Helpful Score: 2
WARNING: DO NOT ORDER THIS BOOK WITH THE IDEA THAT IT WILL HAVE CRAFTS THAT YOU CAN DO WITH YOUR CHILDREN!!!!!!
I really wanted to like this book. (and I did not get it with the idea of using it with children or even seriously doing crafts - I just wanted a chuckle or two) That wasn't possible.
This book is JUST PLAIN SICK! The pictures are disgusting, some are revolting. If some of this stuff is supposed to be funny I totally fail to see it. Some of presentations are just plain tasteless.
EXAMPLES:
1. Scarred and mutilated faces which result from too much alcohol or too many drugs consumed while making "your crafts" The drug and alcohol use are strongly encouraged because they will expand your imagination and make your crafts more interesting.
2. Graphic staged full color pictures of what might happen when you play unsafely with your crafting tools; bloody eyes that are stapled shut, full size inflamed iron burns on the thigh, melted crayons attached to a horribly burned hand over an open stove flame, needles and thread stitched through the skin.
3. Glue sniffing to make your crafting experience "Out of this World!"
4. Sedaris uses the example of how some "SERIAL KILLERS" often take trophies from their victims; fingers, skin etc and gives you suggestions on how (using their examples) you too can preserve the memory of a relative or pet. After all, and this is a direct quote, "there is something slightly charming about maniacs wanting to memorialize their conquests"
There are dozens more like the "dismembered finger picture" that I don't even want to see again to tell you how that relates to crafting. Just looking at this book again to review it has turned my stomach.
I'm sure that this type of sick humor appeals to some after all the book does sell. Gratefully, I only paid a quarter for mine at a library book sell. I'll list it here because as of right now there are 131 people wishing for it. I do hope that a lot of them will read this review and decide not to order it. This book belongs in the garbage not on peoples book shelves. It would not hurt my feelings at all if all 131 canceled their wish list requests and I did end up throwing it in the garbage!
I really wanted to like this book. (and I did not get it with the idea of using it with children or even seriously doing crafts - I just wanted a chuckle or two) That wasn't possible.
This book is JUST PLAIN SICK! The pictures are disgusting, some are revolting. If some of this stuff is supposed to be funny I totally fail to see it. Some of presentations are just plain tasteless.
EXAMPLES:
1. Scarred and mutilated faces which result from too much alcohol or too many drugs consumed while making "your crafts" The drug and alcohol use are strongly encouraged because they will expand your imagination and make your crafts more interesting.
2. Graphic staged full color pictures of what might happen when you play unsafely with your crafting tools; bloody eyes that are stapled shut, full size inflamed iron burns on the thigh, melted crayons attached to a horribly burned hand over an open stove flame, needles and thread stitched through the skin.
3. Glue sniffing to make your crafting experience "Out of this World!"
4. Sedaris uses the example of how some "SERIAL KILLERS" often take trophies from their victims; fingers, skin etc and gives you suggestions on how (using their examples) you too can preserve the memory of a relative or pet. After all, and this is a direct quote, "there is something slightly charming about maniacs wanting to memorialize their conquests"
There are dozens more like the "dismembered finger picture" that I don't even want to see again to tell you how that relates to crafting. Just looking at this book again to review it has turned my stomach.
I'm sure that this type of sick humor appeals to some after all the book does sell. Gratefully, I only paid a quarter for mine at a library book sell. I'll list it here because as of right now there are 131 people wishing for it. I do hope that a lot of them will read this review and decide not to order it. This book belongs in the garbage not on peoples book shelves. It would not hurt my feelings at all if all 131 canceled their wish list requests and I did end up throwing it in the garbage!
Helpful Score: 2
This book is a complete joke. The "crafts" are 95% ridiculous and no one would actually create most of them. This is a book you thumb threw and then it end up at the Goodwill store, where I bought my copy for 50 cents. I bought it because I posted it while I was in the store and saw there were over 30 people wanting it. I think this was a failed attempt at humor and i can't believe anyone would knowingly buy this book for anything other than a laugh. But then again, I am by no means poor, nor would I consider myself to have a poverty mentality even if I only had a dollar to my name. So if you want to think poor and act poor, then wish list this book and it won't be long before you get this junk in your mailbox.
Helpful Score: 1
I was a little disappointed in this. There are pretty much no craft directions and the humor is a little too R-rated for me to even enjoy this as a parody. Still a fan of Amy Sedaris, I just thought this would be a little cleaner. Amy Sedaris does have a great sense of humour but this just isn't for me.
Wendy H. (donkeycheese) - , reviewed Simple Times: Crafts for Poor People on + 1255 more book reviews
First off, I want to say that this book is a HOOT!! It is a heavy book, very colourful photographs and pictures of different craft projects. It also has how-to's for most of the projects in the book.
For example:
Simple Times Protector Rod
Protect your yesterdays from the uncivil tomorrows today! Don't dely.
Instructions: Saw the base off a broom, cutting the bristly sweeping mechanism free, and leaving only the handle. Decorate according to your perrsonal sense of style. Place in window diagonally. p 33
Crafting under the influence. Say what? I didn't expect to see this chapter in the book LOL There are some cute projects in the book, and it probably will cost you next to nothing to make them - good thing since this book is for POOR People!! Fireside Sit-Upon - made out of newspapers. I remember making these back in the day in girl scouts!
There are tips on becoming a better storyteller, and ha how to make a tampon ghost. Seriously. This book is chock-ful of so much more and you can tell Amy definitely had fun with it! Learn how to make some cheap, off-the wall crafts and be thoroughly entertained to boot! Great to fit on your bookshelf or for gift giving!!
For example:
Simple Times Protector Rod
Protect your yesterdays from the uncivil tomorrows today! Don't dely.
Instructions: Saw the base off a broom, cutting the bristly sweeping mechanism free, and leaving only the handle. Decorate according to your perrsonal sense of style. Place in window diagonally. p 33
Crafting under the influence. Say what? I didn't expect to see this chapter in the book LOL There are some cute projects in the book, and it probably will cost you next to nothing to make them - good thing since this book is for POOR People!! Fireside Sit-Upon - made out of newspapers. I remember making these back in the day in girl scouts!
There are tips on becoming a better storyteller, and ha how to make a tampon ghost. Seriously. This book is chock-ful of so much more and you can tell Amy definitely had fun with it! Learn how to make some cheap, off-the wall crafts and be thoroughly entertained to boot! Great to fit on your bookshelf or for gift giving!!
Great book, Amy Sedaris is great.