Glitterville's Handmade Halloween: A Glittered Guide for Whimsical Crafting! [Paperback]

Stephen Brown (Author)

Book Description

Release date: August 21, 2012

With gorgeous full-color photos and step-by-step instructions for making 20 whimsical Halloween crafts—including some never-before-published Glitterville favorites—Glitterville’s Handmade Halloween is the go-to guide for America’s second-biggest retail holiday.

Celebrate the season of costumes and candy with Glitterville's guide to creating a wondrously wacky and whimsical holiday!

Treat yourself to the kookiest compilation of crafts and decor assembled from Glitterville's creator, Stephen Brown, judge of Craft Wars on TLC. Glitterville's Handmade Halloween is full of bright, colorful photos, step-by-step holiday how-tos, and over-the-harvest-moon decorating ideas to make your home sparkle and shine this spooktacular season.

A great book for intermediate to experienced crafters, Glitterville's Handmade Halloween will delight readers as they make their way through the playfully photographed pages of the book, which include full, never-before-published instructions for making some of Glitterville's most sought-after items, including Halloween candy garland and the studio collection of folk figures.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

As a boy, craft and decorating guru Stephen Brown found himself in post-holiday doldrums after every big celebration, so his parents taught him what would become Glitterville's motto: "Make every day a holiday!" Glitterville has been featured in Southern Living, Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion, Cooking with Paula Deen, Better Homes and Gardens, Country Living, Woman's Day, and others. Originally from a small town in Tennessee, Brown splits his time between his office in New York City and his restored Edwardian-style studio in his hometown of Rockwood, Tennessee.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing; Original edition (August 21, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1449414524
• ISBN-13: 978-1449414528
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #696,230 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

As a boy, crafts and decorating guru Stephen Brown found himself in post-holiday doldrums after every big celebration, but he learned that through crafting for the next upcoming occasion he could turn those feelings around and literally "Make every day a holiday!"

After working as a costume designer for television and film, Stephen launched Glitterville, his successful line of giftware and home decor products that has been featured in Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion, Southern Living, Country Living, and numerous other publications. When he's not crafting, Stephen is traveling the globe producing new Glitterville products and appearing as a Judge on TLC's Craft Wars!

For more Glitterville fun visit us at www.glitterville.com

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I can't wait to get started! August 22, 2012

By Pope Mel

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I am old and very jaded and it usually takes something with batteries to make me squeal like a preteen at a Justin Bieber concert. But when it comes to my favorite holiday, all it takes is some glittery party hats and a few grinning pumpkins to make me pitch a major squealie.

Glitterville -[...] - has been selling wonderful decorations for years now. I'm too much of a cheapskate to spring for one of their "Mr. Bones chip & dip servers" or an "Itchy Witchy stacking cake platter", so I'm thrilled to be able to make my own goodies based on their designs.

Most of the projects in this book are made from easily obtainable supplies - no plastic novelty eyeballs, thank you! Styrofoam balls, Paperclay, crepe paper and chenille stems are all that's needed to create a cute, rather than creepy Halloween. (Chenille stems? I didn't know anybody used them anymore. I LOVE IT!)

I'm looking forward to many happy hours crafting witch hats, spider puppets, pumpkin tiaras, and surprised jack-o-lanterns. And did I mention the trick-or-treating cupcake, 'cos I should have.
She's really cool!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitely a "Glittered Guide for Whimsical Crafting" August 22, 2012

By Sakuya

Format:Paperback

I pre-ordered this book months ago and just received it yesterday. I own a large selection of Glitterville Halloween items so when I saw this book was coming out, I immediately signed up to receive it. Now that I have it in my hands, I am beyond impressed. I have several craft books and magazines and this book by far blows all others away. It is written simply so directions are easy to follow and all the materials you will use for the crafts are explained in detail in the front of the book along with the how's and why's certain materials are better than others. At the beginning of each craft the specific items you will need for that specific craft is clearly listed. Nothing is an odd item you can not find from a trip to Michaels or Hobby Lobby or even in your kitchen. Yes, you will use cardboard paper towel inserts. This isn't your kindergartener's paper towel craft, either. The crafts depicted in detailed pictures with easy instruction are just like the items you have seen and bought in the stores. If you have bought Glitterville items before, you know the items are not inexpensive and that the detail in each is spot-on.

Having had the book for only one day, I have not yet tried to replicate anything. Having said that, I don't believe I will be unable to because the directions are that well-done. Each piece is broken down (with close-up photos) to the basics so you can see just how to build it to the final finished product. To be able to replicate these crafts, however, you will have to have some artistic ability. As you can see from the cover preview of the book, the faces on the whimsical characters are detailed and require a steady hand and some artistic ability and there is a small amount of sculpting. You can come up with your own painting ideas, of course, and the craft ideas can easily be altered in colors and characters for different holidays. All you need is your imagination.

These crafts will take time. It's not a quick one-hour kind of craft and is not for small children. The crafter must have dexterity and a steady hand (think painting), so more age 14 and up. There is very little sewing needed for these projects, but there is some in a couple projects. The witch shown on the cover in the top left corner has a sewing detail but I honestly don't think you have to do that step or even see it in the completed project. It's a craft, so you can change and alter things as you see fit. Some details require you to make a color copy of a pattern in the back of the book on cardstock and then cut it out to use. My only comment on this (again, not having done it yet), is the crisp lines of these color copies will not be as sharp as shown in the how-to pictures because we are making a copy of a copy whereas the author/creator is printing the cutout from a computer directly.

All in all, though, this book is a delight. The colors are a candy store for the eyes and page after page of whimsical characters you can make at home with time and patience. Like I said, I have not tried to make anything yet, but I did read the book cover to cover yesterday and followed the diagrams (easily numbered) and am confidant these ideas are actually doable despite the complicated yet fanciful-looking finished product. You, too, will be able to make Glitterville come alive in your own home with the aid of this book. It is an absolutely fantastic book. Even if you don't ever make a thing from it, you will get enjoyment just looking through the pages and letting the ideas flow for tablescapes and color palettes. The Amazon price is incredible and this book is well worth every cent even if you pay full price for it. For me to say something is worth full price is huge. This book is worth it. Five stars all the way.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent projects! August 30, 2012

By CuteEverythingcom TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Paperback

As one who leaves my Christmas tree and decorations up far longer than is considered appropriate, I really agree with the idea of making every day a holiday through crafting, as author Stephen Brown asserts in his book. You may recognize the author's name, as he is one of the judges from Craft Wars, that addictive show on TLC. In Glitterville's Handmade Halloween, Stephen Brown has assembled the "kookiest compilation of Halloween crafts and decor" and the main thing I noticed is how the projects are fresh, new and so creatively fun! I have to also comment on the design of the book, which is filled with gorgeous, beautifully lit photos and eye catching design elements on every single page.

There are a wide range of projects in it, including edible treats, wearables, and decor items and each one is accompanied with a fun and funky poem that lets you know a little more about them! My daughter chose the Chenille Pumpkin as our first thing to make, as it only used pipe cleaners, crepe paper and a bit of felt to make this little cutie, and we had all of the items already. We got a bit carried away and made about 12 of them since they were so simple to make, and we think they will look adorable hanging on our front door to greet the trick or treaters this year. I really hope Mr. Brown authors another book for the winter holidays, I'm sure it would be just as magical!