5 comments about Engagement & Wedding Rings: The Definitive Buying Guide for People in Love.

1. This is a great reference book if all you know about engagement rings is what the four "c's" stand for. The tables were the most helpful references and it is written so you can reference areas you want most to learn about. There is more than enough information, including a lot of history and information on other stones other than diamonds. It even gave me a dollar range to expect, which was the biggest unknown for me.



2. Excellent book. A must for anyone purchasing an engagement or wedding ring.



3. I purchased this book along with the book Diamond Ring buying guide by Renee Newman. This book only contained B/W diagram drawings and described the 'flaw's that diamonds have. Hello? dianmonds are not B/W diagram drawings, that little dot on the drawing tells me nothing!
   The book seems to ramble and drone on and on about diamonds, like a good old high school history book. Of all the 14 pages of color photos, there are 6 pages dedicated to 'designer rings' and the rest are just photos of different styles of jewelery. What does a yellow diamond look like? What about a diamond that was cut incorrectly? A simple line drawing does not help at all.
   I found Newman's book much more detailed and well written than this book. Newman has many photos, practically the entire book is made up of color photos of diamonds and flawed diamonds (so you know that to look for).
   If you have a lot of time on your hands and don't mind a boring book, then buy this book, other wise Newman has condensed this 300 page book into just a mere 150 pages or so into hers.



4. This book was really helpful in making me feel comfortable shopping for a ring for my girlfriend.

   I also used howtoproposemarriage. com to come up with a proposal that knocked her socks off.




5. After reading quite a few books in this category; I found Matlins book informative but not practical in the real world. The book was in my opinion too generalized and wasn't what I needed, i.e. expert advise on how to buy a top quality diamond from a reputable jeweler at the best price. If you want to learn about the history of the diamond the book might pass but won't tell you what you need to know if your out shopping for one.

2 comments about Building Your Own Kiln: Three Japanese Potters Give Advice and Instructions.

1. My property is dotted with firing pits, raku kilns and various "seat of the pants" fiber and fire brick kilns. I decided to follow the excellent instructions for Hiromi Itabashi's small gas kiln. I have purchased all the material exactly as specified but one; The "stacking shelves". He has specific dimensions of 13"x17.7", and in the photo they look more like refractory board than a kiln shelf. I have been unable to locate any kind of kiln shelf in these dimensions. I wonder if they are specific to Japan. It looks to me like these specific dimensions are necessary to proper heat distribution. In any case this makes the kiln he presents useless.
   Bob



2. Illustrated with black-and-white as well as color photographs, Building Your Own Kiln: Three Japanese Potters Give Advice And Instructions is a meticulous, step-by-step guide covering everything from choosing the right materials and tools to measuring and construction, safety concerns, and properly operating the kiln once it is built. The collaborative effort of Japanese master potters Hiromi Itabashi, Roppo Tamura, and Naoki Kawabuchi, Building Your Own Kiln is an excellent and "user friendly" guide for pottery hobbyists and seasoned practitioners seeking to take their involvement in their craft to a professional level of quality.

No comments about Lee Bontecou.

No comments about The Essential Alexander Calder.

No comments about The Craft of the Potter: A Practical Guide to Making Pottery.

5 comments about Hands on Sculpting: From Your First Trip to the Art Store to a Fun and Relaxing Hobby in a Truly Satisfying Art.

1. I tell you if I were not in between jobs (gotta save my pennies for the rent) I would have ran out to the nearest art supply store and purchased some "sculpey" clay to begin my new hobby as a sculptor.

   That's how easy Dottie Erdmann, the author, makes sculpture look. Erdman, a self-taught sculptor, echoed my sentiments exactly when she explained she had an interest in sculpture but didn't know where to begin. Armed with a little information she had gathered about sculpting she headed to her art supply store to purchase some clay and tools. A sculptress was born.

   The book is an easy step-by-step guide complete with black and white photos and drawings. She starts off with super easy small objects: a lemon, followed by an apple, etc. She builds your skills and confidence with the smaller objects while advancing you to the more difficult projects in the book.

   The only disappointment I had with the book were the tools she used to put the lines and detail in the clay. I couldn't tell which ones were being used for which project. But, as I read through the book, I began to learn the sculptor developes a feeling (comes with experience - trial and error) for which tool to use to make certain impressions in the clay. Besides that, the book was EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!!




2. As a provessional who works with patients who are recovering from physical and mental challenges I found Hands On Sculpting an enormously useful book. It doesn't "talk down" to the patients, but "talks with" them encouraging them to work with their hands and use their creativity while sculpting anything from very, very simple projects to projects of more complexity. The feeling of accomplishment, which builds self-esteem, is magnificent therapy during the recovery period.



3. I enjoy Mrs. Erdmann's sculpting techniques very much. She came to my school and taught our class a lot of really neat stuff! Thanks to Mrs. Erdmann I am really having fun with sculpting.

   Eric Martin




4. My son was fortunate to have the author, Dottie Erdmann visit and instruct his third grade class. The entire class was completely thrilled and amazed with what their hands can do. Hands on Sculpting is a must for every school.



5. My family found this book to be informative as well as creative and fun for all ages and skill levels. It's written in an easy to read format, just as if you were sitting in a private lesson. The pictures and drawings are very clear and helpful.

1 comments about Scroll Saw Toys and Vehicles: Complete Patterns and Instructions.

1. This book does indeed contain patterns for vehicles than can be made on a scroll saw- although a router and disk sander are also helpful to have. However, I would not characterize the patterns or instructions as "complete." There are no exploded full-size views of the patterns; all parts are superimposed. In many cases, there are no noticeable lines to delineate overlapped parts. For example, the dirt bike is shown with bungee cables over it, on its trailer. The bungee cables are solid black and obscure the outlines of several parts of the seat assembly. There was no need to show these on a cutting diagram!

5 comments about Quick & Easy Gifts in Polymer Clay.

1. I love this book! It's the best of all of Lisa's books. She uses foil a lot in her projects, and the effect is gorgeous and glittery. There are also a variety of projects to decorate your home, jewelry, and even your car. At the end of each chapter is a section of tips from Lisa and other polymer clay artists. These little tips really help a lot.



2. If you like to create boring items like, a clay covered pen, or fork and spoon, a clay framed license plate cover, this is the book for you!
   Not only are the items dumb and boring, but she expects you to run out and buy all the extra products just to make one. Nice of her huh?



3. I really love the funky and sophisticated projects offerred in this book. Lisa's classy fashion style is really what makes this book special. I recommend all of her books to my students but this one is just filled front to back with really cool and stylish projects. Another nice touch was the gallery filled with several variations on most projects. It really is amazing how just a color scheme change can make over a project.
   
   Kudos Lisa!!!



4. Lisa has knocked another one out of the ball park. I can't believe how great these projects are while being so easy. I expected them to be simplistic, but I am pleased with the level of sophistication in the projects even though they're easy to make. I've already made several from the book and Lisa's trademark style of simple, clear instructions, along with lots of great pictures is making it hard for me to make time to do anything else since buying it. Lisa's first book got me started and all of the tips she includes has made it easy for me to become a seasoned clayer. I loved her second book as much as the first and was hopeful her latest offering would do the same. It exceeded my expectations. I can't wait for the next one and her DVD. Lisa, you have a fan for life!
   
   Davita Does Clay



5. I bought this book for my husband (who is new to polymer clay) and me (I've been "claying" for years). It has lots of great tips. The directions are easy to understand and the pictures are excellent.

1 comments about Architecture and Its Sculpture in Viceregal Mexico.

1. Jacket and book design: Heidi A. Haeuser. This book received Award of Excellence in dust jacket design at Southern Books Competition (1997-98).

No comments about Victorian Fret-Work and Wood Carving: Patterns and Instructions (Dover Craft Books).