This book has so many ideas that would be awesome to make and give/show off! It offers enough projects to keep you crafting for years. Also, it has detailed, easy to follow instructions for EVERY item pictured in the book. Montano is a clever man, but also inspires me to put my own spin on his projects. He helped me open my eyes to thrift store finds that I would have previously passed up. I'm having fun collecting inexpensive materials and objects to use for his projects.

This book is great. Great ideas for making my apartment look way better. And its fun to give the crafts as gifts, and there are so many. The directions are very clear and the pictures are great. Great book!

I bought this book as a gift. I'm hoping that who I give it to will appreciate it more than I do.

Naturally, before wrapping it up, I had to look through it to steal some ideas for myself.

Unfortunately, there were about two things that actually caught my eye.

Most of the craft ideas look incredibly sloppy.

I'm sorry, but i'm not one to think that a plastic straw chandelier will look totally rockin' hanging in my house.

Other examples include cutting up a plastic bottle to make into a table lamp, making a geometric shaped lampshade out of popsicle sticks, and a table made out of upside down plastic laundry baskets, wrapped in rope, that his friends mistook for a "very expensive piece."

There is a lot of hideous stuff where it looks like he literally just photocopied a picture, and glued it, in a perfect square, onto a piece of construction paper/shorts/plastic serving tray.
I also found that a lot of the crafts have been done before, and didn't require a lot of common sense. Such as using clear rocks and gluing pictures to the back, to create magnets.

My other complaint is that I DID see some projects that seemed worthwhile, like making a cool headboard, or coffee table. However, the instructions call for things like a drill, skillsaw, access to a laminating machine, etc. I feel like a lot of people living in small apartments who don't have access to things like these kind of miss out on the good stuff.

What I did like--on some of the projects, like envelopes, light switch covers, and "vintage" posters/artwork, he chose really awesome, gorgeous prints. These things were very eclectic and are what caught my eye right off the bat. I liked the day of the dead/renaissance/polka dot and skulls patterns. He even gives some suggestions on where to find cool art prints, which was nice. It's also big, colorful, and comes with pretty thorough intstructions.

The dialogue of this book also bothered me. I know it was written to be "hip" and relatable, but all I could hear was Mark Montano's whining voice when I read the intros. If you've ever seen "10 years younger," you probably know what I mean. Then again, that's just a personal issue.

I wouldn't recommend this book. I'm a crafter, I love to create, and this book is kind of a slap in the face to people with an imagination.

I just bought this book yesterday and I am a little in love with it. I'm only sad that I'm in the middle of redoing my craft room so I can't do anything in it right now. I love that some of the stuff in it she actually talks about doing with her niece and nephew, which is exactly what I thought when I saw the pictures (before I read her words). I am going to have way to much fun with this book. I love that it offers something for everyones taste and has a bit of every things in it... wearables, hold-ables, huggables... You have to buy this book!

The guy who wrote this book has really weird style. Everything is like mexican day of the dead skulls which is cool but not if you were looking for really cool unique interesting crafts. Maybe its just me but I was a little let down by his overall style and how weird it was.

I'm very new to crafting, and this book is perfect for me! Plus I'm giving it as a gift to friends of mine that are also interested in crafting. Smart fun projects, with lots of instructions. I have gotten so many ideas from this book. They are so flexible I can put my own style into every project. Yes there is an example of how to make an art project from beans. I would never use beans, but beads from old necklaces, or other random things I have around the home. Very creative book and I recommend to anyone!

Love this book! I have already made a couple things out of it and there are so many more I am going to make. Great buy!

This book has given me so much inspiration! Not only are the ideas in the book great, but they make you think outside the box and come up with ideas of your own. I'm not usually very good at the craft scene but this book makes it easy to make something look cool. GET IT!

I never buy books. I'm a library freak. But after skimming thru this one at a Borders I had to have it. I read thru the whole book in one sitting. It's a great read because Mark puts a lot of his personality into his book which makes it a lot of fun. I really enjoyed the office boredom section as I get that a lot and there's great little ideas to update your office space. Now I won't lie. This book is kitchy but that's my style so I loved everything in here. I started with 2 different crafts and I'll be trying out 2 more tonight. So far it's been really easy and a lot of fun. Definitely something you can do with a child or with your girlfriends one night. Buy it you'll love it.

My jaw dropped when I saw these projects too - because they are so happy and clever. Most of all FUN!!! The author is about making life and our surrounding beautiful. Lots of pop art influence in here, which I love. The ideas in this book prove that you don't have to have gobs of money to make superfly stuff for your home. It's all about mixing and matching everyday objects and giving them a new spin. I love that they are all easy enough for anyone to tackle in an afternoon. I can hardly wait, this book is soooooo cool! Looking forward to more DIY books by this author.

Yes, I am more discerning about art and crafts, but after picking this up and having my jaw drop with how crude these crafts were, I read the first page. He talks about these things being "home worthy", but I doubt anyone other than a grade schooler would think that. I felt it was put together quickly with poor pictures. Great graphics though, which is why I checked it out. I was sure there would be a chorus of bewildered reviewers. Obviously Amazon customers are quite kind and have a different sense of style and fun than I do. Sorry.

What can I say - thank goodness I ordered it from the Library. Sorry Mr. Montano, I haven't seen you on TV, but I don't know about writing any more craft books.

If you are frustrated by craft books that lack the sophistication you are looking for, The Big-Ass Book of Crafts will provide you with a truly lush array of what the athor refers to as "home worthy." In other words, just because you can put it together, it doesn't mean you want it sitting in the niddle of yoour living room screaming "Ugly!"

This book offers antique color copied prints, painted wood rugs, 3-D photo displays, bound books, basket lamps, i pod cases, scarf window treatments, glazed cards and tons more.

The major point of this book is that the author will show you how to make great stuff that looks like it cost a fortune for very little money.

Believe me, you will cherish the book forever, because it is forever adaptive to your changing tastes. Sweet!

I've done two projects out of this book so far and they were so much fun! His instructions are clear and I was able to find materials easily! I did the lacework plate (shown in the project pictures) and the babydoll head paperweight.

I'm in my late 20's and found that I could proudly display a good majority of these projects in my home.

If you love fun, funky crafts...you've got to have this book!

Just finished reading, and can't wait to begin! Lots of awesome craft projects that won't break the bank. Very easy instructions with a very complete shopping guide.

So far, it seems that this book has received kudos. However, I'm not that impressed. I've seen every craft in this book in some shape or form before. I am not making anything out of popsicle sticks. My grandmother made picture frames out of magazine pages a long time ago. I already know how to put fabric on the back of a plate. If you haven't been crafting for long, it's a great book. For those of us who have been into this for a long while, I don't recommend it. I guess there really is nothing new under the sun. Remember that there is a difference between art and crafts. This is for those who like things made out of drinking straws and popsicle sticks adorning their home. I personally do not like those things, and would rather leave them to the girl scout troops of the world.

Here is the rude author's response to my criticism. I guess he thinks he knows everything. I won't buy any more books by him. People in the public eye need to learn to accept criticism:

"Dear Smart Cookie, Having been in the public eye for a while now, I am used to the fact that there is always "one". The lady who feels her opinion is gold and uses it to sabotage rather than to be helpful. The lady who feels that the thousands of people who have purchased my book have done so by accident because they would not have, had they read your golden review on Amazon. That is you SC. If you really looked at my book you would have definitely found crafts that you in your long long life and vast knowledge (of everything it seems) have not done before. Do not rain on my parade. Use your review to spread positivity and not negativity which you seem to enjoy. I will defend my book until the end because I believe in what I do. I looked for books that you have published but did not find one. SC, Be happy, joyous, but most of all, try to be kind. You will be much happier for it and perhaps you will find something to do with popsicle sticks.............like the many thousands of others who have. Big Crafty Kiss! Mark Montano P.S. Now you say that you've seen ALL of these crafts before, I'd love for you to tell me where you've seen the drinking straw and deep fryer lamp before! Please, tell me so I can apologize to you immediately for questioning your authority on crafting. I would also love for you to tell me where you saw the tomato cage and tapped tin candle tower before. Should I go on? "

What a jerk!!

So far, it seems that this book has received kudos. However, I'm not that impressed. I've seen every craft in this book in some shape or form before. I am not making anything out of popsicle sticks. My grandmother made picture frames out of magazine pages a long time ago. I already know how to put fabric on the back of a plate. If you haven't been crafting for long, it's a great book. For those of us who have been into this for a long while, I don't recommend it. I guess there really is nothing new under the sun. Remember that there is a difference between art and crafts. This is for those who like things made out of drinking straws and popsicle sticks adorning their home. I personally do not like those things, and would rather leave them to the girl scout troops of the world.

Awesome book. This book is truly unique! Mark Montano has a cool way of introducing old crafts in a new way. And he shows you new crafts as well. What an inspiring book!
I have almost every page tabbed with projects I want to start. And the great thing, is that it's written in a down to earth format. No fancy shmancy talk, or unrealistic projects that you can't find supplies for (unlike most popular craft books).
This is a great book, with low budget, hifi projects sure to make your friends and family ask "did you really make that?"

So far, it seems that this book has received kudos. However, I'm not that impressed. I've seen every craft in this book in some shape or form before. It's just a bunch of old ideas rehashed, if you ask me. I am not making anything out of popsicle sticks. My grandmother made picture frames out of magazine pages a long time ago. I already know how to put fabric on the back of a plate. If you haven't been crafting for long, it's a great book. For those of us who have been into this for a long while, I don't recommend it. I guess there really is nothing new under the sun.

Book was shipped fast though delivery itself was slow. DHL held it for a few days in local area before delivery. But the purchase and shipment itself was FAST and she loved the book.

When I got this book in the mail I was so excited.
The projects are great and fun. Some projects seem like mirror images of each other. But great ideas none the less. Its the kind of book you could make everything in it and be happy or tweak the projects and have something completely you!
I love it. also I can't stop decorating matchboxes.ha!

I just got this book a few days ago so I haven't made any projects in it yet but I think it's one of the coolest books in my collection!

I'm a new crafter just starting to explore for new/ creative craft ideas...and this book was a perfect start. It covers quite a bit without being too over populated on one subject. Most of the crafts are well explained and fairly easy to do. Definitely suggest this book!

My 14 year old daughter received this for an Easter gift instead of Candy and has already made 5 things out of it. Her friends have come over and joined her on a couple. She loves alot of the different ideas.

I bought this book on a whim yesterday after just a quick glance through. When I got it home and looked through it page by page, I was in aw. The crafts are amazing! Who would've thought you could make a lamp out of straws and and a deep fryer basket? Or a desk set out of dominoes? The instructions are clear and easy to understand and the photographs are beautiful! I am so glad I bought this book!