Connie Clough Eaton / Paperback / Published 1996

This book offers challenges to both intermediate and experienced craftsmen. Due to the complexity and number of pieces in most of the patterns, we would not suggest the book to novices. The patterns are mostly well-thought-out. As the author states in her introduction, these patterns would work best if enlarged for use in construction of window-sized panels. Some patterns could be simplified to facilitate construction without a great loss of detail. The quality of the patterns is very good. The cats, in particular, are very realistic. Our personal favorites are the Tiger, Humming Bird, and the Cardinal. Some of the other patterns could have been done a bit more believably. The Panda and the Koala could have used a little more realism in the facial features. Overall, the artist's conception of the birds and animals is delicate and tasteful. In all, there are 60 patterns from which to choose and the book is an excellent bargain at the published price of US$5.95. We applaud the author and publisher for granting a free license to use the patterns and/or elements of those patterns at the discretion of the craftsman. Both the front and back covers include 16 color artist's renderings for color suggestions; we would have preferred to have seen actual photographs of completed panels. While the artist's renderings are good, photos of actual panels would have offered more realistically how the finished panels would appear when done in glass. We plan to construct a couple of panels from this book at a later date. An opportunity to publish the photographs on the Guild's website has been graciously offered to us. We look forward to the challenge. Michael & Donna McGrew Shattered Images Studio Houston, Texas