Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

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!

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)....

Most of my craft books get looked at once or twice, then never see the light of day again. The projects are usually too time-consuming or require hard to find or costly supplies.

This beautifully designed and photographed book will have a permanent place on my coffee table, as the projects are super-quick (most are 4 steps or less) and the supplies are readily available at craft and hardware stores. You might think that this would yield tacky-looking finished products, but these are tasteful and elegant -- think Martha Stewart on a time and monetary budget.

A big plus is that many projects use the same supplies, so nothing purchased needs to be wasted. These items would be great for craft sales and church bazaars -- great results at low cost, with little time invested.

This is a wonderful book!

Filled with beautiful color photos from cover to cover, this book is a delight to own. Loads and loads of ideas and projects are categorized both per season (Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall) and per length of time required to finish each craft. Each one, though, is surprisingly easy to make, and doesn't require expensive materials. The author also gives tips for variations to most projects, so that you actually get more ideas than what you paid for. With minimal effort, you can adorn your surroundings and dazzle your friends with your own handmade projects!

If you are exhausted by what to get for whom not only at Christmas time but through out the year, here are some clever ideas to refresh your creativity and "stretch" your pocket book, money-wise, as well. Serving trays, festive package trims, gilded ornaments, gift bags, candy holders. Don't wrack your brain, anymore. Relax, read the book, follow the suggestions and delight your friends and family with the personal touch of handcrafted gifts.

I'm one of those people who loves to scour craft books but only actually completes about 5% of what I plan. This book is great because the ideas are unique and simple enough to complete quickly or in quick steps: very important if your life is not your own. Many of the crafts are simple enough for my 6-year-old and I to work on together. Many of the crafts are very economical: something else I consider very important. If I had to choose only one craft book, this would be my choice.

This book has been extremely helpful to me in the past year. I love making gifts for my friends and family and when my creativity runs dry I open up the book and always find something perfect. The crafts inside aren't hard and have great instructions. It also has a huge variety of crafts so I can make gifts for people with completely different personalities. I've even liked some of the things so much that I made them for myself. I definitely recommend it to all the crafty, and even not-so-crafty people!!!!!

Many craft books have wonderful ideas - but who has the time and money to scout out the equipment & supplies they call for, and the time to do them.

This books is absolutely fabulous - great ideas for anything from decorating your home to decorating the dinner table and wrapping gifts. I am only an average crafter, and I feel I could do every time in the book and it would turn out great. Also, they don't call for all kinds of equipment and supplies the average person doesn't have. Some of them your children could help.

I think it is a bargain, too. So often I buy a craft magazazine at $4-6 to get just one idea that I want.

This rates 10 stars in my book.

Phyllis Strickland, Goodville, PA

I love this book--it has wonderful tips and ideas. Many beautiful gifts and decorations can be made from such simple things! But, as a crafts novice, I have struggled to find some of the materials. Although I live in a major metropolitan area, and have been to 4 craft and fabric stores, some critical elements are just not available. Unfortunately, I'm not knowledgeable enough yet to know what to substitute. I'm not ready to give up, but this is taking a lot more time than I expected!