The Complete Book of Retro Crafts: Collecting, Displaying & Making Crafts of the Past (Paperback)

by Suzie Millions (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Baby boomers feeling nostalgic, hipsters longing for the handmade, and anyone interested in going retro can stop right here! This is the definitive guide to the fun and quirky world of retro crafts, written by a diva of the style. It’s jam-packed with history and wonderful images from vintage pamphlets, collections, and flea market hunts. Everything memorable is included, from the ridiculous to the sublime, along with the lowdown on collecting, Junking 101, and creating a crafting group. Forty retro-inspired projects run the gamut from glitter frames and matchbox purses to bottlecap men and teacup ladies, plus lovable Plastic Flower Pixies; the Sparkling Sputnik and its desk-top compadre, the Beauty Orb; and the unforgettable Reinbeer. Variations and creative suggestions will keep readers inspired.

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Product Details Paperback: 176 pages Publisher: Lark Books (January 1, 2008) Language: English ISBN-10: 1579908691 ISBN-13: 978-1579908690 Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8.4 x 0.5 inches Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #252,417 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

12 Reviews 5 star:  (9) 4 star:  (1) 3 star:  (1) 2 star:  (1) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.5 out of 5 stars (12 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 8 of 8 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Bedtime Reading, March 15, 2008 By  Jon Hildreth "(Paul Panzer)" (Chico, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    Our foremothers had the same helpless inability to throw things away that we have today, only they didn't have recycling bins. This book shows what they made with tin cans, matchsticks and the like: craft items, some beautiful and some really, really ugly. Suzie Millions has been collecting these thingies for a lifetime -- she has an artist's eye for the good stuff and the really good bad stuff. This book shows you things you never knew existed, and what's worse, how to make them. As an added bonus we get photos of her amazing house, which gives new meaning to the word clutter. My highest recommendation! A funny, soothing, yet oddly practical book. 9 of 10 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Read for pleasure as well as projects, January 21, 2008 By  BB - See all my reviews Suzie Millions is a high artisan with an abiding love of the crafted, kitschy, handmade and heartfelt, and her brand new book, The Complete Book of Retro Crafts, embodies all those things. More like an artist's journal than those typical craft books that are simply lists of projects and tools, Retro Crafts is enriched with anecdotes from Millions' life and home, as well as tips and steps for making her projects your own. This is a book to be read for pleasure as well as worked from. Both hip and genuine. I loved it. 6 of 6 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic book!, January 3, 2008 By  KBO "KBO" (Derry, NH) - See all my reviews Great book... super informative for craft making and a great read as well! Excellent pics for ease of projects and all the retro pictures can really bring back some pleasant memories! A great buy for yourself or a gift...highly reccomend!		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars Laughing our loud fun and entertaining...and yes, retro! How many toilets did I see in the 60's with these Crocheted Poodle toilet paper cover? The 'paint by number Jesus' with the 'Klingon Jesus' variation had me laughing... Read more Published 3 months ago by Billy Goat Ranch 5.0 out of 5 stars I LOVE this book! I got this title from the library and intend to buy my own copy v. soon. Suzie Millions has included wonderful pictures and history on scrap-crafts and the kitsch that often... Read more Published 4 months ago by vegebrarian 3.0 out of 5 stars Retro Crafts I was a wee bit dissapointed with the book....while there are a few novel ideas the majority are not of my interest.... Read more Published 4 months ago by Grace Brown 5.0 out of 5 stars What Fun! Here is a journey back in time, when folks found a use for everything, never throwing anything away, knowing there was bound to be a use for it somewhere, sometime, in some form... Read more Published 9 months ago by Louise Elliott 2.0 out of 5 stars Retro Crafts I was disappointed in the overall quality of what was presented in the book. It was not what I expected. Published 10 months ago by Grand 5 5.0 out of 5 stars LOVE this book! What a fun read! How interesting it was to learn that there is a history of those wacky things we all made and that someone has been paying attention to the fact that there is a... Read more Published 12 months ago by Crafty Lady 4.0 out of 5 stars Great reading whether you craft or not This is an enjoyable read, with many photos that will take you back to the campfires, scout meetings and home-ec classes of your youth. Read more Published 15 months ago by Cherrybomb 5.0 out of 5 stars very fun and inspiring I love this book. I was not a crafter before I got his book. It inspired me to start crafting and even form my own crafting group with other moms. Published 16 months ago by E. Oliver 5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to read, easy to like I was truly impressed with the Retro book. It read well, loved the illustrations and pictures, and it rekindled enthusiasm for me to go be creative! Read more Published 18 months ago by Violet L. Vanden Heede Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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The Retro community Latest activity 2 days ago 1,089 customers have contributed 1,278 products, 53 lists & guides and more... › Explore the community The Arts & Crafts community Latest activity 7 hours ago 4,214 customers have contributed 4,186 products, 88 discussions and more... › Explore the community The Vintage community Latest activity 12 hours ago 889 customers have contributed 1,612 products, 75 lists & guides and more... › Explore the community Related forums crafting (1 discussion) crafts (88 discussions) kitsch retro vintage (2 discussions) Explore more › See all Customer Communities › Your communities

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Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Lark Books (January 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579908691
• ISBN-13: 978-1579908690
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #252,417 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Bedtime Reading, March 15, 2008

By	Jon Hildreth "(Paul Panzer)" (Chico, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Our foremothers had the same helpless inability to throw things away that we have today, only they didn't have recycling bins. This book shows what they made with tin cans, matchsticks and the like: craft items, some beautiful and some really, really ugly. Suzie Millions has been collecting these thingies for a lifetime -- she has an artist's eye for the good stuff and the really good bad stuff. This book shows you things you never knew existed, and what's worse, how to make them. As an added bonus we get photos of her amazing house, which gives new meaning to the word clutter.

My highest recommendation! A funny, soothing, yet oddly practical book.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read for pleasure as well as projects, January 21, 2008

By	BB - See all my reviews

Suzie Millions is a high artisan with an abiding love of the crafted, kitschy, handmade and heartfelt, and her brand new book, The Complete Book of Retro Crafts, embodies all those things. More like an artist's journal than those typical craft books that are simply lists of projects and tools, Retro Crafts is enriched with anecdotes from Millions' life and home, as well as tips and steps for making her projects your own.

This is a book to be read for pleasure as well as worked from. Both hip and genuine. I loved it.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic book!, January 3, 2008

By	KBO "KBO" (Derry, NH) - See all my reviews

Great book... super informative for craft making and a great read as well! Excellent pics for ease of projects and all the retro pictures can really bring back some pleasant memories! A great buy for yourself or a gift...highly reccomend!