No comments about Hans Coper (Contemporary Ceramics).

2 comments about Beginner's Guide to Mosaics.

1. I purchased this book to start my very first mosaic project. It was very easy to follow and showed exactly what you need to do. I was never stuck wondering how to do something. My first project was the fruit bowl, which turned out very well and looks professional. There are excellent projects for the beginner and projects to work into as you get more advanced. Highly recommend!



2. This book is full of great ideas that can be copied or adapted. A must for the learning mosaic artist.

1 comments about Brambly Hedge Collectors Book & Price Guide.

1. What is the greatest boondoggle/stumbling block to the run ofthe mill avid Brambly Hedge aficionado/collector?
   Hands down, ithas to be a lack of information.
   
   Whether you are speaking of pieces ever done, dates of release, or countries availabe, it's all here in Louise Irvine's outstanding work. The photographs are well worth the price of the book, but on top of those is the documenting of the very complex and phenomenal merchandizing tale which is so indicative of not only the tremendous enthusiasm which exists for Jill Barklem's world of characters/stories/artwork, but this day in age in which it is occurring....ie the tail end of the 20th century.
   
   In America, when it comes to obtaining Brambly Hedge merchandise, we are at a big disadvantage compared to most of the other markets, that is the UK, Europe, Canada, Australia and Japan. In those places when you ask after Brambly Hedge Items at a gift or china shop there is instant product recognition. Here you are more likely to get a response like: "That's those little bunnies, right?" Louise's book somewhat levels the playing field for us poor Yanks with previously unavailable information.
   
   Louise Irvine has taken on the daunting task of identifying and photo cataloguing every item of major significance related to the community of English mice, known as the Brambly Hedge. These critters first appeared on the literary scene in 1980, in the form of the first four books by authoress, Jill Barklem. Since the introduction of the Spring; Summer; Autumn; and Winter "Stories" there have been no fewer than 2 dozen companies from all over the world with lines of merchandise with everything from China plates, figures in china, resin, and pewter, to stationery and even cosmetics in which to feature the mice made famous in Ms. Barklem's extremely eloquent and exquistitely illustrated children's books.

   The Collector's Book has an introduction of the general story of Jill and how she came to write and illustrate her stories. The chapters are then listed in descending order of the most prolific of the Brambly Hedge Licensees....32 pages devoted to Royal Doulton, with pictures of everything ever available from them, followed by a 27 page chapter devoted to Border Fine Arts and Enesco, on down the list to a final chapter of "Useful addresses". Included with each book is a very helpful price guide insert.

   Thank you, Mrs. Barklem, for your creativity and magnificent artistry captured in your eight wonderfully illustrated children's books. Thank you Louise, for the dogged persuit needed to put this fantastically documented and illustrated volume out there for the the consuming Brambly Hedge public to 'devour', as I am sure that they will. Best of luck and fortune to you and the Publishers of this volume. From a devoted "Brambly Hedger", Jo Ann Travis, USA

1 comments about Glazes for the Craft Potter (Ceramics).

1. I am a professional potter artist and clay sculptor.
   This is a must have glaze book for any potter. I will
   highly recommend this book to anyone starting in
   ceramics and to all professional potters out there!

2 comments about Oyster Plates.

1. Although the 2 plates I have are not featured in the book, there are pages and pages of color pictures and information that are really informative. There is also a chapter or two on oyster "trivia". For the price, this book should be a hardback, but otherwise the content is relavent and beautifully laid out. I highly recommend it to anyone who is even thinking about starting a collection. I never dreamed there were so many exotic oyster plates from so many different places!



2. This book contains 150 pages of beautiful color photographs as well as an easy to use index section. It is an excellent source for identification of these very collectible plates, and even gives a rarity guide. Provides information on the manufacturers, as well. An invaluable guide to the oyster plate collector!!!!

5 comments about Beatrix Potter Collectibles: The Peter Rabbit Story Characters.

1. Especially for those who are passionate about Beatrix Potter. Sewall and Dubay do an excellent job in showcasing items often overlooked in other price guides. This is not to imply this book is simly a price guide. It is much more - a true delight!



2. Charming book documents Beswick, Royal Doulton, Royal Albert, Wedgwood, Crummles, Eden Plush, Giants, Pull Toys, Musical Toys Hand Puppets, Beanie Babies, etc., Schmid Music Boxes, Anri, Border Fine Arts Figurines, Steiff, Tins, R. John Wright, etc. by author Debby DuBay, foreword by Potter expert Judy Taylor, highlighting Kara and John Sewall's private collection. Fabulous colored photographs with complete descriptions and a value under each. This price guide is easy to read and the only one I could find on general B. Potter collectibles. Highly recommend this lovely yet inexpensive book.



3. Collecting is wonderful and documenting a collection is an honor that Ms. Dubay has bestowed on her friends the Sewall's. There are many books on the market that go into Ms. Potter's life like expert Judy Taylor who wrote the foreword for this book! As a novice collector, of many porcelain pieces, this is the first book I could find that has the values and is actually a useful price guide for the diverse Potter collector. I highly recommend.



4. This charming book opens with Debby DuBay chatting away on how she met the Miss Potter and collector of today - Kara Sewall. I love this book and highly recommend it to all collectors, Peter Rabbit and Potter fans. Thanks to Debby DuBay for another charming book; she has a unique way of inviting us into her life and the lives of her friends and then getting us addicted to whatever the subject is that she is documenting. I am now a Limoges and Potter collector.



5. I have collected Beatrix Potter for many years and finally a price guide is available on many of the pieces I have collected. I highly recommend this book to collectors of Beatrix Potter memorabilia from Wedgwood, Crummles, Schmid Music Boxes, etc., from the 1970s to today. LOVE this price guide!

1 comments about Fratelli Toso Italian Glass 1854-1980.

1. I spent a month reading books about Murano art glass from libraries in my area, and after looking at at least 6 different books, this was my favorite. The pictures are beautiful, and divided by vases/paperweights/ bowls etc. The murrine examples are terrific! The writing is well done and there are lots of examples in color. I highly recommend this book. It was a worthwhile purchase.

No comments about Post-Partum Document.

1 comments about Practical Guide to Crafting with Mosaics, Ceramics & Glassware (Practical Guide to Crafting).

1. Full of inspiration to get out there and play. Great for gift ideas and home projects,pretty designs and good illustrations. I recommend this and am getting an extra copy for my best friend!

2 comments about The Art of Brian Rood.

1. In a relative short time Brian Rood has accelerated himself near the top of the pack when it comes to fantasy/erotic illustrators. Just approaching his 30th birthday, Rood has already built up an impressive list of credits including work in comics, feature films, collectible card games, magazines, and more. This is his first collection of art from the great people at SQP, simply the best publishers of fantasy and erotic/pin-up art in the business. This 48 page book presents an eclectic collection of Rood's pin-up and fantasy art featuring everyone from Bettie page to Lady Death.
   
   What I love about Rood's pinup art is the soft, warm tones of his art. The result is a very photo-realistic look. A perfect example is the piece entitled simply "The Bombshell" depicting a hot blonde in a leather corset and lace stockings. The other quality I love about Rood's work, almost in contrast to the first, is the shine and glare effects he achieves while still working in softer colors. An example of this can be found in "Pink Caddy" as model Stacy Walker is decked out in leather boots and a metallic bikini while a freshly waxed and shining pink Cadillac is in the back ground.
   
   Rood also takes a turn at the women of Chaos Comics with several Lady Death and Purgatori pieces in the book. "Purgatori Trick or Treat" features the sexy demon dressed in a Catholic school girl outfit, holding a pumpkin candy collecting basket. Lady Death is pictured with another one of Brian's favorite subjects, James O'Barr's The Crow.
   
   You'll find more than just beautiful women in the book though. Rood also includes some samples of his superhero work as well as a magnificent rendering of the late guitar God Jimi Henrdrix in a painting called "Voodoo Child". It's quite a outstanding first collection by Rood and produced with the same outstanding care that SQP does on all of their books.
   
   Reviewed by Tim Janson



2. Brian Rood is a very good pin-up artist, and this is a nice selection of his work. However, this is a magazine and not a paperback. SQP has cut corners with thin paper pages and covers. Search the web for the hardback though it is quite expensive.