Simply Handmade: 365 Easy Gifts & Decorations You Can Make (Crafts) [Hardcover]

Meredith Press (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1998 | Series: Crafts

This inspirational book of craft ideas for crafters and non-crafters alike contains complete instructions for 365 easy-to-make gifts and decorations.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Open this idea-packed volume completely at random and you'll come up with a great project every time. Besides great holiday-related crafts--lots of marvelous Christmas decorations, some fun Halloween items, lovely Valentine's Day keepsakes, Easter goodies--there are loads of wonderful objects for year-round use (frames, vases, lampshades, napkin rings, candleholders, table settings, and so much more). Everything is very easy to make, from simple step-by-step projects that require a modicum of time and materials to quickly made pieces that need only a very few supplies and even less time, to instant crafts that you can throw together out of almost nothing in almost no time. (Try this glittering centerpiece, for instance: fill lots of mismatched glasses and goblets with water, add sprinkles of confetti, and float a candle in each.) Even if you've never crafted before, you can handle nearly any project in the book, but each one is so appealing that experienced crafters with fairly sophisticated tastes will also find much to enjoy here. --Amy Handy

From Booklist

The Better Homes and Gardens folks have perfected the art of making something from nothing--or at least from the materials at hand around the house. Here, creativity blooms 365 days a year in easy craft projects to accessorize the home or present as a gift to a loved one. Divided into seasons (somewhat arbitrarily, except for holiday-geared items), each section features different levels of crafts, from the make-it-in-minutes kind to more involved projects. Heavy on photographs and light on words, some of the more memorable items include shades-of-the-1950s beaded fruit, decorator-style copper and brass napkin rings, and the simple addition of dollar bills to the front of otherwise empty picture frames. Although few skills are required, the rewards are great. Barbara Jacobs

Product Details

• Hardcover: 216 pages
• Publisher: Meredith Books (September 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0696207826
• ISBN-13: 978-0696207822
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 9.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #363,829 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great buy, March 29, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Simply Handmade: 365 Easy Gifts & Decorations You Can Make (Crafts) (Hardcover)

Fantastic idea book! The colorful pictures are just so inspiring. The crafts are so easy to do and requires little time to accomplish. Too, the materials required are inexpensive. Even the inexperienced crafter can easily get away with the projects shown here.

Featured projects range from glass decorating (etching, embellishing), clay pot decorating/painting, mosaic, dressed-up table centerpieces, etc. etc.

The nice thing is each project comes with an extra idea/hint or two, plus beautiful pictures of the finished product. I'm sure this book will not just gather dust in your shelves; you'll actually craft something that's shown here!

Worth it for the price!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love it! Love it! Love it!, September 17, 2000

By 

Glenda K. Yancey "Christmas Queen" (Cincinnati or Oberlin, OH United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Simply Handmade: 365 Easy Gifts & Decorations You Can Make (Crafts) (Hardcover)

I love this book! Each project has a color photo showing detail and all instructions take five or less steps. In addition to the instructions there are always at least two additional 'idea notes' for how you can further accentuate your project to make it more personalized. The book is broken out into Fall/ Winter/Spring/Summer chapters (although I think there are really more Winter/Christmas crafts than any other). Not only gift-giving ideas, but also just creative little things to place around your own home. Simplistic & affordable materials are used- probably many things you already have around the house. These projects are for the first timer as well as the experienced crafter. For those of us who love a lot of color & sparkle- buy this book!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars By Far the Best Craft Book I have EVER seen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, March 4, 2001

By 

Wendy S. Block "Homemaker, Aggie Wife, and Fo... (Allentown, PA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Simply Handmade: 365 Easy Gifts & Decorations You Can Make (Crafts) (Hardcover)

I just got the book the otherday and I have alreadly flagged about 30 items I want to do ASAP... It's amazing...and I saw the other book same publisher "365 simply handmade easy projects for every occaision...." I want to get that book too, its almost as incredible as this book! page after page is crammed with the easiest most inspiring elegant ideas.... never seen a book so awesome... I'll be the envy of the neighborhood.... YOU'VE GOTTA BUY THIS BOOK, its probably the only craft book you'll ever need... SERIOUS!!!! (I really really like the beaded candle idea) and about 30 other simple yet elegant items!!! (one thing, I just wish they had some "St. Patrick's Day Crafts)....