Best Metal Work

Written by an expert in blacksmith and metal artist, this book provides readers with a basic understanding of blacksmithing, including an explanation of tools like an anvil, an anvil stand, hammers, and tongs. Through instructions and illustrations, readers will learn to make simple tools and useful items, such as nails, hinges, and handles, and also an interesting mix of artful projects, such letter openers, door knockers and botanical ornaments.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"My 12 year old son has decided he wants to learn blacksmithing and he saved all of his money to buy an anvil and he and my husband built a forge out of an old brake drum from a big truck."
"I got this for my eldest son (22) for Christmas."
"Awesome book."
"Full of information, hints, practical exercises and projects."
"perfect book for those just starting out and those that have alittle bit under their belt."
"Very nice book has all info on blacksmithing basics.really like it was surprise it was a hard cover."
"Can't wait to get into this."
"Awesome book."

This book is the core part of a course that represents the distilled experience and knowledge, developed over 47 years, of Woodworker and Master Craftsman, Paul Sellers. His remarkable journey saw him learn his trade as a traditional apprentice in England during in the 1960s, and then progress, many years later, to design and make furniture for American Presidents. The first part of the book. will enable you to discover the simple concepts that surround the use of traditional hand tools and master aspects of woodworking in general. Most importantly this book will teach you, with just a few basic hand tools, how to make hundreds of projects with the skill and confidence of a real Artisan. Learning through the combined media (videos and books), offers a simplicity and clarity, which will enable enthusiasts of any skill level to quickly establish the principles and practice of quality workmanship. The first part of this book, Artisan Level 1, will enable you to discover the simple concepts that surround the use of traditional hand tools and master aspects of woodworking in general.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Paul Sellers is a wonderful teacher, and this book has projects that builds your skills progressively."
"It's almost complete."
"Can't say enough what a great book this is for the new or even expert to learn the right way to make joints and choose the correct equipment."
"My husband loves this book!"
"Bought this for my husband and he loves it."
"Paul Sellers is a wonderful teacher and so easy to understand."
"paul sellers is my woodworking hero!"
"The book follows Seller's YouTube Masterwork series closely, incorporating foundational skills into practical projects that build upon one another."

The ultimate collision of creative imagination and practical maker skills, making props and costume armor involves sculpting, molding, casting, 3D printing, CNC fabrication, painting, and countless other techniques and technologies. Basic fabrication methods using inexpensive, commonly-available tools and materials Simple, low-cost methods to make foam armor out of easy-to-find foam mats How to use the popular Pepakura software to build 3D models with paper Multiple molding and casting techniques How to build a "vacuforming" machine to make armor from plastic sheet stock Painting and weathering techniques that will bring your props to life Just enough safety advice to keep you from losing body parts along the way Whether you're just a beginner or a seasoned builder with countless projects behind you, this book is sure to be an invaluable addition to your workshop library. A hopeless Halloween addict and fan of all things science fiction and fantasy, Shawn's hobby of building prop and costume pieces for his own collection has long since gotten out of control.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Need costume ideas for a play?"
"My Son is using this to get started in cosplay."
"Bought for my son for Christmas."
"this is a fun book you need it in your referances for realy great tips and new ideas enjoy it I did."
"This is a fantastic resource for any cosplayer."
"THIS BOOK IS FULL OF THRILLING AND WONDERFUL TIPS, TRICKS, HOW TO INSTRUCTIONS AND MOST OF ALL HUMOR."
"Excellent how to for cosplayers and costume designers."
Best Seasonal Crafts

Filled with beautiful photographs and easy-to-follow instructions on how to create over 80 different arrangements, this is the go-to guide to floral design that every flower lover will want to add to their collection. Carly's book takes you from A to Z on everything flowers and helps us amateurs bring out the flower goddess in all of us.― Ali Landry. With everything happening in design, I'm surprised that no one has done what Carly's done and has done so well: taught us the simple mysteries of how to arrange flowers beautifully. Whether you've already got flower game or you're just learning about floral design, this book offers you tips and tricks to instantly improve your styling techniques.― Laurie March, remodeler, designer, and TV host. This is my go-to book for floral designing. Carly's passion for teaching floral design comes through effortlessly in The Flower Chef .
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Very helpful and full of ideas."
"I was hoping for more step-by-step instructions and photos."
"It' always gets her out of trouble when she runs into flower arranging issues around the house or for parties."
"Living in SoCal, I spend a lot of time working on my garden and have flowers year around."
"Carly did a fantastic job with this publication."
"Lots of tips and beautiful photography."
"Easy to read!"
Best Basket Making

From this simple technique, however, crafters can create limitless variety through the way they shape the coils, dye the needles, vary stitches, embellish with beads and seeds, and incorporate leather and wood. Pine needles have become raw materials for baskets because they were a widely available, renewable resource.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"When the students were finished with their little baskets, they all wanted to do more baskets using some of the more difficult designs and techniques, so I ordered 12 more books and we plan to get together for more basket making in the near future."
"I plan on working a lot with this book when the pine needles start to drop and I can collect enough for several fun projects!"
"Great quality & easy step by step instructions."
"Everything you need to know about using pine needles."
"I cannot brag enough about Judy Mofield Mallow and her book Pine Needle Basketry."
"I live in a Ponderosa Pine Forest in Colorado so pine needles are plentiful!"
Best Mixed-Media Craft

Cook up some science in your home with Kitchen Science Lab for Kids . Kitchen Science Lab for Kids offers 52 fun science activities for families to do together. Soon she found herself sharing her love of science with her three kids as they grew, journaling their science adventures on her KitchenPantryScientist website.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Here is a list of the sections: Unit 1-Carbonated Chemical Reactions. Unit 2 Crystal Creations. Unit 3 Physics in Motion. Unit 4 Life Science. Unit 5 Astonishing Liquids. Unit 6 Polymers, Colloids & Misbehaving Materials. Unit 7 Acids & Basis. Unit 8 Marvelous Microbiology. Unit 9 Shocking Science. Unit 10 Bodacious Botany. Unit 11 Sunny Science. Unit 12 Rocket Science. The projects are so much fun."
"Gave as gift."
"Item arrived on time and as described."
"Love this book."
"It looks like it has a lot of fun ideas/activities!!"
"this is a good book for the family and for teachers of younger children who have a science class."
"Great variety of projects with lots of nice pictures."
"Already are using it and learning from it!"
Best Candle Making

The pure luxury of soaps made with coconut butter, almond oil, aloe vera, oatmeal, and green tea is one of life’s little pleasures. “This book has everything you need for success.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Cons: I recognized a great many of the designs from the Amy Warden Soap Challenge and the original artisan soap makers were not given credit (design ideas are not exclusive to the Soap Queen). Instead of telling you how many ounces a recipe makes- you get how many bars based on her molds (a pain in the butt for a newbie to figure out using your own molds.). The book is a copycat of other artisans original works and really instead of using ordinary easy to find molds it compels you to go to her company to buy the equipment (or buy it cheaper here on Amazon :) SOME THINGS YOU NEED:You need a silicone log mold, a wooden slab mold, a individual silicone cavity mold, a silicone slab mold (smaller), and a long log mold with dividers, and round molds, embellishment molds, natural colorants, oxides, tons of essential oils, heating pad, section tools, sodium lactate (in all the recipes), cupcake mold, stamp, rubber mallet, sealable tea bags, herbs, bubble wrap, cookie cutters, powder sifter, chopsticks, frosting bag and tip... it goes on and on."
"Great to have these options."
"Detailed and inspirational, just what you would expect from Anne Marie, The Soap Queen!"
"Shared knowledge, reinforced guidelines."
"Love this book."
"Very much recommend this book for soaping."
Best Puppet Crafts

Selected from the pages of two clever 19th-century picture books, 28 hand-shadow illustrations demonstrate how to create marvelous images of a goose, deer (with antlers), birds, a bunny, a dog, an elephant, a tortoise, and a host of other familiar creatures. Children and adults around the world delight in hand shadows, and this little activity book shows how to perform the ancient art.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Some of these were pretty tough to finagle the fingers just right, but overall these images are all what you’d expect to see in a shadow puppet book."
"I bought it as a gift and it was pretty wimpy."
"We may love it later, but our daughter is too young to appreciate the intricate animals."
"Super cute."
"Perfect book for anyone!"
"Some fun shadows, but I wish the book didn't look so ancient inside."
"Fun, Fun, Fun.... Get the little kids laughing and trying to do it themselves."
"The pages are made exactly the same as your childhood coloring book."
Best Framing

The updated easy-to-learn reference for rough carpentry and framing Complete Book of Framing, Second Edition is an updated, easy-to-learn guide to rough carpentry and framing written by an expert with more than thirty years of framing experience. Complete Book of Framing, Second Edition is an updated, easy-to-use guide to rough carpentry and framing written by an expert with more than thirty years of framing experience. This Second Edition is updated to match the framing techniques of the 2009 International Building Code and introduces the concept of "green framing" with regard to material use and handling.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The author assumes you are already a framer, or at least that you have a good bit of knowledge on the craft. If you are handy with tools but need to know how to frame up a simple structure, I'd get the Ortho book instead."
"I am quite handy and do a lot of small improvement projects at home myself. Most chapters seemed written by Captain Obvious (like "put one board on the top of another, hold the nail to the top board, pound with the hammer until the nail sinks; now your boards are fastened"---this is an exaggeration, but really, a lot of stuff reads like this)."
"I have learn a few things and I am sure I will learn a few more things as I gaze at this book."
"I was impressed with the amount of precision and concise details in each section of this book, it discusses, the planning, layout, the actual how to do it yourself, the materials purchasing, the tools to use and how to use them. This book is an encyclopedia of framing, the best if not one of the best framing books I have ever used or read and I have not even gotten to read all of it completely yet but it has helped me a great deal already in month time."
"Great book, very knowledgeable."
"Another really good book for beginners on framing."
"I am getting ready to close in my carport and needed a good book to explain how to frame it in, with windows and doors."
"This is not a book for a person who didn't graduate the college of framing."
Best Polymer Clay

Thorough instructions supported by more than 400 step-by-step color photos and 200 detailed drawings cover the entire process of sculpting realistic figures. You hold in your hands a magical book, your guide to a realm where anyone can learn to sculpt. Practical and intuitive steps lead the way to creating strong, realistic and expressive figures.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This is for someone who is pretty advanced."
"Excellent!"
"I've only had a chance to look at the book."
"Step by step information empowers you to create beauty in small forms."
"I been looking at this book for more than a year and I hesitate to buy it due to some reviews in the past."
"It breaks it down into sections of the body and how to make the muscle tone accurate and symmetrical."
Best Radio Operation

Upgrading to a General license--which conveys extensive HF privileges only requires passing a written examination. Once you do, the entire range of operating modes and the majority of the amateur spectrum below 30 MHz become available to you. Use this book to study for your General Class license exam. Every page presents information you will need to pass the exam and become an effective operator.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Using this process with a clean copy of the pool questions I got to mostly "blue" and a couple of "greens"...and easily passed the three test."
"Great information laid out in a plain to understand method that logically moves you through the subject matter in a way that you actually learn."
"I already have the Tech book and I used that and the practice exams on line to pass my Tech exam."
"Hypertext jumps from the subject to questions and answers was flawless."
"Excellent book."
"The book was so simple and easy to follow. This book will go over various topics and then at the end of the chapter it will just say, "Please review questions in section etc, etc, etc before continuing to the next chapter" I hate flipping back and forth between reading material and question pools in the back of the book. In the end this book will work and some of you might just say I have a different way of learning than others which is true."
"Very comprehensive and clear."
"Brand new and is current..."
Best Weaponsmithing

144 new pages for a grand total of 528 pages of pure Smith & Wesson 14 new revolver models added since last edition Dozens of new variations of the M&P pistol New S&W rifles and shotguns, including many new M&P 15 rifles Hundreds of detailed, full-color photos Smith & Wesson gun values and collector information. Jim Supica is Director of NRA Museums.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I bought this as a first time reference book for dating Smith and Wesson revolvers. It helps estimate date of manufacture but not a pin point like a Letter from Smith."
"It was a little thin on information on a particular model I was curious about (a 4505) and looked to have taken the info on that gun right out of the blue book."
"Christmas 2013 I received another gift card, purchased this one, the third edition."
"This book is a must for people who love and or collect Smith & Wesson firearms, even has guns that the blue book of gun values doesn't have with great information and details!"
"Prices, history, collectibility, production numbers, etc..."
"These two authors did a fantastic job at putting this history together from 1852 forward.."
"THE INFORMATION IN THIS BOOK IS BEYOND ANYTHING YOU HAVE EVER READ ON SMITH & WESSON."
"VERY happy with this book."
Best Toy & Model Crafts

You'll also learn essential building techniques like how to use beams, gears, and connector blocks effectively in your own designs. The EXPLOR3R, a wheeled vehicle that uses sensors to navigate around a room and follow lines The FORMULA EV3 RACE CAR, a streamlined remote-controlled race car ANTY, a six-legged walking creature that adapts its behavior to its surroundings SK3TCHBOT, a robot that lets you play games on the EV3 screen The SNATCH3R, a robotic arm that can autonomously find, grab, lift, and move the infrared beacon LAVA R3X, a humanoid robot that walks and talks. Each chapter contains several short challenges, dubbed "discoveries," which are cleverly accompanied by a legend: whimsical gear wheels represent the estimated amount of building time; tiny Microsoft Windows-esque blocks show the expected level of programming expertise; and a small clock estimates the length of time it should take to solve the challenge. The size, advanced vocabulary, and organization of the book evokes a science or physics textbook, which is warranted due to the amount of complex and detailed programming information contained within.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"It is super for those who want to understand this Lego Robot machine and programming better."
"As to the educational version vs the home version..... The educational packs has all of the motors and sensors of the home version with two exceptions: the remote control sensor and related beacon. There may be a few add'l pieces that we'll need in the future to build all of the projects in this book, but we are 1/4 the way thru and haven't found them. The author has also kindly responded to specific questions (relating to education vs home versions), and has been quite helpful."
"Outstanding book I love the paper edition but also bought the Kindle edition too!"
"My grandson has built just about every project in the book and he loves it."
"I bought the book (and the Mindstorms kit) for my grandsons, but first I wanted to build one of the robots in the book and to do some programming for it in case I needed to help my grandsons with the versions they build."
"The book includes 132 practice modules spread throughout the chapters which allow for an iterative process of learning. My two sons and I (ages 9 and 11) are separately going through the book and practice/design modules with each of us tracking our progress on a tracking sheet."
"The book gives you all the information you need to understand the LabView environment and each of the basic programming blocks."
"Fantastic and thorough book."
Best Glass & Glassware

The first complete guide to collecting, identifying, and understanding the history behind smooth glass shards found at the water's edge. Pure Sea Glass assists the collector in playing detective using subtle clues regarding color and shape to identify the possible source of sea glass shards, their age, rarity, and historical significance.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The author gives wonderful detailed information on each color of glass, including its rarity."
"So before I went any further, I bought a copy of Richard LaMotte's renowned book "Pure Sea Glass: Discovering Nature's Vanishing Gems" on the advice of a longtime collector and jewelry maker. A major added attraction is that there are over 150 exquisite and elegant photographs by Celia Pearson included here, presenting some of the beat specimens ever collected, along with a vast array of classical glassware from around the world that is often its source. The book is a comprehensive guide, chock full of information on finding and identifying these gems, the bits of aged glass, enhanced by years beneath the sea or caught in the tides that wash our coasts. After a recent hurricane I made a day trip to Montauk, NY, and actually found some wonderful pieces on the beach at low tide - one a real jewel!"
"What caught my eye was the beautiful color photos of various glasses that comprise the make up of Sea Glasses. Book also includes a glass color rating scale for helping collector determine how rare each of his or her individual pieces are. There are very interesting color photos of different colored specimens of Sea Glass educating collectors as to which colors are more valuable and rare."
"Beautifully photographed and produced but not extremely helpful."
"Beautiful book filled with great information on sea glass."
"You are asking me too early..."
"A must have book for all Sea Glass collector's."
"It has very detailed information about the different types of sea glass."
Best Pottery & Ceramic Craft

For each technique, detailed step-by-step photography captures the subtle, intricate movements that typically fly by too fast to be learned when watching a video lesson; callouts then lead readers to the relevant video on the DVD so they can see the technique demonstrated in real timean ideal combination that makes learning from the master easy. The in-depth perspective starts with his directions for making simple tools (a wire tool and a sponge stick) and is bolstered by charts and information-packed sidebars (e.g., for removing air bubbles and troubleshooting your first pull). Third-generation potter Leach, with technical and photographic assistance from Bruce Dehnert and Jared Flood, capitalizes on his celebrity with an amazingly detailed, step-by-step text for all major processes in ceramics.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Simon has done it again."
"This book has 2 discs included with great videos."
"Great book of knowledge for the beginner potter, some of its common knowledge for the professional potter but he is a great source of info."
"Next, it is laid out in an organized, beautiful design filled with very practical and easy to understand instruction, tips and facts every potter should know. Simon Leach, as anyone who has watched his many YouTube videos can testify to, is a character that is at times funny, irreverent, and very talented."
"Very nice pictures, clear instructions and positive encouragement from the author."
"The book includes instructions for making common tools, like a sponge stick (easy to make and better than bought ones) and a weighted wire cutoff tool. I finally learned spiral wedging, due to the clear instructions on the book and DVD."
"The cover comes off of the spiral binding when you open the book!"
"Well done, Simon."
Best Flower Arranging & Crafts

From Erin Benzakein, a leader in the locaflor farm-to-centerpiece movement and owner of internationally renowned Floret Flower Farm, Cut Flower Garden is equal parts instruction and inspiration—a book overflowing with lush photography of magnificent flowers and breathtaking arrangements organized by season. "I met Erin Benzakein more than ten years ago when she was a young mom growing sweet peas and dreaming of making her living from flowers. And now she's sharing that dream with the world - everyone from fellow flower enthusiasts to emerging farmer-florists to veteran designers yearning for a new, seasonal and sustainable model of floristry. In her debut book she not only introduces us to the basics of growing our own flowers, she shares her deep love and understanding of gardening in a way that will leave even the most doubtful grower feeling inspired to get their hands in the dirt." Her first book is deliciously gorgeous and incredibly comprehensive- combining practical advice alongside a huge overdose of seasonal inspiration. Erin Benzakein's gorgeous new book, Floret Farm's Cut Flower Garden, is equal parts inspiration and education. "The creation of this beautiful book is testament to Erin Benzakein's commitment to and passion for the local flower movement. The layout is simultaneously appealing and practical; Floret's signature lush photographs beautifully illustrate all stages of cut flower production and design through the seasons. Filled with clear growing techniques, detailed harvesting instructions and other tips of the trade, this book is a true gift to anyone wanting to generate good income from the craft of flower farming on a small-scale.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"broken down into flowers of the season... author gives several varieties of her favorite flowers."
"What a book, just about everything you need to know, and her years of experience have been put into this book."
"Beautiful, inspiring, complete, thorough, full of heart and current guide, that can be adapted to farms of all sizes."
"I don't even have a yard/garden right now as I'm renting but this book has been so fun to read and to dream!"
"If you love flowers, you will love this book."
"I wish I bought this as a digital copy so that I could carry everywhere to read."
"Love this book!"
"Cannot put it down!"
Best Needlecrafts & Textile Crafts

Kids can sew too! Best of all, this practical, attractive sewing book features finished projects that look like they were actually made by children.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Unfortunately, so much of the sewing kits, books, and supplies are geared towards girls. Not only is it full of beautiful photographs that help teach sewing steps, I was pleased to see how many boys were included in the photographs--sewing just like their female counterparts."
"I looked through this book and I WANT IT!"
"My 7 year old daughter loves this book."
"Loved it."
"This book is so much better than any cheap craft set you can find in Walmart."
"I am planning to include a small cigar-type box, a selection of felt squares, needles, scissors, a ruler, and a small bag of batting, with the book so that she has the materials needed to start the projects in the book."
"She has been reading the book herself and has completed several of the projects and is happy with the results."
"My daughter loves it and is always planning new projects to make."
Best Papercrafts, Stamping & Stenciling

Kids love origami—and what could be cooler than transforming a piece of paper into Boba Fett, Princess Leia, Yoda, or R2-D2? Star Wars Origami includes a foreword by Tom Angleberger, author of the New York Times bestsellers The Strange Case of Origami Yoda and Darth Paper Strikes Back , and is scheduled to be published at the same time as Angleberger’s upcoming book, The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee . A Look Inside Star Wars Origami.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The quality of the paper is good and there are many star war character origami designs."
"This is probably the best $6 I’ve ever spent!"
"Not for beginners!!!!"
"It will be a great use of time if you like Star Wars as my son does!"
"It was a Christmas gift."
"Lots of fun!"
"Great price for this oragami book!"
"Quite difficult not really for young kids."
