Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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!

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. Even if you consider retro crafts to be more junk than antique, you'll still find projects that will tempt you to break out the glue gun. I gave the book four stars because I do wish that a few more projects had been included. (As an example, she referenced the Reader's Digest Angels, but didn't include instructions for making them.) But overall, I think novice and expert alike will find something here that will inspire and entertain.

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!
I may even look up my Mom's old apron!

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 out loud...I was happy to see that an old airstream type camper did not ONLY attract my eye as a perfect studio....I HAVE to make some glitter frames...we used to use chewing gum wrappers for paper folding fun (p. 62), and I think my parents friends had that Starburst Clock...the Encrustacions (shell art) had me laugh with the memories, and I think I have a typed copy of that Mrs. LBJ Pecan Pie recipe (but not tastefully displayed on a plate).

I am foaming at the mouth to make Pill Bottle Shrines and Whimsey Bottles, not to mention Matchstick Art.

The illustrations remind me so very much of the ones in my mom's favorite cookbook....

In short, if you have a sense of humor and love the nostalgic, this should be very fun for you to read, even if you don't make anything from it. I already emailed my best buddies to buy a copy.... um, where is the plaster of paris?

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 results. I found the pictures of her own workspace and craft collection inspiring. I immediately started working on several projects after reading the book. If you like kitschy crafts, I think you will find this book inspirational, comical and worth the $10.

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. Very cleverly written, the Complete Book of Retro Crafts has pictures of the finished product along with complete instructions of how to assemble it. Even if the craft urge has left you, this book is an enjoyable look back at the past and an amusing and entertaining read.

This book is interesting, well-written, unique, and instructs a variety of AUTHENTICALLY RETRO projects. It's 2/3 craft guide, 1/3 (fun) textbook on crafts of the 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s. If you are new to "crafting" there are thousands of books for beginners on the market- this isn't necessarily one of them (not because it's too difficult, but because it's not general enough). If you believe the definition of "Retro" is: Things produced and distributed by Urban Outfitters- this book will probably disappoint you. However, if you are looking for a GENUINE guide to RETRO crafting and/or if you are looking for a book to inspire you in a TRULY UNIQUE AND INTERESTING way (both authentic and inspired by the authentic... something that you can't find in the "Big Ass Book of Crafts" <-- also a very good book), then THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU!

P.S.- I almost didn't buy this book due to negative reviews. I now find it has inspired me more than most I've read.

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.