Synopses & Reviews
Remember Shrinky Dinks--those plastic sheets that magically shrink and harden when heated in the oven? Millions of fans do. Now they're back and#8230; and a hot trend with both mainstream and Etsy crafters.
Shrink! Shrank! Shrunk! introduces crafters to this friendly, fast, and fun way to create cool--and surprisingly chic--jewelry. It covers everything from the many new kinds of shrink plastic available (including printable) to the latest techniques. The 35 stylish projects include cute animal-shaped rings, a Mexican oilcloth necklace, origami airplane earrings, and more!
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Review
"Offers a wide range of home dand#233;cor, costume, and party ideas that are faithful to the creepy, eerie Halloween mood without giving up elegance or sophistication...The book not only does a great job of getting you in the Halloween spirit, but also tells you exactly what you need to re-create the ideas and gives easy to follow, step-by-step instructions for the projects. Even if you don't consider yourself to be the most experienced craftista, this book will take your Halloween decorations, parties, and costumes to the next level! --Tori Spelling, actress, author, and host of
Craft Warsand#8220;If you love making Halloween decorations I bet you will love Artful Halloween as much as I do. The projects are, as the title states, elegant but not too fussy or time-consuming, which is just the way I like my holiday crafts.and#8221; --Craft Gossip
Review
and#8220;Celebrate throughout the year with
Heart-Felt Holidays: 40 Festive Felt Projects to Celebrate the Seasons. The book includes step-by-step instructions, templates, and several no-sew projects easy enough for kids to make.and#8221; --
Sew News Magazineand#160;and#8220;Sheldon and Carestio (
Fa La La La Felt) branch out beyond Christmas in their second collection of seasonal and holiday-themed decorations made out of felt. Their definition of 'holiday' is fairly loose--projects range from a child's bat costume for Halloween to felt fireworks for the Fourth of July, as well as a number of patterns for festive seasonal garlands and ornaments. Cutting templates are provided, though some need to be photocopied and blown up before use. VERDICT These whimsical, easy-to-sew items make fun gifts for children who enjoy imaginative play--or adults who like a bit of cuteness with their crafts.and#8221; --
Library JournalReview
"Children of the 1970s and '80s may remember Shrinky Dinks--preprinted pieces of shrink plastic to color and cut out. Modern shrink plastic comes in a variety of finishes, and some plastics can be imprinted with an inkjet printer, but the preparation is the same: color, cut out, and bake until the plastic shrinks. Standout projects include whimsical paper-airplane earrings, a Liberty-esque floral-print earring and necklace set, and several minimalist pendant projects that resemble glass, rather than shrink plastic. VERDICT: Gen X crafters will be intrigued by the retro raw materials, but the projects highlight all of the possibilities of shrink plastic. The pieces are eye-catching and bear little resemblance to the Shrinky Dinks of yore." --
Library Journaland#160;and#8220;Clearly written, beautifully illustrated, clear, concise and I have to admit that I am planning to give several of the suggested projects a whirl because they are 'that' nice looking. I guess my comment would be 'this is not your grandmother's--or mother's--shrink plastic art.' The projects that are presented, designed by some really excellent artists, are things that will catch your eye as well as your imagination. You'll find all necessary information about what supplies you will need, none of which are very costly. It's a really fun book, filled with really nice projects that will be sure to please any crafty gal or guy. With adult supervision and assistance, I think that older kids can join in the fun with you, too.and#8221; --
Marie Z. Johansen, Books by the Willow Treeand#160;and#8220;I was totally surprised. Happily surprised! This book written by Kathy Sheldon makes me want to go out and buy some shrink plastic.
Shrink! Shrank! Shrunk! is a fabulous book for so many reasons. Kathy has a fun and energetic writing skill. From cover to cover Kathy explains each step and then allows you to add your own touches. If you have ever wanted to use shrink plastic, then this book is for you. Kathy accomplishes what a true craft book writer is supposed to do: inspire her readerand#8221; --
Nicole Campanella, The Beadwright blogand#160;and#8220;Kathy Sheldon will make you want to try shrink plastic again. The book covers all you need to know about shrink plastic and how to work with the medium. If you have been looking for a way to create inexpensive yet still stylish jewelry components that you can also merge into other forms of jewelry making such as wire work and beading, this is an excellent resource to consider. The book has thirty step-by-step jewelry projects, and I honestly did not see one that I did not like.and#8221; (5-star review) --About.com Jewelry Making
"I see a huge draw for this book for those who work with kids and need creative, fast but really fun stuff to use for craft projects. This is inexpensive, fairly easy and certainly doable in a time crunch. A pretty
floral bracelet, with fill-color flower variations, would brighten any mood." --Scorpio Moon Jewelry
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Review
and#8220;Ray (Doodle Stitching) and Sheldon (Shrink! Shrank! Shrunk! Make Stylish Shrink Plastic Jewelry) have curated a collection of fun and quirky jewelry incorporating a number of techniques such as embroidery, needle felting, and basic bead stringing. Most of the projects require only entry-level skills (and entry-level tools), but the results are surprisingly sophisticated, and the standouts are reminiscent of the trendy accessories popular on Etsy (or in funky craft boutiques). VERDICT - DIYers with a taste for cute crafts will appreciate this book, and these introductory projects may whet their appetite for more advanced work, especially in embroidery and needle felting.and#8221; --Library Journaland#160;and#8220;These simple jewelry projects are the perfect way to learn some of the newest techniques in jewelry making.and#8221; and#8212;Jewelry Stringing
Synopsis
Celebrate the spookiest day of the year by having some crafty fun! The team behind the popular Fa La La La Felt and Heart-Felt Holidays brings you 40 BOO-tiful decorations and costumes for a festive Halloween. Requiring little or no stitching, these felted projects are 100% beginner-friendly, including pumpkin candy bags, a huggable vampire stuffy, a creepy crawly wreath, and plenty of ears, headbands, and other wearables for revelers young and old.
Synopsis
These 30+ costume, pumpkin, and home-decorating ideas are not just beautiful--they are scary beautiful. From unique pumpkin decorations to a and#8220;bloodand#8221;-splashed dinner-party centerpiece to a Yard Specter made from two poles, a string of lights, and torn, draped fabric, these creepy but stylish Halloween projects will give your home a spooky, sophisticated look . . . with gothic flair!
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Synopsis
Celebrate--and craft--from the heart! The same team that brought you the top-selling Fa la la la Felt now offers another adorable book of fresh, easy-to-make felt decorations--this time with festive and fun holiday themes for the rest of the year. Using readily available store-bought felt sheets, crafters can have year-round enjoyment creating 40 charming projects for Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween, Mother's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and more.
Synopsis
Aimee Ray, the bestselling author of Doodle Stitchingand#8212;along with top Etsy and indie designersand#8212;presents some of the most beautiful, on-trend jewelry projects ever. Designed for general crafters, jewelry makers, and Ray's legion of fans, these stunning pieces feature a range of techniques, from Aimee's popular embroidery on felt to tiny tinyand#160;needle-feltedand#160;terrariums in a necklace. Ray even includes the hot new trend of making and using molded cabochons! Filled with inspiring and innovative ideas, this is a book every crafter will want to own.
About the Author
Kathy Sheldon is the author of many books, including Shrink! Shrank! Shrunk! and Making Shrink Plastic Jewelry (both Lark), and the coauthor of Fa La La La Felt, Heart-Felt Holidays, and Aimee Ray's Sweet and Simple Jewelry (all Lark). When Kathy is not writing or creating in the mountains of Asheville, NC, you can usually find her at her cottage in Maine.and#160;Amanda Carestio is the author of Wee Felt Worlds, Never Been Stitched, and other titles from Lark Crafts. She blogs online at digsandbean.blogspot.com. When she's not bent over her sewing machine (usually making something for her daughter), editing a craft book, or exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains, Amanda enjoys spending quality time with her hubby, her sweet, sweet little girl, Miss Ruby, and her little brindle shadow, Violet.