Nature Crafts With a Microwave [Hardcover]

Dawn Cusick (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1994

Provides guidelines on making craft projects from natural materials that have been dried in the microwave. The text also includes information on glue guns, floral wire, foams and other helpful tools.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Dried materials lend themselves to any number of crafts, but they generally take so long to dry or are so expensive to purchase pre-dried that some crafters overlook them. Fortunately there is an alternative--armed with this book and your microwave oven, you can preserve all sorts of natural materials quickly and with relative ease, not only flowers but fruits, vegetables, grasses, nuts, seeds, mosses, and even popcorn. Once you've mastered microwave drying, proceed to the book's nicely handled project section for ideas on using the elements in wreaths, sachets, wall hangings, baskets, and more.

From Library Journal

As a number of recent books on the subject will attest, plenty of people out there are interested in using their microwave ovens for everything from natural dyeing to making seed jewelry to drying vegetables and flowers for wreaths. Unlike two other books on the subject, Alison Jenkins's Crafts from Your Microwave (Crescent Bks., 1994) and Nancy Birnes's Zapcrafts (Ten Speed Pr., 1994), this book concentrates exclusively on handcrafted items made from natural materials. Although a few of the more than 80 projects featured here are elaborate undertakings requiring some degree of artistic skill (for example, a bird made from dried gourds with features modeled with wood putty and painted with acrylic paints), most are easily completed and suitable for young people working under adult supervision. Projects such as dried catnip mice, ornaments made from citrus slices, and necklaces of dried pumpkin seeds would make an excellent gift. Recommended for public libraries.
Janice Zlendich, California State Univ. Lib., Fullerton
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Lark Books; 1st pbk. ed edition (June 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806906669
• ISBN-13: 978-0806906669
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,404,096 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars I love nature crafts but..., April 9, 2008

By 

Christina Tracy "mtnmomma3" - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Nature Crafts With A Microwave: Over 80 Projects (Paperback)

I hate to give a book a low rating because I try to judge a book on its merits, not my own taste. However, this book left a lot to be desired on either side.

The crafts in this book tend to be used to accentuate other crafts- flower petals glued to ribbon and then to doilies (what is natural about ribbon and doilies?); craft store wreaths decorated with craft store accessories as well as some natural flower petals. I want to make a craft from nature, not from the craft store.

The styles seem to be for senior citizens (which, of course, is fine if you are one!) The majority of the crafts are wreaths and similar wall hangings(18 wreaths, 3 wall hangings, and 4 arch bases according to the index). Several required the use of doilies and cheap lace. This might just be my taste- so take it for what it is worth.

But the directions were poor too. I started laying out the materials needed for one craft (based on the materials list that is included with each activity) only to find that I didn't have the correct glue, which was not included in that materials list. The nut crafts look nice, but I how many crafters keep a strong vise around to saw the nuts into slices as required.

The seed necklace craft did seem interesting though. I'll probably try to make it before passing this book on.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good, October 22, 2006

By 

S. J Parker (Edmond, Ok) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Nature Crafts With A Microwave: Over 80 Projects (Paperback)

There's no need to wait days, weeks, or months to use the materials you've collected from outdoors in great-looking craft projects when you've got a microwave. In just a short time, you can learn how to turn your microwave into an instant drying tool for perfect projects of flowers, seeds, fruits, leaves, and many other delights of nature.

Striking full-color photos and simple instructions will motivate you to make a beautiful rose trellis, soothing mint tea, Blueberry Hill potpourri, a pansy wall hanging, a gourd bird, hemlock candle holders, pinecone ornaments, plus many other attractive and elegant items for your home and as gifts.

1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun book, April 5, 2001

By 

Airin H. Hazelwood "Your brain on technology" (Keizer, OR) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Nature Crafts With A Microwave: Over 80 Projects (Paperback)

This is a fun book for anyone who loves crafts. It is especially good for those crafters who love using the beautiful things in nature.