The Big-Ass Book of Crafts

Seriously got no money? Then this book is for you. It is crafty, okay - the top (usually just first) reviewer knocks it for being too low end but seriously when you have no bucks that is usually when people get crafty. There are so many many ideas. Some good stand-bys but more that are innovative because they have been brought current. I would definately recommend this book and love perusing this book. Love, love, love it. But, what do I love the most? I love the fact that almost every single page has a different craft with EASY DIRECTIONS with GREAT corresponding pics that depict the important points. Not overblown, let-me-make-u-think-I-am-really-talented-too-long-directions-that-are-wayward-to-follow - NO!! Easy, easy, but still NOT leaving out anything important. There is so much to chose from that there are plenty of items that are pop-arty, cool, and modern. Keeping it simple is always best and only the smartest people can do it that way. (my opinion ;) Also, it does have a guys' perspective - which is surprisingly refreshing! Love this Latino!

I, like many of you, fell in love with the quirky title of this book and the fancy collage cover, but most of all I knew it was a good buy before I opened the front cover. Why? Because it was written by Mark Montano. Asside from his appearances on TV I know he is a true talented artist. Crafting isn't just polka dots and fancy lettering on wood. Mark turns crafting on its head and makes ordinary household items into showpeices that will have your guests doing a double take. I know a few reviews have found the projects in this book not to their liking but as you know art is like food, not everyone is going to like it. The projects are a wide range of difficulty so just about anyone could try something with wowing success. I also would like to state that the projects are there to copy but more to inspire to take that project and make it your own! I have used many of these projects in my own home and most of them were altered to work in whatever room they went. So before you take the advice of the 1-2 star reviews, try it for yourself and I promise it won't disappoint!

I was leaning toward "too old" (refer to my title) to actually buy "The Big-Ass Book of Crafts." The language, you know, in the title. Indeed, it's a Big book, that's for sure, but full of the kinds of things I might have made in college when money was scarce. Still, one needs money to buy popsicle sticks to make lamp shades. But I get ahead of myself. Back to the shopping mall found in the halls of Amazon. I was looking for more crafts to sew, saw this book and kept going, then came back. Reviews were pretty positive. OK, says I, let's try it, despite the big back area. Wow, this IS a Big book--373 pages, including index, a list of things the author uses in making his crafts, and a list of resources. The dedication is to "all the people who think they aren't talented or crafty...." Between that dedication and the last of the indexed projects are over 150 different things to make. Author Mark Montano even advises the reader to brace him/herself against being called "artsy-fartsy" by friends and family. I have examined every single project and found just maybe a dozen I will actually pursue. There is a term that comes to mind concerning the crafts found here: shabby chic. A few examples: that popsicle lampshade, bronze baby sculpture (made out of a doll), painted wood rug, pen flower arrangement, drinking straw starburst hanging lamp, a copper-scouring-pad wine sock, twig chandelier (don't ask), and a felt-leaf window treatment. Just because I don't find these projects desirable doesn't mean the next person won't. On the other hand, here are some really clever projects: 1. Art switch plates (that cover electrical outlets) 2. 3-D photo looks really fun to do 3. David Hockney photo collage 4. Colorful lace glass plates 5. Laminated luggage tags (an excellent idea) 6. Stitched cards and envelopes (you take old books, cut out pictures, then stitch them onto colorful cardstock. The resulting product can be used as flashcards, or used to revive the ancient art of note writing. 7. Glazed note cards (precious) 8. Couture envelopes made out of magazine pages, shopping bags, printed papers from craft stores Two pages are dedicated to each project with a detailed list of things to obtain and steps to follow. Photographs show every finished project! This surely is a thorough book! In fact, as I was leafing through the book to write this review, I discovered more desirable projects to pursue than I initially thought. The paper crafts with envelopes and note cards are really attractive and appear fun to do. So, I'm adding another star to my review. Meanwhile, my Amazon friends are reading Spinoza and I'm viewing photographs by Auxy Espinoza. I wonder if Espinoza ponders "the God-shaped universe?"

Some of this stuff is cool. Some of it is silly. Some of it is a little hip or edgy. Some of it is kind of cheap and trashy (where you wouldn't actually want to have this in your home). Some of it assumes you either have unusual supplies laying around, or that want to spend a lot of money finding them in order to make something "unique" just for the sake of making something unique or personalized. The instructions are usually clear, but not with some of the longer, more detailed projects; the instructions for those start to get confusing. Some of it isn't so much crafting as it is DIY home decor/furnishing. Which I'm okay with, actually -- that's why I used to watch She's Crafty with Wendy Russell (which is how I found out about this book in the first place). There is a lot of "Mark" in this book. I think there may be more opinion than there is actual craft instruction; it starts to seem like it's all about Mark instead of all about the crafts. For those of us who don't think the center of the world is New York City, it gets annoying after a while -- and I'm not really sure I'd want to clutter my glorified-walk-in-closet NYC apartment with most of this stuff (I say that having been known to claim furniture from alleys -- I have a slate topped oak coffee table I got that way). I think I'd rather decorate my two bedroom (for 1/5 the rent cost of a walk-in closet in NYC) with more elegant craft/decor projects from Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Crafts. Plus Martha put a lot less of "her" into her book, than Mark put of his opinions/style/outlook into this book. I'm glad I bought this used at a reduced price. I'm really glad I didn't pay full price for this book, new.

I really love this book for many reasons. For starters, it is visually appealing from the moment you pick it up. The pages are layed out well for easy reading and easy instruction following. I love the boldness of colors and design that beats a lot of stuffy craft books out there. For those who complain about the languge used in the title, grow up. It is 2011 and there is nothing wrong with the title. It makes the book all that more fun and spunky. For those who complain about the crafts that are featured in the book, you take yourself too seriously. Crafts, by definition in my opinon, are meant to be simple, easy, fun, and on the cheap side. You dont need to judge Mark, and his book, just because you wouldnt dare *GASPS!* put anything made out of popsicle sticks in your house. Many of these crafts would be perfect and fun to do with little kids and have them feel good about making something neat and useful. I too, was not keen on every single project, mostly because I didnt have a use for all of them. But that isnt reason enough for me to bash Mark and his ideas and creativeness. To say the whole book is a waste is ridiculous and borderline absurd. Mark does a great job of providing a platform to spring off of and use your own creativity to make the projects yours. Regardless of whether or not I complete projects from this book, this book got me excited and inspired to do and create. If nothing else, that makes this book a complete success. If you know Mark at all, or follow him on any of his social media platforms, it is easy to see he pours his heart and soul into his work. That alone deserves buying the book to make your own opinions and not follow the mass amounts of unwarranted and uncessary negativity. You rock, Mark. Keep on being awesome!

I've never considered myself the "crafty" type, but I bought this book on a whim. I don't really know what I was going to expect, but I can honestly say that I've spent hours reading all the wonderful ideas. I even lugged it to my mom's house and work to show everyone the great projects. Not only does the author give really original craft ideas ( I love his plates!) but he also has really practical projects in there too (home made lip balms, body scrubs and even dryer sheets!). This might not appeal to the Martha Stewart set, but I seriously think that Mark is just as original and creative! (plus he uses more color and you don't have to buy specialized tools off of his website). In all, this book is fun, one of a kind and has really inspired me to try different things. The author really encourages readers to do things that they may be unfamiliar with, and that's why I love it!

The books contains a couple of good ideas to use as a base of your craft. For the most part it is filled with useless, poorly made and butt ugly projects. I am disappointed that I spent good money on a promise of a good craft book. It is not.

This book is incredible! I got my copy about two weeks ago and I have already made a couple of the things out of this book. It has tons of great ideas that can be made to look like you came up with the idea. I made the 3D flower box on page 19 and it is beautiful hung up on the wall and it's very inexpesive to make the shadowbox I found was $14 dollars and the other supplies might already be on hand. It's a fun, fun book and I reccomend checking it out. Plus all of the supplies can be found in the craft section at Walmart and at craft stores. The instructions are easy to follow, they are cute projects like the laminated earrings are adorable,I have a ton of sticky notes in my already worn out paper back book and I intend on making most of them! It is a fun book full of great projects and like I said I reccomend it! It's just a totally great book.