This is the most incredible inspiration! Even if you don't ever make a thing out of this book you will go crazy in your studio after leafing through it. I have made some of these projects - I recommend you have soldered before trying these - they are a bit on the intermediate side especially needed is the "second hand" tool to hold pieces for you as you solder.

Sally Jean Alexander has written one of the best first lines in all of literature, "there's a playground inside each of us." The first line draws you into a book full of collage jewelry, trinkets and keepsakes. Kudos to Sally and the publisher, Northlight books for creating a luscious book for the eyes yet not skimping on the details such as the project instructions. Good photographs of the important steps in each project. Sally takes the reader on a visual tour of her studio where she shares some of her favorite things. Then we move on to the techniques and projects.

There are a wide range of projects, bracelets, pins, ornaments, shrines, even a magic wand! In the first chapter, Sally provides directions on how to cut glass, solder, stamp, smudge and more. If you love the look of antiques and recycled art, "Pretty Little Things" is the book for you! A great addition to any creative person's library.

I love this book! The photos, illustrations & layout are so pleasing that you forget that it is an instructural book. I love the pages of artwork at the end of the book that I can use in my own creations. I'll have to make color copies since I wouldn't dare cut this pretty little book! Thank you Sally Jean!

I am SO surprised by the negative reviews surrounding this book. Are there typographical errors? Sure. Do they detract from the book? Not at all.

The projects are lovely, whimsical, and much copied in the altered art/charm makers world of today. The author is an absolute inspirational delight. Sally Jean was new to me with the purchase of this book... I must admit I was hesitant to purchase Pretty Little Things when I read the scathing reviews left by some here. All of the projects presented are absolutely delightful. The instructions for soldering do leave some "fill in the blank" spaces for me - but I am completely new to this type of art. I'm sure there are those of you who will find them perfectly clear. I would not let my lack of knowledge deter you from purchasing this delightful book.

Uplifting, inspiring, encouraging, and a ray of sunshine for those artists who may sometimes find themselves overwhelmed by the sheer daunting task of creating... this author deserves an A+ for being not only an inspiration but providing everyone with a bit of much needed whimsy in a world full of overwhelming seriousness. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

I checked this out from the library before buying it - and was very happy I had. There are some very good books on creating charms and other trinkets using soldering irons, glass and ephemera - buy one of those. I thought this book was not very entertaining, and even less enlightening about how to do the projects. I don't usually mind books that feature great photos of fun stuff - sometimes I get ideas and that will satisfy me. However, this book seems almost narcissistic and way too cutesy. And this review is written by someone - me - who bought a book about stuffed animals called "The Cute Book" and love it. The finished stuff looks good, but I suspect what you would make using the instructions would be pretty amateur hour looking.