in brief

Want to try your hand at a new creative pursuit?

Craft: Techniques & Projects can get you started.

The book is a comprehensive guide to a variety of craft techniques, written by top crafters in their fields. The authors teach the basics of each craft through words and photos, and then offer a project to let you practice the techniques.

The crafts in the book are appropriate for beginners as well as seasoned crafters, and they don't require a lot of specialized equipment. Included are textile crafts, paper crafts, jewelry, ceramics, glass, candles, soap and eco crafts.

Craft: Techniques & Projects is published by DK Publishing and is priced at $40 in hardcover.

Aqueduck Products make it easier for children to use the bathroom sink without help from Mom or Dad.

The company makes a faucet extender that funnels water forward in the sink so little hands can reach the water. Its handle extender attaches to a handle of a double-handle faucet to enable children to turn it. For safety reasons the handle extender is recommended for use only on the cold-water side.

The faucet extender comes in five colors and sells for $12.99 at www.peachyco.com. The handle extender is expected to be available this month for $19.99. Shipping is extra.

Q: Mr. Clean Magic Erasers do a great job on my kitchen sink, but cleaning a sink like mine is not one of the uses specified in the product's directions. It's a white enameled cast iron sink from Kohler. Am I making a mistake using the Magic Eraser as a sink cleaner? If I am, can you suggest a good cleaner that will not take away the shine?

A: Procter & Gamble said the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser should not be used on an enameled cast iron sink because it can remove the glossy finish.

Kohler suggests cleaning the sink with Fantastik Antibacterial Heavy Duty All Purpose Cleaner, Formula 409 Antibacterial All-Purpose Cleaner, Green Works All-Purpose Cleaner, Nature's Source All Purpose Cleaner or Soft Scrub Gel with Bleach. If a stubborn stain develops, the company recommends using abrasive cleaners sparingly.

-- McClatchy-Tribune News Service