Here's a magazine that speaks to the inner tinkerer. In spite of its title, it's not about things that are ready-made but about a willingness to make stuff. The spirit behind it is good and refreshing.
Unfortunately, the performance doesn't match the spirit. The projects are hokey and many of the ideas are embarrassingly banal. There's also not much in the way of instruction in basic skills.
So if you don't mind a low good idea/page ratio, by all means subscribe-maybe they'll grow into it.

SOMETIMES this magazine is full of so much awesomeness cover to cover. The projects are really cool and explained really well.

MOST of the time, however, this magazine is TOTALLY LAME. Most of the projects are made from junk and they look like they were made by a homeless person. "Oh, cool. You made a fruit bowl out of construction netting. What a neat and thrifty idea for a college student. Too bad you're 35 and haven't been in college in 12 years. You're apartment looks like a thrift store. No wonder you're still single."

If I have to read one more article about how Readymade has been a "green" magazine for x number of years before it got trendy I'm going to order 500 subscriptions and cut all of them up into tiny pieces and DUMP IT ALL IN THE OCEAN.

Most of the projects are made from modified IKEA products. Well, the closest IKEA is 4 hours away, and their shipping prices are through the roof. Thanks for that USELESS ARTICLE on how to make a (insert energy/water saving trendy thing here) out of a crappy bookcase.

Also, WHY ARE THERE ALBUM REVIEWS?!?!? AND CRAPPY ELITIST INDIE MUSIC AT THAT! PETER, BJORN, AND JOHN ARE NOT GOING TO INCREASE MY ABILITY TO INSTALL A TRAP DOOR IN MY KITCHEN!!!

I love this magazine...it has many useful tips, ideas, and photos, without a lot of fluffy filler. It is definitely a worthwhile purchase.

GREAT READ ... FOR ANYONE WHO HAS AN INKLING OF CREATIVITY... they will find it and encourage YOU. Fun, practical stuff. Fun to share with friends.

Do you remember when you were a kid and tv shows and classroom projects had you making art and useful items out of things like empty paper towel tubes and dry pasta? This magazine is like that, but only for grown ups. There are articles on artists, designers and people just looking to make better use of what we have around us. There are product reviews on practical things like vacume cleaners, because if you have to have one you want one that will last so that it stays out of the landfill. Most importantly there are the projects that center on making something cool or useful out of something you would likely throw away or how to get a lot of use out of a really small space. My favorite monthly feature is the "MacGyver" challenge where readers are invited to submit their ideas on what can be made with thinks like old blue jeans (oven mits), cds (a cool curtain), pens (flatware) and remotes (drawer pulls).

We live in a time where people are more concerned for the enviroment than ever, in the US things are costing quite a bit more than they did three years ago. Folks are making do with less because they have to and quite often because they want to. But we want to do it with a sense of style. And this magazine helps people do that. It helps people share their ideas. It puts out there a fresh look at old crafting mediums such as knitting and embroidery. And for folks who have something really beautiful and unique to sell this magazine offers a printed flea market.

If you are the sort of person who follows trends and can't fathom using furniture that was not featured in a catalog or a design magazine this magazine is not likely for you. But for everyone out there, like me, who wants to live really well while using less then you are going to have fun with this magazine.

Now if you will excuse me I need to go turn this cool, old, 1950's radio I picked up, into a retro docking station for my iPod.