....."
   
   Evidently Calvin Klein and Karl Lagerfeld shared her enthusiasm for Morris also did collections for both of them.
   
   Morris's designs have been among the most wanted and noted for over 25 years, and he claimed the Platinum Guild International Grand Prize for Design Award in 1999. He continues to offer collections in his signature style of ethnic flavor and high fashion flair.
   
   Enjoy and wish as you leaf through this lush 180 page volume with 230 full-color illustrations. With his candid, chatty narrative Morris proves himself to be a gifted communicator as well as designer.
   
   - Gail Cooke
   

5 comments about Reconstruction Era Fashions: 350 Sewing, Needlework, & Millinery Patterns 1867-1868.

1. This book had authentic, accurate costume information with nice commentary from the author at the beginning. Also had helpful reference information to help understand and use the patterns. I felt I was a lady of the 1800's reading the magazine for the first time.



2. I bought this book about a year ago and use it at least one a week for reference as well as to make items even though my re-enactment period here in uk is 1879 (british campaign against Zulu nation).
   This is a must have book for EVERYONE! And for those here in uk it is worth the wait.



3. This book is a super bargain compared to original _Harper's Bazar_ magazines with pattern sheets. It's easier to use too--all the patterns have been disentangled and presented separately. Patterns are included for just about every woman's garment or accessory you'd ever want to make. The articles on sewing techniques are different from other 1860s ones I've seen reprinted, and better illustrated.



4. I do a little historic sewing (not a lot) but this is an amazingly beautiful book to look at. It has pictures of everything--clothes and hats and trims and sewing techniques and, well, just everything. The engravings are stunning and the production is superb. If you're at all interested in Victorian fashions, this book is worth having.



5. I am a Civil War re-enactor (female) who bought Reconstruction Era Fashions because I don't believe in restricting my research to just the war years. However, I was happy to discover it also contains material useful for my Civil War impression. There is a substantial section of instructions for dressmaking and pattern alterations that is suitable for the Civil War and, judging from the (many) illustrations, was reprinted in the late 1860s from an earlier 1860s source. There are large sections with other appropriate instructions for fancy buttonholes and buttons, netting, and crocheted tatting. The patterns and instructions for corsets, underclothes, and many accessories and trimmings are also fine for the CW. Although the bonnet styles are different from the war years the section on millinery techniques is very illuminating. The book is profusely illustrated--techniques are illustrated as well as the finished garments--and the production is very high quality.

5 comments about Vintage Hats & Bonnets 1770-1970: Identification & Values.

1. I bought this as a gift for my sister who collects Victorian type items. I was very pleased with the quality of the book, it is beautiful, and the price was great. Would recommend to anyone who is looking for a little history.



2. Very detailed, lots of images. Values a bit on the wishful side. Great for collectors, costumers, dealers as the research possibilities can be as simple as using photos, to actually reading the informative text.
   An excellent addition to your library.



3. if it is tons of pics of hats you want this is it!



4. a realy beautiful book .full of hundreds of illustrations and a good source for a budding milliner



5. The book is a good buy for the price with a lot of color photographs and text but I was really more looking for something to compare my vintage hat collection to as a price guide. I have over 110 vintage hats, and I still don't have any idea about the history or value of any of them.

2 comments about Indian Clothing of the Great Lakes, 1740-1840.

1. Having an original copy (the one with the writer on the front cover in reproductin native garb), I can say that I found the basic book highly infomative on basic native garb. Well written. Nicely illustrated. A good book to have on the subject.
   
   Excellant reading.



2. If you are looking for new design ideas or if you have ever been curious about what the First Americans might have worn a couple of hundred years ago, this book offers a wealth of information.

   Here you can find detailed drawings of blouses, skirts, men's shirts and leggings, moccasins and head coverings. Although the book doesn't include patterns per se, the written instructions appear to be detailed enough for most readers with some sewing experience to follow. (As a very amateur seamstress, I have to admit I would have liked more detailed explanations, espeically for the finger weaving section).

   Since this book includes clothing of all the Great Lakes tribes, you can see the variations in design and construction between the peoples of that area. However, as Hartman points out, it is almost impossible to identify clothing as belonging to a specific tribe. Contact among these people offered the opportunity for trade as well as imitation of dress styles. Looking at the many drawings, you can see the influence that the French and other Europeans had on clothing and jewelry design.

   However, this is more than just a sewing or design book. In addition to the pictures and how-to sections, Hartman also includes quite a bit of historical and cultural information. She briefly mentions the role of trade silver used for decoration. (If this is a subject that interests you, you may want to look at "The Covenant Chain, Indian Ceremonial and Trade Silver," by N. Jaye Fredrickson.)

3 comments about Stylemakers : Inside Fashion.

1. oh my god marcia sherill is so cool, i even wrote a song about her and those folks over at pentagram! it's at www.freqnyc.com Did you know she's working on a TV pilot called Coolhunters? i hope she makes lots of money off this work of art, she's a genius!



2. I read Stlylemakers:inside fashion. I found the book fascinating in that I never knew there are so many people and personalities involved in a fashion company and its brand. The book is one of the most informative books I have read. It is a great guide for students going to fashion schools or entering the industry. Also, it is a fun book to read!!!



3. This book was a gift to me from someone who knows I love fashion. But loving fashion does not automatically mean understanding the creation of fashion--as I learned from this book. The book educated me to the great complexity beyond just designing and marketing. (And I thought I knew...)
   The vignettes, bio's and photographs were exciting and fun.
   This is a great book for anyone who loves fashion. And a great book for anyone who wants to peer into the hip & fast world of stylists, forecasters, editors, etc. The visuals of the book are beautiful. It now sits on my coffee table--and always gets comments.

5 comments about Soft + Simple Knits For Little Ones.

1. I am a total beginner and I love this book. Before this book I had only attempted basic scarves. I have not felt overwhelmed by the patterns and I love that what I can create is fun and funky. The instructions are easy to read and understand and I can easily go back and skim something if I start to feel like I'm lost. My littlest cousin takes her finger puppet playset everywhere with her! Thank you!



2. I got this book in the fall when it first came out - the layout showcases the fabulous knits nicely. I love the red swing coat and the adorable finger puppets! The lavender tank dress is too sweet, and would work for several years with shorts underneath. This book has a terrific variety of easy, quick projects that even a new knitter could knit up in short order.
   
   Terrific ideas, great layout, easy-to-follow patterns. Great book for kid's knits!



3. Heidi has done another amazingly clever book of fantastic projects that are simple and easy to follow and yet look super cool on children. My granddaughter looks so cute in some of these colorful and fun creations and she loves them and wears them which is certainly the best result, also has garnered many comments - of course she is a darling! They did not take long to accomplish for someone who is pretty green at knitting. I have seen Heidi Boyd's work in Better Homes & Gardens projects over the years and have most of her books, all of them are very original and great fun to do. I hope lots of people will be encouraged to take up more knitting with this very easy and rewarding book. Good luck and enjoy.



4. I was lucky enough to be able to see the trunk show for this book at my LYS and I LOVED it. The projects are not overly complicated, yet produce beautiful results and the finished items definitely receive lots of oohs and ahs. Perfect as gifts. Highly recommended!



5. I love the patterns in this book, even though I have only knit 1 item thus far and it knit up quickly and effortlessly. The author Heidi is a very, warm, friendly and not to mention talented person. Our local yarn shop owner is also one of the featured designers in the book along with her sister. She has most all, if not all, of the items, on display in her shop and the are all "beautiful" and flawless. I would recommended this book to people looking for soft, simple and cuddly items to knit for an "expectant mom" or any little one you may know. Our local yarn shop owner goes out of her way to assist anyone working on a pattern from this book to ensure the knitter, no matter there abilities, is able to create a beautiful, soft garment for the lucky recipeint.

5 comments about North American Indian Jewelry and Adornment.

1. This huge book, published in stunning quality (here meaning basic binding and materials quality as well as quality of photos), covers an enormous range of tribes and artifact types. It focuses most on the 18th and 19th centuries, though you will find references and photos on items ranging from ancient to modern. I like the blend of the topical and regional approaches the author takes. I was particularly happy about the coverage of beaded artifacts. This is a keeper and works equally well as a casual coffee table picture book or serious study material. If there is a shortcoming, it is that I was hoping for more coverage of Eastern woodland tribes.
   
   My initial copy arrived from Amazon with a torn dust cover and broken binding. Amazon shipped a replacement immediately. In spite of the problems with the first copy, I can still comment on the quality of the book. The paper is high-quality, the binding is based on well-sewn signatures, the end cover papers are sufficiently heavy for a book of this size, and the reproduction quality of the photographs is just superb.



2. My brother-in-law has the exact same title book,his book has over 600 pages! I ordered the book thinking that I would get a similar copy at a great price. I did not realize that I was purchasing an condensed version. The information in the book, although somewhat sparse is good. Thank you.



3. A few years back I signed up for a class in silversmithing which soon became addictive. In addition to that interest, I have always been interested in primitive art such as that of the American Indians, the cave drawings, Australian Aboriginal art or spiritual drawings. These forms of spirituality and art or of art are very powerful. I have chosen to concentrate my silversmithing designs toward the designs I see from these primitive peoples. The book, North American Indian Jewelry and Adornment has proven to be very helpful toward that aim. In addition to that, it's just plain good reading.



4. This gorgeous book is indeed indispensable, especially if "read" visually. Unfortunately, quite a few of the tribal attributions for historic objects (information given to the author by museums) are wrong. Given the scope of this project, Dubin had little choice but to take often out-dated info at face value rather than do her own research. However, readers should keep this caveat in mind when using this work as a reference.



5. This book is a must-have for anyone serious about studying Native American cultures. It is a fun read, while still being absolutely crammed with information. It's clear the author put in a lot of time and work to master her subject. Not to mention, the artwork featured in the book is beautiful. I love to breeze through it when I've had a hard day, just to feel my spirits lift looking at such amazing works of art. You will learn so much and enjoy the journey enormously.

1 comments about Putman Style.

1. nice biographical reading, but not enough in recent project infomation. a little disappointed that Andree didn't say much in book.

3 comments about Ancient Egyptian Fashions (History of Fashion).

1. I know when I see the name Tom Tierney on a book of fashion paperdolls and costumes that it will be accurate, historic, and colorful. His work never ceases to delight me. The paperdolls and costumes were (are)wonderful!



2. ancient egyptian fashions by tom tierney is a great book. in this book you will see what old kingdom pharaoh's and their wifes dressed in, as well as princess's, scribes, painter's, egyptian couples of rank, dancer's, and women. you will also see middle kingdom pharaoh's and queen's, men and women, maidservant's from the court, dancer's and slaves. you will also see new kingdom pharaoh's including hatshepsut the female pharaoh, you will see queen's, noble couples, priest's, soldier's, court musicians, musicians, and a princess and a slave. you will also see gods like osiris, thoth,anubis, and amun. you will see the hair styles of ancient egypt as well. this is a great book on ancient egyptian fashions.



3. This is a coloring book, whose illustrations are based on representations of the Ancient Egyptian people as seen on various temples, paintings and artifacts. Images presented herein show the fashions of Old, Middle and New Kingdoms. An entertaining booklet for children of all ages.

5 comments about Attention to Detail: A Woman's Guide to Professional Appearance and Conduct (Attention to Detail).

1. Luckily, I checked this out from the library rather than purchasing it. This very thin, very basic booklet is more like somthing I would expect to get free as a promotional item, not something I would pay $12.95 for.
   
   If you've ever been in the workforce, or your mother taught you anything about how to dress and act, you don't need this book.



2. I bought this book, thinking the same as another reviewer, that it would be about DETAILS, not basic stuff. I was extremely disappointed. This is good for high school students or a high school guidance office, but it's not useful for someone who is starting out of college with a professional career. A MUCH better choice would be The New Women's Dress For Success, by Molloy.
   
   This book was extremely thin, 64 pages, and overpriced. I paid much less for a different book that was MUCH more informative and helpful.



3. This guide is a very simple and easy to read guide for women who need some extra advice creating the right look and improving their appearance.



4. Save your money - there's really nothing new here.



5. My mentor at work gave me a copy of this book my first day on the job. Thank you for this guide, I fell much better about myself and what to say and do when I'm in the office.