The Crafty Diva's DIY Style Book:

FROM THE PUBLISHER: Do you think sprinkling glitter on anything makes it better? So do we. Do you love wearing stylish accessories that no one else has? Same here. That's why we know you'll go ga-ga over The Crafty Diva's D.I.Y. Stylebook. It's filled with 60 fabulous do-it-yourself projects for turning boring old stuff you have lying around into ultra-cool goodies for your room, wardrobe, and spirit. Whip up a jar of glamorous glitter gloss, make a funky CD and trinket shelf, create your own magnificent magnetic poetry set, or design a pair of swirly glitter jeans. Bottom line? There's something for everyone -- whether you're into books, beauty, basketball, or boys!

The projects use supplies that are a breeze to find, and are laid out in super easy steps. Make them on your own, or invite a few gal pals over for a one-of-a-kind crafty fiesta!

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly: More fashionable crafts are explained in The Crafty Diva's D.I.Y. Stylebook: A Grrrl's Guide to Cool Creations You Can Make, Show Off, and Share by Kathy Cano-Murillo, illus. by Carrie Wheeler, photos by John Samora. This handbook offers more than 50 projects, separated by type of diva-the "Drama Queen," "Flashy Fashionista" and "Garden Goddess," among others. Diagrams, photographs of the finished projects and thorough instructions (including a skill level indication) help guide girls through the array of ideas. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Children's Literature - Susan Hepler, Ph.D.: Step-by-step instructions are provided for sixty projects. Projects make use of a range of materials to produce such teen-attractive items as guitar straps, duct tape wallets, decorated cell-phone covers, pet and friend trinkets, room furnishings, and the like. The projects breezily also assume the crafty girl has a generous allowance ("Pick up 4 packages as you'll go through them quickly."), but some items are used repeatedly, such as glitter, glue-on jewels, Aleene's Original Tacky Glue, double-sided tape, and paint. Appealing color photos of the actual projects, a list of "Stuff You'll Need," numbered instructions that often include diagrams or close-ups, and reminders for safety marked "Hey!" help designers proceed. In addition, each project is rated easy/medium/hard and many feature "Words of Wisdom" from a named source and include a website for readers to check out. Crafts are grouped by threes and prefaced with a zippy introduction that includes bulleted descriptions of who might enjoy these nifty projects ("Likes to play air guitar while singing into her hairbrush;" "Can organize a family function with just thirty minutes notice."). For a slightly older and more hip audience than Laura Torres' Best Friends Forever! 199 Projects to Make and Share (Workman, 2004), this set of crafts would inspire fund-raising clubs, satisfy those who are headed toward a career in the arts, and invite the most klutzy to try a hand in creating gifts for family and friends. There is not an index, but templates, a list of supply resources, and an inclusive table of contents are included. 2004, Watson-Guptill, Ages 10 to 16.

School Library Journal: Gr 4-7-An introductory quiz will help readers determine their style ("Jewelry Hound," "Neat Freak," "Party Priestess," "Spa Guru," etc.) and guide them to the crafts that will appeal to them. Several pages of essential information about supplies, tools, color mixtures, and hints for setting up a craft area at home will get them started. Many clever ideas and designs are included. A scale indicates each project's level of difficulty, and a list of supplies, step-by-step directions, and a color photograph of the finished project are provided. The tone is chatty and familiar. Tips, words of wisdom, ideas for games, and bits of trivia are found throughout. Spot-art illustrations are bright and eye-catching. Appendixes include clip art, doodling instructions, a blank journal page, templates for several projects, and a list of craft materials suppliers with Web addresses. The lack of an index is a drawback. This book will appeal to a more mature audience than Jennifer Traig's "Crafty Girl" series (Chronicle) and may be of interest to adults working with preteens and teens.-Elizabeth Stumpf, Clearfield Middle School, PA Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.