3 comments about Chinese Folk Designs (Dover Pictorial Archive Series).

1. I bought this book at an art store with the purpose of finding a tattoo. I did and 5 years later I got it... Lots of great designs inside.



2. I have used this book numerous times for the somewhat non-traditional purpose of tattoo designs. My complaint is minor, and it has to do with how the book is formatted. The designs are white on a red or black background. This makes it a little difficult to photocopy for use; especially on the red pages.



3. I ran across this title in a small shop in San Francisco's Chinatown. I was running short on cash, and was kicking myself within 24 hours for not purchasing this book. Hawley provides 300 cut paper designs used in traditional Chinese embroidery. Each design is in white on a solid color background (red, blue, black, brown, or purple). The designs are clear and easy to see and enjoy. A brief introduction gives a little background (I would have liked more) on this folk art, and an index at the beginning allows users to look up symbols of specific interest. Do that, but browse the rest of the book as well!

   An eight-page supplement at the end illustrates 160 symbols (including ideograms, trigrams from the I Ching, and pictoral symbols) used in traditional decorative arts along with their meanings. Fascinating!

   For those interested in learning more about Chinese art, or for those who just enjoy beautiful designs, this is an excellent choice.

No comments about The Traditional Art of the Mask: Carving a Transformation Mask.

5 comments about Modular Origami Polyhedra (Origami).

1. While the diagrams are not always easy to follow, intermediate + folders should be able to figure it out. If you can get over the black and white pictures in the book and imagine the models in colour, it is obvious that there are some very good models in this book (mainly interesting cubes).
   
   Like most modular models, you will require some patience to fold these models, as you will have to fold many of the same things over and over again.
   
   So in summary - great book, will need patience, but well worth the effort.



2. I was really disapointed over this book. The drawings was to unclear and difficult to understand. And I am very sorry that I am not able to use this book.



3. I have been doing origami for about 10 years, and have had great success with modular origami (mostly from "Unit Origami" by Tomoko Fuse). This book has diagrams that are hard to understand, the colored side of the paper is not even marked so it's very difficult to know if you are folding correctly. There are no written instructions, only the bad diagrams and I could not make a single model from this book. Even the few photos of the completed models were in black and white and not very good photos at all. I would recommend Fuse's book or another modular origami book with better diagrams. For those that have had success with models from this book, congratulations, but even with my usual vast amount of patience it did not take long for me to throw this book across the room in frustration. However, I will say that the models are very unique and beatiful and if you can do them, they should be very satisfying. I am copying this same review for "3-d Geometric Origami" by Gurkewitz and Arnstein, for I felt the same was true of that book.



4. That rating is really 3 1/2 stars, because the book is better than just average. It may look slim, but it's chock-full of several models in each of many families of modules. Not hours, but weeks of fun (not to mention a lot of paper squares).

   The problem is the presentation. Many models are hard to follow, especially when trying to put them together; more than once, I had to refer to another book to figure out what to do. Some diagrams are confusing, if not outright wrong (3-dimensional pictures are especially prone to this). Occasionally instructions are alluded to (e.g., in captions) that aren't there. There's a complete absence of cross-references between illustrative photos and instructions for folding them.

   In short, a frustrating book. If the good parts weren't so good, it wouldn't be quite so frustrating.




5. This book bursts with stunning models of various polyhedra. The directions, and models, are harder than in "Modelar Origami Polyhedra." The book opens with a nicely detailed section of polyhedra facts, including the numbers of edges, corders, face shapes and category of each shape, along with a definition of Platonic solids. For the non-mathematician, this information provides a nice grounding in polyhedra. The directions for each module are complicated yet clear. Occasionally the lack of color in the book proves a bit frustrating, but patience and double-checking can bypass that nitpicky problem. The one thing this book does not provide is guidance about connecting all of the modules. That is when authorial reassurance is most required! Nevertheless, this book will provide hours of pleasure for those with patience and nimble fingers.

1 comments about The Essential Joseph Cornell.

1. Joseph Cornell's work which I just recently discovered,appeals to me a great deal,especially since I tend to work in the same area(mixed media) this small book is a fine,easy to read introduction to the unusual late artist and his oddly enchanting artwork. Like I said,it is an overview.so if you want to learn more about Cornell and his works,their are many books that go into more detail. However, This book is a good place to start.

1 comments about Pocket Guide to Occupied Japan (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. We received this book as a gift and love it. It is smallenough to take along with us and it has alot of pieces that are not inany of the other books we do have. The most fantastic thing about itis the updated prices. In some pieces we own they have increased in price by ( ) from the older books we own. I would highly recommend this book to any collecter of MIOJ and wish we had more updted books we really need them. This is a winner. END

2 comments about Compound Scroll Saw Creations: Ready-to-Cut Patterns and Techniques for Clocks, Candlesticks and More!.

1. Compound Scroll Saw Creations: Ready-To-Cut Patterns And Techniques For Clocks, Candlesticks And More! by Diana Thompson is a easy to follow, step-by-step, "user friendly" instructional guide offering 46 decorative projects for avid weekend woodworkers. Color photographs, easy-to-follow techniques, and ready-to-cut patterns wonderfully enhance the practical and superbly organized "how-to" information for constructing simple stands, sculptures, candlesticks, and clocks. An excellent source for creative hobbyists, Compound Scroll Saw Creations is a recommended addition to any woodworker's reference collection.



2. Enjoyed the book. Instructions clear and concise, and many projects of interest. Worth buying, though far from being a sole source.

1 comments about Centrifugal or Lost Wax Jewelry Casting for Schools, Tradesmen, Craftsmen.

1. This may be an old and revised classic. But compared to a newer flashy Tome with only the basics covered lightly and more space devoted to the work done by the author and or friends. This book has a lot of B&W pictures charts and drawings.
   This was last updated before computers so you will be treated to the way it was down before all the over priced equipment how to do it when the idea was to do it with the least cost. The waxes are better today along with the mold making rubbers. But the info has pretty much remained the same. So you could cast it tomorrow after reading it today. It does cover all the areas,including white metal casting and gold refining. These two subjects have been lacking in most of the latter books on this subject. I own it I use it

2 comments about Ethnic Jewelry: Africa, Asia, And The Pacific.

1. I wanted this book to inspire me, not necessary be an historical reference book. It did what I wanted, and so this is a happy customer. It is an oversize book, and the photos are nothing short of stunning.



2. Magnificent photos of ethnic jewelry. On a par with The Splender of Ethnic Jewelry, but the text is not as detailed.

No comments about Mark di Suvero: Dreambook.

5 comments about The Art of Polymer Clay: Designs and Techniques for Making Jewelry, Pottery, and Decorative Artwork.

1. The Art of Polymer Clay: Designs and Techniques for Creating Jewelry, Pottery, and Decorative Artwork (Updated Edition)
   
   I have learned so much from this book an I don't want to put it down. There isn't one wasted word and the photos are outstanding. If you have any interest at all in polymer clay, Donna Kato, is, if you don't already know, one of the best!!! Donna, thank you for this book. I can now take myself to another level of polymer clay work.
   
   Madeline Faiella



2. Without a doubt the meduim I use most and have the most fun with. This book has enabled me to get to a whole new level. Beautiful pictures, easy to follow directions and the finished products are nice enough to give as gifts. WELL worth the purchase.



3. This polymer clay book is an updated version of one Donna Kato did several years ago. This book is a wonderfully written and illustrated book about how to use polymer clay to make many things around your house. The steps are clearly explained with photos clearly showing each step. I wish all craft books were as well written and illustrated as this leading founder in the polymer clay industry is. 5 gold stars for Donna Kato!!!!



4. I love anything Donna Kato does. She is so knowledgeable about Polymer Clay and how to use it. I am amazed at how great this book is as a reference and an inspiration. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who loves Polymer Clay.



5. This book,in my opinion, is one of Donna's best. It has all the basics for beginners without the unnecessary "this is clay" boredom. After what I believe to be HONEST reviews of the top clays on the market today, she has READABLE instructions for many techniques. And if that is not enough, her projects are user /reader friendly. Her projects are nice, not like so many books with their "way out" ideas. If you are a beginner...This is the book to get you started. If you are intermediate, this is the book with new & fun lessons. If you are advanced, this is a good reference book and teaching manual. This is now my #1 reference book.
   Life is too short not to have fun!