The Complete Book of Retro Crafts: Collecting, Displaying & Making Crafts of the Past

Manufacturer: Lark Books
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Product Description

Baby boomers feeling nostalgic, hipsters longing for the handmade, and anyone interested in going retro can stop right here! This is the definitive guide to the fun and quirky world of retro crafts, written by a diva of the style. It’s jam-packed with history and wonderful images from vintage pamphlets, collections, and flea market hunts. Everything memorable is included, from the ridiculous to the sublime, along with the lowdown on collecting, Junking 101, and creating a crafting group. Forty retro-inspired projects run the gamut from glitter frames and matchbox purses to bottlecap men and teacup ladies, plus lovable Plastic Flower Pixies; the Sparkling Sputnik and its desk-top compadre, the Beauty Orb; and the unforgettable Reinbeer. Variations and creative suggestions will keep readers inspired.

Product Details

ISBN13: 9781579908690
Condition: New
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Customer Reviews

Perfect Bedtime Reading

Review Date: March 15, 2008

Reviewer: Jon Hildreth, Chico, CA USA

Our foremothers had the same helpless inability to throw things away that we have today, only they didn't have recycling bins. This book shows what they made with tin cans, matchsticks and the like: craft items, some beautiful and some really, really ugly. Suzie Millions has been collecting these thingies for a lifetime -- she has an artist's eye for the good stuff and the really good bad stuff. This book shows you things you never knew existed, and what's worse, how to make them. As an added bonus we get photos of her amazing house, which gives new meaning to the word clutter.

My highest recommendation! A funny, soothing, yet oddly practical book.

Read for pleasure as well as projects

Review Date: January 21, 2008

Reviewer: BB,

Suzie Millions is a high artisan with an abiding love of the crafted, kitschy, handmade and heartfelt, and her brand new book, The Complete Book of Retro Crafts, embodies all those things. More like an artist's journal than those typical craft books that are simply lists of projects and tools, Retro Crafts is enriched with anecdotes from Millions' life and home, as well as tips and steps for making her projects your own.

This is a book to be read for pleasure as well as worked from. Both hip and genuine. I loved it.

Fantastic book!

Review Date: January 3, 2008

Reviewer: KBO, Derry, NH

Great book... super informative for craft making and a great read as well! Excellent pics for ease of projects and all the retro pictures can really bring back some pleasant memories! A great buy for yourself or a gift...highly reccomend!

Easy to read, easy to like

Review Date: January 25, 2008

Reviewer: Violet L. Vanden Heede, Niles, MI

I was truly impressed with the Retro book. It read well, loved the illustrations and pictures, and it rekindled enthusiasm for me to go be creative!
I may even look up my Mom's old apron!

Laughing our loud fun and entertaining...and yes, retro!

Review Date: April 16, 2009

Reviewer: Billy Goat Ranch, Hill Country, TX USA

How many toilets did I see in the 60's with these Crocheted Poodle toilet paper cover?

The 'paint by number Jesus' with the 'Klingon Jesus' variation had me laughing out loud...I was happy to see that an old airstream type camper did not ONLY attract my eye as a perfect studio....I HAVE to make some glitter frames...we used to use chewing gum wrappers for paper folding fun (p. 62), and I think my parents friends had that Starburst Clock...the Encrustacions (shell art) had me laugh with the memories, and I think I have a typed copy of that Mrs. LBJ Pecan Pie recipe (but not tastefully displayed on a plate).

I am foaming at the mouth to make Pill Bottle Shrines and Whimsey Bottles, not to mention Matchstick Art.

The illustrations remind me so very much of the ones in my mom's favorite cookbook....

In short, if you have a sense of humor and love the nostalgic, this should be very fun for you to read, even if you don't make anything from it. I already emailed my best buddies to buy a copy.... um, where is the plaster of paris?

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