5 comments about Drawing Lab for Mixed-Media Artists: 52 Creative Exercises to Make Drawing Fun (Lab Series).

1. Carla Sonheim is an artist and creativity workshop instructor known for her fun and innovative projects and techniques designed to help adult students recover a more spontaneous, playful approach to creating. Her innovative ideas are now collected and elaborated on in this unique volume.
   
   Carla offers a year's worth of assignments, projects, ideas, and techniques that will introduce more creativity and nonsense into your art and life. Drawing Lab for Mixed-Media Artists offers readers a fun way to learn and gain expertise in drawing through experimentation and play. There is no right or wrong result, yet, the readers gain new skills and confidence, allowing them to take their work to a new level.
   
   Review: This book is by far one of my most favorite inspirational books ever! I will be telling every librarian and teacher I know about this awesome collection of super fun and creative lessons. I love the fact that most of these labs can be done by a wide variety of ages and that there is really no right or wrong way to do it.
   
   A few of my favorite lessons include:
   
   Picasso Dogs...very easy to follow instructions that will result in each participant ending up with there own version of a Picasso Dog...AWESOME!
   
   Sidewalk Crack Drawing...can you look at a crack in a sidewalk and imagine all the different shapes of animals you see? This fun lab will show you all the steps to create fun imaginative creatures that will end up good enough to frame!
   
   Ugh, those are only two of many, many! Through out the book the author also has pages where she features various artists and their own unique styles...my favorite? Gustavo Aimar...
   
   *Fresh and imaginative ideas
   *Clear instructions with room for your twist
   * Lots of pictures and inspiration
   *plus a whole lot more!!!
   
   I can't recommend this book enough for people who love to be creative, who want to be creative or anyone who is looking for creative inspiration!
   
   Ummmm can you tell I like it??? YES!



2. I bought this book on a whim and took it on vacation to the mountains where I proceeded to be COMPLETELY enthralled! I am a graphic designer and over the past 7 or 8 years I have lost touch with my pencil and have been feeling its absence so I decided to purchase this book. Occasionally I doodle or draw with my children, but rarely am able to find enough time to sit down and enjoy a project the way I used to in art school or before. This book made it possible for me! I sat by the creek with this book and was able to do some of the simple, but useful (and FUN!) exercises with nothing but my sketch pad and a set of Micron Sakura pens. It was HEAVENLY. And did I say fun? Even though the exercises seemed simple, I came out with some really beautiful and meaningful pieces of work (some silly ones, too- I drew a monster for maybe the first time ever). For example, I did some blind drawings (you draw without looking at your paper so they come out loose and wonderfully weird) of my family members, which I love and capture a surprising likeness even though it took me less than a minute to draw them. This book takes me back to the part of art school I loved and offers a fun, inspiring environment to draw and create. This book also gave me some ideas I can do with my 8 year old daughter who loves to draw which are refreshingly different from your average craft projects and really focus on drawing (she especially enjoyed the blind drawings- lots of giggling). The exercises are simple and encourage you not to be intimidated by the empty paper- THEY GIVE YOU A PLACE TO START with room for interpretation. It was also great realizing I didn't need lots of art supplies to make something important or fulfilling to me - however, I look forward to exploring some of the more in-depth suggestions, such as collage work. I LOVE this book and plan to buy it for my artist friends. Perfect for a wide range of ages, abilities, and time constraints.



3. Drawing Lab for Mixed-Media Artists is a must for any artist. It's fun and inspirational. So if you feel like you've hit a creative block or wall, this book is for you. It has great ideas, photos, and artists which will make you want to pick up your pens and brushes and create something!



4. This book is chalk FULL of ideas. I, too, am an artist that gets freaked out about serious drawings and, hence, SELDOM if EVER sketch. Then I bought this delightful book, brought it on vacation and I cannot STOP doodling and drawing. I see these new lines appearing in my large scale paintings. I am enjoying my style of lines (where before I was just embarrassed that I could not make a nose look like a "nose") and organically my style of noses is emerging. Carla has revolutionized sketching, expanding possibilities and creating a multitude of inviting, intriguing and always playful entry points that call out the inner artist in everybody! Thanks Carla!



5. It's easy to do one lab a day, and see the improvement. It's fun, and it's thorough. Out of all the drawing books I'd recommend for mixed media artists, this one would come first.

5 comments about The Dangerous Book for Boys.

1. My neighbor recently gave my son this book for his eighth birthday. "Cute" I thought, then I opened it. There is some of the neatest things inside this book. My son loved the chapter on morris code, girls, make a derby car and so much more. We had company up the following weekend and he must have shown different parts of the book to everyone at least ten times. This book has encouraged him to read, learn new things and kept him away from television, gameboy and other electronic devices.
   
   Seems to me we may be in need of a sequel, only I'm not sure if he actually left anything out of the original version!!
   
   Written By Kerri J. Busteed
   Author of Will's First Hunt Will's First Hunt



2. This could be a great book if it lived up to the title, a great idea poorly done. Why not just buy the Boy Scout Handbook, it's much better and more useful. This is just a rehash of old reprints, largely from Boy Scouts. I guess I'm disappointed because the title promises so much and it delivers so little.



3. "I didn't have this book when I was a boy" That quote from the book is very true. But that isn't a bad thing about this book, because this book either remind's off things you did as a child or tells you things you should have done or learnt. It's the perfect book of information and the only book you will ever need.
   With this book you can find out so much information and do so much from it. You can either read for the information or re-live your childhood with the bits on knots, games and go-karts.You can even give it to your children (if you have any) for an easy to work things out, guide (think of my starting sentance when I say this). If not you can join in with your children and relive your childhood with them.
   It's a great thing and as I quoted "I didn't have this book when I was a boy" Comment | Permalink



4. I gave this book to my Grandson for his kindergarten graduation. His older cousin
   had received the book before and he was so very excited. There are so many activities to introduce to
   children of the computer age who are already addicted to staying inside and playing computer games. He loves it.
   It takes some assistance from grownups but that is great too.! Sharon Danziger



5. This is a wonderful book for boys in grade school. My son checked this book out from his school library three times in a row, so I knew it was something that was keeping his interest. Refreshing in a world where kids are spending so much time with electronics. I bought this new book for him and he was thrilled. We are working on building several of the items in this book. Great family involvement. I will purchase a couple more to have on hand for gifts for nephews/grandchildren.

5 comments about The Handmade Marketplace: How to Sell Your Crafts Locally, Globally, and On-Line.

1. Sensible, down-to-earth advice for artists & crafters.
   This book helps demystify my business questions.
   It is easy & enjoyable to read; not dry.
   This is the encouragement I've been looking for
   to start my own business, doing what I love!
   Wish it had been printed years ago.



2. Wow! This is a very comprehensive book. I was having a hard time figuring out where to begin. I knew where I was and where I wanted to be, but had NO idea how to get there until this book. It has great ideas if you already have a business going as well. The book is super easy to read and understand. It is also very up to date utilizing the internet to help get everything going and maintain a stream of business. If you are interested in starting your own crafty business this book is a MUST.



3. Hand Made Marketplace is written very clearly and extensively covers all details anyone would need when entering a venture of selling crafted items. I highly recommend buying this book. I doubt you will be disappointed!



4. The Handmade Marketplace is the best place to start when you are contemplating starting your own craft business. Each chapter has a wealth on information presented in a clear, concise, and approachable way. Kind of like having your best friends counsel you on what to do. Not only does Kari draw from her own craft-selling experience, she gathers advice from other well-known, successful artisans to create a dialogue on each topic. If you are thinking about taking the plunge into handmade craft sales, this is a must read!



5. Marketing is simply how you sell what you make, whether it's Ford automobiles, or one-of-a-kind felt hats. You make things; if you want to sell them, you need to market them. Author Kari Chapin seems to believe it's that simple, and her text on marketing for crafters //The Handmade Marketplace// certainly presents it simply. Yet, accomplishing these marketing concepts is a different matter. Chapin's handbook is a darned good starting place, especially for the entrepreneur with no prior business experience, who is handicapped by never having heard the terms "mobility", "business plan", or "pro forma." This work will not explain those terms, but does a pretty good job of delineating the expertice a new business owner should consult and cultivate. Frankly, some of the advice smacks of new-age gobbledygook ('build a nurturing place', 'welcome inspiration'), but much of it is practical, basic advice that will be appropriate not to just the handcrafter, but to almost any entrepreneur who needs or wants to explore the advantages of world-wide marketing via the internet.
   
   Reviewed by Claudette Smith

5 comments about Geek Dad: Awesomely Geeky Projects and Activities for Dads and Kids to Share.

1. I was very excited for this book. I was expecting to find many projects I could do with my 6 and 10 year olds. I found 5 that I might do. There were several reasons I ruled out projects: too much like arts and crafts which isn't what I bought the book for; we already did something along those lines; didn't seem interested to young kids; too elaborate to ever get around to it. I got science experiment books at the library and am much happier with those.
   
   These are just our preferences. Obviously, other reviewers like the ideas.
   
   I might have given it only 2 stars, but I have to give the book credit for pointing me towards Arduino boards and ThingM products.



2. Remember those geeky guys you went to school with? You know, the nerdy ones into dungeons and dragons and the weird sci-fi books and movies? The ones who begged for the 101 Electronics Kits for Christmas? The ones who didn't have an athletic bone in their body? Well, they are grown up now (and most with high paying jobs) and a lot are now dads. Hence, comes Geek Dads by Ken Denmead.
   
   Geek Dads is an awesome book filled with great projects for dads to do with their kids. Are they geeky projects? Well, I will let you decide that. Are they cool projects? Most definately.
   
   This book is great for a few reasons. First, it gives dads hand's on projects to do with their kids that both dad and kids will enjoy. Second, these projects can involve science, math and engineering (but nothing too hard). Exposing children to this type of learning can only be a good thing for them and help them in school. The most important reason this book is great is that it encourages quality time spent between dad and kids, which makes for a more emotionally sound child.
   
   Is this book only for Geek Dads? Absolutely NOT! This is for any dads (trust me, projects are not too hard and are pretty cool), grandpas, mothers or anyone who wants great projects to do for with children. In addition,
   
   A few of my favorite projects are: Electronic Flash Cards, The Science of Composting, Wind Up Finger Toy Painting, See the World from the Sky, and The Best Slip and Slide Ever.
   
   Thanks to Penguin Books for providing me a copy to review.



3. I expected many, many more activities to be listed. The ones that are suggested in this book often require things that we don't just have lying around, which was also unexpected.



4. What I Can Tell You: I am proud to say that my kids have a Geek Dad. We look to him for all the cool ideas.
   
   Geek Dad is chock full of DIY projects that are not just geared to dads. Moms can have a great time with this too!
   
   Each section gives you easy to follow directions that even the Non-Geek (me) mom can follow. Ken Denmead has taken each project and broken it down by the materials needed, the cost of the project, the level of difficulty and the amount of time necessary to complete.
   
   Personally I really liked the section on making comic strips using toys and the cyborg jack-o-lanterns. Look for mine this Halloween.



5. The projects in this book truly do the title justice! They are a lot of fun, especially for 6year olds and older. I can't wait to do them all!

4 comments about Art Cloth: A Guide to Surface Design for Fabric.

1. This book is my new "go to" book when I want to be creative with a fabric surface. Jane covers many techniques on surface design, uses many great products...even some you find in your kitchen. Lots of visual inspiration included within the pages.



2. At the high end of the market for a paperback but worth every penny. I also have Complex Cloth by this author and suggested an update for it in my review. This is that update and a very desirable book it is. This has to be the finest guide to printing on cloth. Beautifully produced and illustrated and easy to follow. From making samples to complete art cloths, this book will guide you through the processes involved from preparing cloth, dyeing, over-dyeing, writing on cloth, embellishing and so much more. A firm favourite. This review first appeared on Karen Platt's book review website.



3. If you were faced with the dreaded "only one" question for a comprehensive book on mastering the processes of making complex cloth, this would be IT.(See Su Bleiweiss' review for a description of what "art cloth" or "complex cloth" is.)
   
   This is a truly marvelous book. It is gorgeous,of course, with just enough beautifully-done photos of Jane Dunnewold's and others' pieces of complex art fabric to inspire but not so many as to overwhelm or intimidate It is well-written, and extensive beyond anything else available. Each process (dyeing,discharging,stamping & stenciling,resists (both water-based and bound), and screenprinting - plus metallic foiling & leafing)) is laid out, in an extremely clearly-written text. It is written so that you could start at the beginning and work through all the processes in order - and if you did all that, I imagine you would end up very highly-skilled indeed!
   
   Probably most fabric artists have some level of mastery of most of the processes in the new Art Cloth: A Guide to Surface Design for Fabric, and have dozens of books covering the various techniques. I know I certainly do - and Jane Dunnewold's earlier book, Complex Cloth, has previously been my best guide. It looks to me that with the publication of this new book, Art Cloth is now THE book to have, if you could only have one - it's certainly the one I will keep closest at hand.
   
   In addition to the various techniques, Jane talks about the process of creating meaningful layered cloth, and about the profound importance of "making" itself It's not just a "step 1, step 2" process (although the steps are all there, very clearly put forth), but a very personal & soulful journey. One of the things I love about Jane's work is the way she layers into her cloth words, phrases, and symbols that are meaningful to her - but these phrases are obscured, like the scenery in a deep fog: you may catch only a whisper or a hint of them, or maybe none at all beyond the impression of a letter or two, but the meaning is a deep part of the piece, the part that gives it life and soul. I think of these mostly-secret messages as prayers laid into each layer of the work. More importantly, though, it remains very clear that this book will be about YOUR work, YOUR journey, YOUR mastery and application of the outlined techniques - Jane's work is about Jane's vision, and YOUR work will be about your own.
   
   If you haven't already ordered it, you should do so immediately (no affiliation, just a grateful learner!). Whether you are a total beginner or an advanced fiber artist, this book will inspire and support your journey of exploration. It would be worth the price even if you only wanted to look at the pictures - but there is so much more in these pages!



4. Few artists have had the far reaching and influential impact on the fiber art world as Jane Dunnewold. Her book "Complex Cloth" is considered the must have bible for fiber artists. Since the release of that book, the art of surface design has exploded with new products, techniques and fabrics to work with and combine to create what Jane calls "art cloth". Cloth with layers of color, texture, imagery rich with the imagination of the fiber artist who creates it.
   
   The book opens with the fundamentals reviewing the work space, materials and an overview of the layer building process and then moves into the actual techniques and processes for creating a piece of art cloth. Techniques covered include starting with adding color and covers fiber-reactive dyes and textile paints which is followed by discharge methods. Learn how to create your own stamps and stencils, work with water based resists, methods for screenprinting and how to use foiling and leafing to add depth, brilliance and textural interest to your cloth. Novices to surface design will find it easy to achieve success with each technique with Jane's clearly written and easy to understand directions of each technique and process. Experienced fiber artists may not find anything new to them in this book but will surely benefit from being able to learn how a master surface designer uses them. This new book by Jane will most assuredly follow in the footsteps of Complex Cloth as the surface design bible for any artist working with cloth and belongs on every surface design artists and enthusiasts book shelf no matter what their experience level is.

5 comments about Digital Expressions: Creating Digital Art with Adobe Photoshop Elements.

1. This book came up in one of my recommendations. WOW! Perfect fit. If you've wanted to know how to do things like textures and brushes and collages and montages in PhotoShop, this is the book for you. Simply and logically written, it provides great instructions while whetting your creativity with superb examples.



2. I'd been wanting to get into digital collage for awhile, but I had no idea where to start - particularly with Photoshop (Elements.) I knew some basics like crop, resize, and contrast adjustment, but felt overwhelmed about learning the trickier things. Well, this book was exactly what I needed to get started!
   
   Each section of the book has a beautiful artwork, and then the complete step-by-step instructions for recreating it, using Photoshop Elements. This method may not work for everyone, but I've found it to be a great starting point and a springboard for inspiration. I refer to it often. Susan Tuttle also includes a disc of resources, and links to online sources for free and premium stock photos, brushes, and other useful tools.
   
   The book does assume that you have some basic knowledge of digital photo editing, so don't buy it if you are expecting to learn the program from scratch. But if you have played around with Photoshop and you're looking to build on your digital collage skills, this book is for you.
   
   Also worth noting - though the book specifically refers to Adobe Photoshop Elements, I've also found that the instructions can easily be translated for use with Gimp, a free open source photo editor that's similarly powerful.



3. Susan Tuttle's latest book is a treasure trove of inspiration and instruction. The book is beautifully designed - it is a joy just browsing through the pages - and there are clear, easy to understand lessons in unlocking and de-mystifying the secrets of digital art.
   
   The artist/author imparts her wealth of knowledge of the field, sharing the many techniques involved in creating works of art using digital media. The inclusion of other artists' works enhances the book, and the learning process. Tuttle is a great teacher: if you have not yet had the opportunity to learn from her in her Visual Poetry workshops, I highly recommend it.
   
   This book will be a wonderful addition to your art library, enabling ongoing learning of the many amazing ways to be creative using Photoshop, irrespective of your level of experience.



4. This book illustrates a myriad of photoshop elements processes through 25 projects. Each project has screen captures of the most important steps and the settings that the author and artists used to get their particular effects. Most of them have manipulated images superimposed on at least one, but usually 2 or 3, textured layers. These could be used for any kind of art where you want to develop individual surfaces. It is definitely a book to work through over a period of weeks to get the most out of it. Though there are some basics at the beginning, it is not really for total novices.



5. I'm a traditional (glued) collage artist, but have been trying to teach myself PhotoshopElements6 for use in my family scrapbooking projects. This book has moved me light years ahead. It's detailed and uses precise technical language, but it is also warm and encouraging. I particularly like that the instruction is project-based, which is totally compatible with the "click around" nature of computer programs. This book is all about learning by doing and it's perfect for me, because I've read one too many books where techniques are presented in a vacuum and forgotten the minute you turn the page. Definitely not the case with this book. Obviously, once you get the hang of a technique on the practice project, you can take it wherever you want. I will be spending lots of time with this book close at hand! Thanks, Susan Tuttle!

5 comments about 100 Flowers to Knit & Crochet: A Collection of Beautiful Blooms for Embellishing Garments, Accessories, and More.

1. The flowers are beautifully illustrated with clear instructions even for the crochet ones (which I don't do yet). Can't wait to make some.



2. This is a wonderful collection of garden items to crochet or knit. For the record, there are 40 knit patterns and 60 crochet patterns. (March 2009 edition)
   
   The gallery section (Dictionary of Flowers) shows the samples in actual size, which is helpful. Crocheted and knitted items are intermingled in the gallery section, but there are separate instruction sections for crochet and knit patterns. The instruction sections are further broken down into basic, intermediate and advance levels. All patterns give the suggested yarn weight used in the sample (typically DK or Fine weights), but there are no suggested hook or needle sizes. The crafter will need to experiment a bit with the suggested yarn to achieve the sample size and then experiment from there for specific projects.
   
   The photos are gorgeous and quite inspiring. I love the rainbow of colors. The patterns are mostly flowers, but there are also leaves (about 14) and a few vegetables (4), fruits (5) and bugs (5).... a nice sampling of a garden. (The numbers I provided include both crochet and knit patterns.)
   
   The crochet patterns also feature symbol charts, which is helpful.
   
   The project section at the end of the book is basically a section of project suggestions, not really full blown projects. For me this was the least helpful part of the book, but others may find it helpful.
   
   Overall, I am very pleased with this book and look forward to crocheting flowers for the charity hats I'm making.



3. Exceptional book! Huge collection of flowers and leaves, both crochet and knit, that can be used to embellish ANYTHING, from wearables to afghans, etc.
   The directions are clear, the pictures delightful.
   This is a book I will use and cherish for all of my crafting years!



4. Enough variety and clear instructions make this a book well worth the money and worth owning. I always judge a knit or crochet book by how many items I would want to make and this book comes in at 90%-a high score as many books only have a few items that you really want to make.
   
   You will use it time and time again.



5. Beautiful pictures and easy instructions to follow!!!! Will recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn to crochet and knit flowers!

5 comments about The Big-Ass Book of Crafts.

1. Bought this book without thinking twice, anxiously waited the almost 3 weeks to get it and I love it! This book is full of neat and pretty ideas. Every craft is customizable so its more unique to you. Instructions are straight forward and easy to understand. Love the witty comments throughout.



2. I love a lot of the crafts in this book. A few of them are quite unnecessary (grade-school crafts) that would just sit around & collect dust. Some, however, are great ideas. I've made a few things out of this book & plan to make more. It helps you think of new ways to use things.



3. This book is incredible! I got my copy about two weeks ago and I have already made a couple of the things out of this book. It has tons of great ideas that can be made to look like you came up with the idea. I made the 3D flower box on page 19 and it is beautiful hung up on the wall and it's very inexpesive to make the shadowbox I found was $14 dollars and the other supplies might already be on hand. It's a fun, fun book and I reccomend checking it out. Plus all of the supplies can be found in the craft section at Walmart and at craft stores. The instructions are easy to follow, they are cute projects like the laminated earrings are adorable,I have a ton of sticky notes in my already worn out paper back book and I intend on making most of them! It is a fun book full of great projects and like I said I reccomend it! It's just a totally great book.



4. Amazon gave me a hard time on this item. It took me about 5 phone calls in total of two hours on hold to notify amazon of my address which was given correctly the first time. I recieved the book, which turned out to be a total flock. The book had totaly usless projects. For fear of never recieving my money back I will not return the item, and I dont have a person that will think it usefull either. I much rather through it out.



5. I have had this book for a couple of years now and I have really enjoyed it. It's full of great ideas that are easy and look great. Any time I need a last minuet gift idea or am just bored on a Saturday, I pull this book out. If you are a crafter then you really should have this book.

5 comments about The Art of Manipulating Fabric.

1. The photos alone provide an education in sewing possibilities, from the most basic applications to envelope-pushing artistic expression.



2. I thought I sent a review previously. I'm very pleased with the book. The fast service and condition of the book was great. The Art of Manipulating Fabric is a book I wanted the first time I saw it. The transaction was quick and easy. My expectations were met. Thank You



3. It has a very nice variety of techniques for making that piece of fabric "something else". There are more techniques out there that haven't been included in the book, but it's not an encyclopedia, just one book. I don't give it 5 stars because the photographs are quite small, and sometimes insufficient, but overall the book is useful an interesting.



4. Types of techniques are grouped in easy to find and peruse sections. Instructions are generally clear and are illustrated with LOTS of photos. My only negative criticism would be that some of the techniques seem a bit "out there" to me. In fairness, it may be that I simply have no particular use for them.
   
   If you do a lot of sewing, quilting or any fabric crafting this book is a must have.



5. This book is wonderful, it provides numerous techniques with excellent instructions that can be used in quilting and garment sewing. Fantastic ideas. Price was good and condition outstanding. Very prompt delivery.

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. A great series to own and study, in this time of hardship and the need to be frugal.



2. With the economy going the way it is - and people trying to find more ways to save money, eat more healthy foods and cut down on the questionable drugs and sweeteners - The foxfire book series is FULL of interesting and helpful knowledge. I gave my first one away years ago and now I am slowly replacing every one. good book to have in every home.



3. This is a wonderful book complied from "mountain people" who lived in a time when everything was not easy and nothing was free. It relates information on how to live and the knowledge gained over generations about what works and what doesn't work. Some may think that this is information of folklore, but these are the practices and ways that I remember the old people using when I grew up. If you are wanting to learn the "old fashioned way", this is a great source of information that is tried and true.



4. I was really glad to find this and other books in this series at such great prices. My husband just loves the Foxfire series of books on mountain lore. It is amazing what life was like in the Appalachia Mountains and just how they made a life for themselves and their families. I love all the quilting squares that are in this book. Some of them I haven't seen since I was a little girl and my grandmother made quilts. I plan tobuy my husband more of these books in the future since he loves them so much and you would be surprised at what you can learn from them that will help you in your day to day life even now.



5. It could all change. How you live, how much you provide for yourself. Whether or not you can build your own shelter, feed and clothe your family, and tend to simple health remedies. You don't have to reinvent the wheel. It is already turning. Read about those who spoked it. Relearn their lessons and your own historical heritage.
   Maybe 2012 is just a Mayan myth. Maybe it's not. Take a look at the world without WalMart, or cities, or a stock market.