When Jenny asked me if I wanted to review The Big Ass Book of Crafts 2 by Mark Montano I JUMPED at the chance. I have all of Marks other books and I always find lots of ideas and inspiration in them.
I couldn’t wait to dig in!
Stats:
- A hefty 383 crafty pages
- Chapters sorted by themes such as; Around My Neck, Heady Stuff, Orna-Mental etc
- Glossary at the end of the book titled “Things I used for the projects in this book”. Six pages of items with their descriptions.
- Resource Guide
- Patterns
- Index
- MSRP is $19.99 (USD) but you can buy it at amazon.com for $13.59
The above photo of the Contents page give you an idea of HOW MUCH is in this book!
Big Ass Book of Crafts 2 is full of large colorful photos with easy to follow instructions.
Many of the patterns are the size needed for the projects but some will need to be enlarged.
My oldest son fell in love with this Pyramid Side Table project but when my husband priced 1 inch birch plywood and found out that one sheet of it would cost $256 plus shipping from Massachusetts…at 76 pounds – we decided that maybe we’d skip just this one project. Hey, every project can’t cost a nickel! 🙂 But, don’t get worried, 99 percent of the projects in this book are very affordable. My son just happens to take after his mother and has very expensive taste! 🙂
And of course, you know I had to make a project from the book.
I loved Marks Mojo Dolls. If I had to pick a favorite project (but please don’t make me) this might be the one.
I like the idea of having a mojo doll. You know, just standing there dreaming up all sorts of amazing things just for ME! And because it’s November and my brain is all over Thanksgiving and Christmas I knew I had to make a Winter Mojo Doll.
Most of the supplies for this project I already had on hand, believe it or not, so it was pretty economical to make. I did purchase the doll from the Dollar Tree. She was inexpensive so I didn’t feel too bad about taking off her legs. I spray painted her with a shiny silver paint and then spattered some white paint on top. Marks dolls are bald but I kept my dolls hair. I spray painted it, wrapped it into a bun and wrapped 24 gauge wire around and through it to hold it in place.
I couldn’t find a wire basket with the right proportions so I created my own with 12 gauge aluminum wire and 24 gauge craft wire. To make the shape of the skirt I formed the 12 gauge wire over a small glass cloche and then secured it all with the 24 gauge wire. I removed the “skeleton” of the skirt before I got it too tight and well woven to be able to remove it from the cloche. (You could also use a vase or bowl for your skirt form!) I went back in and wove wire through the 24 gauge wire to fill it in a little. I also went back in and created little “springs” by wrapping the wire around a wooden skewer. In some places I created the spring, added a clear bead and then made another spring to hold the bead in place.
I wired some Christmas ornaments that say LOVE, BELIEVE, and PEACE to her skirt and some sparkly snowflake mini ornaments inside her skirt. I found two butterflies that had silver glittered wings, took off their torso and glued them to her back for wings. And finally, I took apart a mini snowflake garland and put the snowflakes in her hair.
I had such a good time making my Winter Mojo Doll that I’m going to have to go back and make one for the other three seasons. THEN when I need extra good juju I’ll have them all four out on the shelf dreaming up amazing things for me!
Disclosure: Sample provided for review
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Dee in N.H. says
WOW! She is gorgeous!!
Maria says
LOVE your winter mojo doll! I’m a faerie lover, so I’m definitely putting this on my list of things to make for my craft room. Thanks for bringing this book to our attention!
Vicki O'Dell says
Thanks Dee and Maria… now to find something to make with the legs! 🙂
Haley says
Love the mojo doll! As for the other half of her, might I suggest a mini lamp with the legs as as a stand? 😉