2 comments about How to Create Tree Sculpture: TEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS FULLY ILLUSTRATED.

1. Extremely concise, detailed, easy to follow directions for making the most realistic wire-wrapped trees imaginable. Sal writes in an open-ended manner so that you can easily take what he's taught you and move on to a new level of your own making.
   
   After creating 10 trees using Sal's method and some examples of finished trees I found on his web site, I have moved on to incorporate my own style and methods that just scream "unique"! Kudos, Sal!



2. I was afraid it was too good to be true: a $10 book on how to create unique wire tree sculptures? But this book turned out to be well worth it. It's written well and has good illustrations showing step-by-step directions for making the trees. Definitely recommended if you have an interest in this and the reasonable price makes it that much better!

5 comments about Fascinating Origami: 101 Models by Adolfo Cerceda (Origami).

1. I would agree with other reviews in that this book does not contain clear instructions. Many individual steps are cramed into a single confused diagram. Most of the instructions lack clarity and a simple step by step approach that is common to how-to origami books. I also am of the opinion that many of the folds are not good, clean origami. Additionally, even in the diagrams, several of the end result objects do not look like what they are intended to be. There is a basketball player project where the end result looks more like E.T. holding a crystal.
   
   More of the pages should've been used showing step-by-step instructions instead of short-cutting many of the diagrams into step-step-step by step-step-step drawings that look like the artist was as confused as most people attempting to use this book.
   
   This book is not for beginners or intermediate users. It might be a good book for experienced users looking for a challenge.



2. There are some things about this book I enjoy. Many of the subjects are very cool and original. I love the Vulture. On the other hand, the diagrams are just strange. Each step would be 2 or 3 steps in another book. Difficult for beginners, I even had a hard time trying to figure out what was supposed to be happening in some of them.

   I appreciate the fact that Adolfo came from a different school of origami, but many of his diagrams are cumbersome to fold and are (GASP!) modular. Many lack an "economy of folding" that makes a good model great.




3. After reading two grossly conflicting reviews, I decided borrow a copy of "Fascinating Origami" from a friend. My thoughts: this book is NOT for beginners - unless you ace all of Mensa's spatially oriented tests. On the other hand, if you have folded any of Montroll's medium-hard creations, you should be able to make it through the pictorial instructions without much trouble. (Most of the time. But use a scrap piece first, just in case.) The resulting models are also at a par with some of Montroll's best, making it well worth your while!



4. Foldings are poorly explained, very difficult for beginners



5. Adolfo Cerceda's "Fascinating Origami" is by far the clearest, easiest-to-understand book of origami that I've found so far. In most books, there will be those one or two folds that throw you no matter what you do; not so here! His instructions include no text and at first glance seem very complicated, but are extremely accurate and easy to follow. If you want to learn some of Cerceda's models, this is the book to do it with! I have folded some of his models using other books, and found that the instructions there were much harder to follow and often used much more complex folds to achieve the same end. Lastly, I've found the original figures in this book to be more lifelike than most that I've folded. You don't have to use much imagination to see the life behind his models; many of his birds are especially realistic. I recommend this book highly to any person with a minimal background in origami. Its easy-to-follow instructions lead to some wonderful pieces of origami.

5 comments about Artists At Work: Polymer Clay Comes of Age.

1. Lovely book of polymer clay art objects, very inspirtional to try new things--not a "how to" book, but viewing other artist's work! Great transaction, speedy shipping, would recommend seller! Thanks!



2. I have no need for a picture book. I am looking only for tutorial types of books, at this time. I want to learn and understand how to do this beautiful art form. It had nothing to help someone that is trying to learn. There were 4 things in the entire book that even caught my eye. Good for others that enjoy just seeing the works of other people, I guess. I totally loved the work by Laura Liska Oakes, hope she has another book showing us how to do some of her beautiful pieces!



3. After first purchasing a dud, I was skeptical that this book was all the reviews said it was. I was wrong! This book was exactly what I, as an experienced artist new to polymer clay, was looking for. I will wear this one out looking at the ideas and techniques.



4. This is an absolutely incredible book packed with unique artworkby over 50 different & highly talented artists. As an intermediatepolymer clay artist I look to this book when I need new ideas & inspiration.

   Background information is given on each artist including education, technique & style. One or more the artists' best works are then displayed with basic information on the how the artwork was created.

   Contact information for all the artists in located in the back along with a small dictionary & a list of reference books the artists' use. Several of the artists also answer questions about their working techniques.

   Some on my favorite pieces are a chess set, a mosaic sunflower, a mushroom fairie & a millefiori trade rattle made out of a gourd. I also enjoyed the numerous pieces of jewelry including butterfly, fan & African animal pins.




5. For any reader of Nan Roche's "The New Clay," this new book, "Artists At Work: Polymer Clay Comes of Age", is a refreshing addition to communicate the beauty, imagination, and intricacy of the polmer clay medium. Having personally seen the works of the the authors as well as contributing artists, this book demonstrates the limitless ways this medium allows artistic expression, from whimisical to serious. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in seeing the best of polymer clay artists "performing" today. Laura Darlington Washington, D.C. ldarlington@comsysinc.com

4 comments about Wall.

1. Wall is a visual journey into the uncommon power and beauty of common things. Stones, leaves, a blade of grass. Rushes, thorns, the splash of water on a quiet rock. In the thoughtful hands of artist Andy Goldsworthy, these ordinary landscape artifacts are pressed, moved, shaped and juxtaposed, then left to melt back into earth over time. When viewing Goldsworthy's art, one thinks of the rapt attention of a child, who sees possibility in every fallen branch. Yet, the overall impression is philosophical in nature. Even the person who claims little understanding of art can find a way to enter in, especially with the help of Baker's essay. A beautiful read, a beautiful look.



2. Imagine that you're a giant playing with pebbles in your backyard. There's a big puddle nearby, and a lot of weeds. You idly pick up pebble after pebble, placing them gently one on top of the other, winding what ends up being a wall through the weeds until it gets to the edge of the puddle. That's the deliciously disconcerting feeling you'll get as you page through Andy Goldsworthy's "Wall."

   A document of the design and construction of Goldsworthy's wall at Mountainville, New York, the book details the finding of the original, now-falling-down stone wall and the decision to recreate and embellish upon this. Andy Goldsworthy was called in to design the new wall. While he begins by following what is left of the old wall, his work is looser, more elegant, almost scroll-like as it winds down the hill and plunges directly into the water of the lake. There is a calligraphic quality to this wall that's visually arresting and, quite simply, beautiful.

   Along with the wall, Goldsworthy can't resist playing with nature in other ways and these photographs are thoughtfully included as well. We see the line of chrome yellow leaves he's stitched together and placed on the wall, the holes he's filled with crimson leaves and water, and the tree whose bark he's lined with, well, other trees! It's astounding to see how Goldsworthy's brain works and what handsome design statements result from his creativity.




3. As one of the wallers involved in the building of Andy's wall at Storm King, I can honestly say that this book gives a really good insight into the ideas behind his work and some of the technicalities involved in its construction. The photography is wonderful and the text informative. This book is well worth a look, and so is the wall itself.



4. The photography in this book is stunning, as is most of Andy's work. The real heroes of the Wall at Stormking are the Dykers, mainly Max Nowell legendary stone worker from South west Scotland.

No comments about The Art of Rachel Whiteread.

No comments about Psycho Buildings: Artists Take On Architecture.

No comments about Carving a Traditional Cape Cod Sign.

2 comments about Making Designer Gemstone and Pearl Jewelry.

1. Great book! Simple to follow and the instructions are clear. It also allows for your own creativity to design and make future pieces. The illustrations are also very attractive and as a beginner I found the designs very encouraging and achievable to work toward. I think for the advanced, this book will be a great reference as well.



2. For someone with little or no experience making beaded jewelry, this book is an excellent guide to making beautiful jewelry in some of the most trendy styles. All of the projects require 2 basic skills - stringing and the ability to twist a wire loop. If you have these skills, or can learn them from the detailed pictures and instructions, then you will be able to use this book.

3 comments about Charming Handmade Clay Crafts: Decorative Techniques & Projects.

1. I am very dissapointed with my book. The condition is ok, but it is an old library book with stickers and stamps throughout.



2. This book is so complete. I have wanted to work in clay for some time but was a bit intimidated by the process. The clear and colorful photos of all steps with text that includes every detail makes this book perfect for me. I was impressed by the sheer creativity and number of projects that can be made just by handbuilding. I am wildly inspired. The whole book is so juicy!



3. I found this book packed with inspiration. Explains projects thoroughly and has lots of pictures as well. The projects are cute and fun to make. I think is a great book for a beginner.

No comments about Hellenistic and Roman Ideal Sculpture: The Allure of the Classical.