1 comments about Salt-Glazed Ceramics.

1. Jack, as wonderfully irrelevant as he can be, is a mentor, a friend, and, most importantly, an example to live by. Not only does he teach by example, he teaches by quiet mentoring and suggestion. After studying under him for a mere four months, I found myself drawn to ceramics as an art form, a mode of self expression, and, most importantly, a passion through which to put my Self into solid being. Through Jack's teaching I was not only able to define my own artistic style but also to discover the multiple venues through which I could express my Self. I strongly suggest this and all his works as a mode through which to hone your own particular style and art form, may it be through glaze, firing, or sculpture.

4 comments about The Jeweled Menagerie: A World of Animals in Gems.

1. This book had exactly what I was looking for. Many beautiful designs of animals from simple to really extravagant. I highly recommend this book to anyone in the jewelry business or who has an interest in gems.



2. This is a wonderful resource for high end, modern animal jewelry pieces. These are not designs you will find at your local jewelers, and it is probably of limited use to crafts people, but as eye candy it can't be beat.
   
   While brief mention is made of historical pieces, this is really a book about Victorian jewelry to the present. It is a shame that there is not more information about the wonderful animal jewelry of antiquity, but perhaps that will come in another volume.
   
   If you are interested in contemporary and 19th-20th century jewelry design, this book is a steal at the Amazon price.



3. I FIRST SAW THIS BOOK @ MY LOCAL LIBRARY & BOUGHT IT THE SAME DAY. FULL OF ORIGINAL & MASTERFULLY CRAFTED JEWELRY THIS BOOK IS A MUST FOR ANYONE WHO APPRECIATES ORIGINALITY & ARTISTRY IN JEWELRY DESIGN. I WOULD HAVE PAID MORE FOR IT!



4. This book is crammed with page after page after page of the most breathtaking animal jewelry by the world's elite designers, such as Verdura. It is amazing to me that the book, printed on high quality paper, retails [at a low price]. The authors have compiled a comprehensive review of jewelry history and photos and if you are a fan of whimsical but elegant design, you'll love this book.

4 comments about How to Paint Tropicals (Fish Carving Basics, Vol 4).

1. Another great book with step-by-step instructions. Be prepared to learn to airbrush though, because that's how he paints these fish!



2. Another great book with step-by-step instructions. Be prepared to learn to airbrush though, because that's how he paints these fish!



3. My husband carves and he seemed to like the step-by-step instructions, however, this book shows tropical fish only.



4. This book is the ticket if you have an iterest in carving, and would like to begin carving. The photos are excellent and detailed, and the text informative and simple to follow. watch the fish be carved from the block of wood to the finished product. And at only around 13 dollars, how can you go wrong?

4 comments about Price Guide to Holt-Howard Collectibles: And Related Ceramicwares of the '50s & '60s.

1. I ordered the book and generally liked it, but was disappointed it does NOT include all the Christmas items HH made and that this is a small section of the book.. :0



2. if you are looking for information on Holt Howard collectibles, this is the book for you. I has lots of color pictures and descriptions with specifics.



3. This is one of the best books on Figural Kitchenware of the 50's and 60's that I have seen so far. Not only great pictures, but the best information about Holt Howard Collectibles as well as nock offs. I have used my copy more than any other reference book I own on Kitchenware. Walter Dworkin can't put out another soon enough. Can't wait!



4. Highly recommend this book not only for the detailed description but also for the great color photos. Most price guides have alot of descriptions but not many photos, not this one! I enjoyed reading the description and seeing a photo. A must have for any collector

No comments about Firearms of the Islamic World: in the Tared Rajab Museum, Kuwait.

3 comments about Burning and Texturing Methods (Blue Ribbon Techniques).

1. This book is a good referance for the craftsman who already knows how to use a woodburner and is looking for photos of how the feather groups are burned. This book is heavy on photos and light on instruction.



2. Although the author claims this book is for beginners, only an expert could benefit from it. The author simply had someone photograph while he carved and burned a single duck, then labeled the pictures. No background, explanation, or discussions were given. A more desciptive title, emphasizing an expert interested only in ducks, would be very helpful to the reader.



3. The reader of this book will learn at least one thing from it; the author is a very good carver! It's pages are full of fine (but black & white) pictures of various aspects and stages of carving a decorative decoy.
   Unfortunately that's basically it -- pictures. There is little commentary to go with them. A detailed, step-by-step explanation of how to achieve what one sees in the pictures would've made this book very valuable, but no such explanations are there.
   To sum it up, if you think you can figure out how to woodburn a carving by looking at pictures, this book may be for you.

5 comments about The Simple Screamer: A Guide to the Art of Papier and Cloth Mache.

1. I've never done paper mache before and I wanted to make a "Monster under the bed" for a Halloween prop. The book is very easy to understand and follow. It took less than two weeks to make the project and it came out much better than I could of ever imagined. I would highly recommend this book!!!



2. I love this book! I especially appreciate the photos included with the projects in all different stages. I will use this book again and again.



3. Before I ordered "The Simple Screamer", I thought this book was going to be flimsy magazine-paper type book. But, I was mistaken (for the better), this book's paper cover, is of a very hard-wearing variety and the pages are of good paper and the photographs very clear. I should also note that the directional photographs are black-&-white, but that does not hinder the information provided through them and no problems should arise because of this.
   
   The directions Dan Reeder provides are easily understood and at times quite funny (there are all sorts of little things that he manages to include that tweak my funny bone, just look at the "items needed" page at the front of each chapter. I also particularly enjoyed looking at his own creations, in full color at the back of the book, they are full of creativity and have inspired many "screamers" from me.
   
   Although there are an infinite types of screamers you could make following the directions in this book, I would also recommend getting the sequel, "Make Something Ugly, For a Change" that book will teach you a lot more techniques for making Screamers, although purchasing it is not necessary (but I highly recommend it all the same!)
   
   Making Screamers is lots of fun, but I probably should lend a few cautionary notices. Some stages can be quite tough, especially the ones with clothes hangers, so completing a Screamer may take a couple days for there are many steps, some of them very hard. Also, I would recommend very strong masking tape for making Screamers, along with an abundance of patience. I have also found that making Screamers with your friends is much more fun than doing it in solitude. There are many more laughs, more patience, and a much more light-hearted attitude (although the downside to group Screamer-making is some unaccountable urge from all to make lame "pun" jokes, so beware).

   BOTTOM LINE: Buy this book! Make a Screamer!




4. I am 36 years old and I came across this book when I was in college. I grabbed it up and immediately started in creating my own screamers, using the wonderful photos in the book for inspiration. In no time my apartment was crawling with weird creatures from my imagination. Soon I had too many and had to give them away to friends...they are totally unique gifts. The author of the book provides everything you need: complete supply lists, easy-to-follow step-by-step directions with photos, color images of finished screamers to help jump-start your own creativity, plus there is the added bonus of the writer's tounge-in-cheek writing. Making screamers would be fun for anyone at any age. Buy this book and let out you inner monster!



5. When I first saw a copy of this book back in '85, I thought it was a really great idea, but I never had time to actually build one. The thought was tucked away in the depths of my memory, however, awaiting the opportunity to be explored and applied. Fast forward to 2000. I was in a puppet troupe for the city of Orlando, Florida, and was required to build sets and props for an original show set in ancient Egypt. A large statue of Bas-tet, the cat goddess, was needed and that old thought jumped to the front of my brain. A quick online session to Amazon.com and a couple of weeks later, I had a new copy of Dan Reeder's Simple Screamer aquiring drips of glue while I created the statue. Great project. Great book.

1 comments about The Big Book of Christmas Scroll Saw Projects: Fun & Functional Crafts to Make & Give (Christmas).

1. A lot of fine Christmas projects that I can use in my woodwork teaching. ,,Merry Christmas"

No comments about Playtime Pottery & Porcelain: From Europe & Asia (Schiffer Book for Collectors With Value Guide).

No comments about Luigi Ontani: Marbleharmony.