Sea Glass Crafts includes twenty step-by-step projects for you to create beautiful works with your collection of sea glass. Accompanying each project are beautiful full-color photographs which visually aid readers in the instructions as well as display the finished product. Sea glass is the beautiful result of broken glass being naturally polished and smoothed by the ocean's currents for extended periods of time. These beautiful jewels become weathered and frosted from abrasion and erosion in salt water, giving them a distinctly beautiful, jewel-like appearance that is perfect for all sorts of crafting! From jewelry to other lavish lifestyle crafts, this book will give skills needed to learn the art of creating beautiful homemade pieces: Basic Flowers Sea Glass Shadow Box Gel Candle with Sea Glass Terra Cotta Pot Candle Holder Memory Locket Bird Bath Bedside Table Sea Glass Wine Stoppers Sea Glass earrings Napkin Rings Sea Glass Wreath Picture Snowman Ornament And more! Sea glass can be purchased in bulk online, but it is way more fun to collect on your own. On your next trip to the beach, when you find yourself swimming in these treasures, be sure to utilize the lessons in this book to create something truly homemade, unique, and beautiful. It's a perfect activity for anyone interested in jewelry-making or crafting, or for someone looking to learn a new hobby.

This book represents an extraordinary sample of Depression era glass, because Tiffin was an extraordinary glass company. Its output during the Depression was well documented and enough to keep any collector occupied for years. Most of the glass presented in this volume is from the 1920s and 1930s. With detailed captions for the more than 450 illustrations--color photographs, catalog pages, advertisements, and drawings--it is a guide to help the collector, researcher, and dealer identify, price, and enjoy this compelling glassware.

A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO SCULPTING THE HUMAN FIGURE IN CLAY
In "Sculpting the Figure in Clay, "acclaimed portrait bust sculptor and author Peter Rubino teaches a master class in the essentials of figurative sculpture. In this intensive, all-inclusive guide, he introduces students to a natural, straightforward geometry that will help them become masters at forming figures in clay. Rubino's unique approach utilizes a geometric system consisting of blocks, simple shapes, and guidelines that instruct students in a new and instinctive sculptural style. With these easy-to-follow instructions and informative concepts, students will see figures as the basic shapes beneath the form as well as learn vital approaches such as BLT: Bend, Lean, and Turn, to create evocative expression, and the Three Ps: Position, Proportion, and Planes, for accurate representation. This unparalleled resource is the definitive guide to figurative sculpture.
TOPICS INCLUDE:
- The Fundamentals of the Clay Torso
- Observing the Model
- Essential Materials and Tools
- Sculpting the Female Torso from the Live Model
- Sculpting the Reclining Figure from the Live Model
- Sculpting the Hand, Foot, and Lower Arm
- Plus Many Photographic Reference Poses for continued Study

The art of the object reached unparalleled heights in the medieval Islamic world, yet the intellectual dimensions of ceramics, metalwares, and other plastic arts in this milieu have not always been acknowledged. Arts of Allusion reveals the object as a crucial site where pre-modern craftsmen of the eastern Mediterranean and Persianate realms engaged in fertile dialogue with poetry, literature, painting, and, perhaps most strikingly, architecture. Lanterns fashioned after miniature shrines, incense burners in the form of domed monuments, earthenware jars articulated with arches and windows, inkwells that allude to tents: through close studies of objects from the ninth to the thirteenth centuries, this book reveals that allusions to architecture abound across media in the portable arts of the medieval Islamic world. Arts of Allusion draws upon a broad range of material evidence as well as medieval texts to locate its subjects in a cultural landscape where the material, visual and verbal realms were intertwined. Moving far beyond the initial identification of architectural types with their miniature counterparts in the plastic arts, Margaret Graves develops a series of new frameworks for exploring the intelligent art of the allusive object. These address materiality, representation, and perception, and examine contemporary literary and poetic paradigms of metaphor, description, and indirect reference as tools for approaching the plastic arts. Arguing for the role of the intellect in the applied arts and for the communicative potential of ornament, Arts of Allusion asserts the reinstatement of craftsmanship into Islamic intellectual history.

A beautifully illustrated showcase of the rich and varied ceramic tradition of Iran Featuring a broad selection of objects from one of the most distinguished collections of Iranian art, this volume brings together over 1,000 years of Persian Islamic pottery. With more than 500 illustrations, authoritative technical treatises, and insightful commentary, Ceramics of Iran assembles a collection of rarely seen treasures from the Persian world and presents a collective history of its renowned ceramic tradition. Included among its comprehensive catalogue entries are numerous translations of the object's inscriptions, providing readers with a richer and more detailed understanding of the cultural heritage from which these items are derived. In addition, the book contains new research and material from previously unknown sites. Featuring all new photography of nearly 250 objects, Ceramics of Iran brings the extraordinary contributions of Persian art into a wider historical context, along with a wealth of images to demonstrate the full scope of its intricate beauty. Distributed for the Sarikhani Collection

The identification of English white ironstone plates is made far easier through this new book. Organized according to the shape names, the 327 color photographs and 252 drawings of plates, rims, potters' marks and registry marks are easy to compare. Copper Lustre and Tea Leaf decorations are included. Because few written records from the manufacturers are available to help analyze these plates, made in large quantities for export primarily to the United States between about 1840 and 1890, this study will be an important reference for identification and comparisons. It is both comprehensive and easy to use, providing an important tool for collectors, dealers, curators, designers, auctioneers, and historians for analyzing Victorian cultural history.

This book beautifully illustrates the wide range of artistic innovation and techniques expressed in vitreous, or "hard," enamels on metal. More than 30 experienced enamelists share their specialized knowledge for using cloisonne, plique-A-jour, champleve, and basse-taille techniques on silver, gold, foils, and metal clay to make jewelry, vessels, portraits, and more. Works from an additional 55 artists are also displayed in over 350 color photographs. Their words and work will instruct and inspire beginners and encourage the next generation of metal workers to carry enameling to new heights.

An exclusive tour of one of the most diverse and high-quality collections of Scottish Wemyss Ware. Lavish illustrations cover an impressive range of Wemyss subjects - animals, flowers, insects, birds and more. Includes an essay on Wemyss production by historian Carol McNeil, as well as an introduction by collection owner George Bellamy. Wemyss Ware is an evocative name to anyone with an interest in pottery. It conjures grinning cats and pot-bellied pigs, jugs and plates and other items of tableware, often decorated with an intricate pink cabbage rose or other such bucolic scenes. Produced in Kirkcaldy, Scotland, from 1882 to 1930 (and in Bovey Tracy, England, 1930-1952), Wemyss Ware has an illustrious history. From the Wemyss family, the patrons of this pottery line; to the Queen Mother and Prince Charles, Wemyss Ware has caught the eye of many individuals of note. Among these was George Bellamy, now a legendary collector of Scottish Wemyss, who has been seeking out his pieces since 1976. A treasure trove of Wemyss Ware, this book catalogues a collection lovingly compiled over decades. Carol McNeil's essay traces the history of the Fife Pottery where Wemyss Ware saw its debut, while Bellamy's introduction guides the reader through several of the key figures involved in the locating and preserving of these works of art. Scottish Wemyss Ware 1882-1930 celebrates the labour, design and artistry that poured into each hand-decorated pot. Often inspired by the Fife countryside where they first originated, these characterful creations are just as delightful now as when they were first produced. This book was produced with the invaluable assistance of John Mackie, Director of Lyon & Turnbull.

Learn the tools and techniques you need to start making ceramic mugs, bowls, and more! Step-by-step instructions complete with color photographs Includes a chapter on bisque firing, waxing, and glazing 4 basic pottery projects for the beginning potter The art of pottery making is described in detail for the beginning potter. Complete with a chapter on tools and materials to get started, this easy-to-use guide explains and illustrates how to wedge clay, use a pottery wheel, shape and trim pots, determine clay thickness, add handles, and a host of other pottery-making techniques. It also contains a chapter on bisque firing and glazing, the final steps in creating beautiful and functional pottery. Includes complete instructions for making a large bowl, three styles of mugs, and a sugar bowl and creamer set.

Techniques Using Slips examines the many techniques of using slips - liquid clay which can be used for decoration on its own or covered with glaze - such as brushing, dipping, trailing and sgraffito amongst others, and uses contemporary potters' works as illustrations. It explains how to make up slips and englobes, as well as ways of using them at higher temperatures, both with and without glazes. The book is illustrated with working potters in action, showing their own personal styles and how they have adapted traditional methods to suit their work today in a modern context. As well as examples of techniques, there are many images of beautiful finished pieces to show what can be achieved.

This book explores the great interest that Pablo Picasso had in ceramics, which he certainly didn't consider a minor art, but a means of artistic expression in its own right, like sculpture, painting and graphics. In Vallauris, at the Madoura ceramic laboratories, Picasso dedicated himself to working clay for a period of 25 years, from 1946 to 1971, producing thousands of unique pieces. This volume retraces this exceptional chapter of the Picasso's art, through 50 ceramics from the Picasso of the Musee National Picasso in Paris - a core of inestimable value, which represents almost half of the museum's large collection - placed in a fertile and unprecedented dialogue with the direct sources of his inspiration: classic ceramics with red and black figures, the Etruscan buccheri, Spanish and Italian popular ceramics, 15th century Italian graffiti, and examples of the Mediterranean area with iconographies of fish, fantastic animals, owls and birds, as well as terracottas from Mesoamerican cultures. A chapter is dedicated to the relationship between Picasso and Faenza through unpublished documents from the historical archive of the MIC, and to the historical video by Luciano Emmer of 1954 (Picasso a Vallauris). Text in English and Italian.

No art form is more associated with the Native Americans of the Southwest than pottery. For centuries, Pueblo people have made beautiful pottery, often painted with intricate designs, for everyday activities such as cooking, food storage and gathering water, and for ceremonial use. Vessels of these types have been found at ancient sites including Chaco Canyon and Mesa Verde. The tradition of pottery-making continues to thrive among Pueblo communities in the Southwest, and while pottery is still made for practical purposes, it is also commonly produced for the art market. Since the time of the Ancestral Puebloans, pottery has been made predominantly by women. The pots are created from natural clay using a coil method; they are hand-painted and then fired outdoors. Designs vary from one Pueblo to another, but many symbols and motifs are shared by the Pueblos. An impressive survey of more than 100 pieces of historic Pueblo pottery, Grounded in Clay is remarkable for the fact that its content has been selected by Pueblo community members. Rather than relying on Anglo-American art historical interpretations, this book foregrounds Native American voices and perspectives. More than 60 participants from 21 Pueblo communities in the Southwest - among them potters and other artists, as well as writers, curators and community leaders - chose one or two pieces from the collections of the Indian Arts Research Center at the School of Advanced Research in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and the Vilcek Collection in New York. They were then given the freedom to express their thoughts in whichever written form they wished, prose or poem. Their lively, varied contributions reveal the pottery to be not only a utilitarian art form but also a powerfully intangible element that sits at the heart of Pueblo cultures. With magnificent photography throughout, Grounded in Clay showcases the extraordinary history and beauty of Pueblo pottery while bringing to life the complex narratives and stories of this most essential of Native American arts.

Ceramic jewellery is an ever-growing area of the ceramic world. Although ceramic beads have been around for as long as pots have, the idea of ceramic jewellery has been making a comeback in a much more glamorous and professional form than ever before. This book shows how ceramic can be combined with other materials such as silver, gold, feathers, leather, textiles or stone to create some unique and innovative pieces. The book looks at how to source or create your own fittings and findings, the problems of design and the practicalities of joining the various elements to create a successful piece. The book is well illustrated both with practical images and beautiful photos of finished work from an international range of artists.

The original designer of Josef Originals, Muriel Joseph George, is introduced for the first time through family photographs and interviews with family members. This book gives valuable insight into the life and times of this talented artist through written historical accounts depictions of her work. Josef Originals have long since been favored by collectors as they explode with color and sparkle with life. Unique designs of dogs, cats, people, and more are featured throughout this book, making it a wholly enjoyable collector's guide. This is new information Josef enthusiasts have been seeking for years. Over 600 color photos of 850 figurines made from the 1940s to the 1980s, an informative text, descriptions, and current value ranges provide the reference no figurines collector can be without.

Chinoiserie, a decorative style inspired by the art of the Far East, gripped Britain from the late seventeenth to the early nineteenth century. Despite taking its name from the French word for 'Chinese', the style also incorporated influences from other Asian countries, helping to shape the period's popular fantasy of the 'exotic Orient'. Wealthy consumers jostled to obtain imported wallpaper, lacquered cabinets and hand-painted porcelain, while domestic manufacturers such as Royal Worcester and Chippendale met demand with mass-produced items of their own. Though interest in the style waned as the Gothic Revival took hold, many examples of Chinoiserie have been preserved. In this beautifully illustrated book, Richard Hayman tells the story of this fascinating phenomenon, and explores the profound impact of Chinoiserie on the material culture of the West.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, Hopi-Tewa potter Nampeyo revitalized Hopi pottery by creating a contemporary style inspired by prehistoric ceramics. Nampeyo (ca. 1860-1942) made clay pots at a time when her people had begun using manufactured vessels, and her skill helped convert pottery-making from a utilitarian process to an art form. The only potter known by name from that era, her work was unsigned and widely collected. Travel brochures on the Southwest featured her work, and in 1905 and 1907 she was a potter in residence at Grand Canyon National Park's Hopi House. This first biography of the influential artist is a meticulously researched account of Nampeyo's life and times. Barbara Kramer draws on historical documents and comments by family members not only to reconstruct Nampeyo's life but also to create a composite description of her pottery-making process, from gathering clay through coiling, painting, and firing. The book also depicts changes brought about on the Hopi reservation by outsiders and the response of American society to Native American arts.

Learn the key techniques, tips, and tricks for pit, barrel, raku, and wood firing. Fall in love with flames, wood, and the effect that unique firing methods have on pottery. Move beyond the electric kiln and explore the dramatic surfaces of raku, the flashes of salt firing, and the rustic look of ash rivulets. In this book, Lindsay Oesterritter provides a crash course in the most accessible methods of alternative firing. Raku firing requires minimal equipment and can easily be fueled with a standard propane tank. Likewise, pit and barrel firing do not require much in the way of initial investment. Yet all these techniques provide an immediate glimpse into the magic of firing. Bright reds and blues, dramatic black and white crackle, even metallic luster are instantly possible. For more experienced potters and studios looking to offer more, Oesterritter also explores wood-fired kilns. Drawing on years of experience and extensive interviews with fellow wood-fire potters, there is no comparable resource on the market. Features on top potters working today get to the heart of specialty techniques and asides show firing variations and traditional kilns in different cultures around the world. A gallery of showstopping work from a diverse group of artists round out the package and inspire you to get started. The Mastering Ceramics series is for artists who never stop learning. With compelling projects, expert insight, step-by-step photos, and galleries of work from today's top artists, these books are the perfect studio companions. Also available from the series: Mastering Hand Building and Mastering the Potter's Wheel.

A beautifully illustrated guide to the world of Victorian stained glass and its manufacturers and designers. Victorian stained glass - magnificent, colourful and artistic - adorns countless British churches, municipal buildings and homes. Across the decades, several artistic movements influenced these designs, from the Gothic Revival, through the Arts and Crafts Movement and into Art Nouveau as a new century dawned. Historian Trevor Yorke shows how craftsmen re-learned the lost medieval art of colouring, painting and assembling stained glass windows - but also, in this age of industry, how windows were templated and mass produced. Showcasing the exquisite glass generated by famous designers such as A.W.N. Pugin, Pre-Raphaelites William Morris and Edward Burne-Jones, and by leading manufacturers such as Clayton and Bell, this beautifully illustrated book introduces the reader to many wonderful examples of Victorian stained glass and where it can be found.

Creative and practical, Kicking Glass is a step-by-step guide for those wanting to practice the popular craft of stained glass. From simple suncatchers and boho lamps to exquisite 3D constructions and delicately-poised glass butterflies, experienced artist Neile Cooper guides you through the magical world of stained glass with a creative handbook for both the novice and more experienced crafter alike. Beautifully illustrated with photographs of Neile's own work including her glorious glass cabin in the woods as well as pieces from some of today's most stylish designers, Kicking Glass is packed with ideas to guide and inspire. This book provides comprehensive technical instruction in the copper foil method, covering everything from tools and supplies to exploratory techniques such as including foraged and found objects into your work. Skills are demonstrated through tutorials with photos, instructional drawings and 16 stunning patterns. Whether you're looking to decorate your windows, create lovely gifts for friends and family or design your own epic masterpiece, Kicking Glass is the essential modern guide to stained glass making.

Rowan LeCompte (1925-2014) was a world-renowned stained-glass artist best known for his work in Washington National Cathedral that spanned an unprecedented 70 years of artistic commission. Rowan LeCompte: Master of Stained Glass celebrates LeCompte's artistic inspiration, distinctive technique, and unique perspective on a medieval decorative art, which he transformed into a fine art for modern times. The book traces his fascinating trajectory, from a determined teenager to a charming octogenarian with a clear vision of what stained glass can do within and beyond cathedral walls. More than an artist biography, this book illuminates the essence of human nature and its balance of light and darkness. Growing up in Baltimore, young Rowan LeCompte was fascinated by colour and light, collecting coloured glass fragments that his older brother - Stuart, a scientist - had discarded from his lab at Johns Hopkins. A visit to the Washington National Cathedral at age 14 would prove transformative for LeCompte, who later described the day as his "second birthday." At age 15, LeCompte knew what he wanted to do for the rest of his life: combine his love of architecture and painting through the study of stained glass. Just a year later, he earned his first commission in the National Cathedral: the very place that forged his destiny. Rowan LeCompte's seven decades of work not only fulfilled his teen ambition beyond expectations - it changed the art of stained glass itself. Rowan LeCompte: Master of Stained Glass takes readers behind-the-scenes of LeCompte's process, hearing from the artist first-hand about his unexpected inspirations - and rejected ideas - for colour and design, and illustrating his work from the first 'cartoon' storyboards of windows, to painting the finishing touches on some of his best-known work. This beautiful 4-color photo art book tells of the complete history of Rowan's life, incorporating brilliant full-colour photos of many of the windows which highlight the details of the imagination and innovation of this modern artist working in an ancient medium. It was his single-minded determination to create works that make the world a more beautiful place that will mark Rowan LeCompte as a great master for years to come. Rowan LeCompte: Master of Stained Glass is a companion to Peter Swanson's two films about Rowan. One of these films, Let There Be Light, documented LeCompte's final commission for the Washington National Cathedral's centennial celebration. The film won the Best of Festival award at Washington, D.C.'s Independent Film Festival.

An indispensable compendium of technical know-how and troubleshooting tips Just like having a mosaic tutor on call 24 hours a day-this book is packed with handy, time-saving tips and technical knowledge to improve your skills, speed up the learning process, and give your unique mosaics a professional finish. Easy-to-follow step-by-step techniques, photography, and illustrations. Handy, professional quick fixes and solutions for commonly encountered problems. Advice on what to buy and how to use the tools and materials-from ceramic tiles to pebbles, shells, and beads. Tips on design: finding ideas, drawing outlines, order of work, and adding eye-catching details.

Celebrating the 400th anniversary of traditional Japanese ceramic culture as interpreted by today's leading designers The art of Japanese porcelain manufacturing began in Arita in 1616. Now, on its 400th anniversary, Arita / Table of Contents charts the unique collaboration between 16 contemporary designers and 10 traditional Japanese potteries as they work to produce 16 highly original, innovative and contemporary ceramic collections rooted in the daily lives of the 21st century. More than 500 illustrations provide a fascinating introduction to the craft and region, while the contemporary collections reveal the unique creative potential of linking ancient and modern masters.