Most Helpful Customer Reviews
163 of 167 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Knowledge for Warm Glass Lovers at All Levels!, March 29, 2005
This review is from: Warm Glass: A Complete Guide to Kiln-Forming Techniques: Fusing, Slumping, Casting (Hardcover)
Finally, a review by someone who HAS read the book! And, I too own a copy of Brad Walker's book, which is excellent, as well. But his "fan club" seems to want to ward you off from buying a fantastic book, just because their titles are close!?! Give me a break! This book, not only covers all the methods of working in warm glass, but it does so in a straightforward, step-by-step manner, supplemented by helpful photograpic illustrations. When it says it is a complete guide, it IS complete. It is chock full of info on materials and tools, all technical procedures, as well as, a complete history of glass, starting with early myths and legends, leading up to contemporary design and sculpture. I particularly appreciated the section on the nature of glass, which covers its physical and chemical properties. Finally, it is a hardcover book with hundreds of beautiful color illustrations, and the design layout is very appealing. Of course its content overlaps other books on the topic. Within any art/craft book this happens. No need to burn the authors at the stake! But if I had to choose one book above the rest, "Warm Glass" would be it! It has everything that is covered in all the other intro books I've read so far, including "Contemporary Warm Glass", and much MORE!!!
Addendum 1/13/11: I originally wrote my review when numbers of reviewers were bashing this book, and it seemed unfair to me. I hope no one has taken offense as the result of my review, especially Brad Walker, who I now consider a friend. I wrote this review when I was starting kilnforming. I still love this book, and think it is a great deal for the price. But now I understand why the price is so good...it's published by a large publishing company. Books like Brad's Contemporary Warm Glass, and his latest revision, Contemporary Fused Glass, are more costly because they are self published... many glass artists do that. I also want it to be clear that I think both books should be on every kilnformer's shelves... there is valuable information to be found in both books! Lear from both!
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52 of 54 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I bought this book before judging it...a novel tactic I see, May 9, 2005
This review is from: Warm Glass: A Complete Guide to Kiln-Forming Techniques: Fusing, Slumping, Casting (Hardcover)
[...] This book is a really nice product that has a lot of information presented in a clear, colorful, and professionally designed format. Presentation-wise, it beats any of the other books. Content-wise, it covers a myriad of techniques, but like anyone in the art knows, one book cannot cover them all. However, this book presents a good starting point for many techniques and gives enough information to point the student in the right direction to explore. I also find the folklore, chemistry, and physics interesting. And for the price, this one beats them all hands down, irregardless of who the author is.
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94 of 103 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I'm shocked..., August 25, 2005
This review is from: Warm Glass: A Complete Guide to Kiln-Forming Techniques: Fusing, Slumping, Casting (Hardcover)
to see the reviews on this book. I have yet to use my kiln though I've had it for over a year now. I have tons of books on the subject, the first of which was Contemporary Warm Glass by Brad Walker. I do believe that is an excellent beginners book but I didn't find it motivational at all. The examples are basic, just as they should be in a beginner's book. But, I found that every time I headed to my workshop to start a project I was already less than impressed with what I was about to do. I'd get frustrated and leave after cutting a few pieces of glass.
I'm a perfectionist which is not a good thing for someone trying to get in touch with their creative side. So, it's difficult for me to start something knowing that I probably won't like what I'm about to do. But, I found after reading "Warm Glass..." I was totally excited again. It is more advanced but it shows you how to do something other than a coaster!! It's finally the inspiration that makes me accept that I need to do a few coasters before I can move up to the more advanced and unique pieces.
Not only are the examples really beautiful - the instructions cover it all - even frabricating your own molds. The presentation is exceptionally professional. The examples may assume a basic understanding, but with a little foundation it appears to be a very thorough book. I will now go back and use Contemporary Warm Glass to get started - but I can't wait to try some of the techniques demonstrated in this book!
I highly recommend this book!
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