American Library Association's Booklist writes, TOP TEN CRAFT/HOBBY BOOK OF 2003! " Craft novices, especially those who doubt their ability to create artfully, will welcome California artist Leigh's how-to on creativity, which goes beyond abstractions and sensitivity-training exercises. Instead this generously illustrated volume encompasses 15 (sic) step-by-step projects, all promoted as "easy-to-do" and "fun-to-make". Media and techniques include silk topiaries, collage, and decoupage. Because rubber stamps make great immersions with ready-made images so that crafters need not "start from scratch," Leigh wisely begins with that medium, progressing to the decorative painting of a small box and various glass objects and papermaking with the use of a kitchen blender. Along the way, she stresses confidence and presents "idea boxes" containing hints on keeping track of craft ideas, listings of books with additional projects, and more as beginning crafters work with the "shining possibilities" of metal and wire as well as create a mosaic tile covered truck and photo frame. Complete with a listing of resources, this title will be a key starting point for beginners." - Whitney Scott, Reviewer (3/03)

Artist's Sketchbook Magazine: "If you think your artistic ability is limited - or that you don't have any at all - then Tear Leigh's How to be Creative If You Never Thought You Could is the perfect book for you. Leigh guides you through 16 fun projects including bookmaking, wire crafts and collage with helpful advice and warm encouragement that will aid you in the discovery of your creativity. Each chapter is prefaced with insightful essays that discuss the nature of creativity, how to tackle self-criticism and ways to get past creative blocks." (4/04)

HGTV.com: "This book is part crafts, part pep talk, part therapy session. "Getting Started" intros lay down the basics about materials you'll need; then the author walks you through a pair of projects for rubber stamping, decorative painting, collage & decoupage, bookmaking, papermaking, metal & wire crafts, floral projects, and mosaics. Mixed in with the pretty projects are "Creativity Sessions"--little nudges to our creative selves from the energetic and inspiring author. It's a crafting sampler in the best sense of the word, filled with projects that are involved enough to teach you but easy enough not to discourage you. By the end of the book, you'll feel like you have made an encouraging new friend--in addition to some great crafts." Tammy Jones (9/03)

Popular Crafts UK: FOUR STAR RATING (out of 4 possible stars) "With so many crafts and techniques available, it is difficult to choose what you think would be a successful and satisfying hobby. This fabulous book offers many different crafts to help you find out what inspires you. Within these pages is a whole range to try your hand at such as painting, flower craft, decoupage, book or candle making, rubber stamping, scrapbooking and calligraphy. Each craft has an introduction, basic terms, techniques and a full step by step guide enabling you to focus on your chosen new craft and stimulate your creative spirit. This wonderful book will unleash your creative flair."

Library Journal wrote, "Leigh, a columnist for PaintWorks and Decorative Artist's Workbook, offers a volume for decorative artists that focuses on developing creative freedom. . . The result is a good choice for most craft collections" (3/15/03)

Decorative Artist's Workbook writes, "Know someone who needs a creative push? Tera Leigh's How to Be Creative If you Never Thought You Could teaches the artistically challenged how to express themselves through art. You'll find more than a dozen projects with step-by-step instructions and photographs to guide the reader. Even if you've never created a collage, made a travel journal, or even heard the word "decoupage," you'll feel more confident once you've tried these easy projects. Other projects include a mosaic frame, floral topiaries and painted champagne glasses. Leigh acts as your own personal motivator with encouraging "resources for inspiration" throughout. You may find these entries into other crafts act as good creative sparks for your own painting." (3/03)

from Barnes & Noble.com

Diane (diane1031@direcway.com), an avid paper crafter, April 15, 2003,
Tera Leigh's new book throws the covers off the mystery of being creative. The book contains projects that are guaranteed to inspire confidence in people who want to create, but don't know where to start. The directions are easy to follow and the photographs clearly show the technique, so the book is helpful for those who learn better visually as well as those who are better at following written instructions. The tips she includes in the side boxes take the reader a step further into creating something that's unique to them. That's the kind of exercise that gives us the deep pleasure of creating something that's truly our own.

Carlotta Pengelley (pengelley.family@verizon.net), a crafter and book lover, April 15, 2003,
More than a Fabulous craft how-to book...
...This book encourages you to explore your creative self as well as use your creative thoughts to make a tangible expression. Tera Leigh has not only put out a fantastic craft instruction book with beautiful, easy to recreate projects with step by step instructions and wonderful photography, but an inspirational tome that helps you nurture and understand the creative muse present in every person. Tera has written this in a way that allows the reader to feel that she is right there encouraging you to create a project that is worthy of gifting to the most hard to please relative. She also gives you permission to make mistakes, to learn and grow from those mistakes, and to use them as an opportunity to transform them into a serendipitous new project. I personally would recommend this book to everyone- from the novice crafter to the experienced, and especially to those who harbor any self doubt as to their creative abilities.

Hal Henry (the.shamus@gte.net), A reviewer, April 8, 2003,
Once again Tera Leigh provides us with insightful information covering an area many of us may have thought about at one time or another but didn’t know how to explore, our own creativity. You have a master teacher pointing you in the right direction so your own creativity can take over. The photography and detail is of the same outstanding quality as it was in her first book, “The Complete Book of Decorative Painting” and shows the care to detail and thoughtfulness that went into the completion of this book. This exciting new book was created to show novice crafters that they could be creative by simply opening their mind to discover their own ability to be creative. Tera Leigh through her own creativity makes it easy for readers to discover their own creative spirit. There are 16 easy, fun projects that lead you to explore the use of a number of craft media and techniques, including: Rubber stamping, Decorative painting, Silk flower arranging, Metal and wire crafts, Bookmaking and papermaking, Mosaics, Collage and decoupage and more. Readers will also find many other valuable tips and ideas for overcoming obstacles to their own creativity and getting past 'creator's block.'

From Amazon.com

alt. title: Sparking creativity in the creative person!, April 16, 2003
Melanie Sage from Apple Valley, CA United States
Today I got Tera's new book in the mail, "How To Be Creative If You Never Thought You Could." I think an alternate title could be "How to spark your creativity when you know you are creative!" I felt a surge of creativity when I opened it.This is not your run-of-the-mill project book. I generally steer away from project books because they are geared toward step-by-steps for a certain card, or a new stamper. Tera explains the project, but with every project she also talks about creativity, alternate ways to complete the project, and gives creative reinforcement/permission to be creative. It is good reading even if you don't plan to follow any of the project instructions. The text is well-written (grammar problems in craft books are a pet-peeve of mine, and I can tell that equal emphasis was given to text and creativity in this publication.) More than that, the techniques are universal, and not the same things you see in all the stamping technique books. Projects run from stamping to paper making to mosaics to wire art and beading- there is bound to be something fun that is also new to try, no matter your skill level or how very creative or non-creative you are feeling. They'd also be great projects to work with friends who are afraid to play, because they aren't overly complicated or technical projects.

Practical Creativity, April 15, 2003
Reviewer: Lloydene Cook from California
Tera Leigh's book is a very accessible guide to discovering your own creative talents. The full color format and step by step photographs make it easy to follow the instructions, while still leaving plenty of room to be "creative". I also particularly like all of the sidebars which include a lot of good references to other sources--books and websites and suppliers, as well as tips and suggestions.
Tera is a terrific "creativity coach" and devotes a lot of space to topics such as building your confidence and banishing your inner critic. The variety of projects presented and the manner in which Tera guides you through them makes this a useful and inspiring book.

This book will get your creative juices flowing!, April 12, 2003
Reviewer: D Kundrat from Gilbert, AZ USA
Tera's latest book is a gold mine for people who yearn to be creative, but don't know where to start. The projects are easy and produce wonderful results - the perfect recipe for giving you the confidence to expand your own creativity. The side boxes include tips that take you a step further in creating something that reflects your uniqueness. Before you know it, the ideas are exploding in your head and you're on your way to creative bliss! All through the book you hear Tera's generous advice, encouraging you like a favorite teacher. I'm an avid paper crafter and I have paid up to $40 for a class to learn some of the techniques Tera has included in this book. Both the beginner and the advanced artist will learn from these fun projects.