The Big-Ass Book of Crafts (Paperback)

~ (Author), Auxy Espinoza (Photographer)
Key Phrases: athletic fabric, zigzag stitch capability, loteria cards, Krylon Acrylic Crystal Clear, Household Goop, Krylon Spray Adhesive (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The Big-Ass Book of Crafts is packed with ideas for sprucing up your living space; concocting fabulous, all-natural body products; designing your own unique stationery; and creating countless other crafts that will convince your friends and loved ones that you're the secret love child of Martha Stewart (only much, much cooler).

Forget crocheted doilies and itchy knit sweaters -- TLC's While You Were Out top designer Mark Montano has created stylish and imaginative projects that range from a Warhol-esque Ultrasuede iPod case to photo-adorned boxer shorts to African mask patio chairs to wooden night-light boxes. Divided into sections that include Outdoorsy (ideas to enhance your backyard), Dishing It Out (decorating plates using different techniques), You've Been Framed (innovative picture framing ideas), and Can I Have a Light? (creating and decorating lamps, lanterns, and chandeliers), it's as entertaining to read as it is endlessly inspiring. With more than one hundred and fifty inventive and fun projects, The Big-Ass Book of Crafts is the perfect activity book for readers of every mood, budget, and skill level.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Simon Spotlight Entertainment (February 19, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416937854
• ISBN-13: 978-1416937852
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,028 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #5 in

  Books > Home & Garden > Crafts & Hobbies > Reference

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

66 of 83 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars I wasn't blown away., May 12, 2008

By	Smart Cookie - See all my reviews

So far, it seems that this book has received kudos. However, I'm not that impressed. I've seen every craft in this book in some shape or form before. I am not making anything out of popsicle sticks. My grandmother made picture frames out of magazine pages a long time ago. I already know how to put fabric on the back of a plate. If you haven't been crafting for long, it's a great book. For those of us who have been into this for a long while, I don't recommend it. I guess there really is nothing new under the sun. Remember that there is a difference between art and crafts. This is for those who like things made out of drinking straws and popsicle sticks adorning their home. I personally do not like those things, and would rather leave them to the girl scout troops of the world.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The crafts of today..., April 4, 2009

By	E. Campanelli "quirky stylist" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Are the antiques of tomorrow! Before I went to graduate school, I helped manage a French antique store. We sold everything from the rustic to the refined, but the items the most people grooved on were the smaller quirky objects that were more often than not made by "amateur" crafts people: tramp art frames, naive paintings, coquillage pedestals, and even a whole dresser surfaced in "pique assiette". Handmade items by the non-professional have more charm and warmth. And if sales are any indication of desirability, then these are the types of objects that people seek out to have in their homes because we sold them for a pretty penny.

I think this book carries on the great tradition of amateur crafting. I found most of the entries charming in a quirkily stylish manner. There are a few projects in the book that were perfect for my home, and I must say turned out pretty good even in my bumbling hands. And I recently made something from the book as a gift for a friend and she loved it. She was touched that I made it with my own hands, and it's now in her dining room. And like she said - "better than some mass produced crap made in China." And who knows, maybe that gift I made for my friend will end up in an antique shop decades from now. I look forward to checking out this author's other books.

15 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hold on to your glue guns, get ready for a fun ride!, February 25, 2008

By	Kathy Cano-Murillo "The Crafty Chica" (Phoenix, AZ USA) - See all my reviews

I've always been a fan of Mark's clever crafty designs, so imagine my delight to find out he has this new book that is jammed packed with all kinds of ideas!! Each project is colorful, and collectively they have a keen sense of multi-culti, lots of recycling, and best of all - EASY TO MAKE! What I love the most is that it is clear that he is very passionate about his love for making things. The book is crowded with juicy pictures, and the tone is fun and conversational. Major score, Mark!! Two glittered thumbs up!