This is a wonderful, empowering craft book. It starts at the very beginning, and has clear instructions, excellent illustrations, and tons of ideas for making simple wire and bead jewelry. I was having fun, being creative, and making lovely gift-worthy jewelry the very first day I picked up this book and my needlenose pliers. My 5 year old daughter is enjoying both the design process and the results. Alltogether, it has been a great jumping-off point for myself, as a beginner adult. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book and kit as a gift for a tween/teen.
Felting is not just for fashion—it’s great for jewelry too! Plus, the craft’s quick, easy, and inexpensive: all you need is wool, soap, water, your hands, and a sense of fun. Aimed at both general crafters and jewelry artists, this rich collection--now in paperback--offers an accessible introduction to the important techniques, including forming a flat sheet of felt; shaping the felt ball; adding embellishments; and stringing and wirework. Plus, it’s packed with trendy beading and needlework ideas. The jewelry box of 20 boutique-worthy projects features boldly colored stickpins, bracelets, and sassy cherry and berry dangling earrings.
"I tie knots for about 25% of my job, so it has been an interest to learn different techniques and history. To my suprise when I read this, I found what USA knows as a square knot the rest of the world calls a reef knot. European square knot is a different knot. Same with many more knots. Anyway great read and shows uses for rope I never thought of. Easy to follow and has info for natural/synthetic cordage of all types. Neat. Book is large, contains more photos then text, and includes some but not much history of each knot. This is a good book whether you are trying to keep your shoes tied(square(reef)),making a coveted Diamond hitch, or the feared but utilitarian hangman's noose."
Chocolate has been one of mankind's obsessions for centuries. The history of cacao and chocolate-making leads from Mexico to Spain and then France, Austria, Switzerland, and Belgium, while its consumption is universal. This collection examines chocolate's history as well as its use in literature, art, music, and folklore, as a subject for psychology and childrearing, and as an important product for business. In addition, recipes for novel and tasty uses of chocolate are provided. While chocolate may be seen as "food of the gods," it is consumed around the world by all ages and classes.
