Product Description
The bestselling author of Kids Create! combines her intuitive sense of each child's need for self-expression and interaction with nature with her wealth of imaginative experiences. All the projects use recyclable, reusable, household materials and/or items found in nature. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Loved this book as a kid!
I just remembered this book the other day and decided to see if I could find it online. I'm 23 now, but I really loved this book when I was a kid. My grandfather got it for me when I was maybe 5 or 6 and I continued to use it until I was about 9 years old. I have a lot of memories of working on projects from this book. I really liked making things out of anything I could find. If there was some toy I really wanted, but couldn't have, I'd try to make it instead. From a kid's perspective, I definitely recommend this book. This book, and some other books like it really challenged me creatively from a young age and as an artist and I still benefit from it today.

Better books for you to buy
A friend gave me this book and it's just not for us. While the ideas are based in nature or recycling in some way, lots of them require quite a bit of process, mess (mix sand, cornstarch and water in one of my saucepans) or strange items (like a loom, gourd, photo fixer or a hand drill) that you might not have laying around and have to make or buy. Also, most of the end product are not practical for indoors and you have to think about where this stuff is going to be after made.

Ok having said that, there are a few ideas that are decent and the book lay out is in easy instructions and nice chapters with detailed instructions and illustrations.

Great Resource!
Nice book - filled with great ideas for a lot of "around the house" materials.Particularly like the DIY materials like paste & clay - safe, eco-friendly and big savings on buying premade ones.I also like that it covers things for toddlers-older kids.As a homeschooling family this is a great resource for project and material ideas.Well worth it!

fun book
I enjoy using project ideas from this bookto do with my 4 year old daughter.There are lots of good projects, but I have seen similar books I liked better.

Laurie Carlson is Outstanding
I have just entered the field of preschool and was disappointed in the books for activities until I found Carlson.Her book isn't full of kiddie graphics as if the kids were reading, her instructions are clear and careful. This book is fun because it gives so many ideas of using things around the house. I liked this book so much that I bought 50 to give to preschool teachers coming to a workshop.If you like to do things with your young children and someone doesn't give you Carlson's books, buy them.
... Read more

Product Description
Profusely illustrated guide clearly outlines procedure for making attractive and useful papers in vast number of sizes, shapes, textures and colors—all from vegetable fibers. Clear, easy-to-follow introduction to necessary materials, tools and equipment; step-by-step description of papermaking process, plus project suggestions. Instructions and over 160 illustrations.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent book!
I read this book in the same day I received it. It is extremely informative. The first chapter details the history of papermaking. It talks about paper not only being used as a means to record our history, but also as an art form.

Chapters 2 through 4 cover the basics of papermaking. Supplies and equipment you will need, techniques to adopt, and of course the how-to of it all. Even down to creating your own watermark. It gives simple instructions for building your own molds and presses that anyone with access to a lumber yard can make. All-in-all, the art of making one's own paper seems to be quite inexpensive, and this book makes it seem like with just a little practice, one can easily become an expert.

The 5th chapter seems just a little more advanced. Once you master the basics, you will be able to go through this chapter and learn how to use 3-Dimensional molds, imbedding objects (like leaves, flowers and larger fibers) into your paper, and even making a portfolio to display your work.

I love this book and it has made me so excited to create my own workspace for making paper. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (8)

very lovely!
this book is filled with many wonderful ideas. the lovely projects remind me of my mom and how she cared about me and my love for ballet.

knit, crochet, sew, or craft a keepsake
There are knit legwarmers with intarsia hearts or stripes, crocheted bun cover, 2 knitted surplice wrap ballet sweaters, sleeveless knit sweaters, crocheted slippers and some scrapbook, sewing, and accessory projects. Only problem is the size ranges are small. I think this book is the answer to your wish for a collection of ballet projects.
I liked this book very much. Thirty five projects is pretty generous for a craft book and this one can also be used as a journal/scrapbook. The projects are beginner/intermediate in terms of difficulty. There are projects for children and adults. My only complaint would be that the sizing options are very limited on the knitting and crochet patterns.

Beautiful!
This is a lovely book!The pictures are beautiful and there are many things in it I plan to make for my daughter who is a ballerina.I recommend it!

Perfect for the Dancer
Though I was hoping for a few more items to be knit, I was delighted with the number of well designed and presented ballet-related pieces. The author takes time to address the beginning dancer as well as the experienced one with new and different things to keep her ON HER TOES.Da

Outstanding Book of Crafts!
I recently begun knitting and I adore ballet. I was in the libraby when I found this book and I am already attached to it! I don't know how to use my sewing machine, but that's OK because I just like to look at the book. I recommend this book for any balletomane or knitter... or anyone! ... Read more

Product Description
All the projects in this design sourcebook have a Wild West theme, and feature cowboys, cacti, ranches and rodeos. The projects cover many craft skills including beadwork, quilting, cross-stitch, woodwork, metalwork, painting and claywork, and are suitable for the experienced and for the beginner. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Not just for cowboys!
My mother brought this home from the library and, having little else to do, I glanced through it.I was surprised to find a great deal of vivid pictures and interesting craft ideas.This book contains projects ranging from clothing to switch plates.The detailed instructions make the crafts easy to understand and create.With this book I could make unique crafts for my home.I could use my own ideas in conjunction with McCowen's book to form contemporary pieces.His ideas are helpful for making distinct crafts, and not just western ones. ... Read more

Product Description
Designs that can be made with scrap crafting supplies such as wood, stickers, glitter, spray paint, beads, wire, paper clay, plastic foam, mosaic tiles, feathers, rubber stamps, stencils, markers and more! ... Read more

Product Description
• Low-cost ideas for creating quality projects keep crafters inspired

• Detailed instructions carefully guide crafters of all skill levels through each project

• From Better Homes and Gardens experts, crafters are assured of project success every time ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Crafts under $ 10.00is a good thing !
Hi,
I have 3 small grandchildren and they love to do crafts with me,I bought this book hoping it would have craft ideas we all would enjoy.This craft book is full of several good crafts and I recommend you buy.:)

cute
This is cute.A lot of good gift ideas for my daughter to help me with.

Not as good as I expected
I expected much more out of this book.Basically, a lot of the crafts were to buy something glass, wooden, etc. and paint it.Out of the 100 crafts, I only found one that I planned on doing.

Not Bad , Not good..
It wasnt The book I expected, I thought they came more creative ideas.I didnt have any problems with the delivery, that was ok.

Love this book!
If I could only take one book on a deserted island,it would be this one.
Many affordable, cute Non dated crafts are described in this book.

I viewed it at the library first, and knew I had to have it!

Highly recommended! ... Read more

Product Description
With the overwhelming success of Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings, wizards and dragons are more popular with children than ever before. This book shows young fans how to celebrate their enthusiasm for these magical themes with fun and easy craft projects.

Children will delight at all the imaginative creations, including:*Enchanting dragon and wizard toys and games*Spellbinding party invitations, decorations and tableware*Bewitching dragon, unicorn and wizard costumes*Magical keepsake gifts

Each project beats anything available at the mall and can be made with simple items found in craft stores. Parents and kids will love making these delightful crafts over and over! ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (5)

Don't be fooled by the cover....
There are a few worthwhile patterns in this book, but overall, the instructions are poorly written - other than a limited sample section, the pictures are all in black and white and the diagrams aren't very good.Unless you are experienced at this type of beading, look for a better book.

Bouquets from Beads
This book is a huge help with color, design and balance.Thanks.

This is a wonderful book for a beginner to have......
Although it is dated from the 1960's nothing about this forgotten craft has changed.The instructions are clear and easy to follow.The pictures, although mostly in black and white, are large, andshow what the flower is supposed to look like when you are done. Each and every phase of the process of making French Beaded Flowers is discussed in detail.There is a section on arrangement and the kinds of containers you can use. I bought this book to add to my collection of books on this subject and was pleasantly suprised by how good it was.

The BEST book on beaded flowers that I have used!
This is a phenomenal book for the beginner or intermediate flower beader! I tried other "newer" booklets when I first started beading andwas so confused. This book is very easy to understand with conciseillustrations and instructions. This is a must have if you want to learnthe beautiful Victorian craft of beaded flowers! Happy beading!

This book covers everything!
There are very few books on the market about this subject.Luckily, this one is excellent.The author covers all topics very extensively-- supplies, techniques, color theory.The variety of flowers is phenomenal,and the directions are easy to follow. Many of the illustrations are inblack and white, but the color plates (there are 21 of them) are beautiful.If you are at all interested in creating lovely flowers from beads, youneed this book. ... Read more

Product Description
THIS EDITION IS INTENDED FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A Good Recycle Book
I think this book is a good way to recycle otherwise throw away materials and I am all for that. Some good ideas for kid crafting too.

What you can make with Newspapters, Magazines, and Greeting Cards
Great gift for my grandchild ... Read more

Product Description
Be a Crafty Sell Out!
If the church-basement sale isn't quite your scene, Crafty Superstar is your go-to resource for selling your crafty goods part-time. Packed with ideas for setting up and selling out, the book includes loads of advice from experts like Faythe Levine, Jenny Harada and Jenny Hart.
Want to make some dough but don't know where to start? Inside find out how to:

• Discover your expectations and motivations
• Set up shop and get paid
• Join an indie craft show
• Get some press
• Package goods and customer service
• Balance life and crafts

Customer Reviews (4)

I'm a superstar
This book is quite helpful for those who want to venture in expanding their crafty business. It give you detailed information about every aspect of the handmade world. highly recommend it.

Just what you need to start selling your crafts!
Grace is a crafty queen! This book is full of awesome, fun and practical advice for selling your beloved DIY creations. It breaks the process down into manageable steps, and there's info in here from some of your favorite crafters, too. She covers everything from getting free press coverage and applying to indie craft fairs to pricing. It's like your best girlfriend sat you down and gave you the pep talk you needed to finally sell your crafts--instead of just daydreaming about it.

A Must Have!
This book has given me more information in an hour of reading than months of online researching of various blogs, forums, and tutorials explaining how to sell art/crafts.The articles in this book are practical and apply to anybody who is just starting out selling handmade goods or who currently sells and is ready to build their business.This book also comes with numerous checklists, balance sheets, accounting ledgers, and other forms that most handmade sellers will use or refer to when considering how to expand or how to begin selling.It also gives many tips on how an artist/crafter can get their items into the hands of potential buyers whether it be taking on a craft show, selling wholesale at a local boutique, or opening a shop online.Crafty Superstar breaks down the good, the bad, and the ugly of each venue giving an honest look at how challenging and rewarding selling handmade items can be.This book is a wonderful resource and a must have for anybody who has ever thought about becoming a handcrafted seller.

Helpful, but missing some information
I am reading this book, and I have a problem in that this book slightly touches on the topic of insurance. Recommending getting insurance on a shipped product and getting your home-based biz included on your homeowners or renter's policy is covered.

Nothing about product liability though. This is a topic that I think is extremely important. Let me know if I missed this bit of information. I think it could be considered a bit reckless to sell products (like soaps and lotions in my case) without this type of coverage.

If you are looking for a guide on selling your crafts on Etsy, this is definitely the book for you. The author does have a bias towards selling on Etsy, but for the prospective reader, this makes sense. From explaining how much to charge for your goods to how to schedule your life for success with your home-based business this book covers part of what you might be concerned about when you are thinking of selling your goods to the public.

Use this book in conjunction with blogs for your specific craft and ask questions of people if you can. Your homeowner's/ renter's insurance agent should also be able to help you as well. ... Read more

Product Description
Enjoy great fun all year-round with these amazing projects, all inspired by the teeming miracles found in nature--ready for discovery. Every project comes with color photos, kid-friendly instructions, and fascinating sidebars to tell readers a variety of things from trivia to do-you-knows to how-tos. Full color throughout. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Kid Style Nature Crafts
Here is another great book by this author that makes learning nature and science fun. The seasonal organization of the book is helpful in that materials are available for the projects during the time the book suggestsmaking them.Like "Nature Crafts for Kids",(by the same author)this book contains wonderful pictures of the projects and step by stepinstructions. Some of the projects are more challanging than others andadult supervision is a good idea. This is a wonderful excuse to have timetogether with a special child, enjoy sharing ideas and make something thatcan be fun and rewarding.

Take the time to share the wonderful things innature and the things that can be made from natural things by using thisbook with special children around you. ... Read more

Product Description
Ninety-two fantastic, unique and easy-to-make projects kids will love to do! Teachers, parents and kids will love this book. It will help young artists develop their creativity, imaginations and talents. Features fun-filled, colorful step-by-step craft adventures with projects that can be made from materials found around the house. 600+ color illus. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Okay
It's not quite what I had expected but with some adjustments I can use it for my Sunday school class.

Looking foreward to make stuff from this book.
Great variation of fun stuff to make and brilliant step-by step explanations. I am looking foreward to make the costumes for Halloween. The book also has pop-up cards that looks really funny and t-shirts you can stencil yourself. This is a great book! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Craft Book
I lost my copy after several years. I immediately sought another copy.It is a very good book since I knew it had to be replaced. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (2)

Useful ideas for recycling art
Like most mothers I have art put away that is gradually fading / disintegrating and this book provides ideas of ways to reuse the motifs from the art in more permanent ways.To be honest, as the previous reviewer said, some of the projects do require a lot of tools etc (and more time and space to make than I currently have), but the less complex projects are wonderful.

It also has a useful section at the beginning about ways to display art a couple of which we are now looking at using at our pre-school.

I bought this book after borrowing and reborrowing our library's copy.I know I will use many of the simpler ideas out of it both for us and for presents for the extended family (love me, love my kids' art *g*).

Fun and functional ways to display your kids artwork
Like me, you probably have overflowing boxes of artwork that your kids have proudly brought home from school that you can't bear to throw away.Valerie Van Arsdale Schrader to the rescue with her book MAKING CRAFTS FROM YOUR KIDS ART.

From easy to difficult, there is something here for everyone of every crafting level to try.The directions are step-by-step with accompanying photos to show you the original child's art as compared to the finished display product.

Some of the projects included are:cup & saucer printed with artwork, a magnetic message board, postcards, a canvas bag print, wrapping paper, tin frame, silk pillow, and even floor throws and wainscoting!Be forewarned that for many of the more involved projects you will need computer access, drills, heavy-duty cutting equipment like hacksaws, and for one, even an electric glass grinder!Fortunately, most of the cuter projects only require photocopies and transfer paper to work. ... Read more

Product Description
A guide to the contemporary craft centres of Japan, this comprehensive sourcebook catalogues an array of items found throughout the country and discusses their history, background and contemporary standing. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

MattyD_Books
MattyD_Books is one of the finer purveyors of books on the net.

They provide accurate descriptions of the books offered, pack each item carefully,
and promptly ship as promised.

I am very impressed with their customer service, and would recommend them to anyone.

PaulFromHouston

Excellent reference book, lots of great photos
This is an excellent reference book on over 90 different Japanese crafts from all areas.For each craft there is a history as well as the basics of how it is made. It is an encyclopedia rather than an instructionbook.

Some types of crafts covered include ceramics, textiles, lacquerware, bamboo craft, paper, woodcraft, metalwork, dolls, fans, lanterns,candles & items of calligraphy.

The photographs are numerous &all are in color. I loved looking at the textiles & kimonos. I alsoenjoyed the Kyoto ware, kutani ware, bamboo containers & decorative inkstones.

I found the extensive list of books to be invaluable in findingout how to make the crafts mentioned here. If you intend to visit Japan youwill find the map of craft villages & list of craft museums,associations & centers very helpful.

Excellent source book for Japanese crafts
For afficionados of Japanese crafts, this book provides a fine selection of popular crafts from different regions of Japan. From washi to woodwork, the featured items are beautifully photographed are accompanied by useful general information.As a coffee table book, it is informative and replete with photographs. Perhaps the greatest criticism is that it is on the small side for a book of its kind.Nonetheless, the photos are quite beautiful and will be worth it especially for those who have lived in Japan or who have an interest in the array of crafts presently popular in Japan. ... Read more

Product Description
FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. ... Read more

Product Description
THIS EDITION IS INTENDED FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great Crafts for Children
This book is great for kids between 6 and 12.I'm a brownie leader with 2 girls and these activities hold the interest of both younger and older children, small groups and large.We've made several of the projects athome and a few with the brownie troop.The ground hog puppet wasespecially liked by the Brownie troop. It's great for cold days when youcan't get outdoors. ... Read more

Product Description
Here is the first comprehensive survey of modern craft in the United States. Makers follows the development of studio craft--objects in fiber, clay, glass, wood, and metal--from its roots in nineteenth-century reform movements to the rich diversity of expression at the end of the twentieth century.
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More than four hundred illustrations complement this chronological exploration of the American craft tradition. Keeping as their main focus the objects and the makers, Janet Koplos and Bruce Metcalf offer a detailed analysis of seminal works and discussions of education, institutional support, and the philosophical underpinnings of craft. In a vivid and accessible narrative, they highlight the value of physical skill, examine craft as a force for moral reform, and consider the role of craft as an aesthetic alternative.

Exploring craft's relationship to fine arts and design, Koplos and Metcalf foster a critical understanding of the field and help explain craft's place in contemporary culture. Makers will be an indispensable volume for craftspeople, curators, collectors, critics, historians, students, and anyone who is interested in American craft.
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Exploring craft's relationship to fine arts and design, Koplos and Metcalf foster a critical understanding of the field and help explain craft's place in contemporary culture. Makers will be an indispensable volume for craftspeople, curators, collectors, critics, historians, students, and anyone who is interested in American craft.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The Best book on Crafts Available!
This is a must read for artists. May be a great textbook for a specialized craft history class! ... Read more