Using sharp tools is one of life's great joys. A sharp tool feels right; the job seems that much easier; and the quality of the cut usually means there is less work to do to produce a finished surface on the object. This book provides an understanding of what is involved in sharpening common workshop tools. With over 580 colour photographs and illustrations it covers sharpening techniques for the most commonly used tools - scissors, shears, knives, lathe tools and drills, screwdrivers, chisels and punches, along with the more specialist gravers and scrapers. Advice on types of abrasives, grades, grits and mesh sizes is given. It describes what happens during the sharpening process and provides practical guidance on using sharpening stones and grinding wheels on a bench grinder. Provides essential maintenance instructions such as how to restore the surface of a flat stone and the face of the wheel on a bench grinder. Finally, it gives advice on bench grinders, and includes examples of the use of readily available tools and accessories such as vee blocks, toolposts, collet holders, protractors and gauges.

This title offers a fresh take on the craft of woodburning by focusing on the drawing, lettering and design elements that will add dimension and composition to any pyrography project. Pompano shares 5 tips on how to create a vast variety of dimension, shade and texture with your woodburner and how to develop your drawing skills for use in pyrography. The patterns cover a wide spectrum of themes including; harvest, wildlife, seaside and much more. The book includes two practice exercises, one step-by-step project and close-up instruction on lettering.

Silversmithing for Jewellery Makers is a lusciously illustrated book that offers an authoritative, inspirational insight into the art and craft of silver jewellery making for today's artisan. Now updated with new information, project inspiration and profiles of renowned jewellers, this remains the go-to book on silver jewellery making. Covering all the main skills, treatments and techniques, this comprehensive guide leaves nothing out. From soldering to engraving, every technique is explained with a detailed overview, followed by a carefully-illustrated step-by-step tutorial. Traditional techniques such as filigree are examined alongside contemporary designs and profiles of world-renowned jewellers, updated in this edition to also feature Cynthia Eid, Regine Schwarzer and Ute Decker. A treasure trove of useful tips and information, the book also includes extensive sections on materials, tools and health and safety. An invaluable resource for professionals, a must-have guide for beginners and a unique source of inspiration for all levels of jewellery makers and designers, this book guarantees a strong position on the backlist.

This stunning new book showcases fantastic costume jewelry from 53 top designers of the 20th century. Examples from Christian Dior, Miriam Haskell, Kenneth Jay Lane, Elsa Schiaparelli, Stanley Hagler, Trifari, Vendome, and may others are shown in profusion. 360 luscious color photographs display exquisite examples of each designers' best work. Masterpieces abound, including many rare examples. The authors illustrate ways to enjoy these pieces today, with candid photography of friends adorned for casual occasions. Delightful stories are shared of memories associated with their passion for jewelry over the years. This remarkable exhibition displays costume jewelry as absolutely beautiful works of art. Sit back with this eye candy, relax with the fairytale spirit it projects, and enjoy the romance. Let the passion roll!

In the 1930s sculptors began to heat and shape metal directly and a new type of sculpture and artist emerged. This revised and expanded edition retains all the techniques and inspiration to help artists find the answers they needed for creating direct metal sculpture. New chapters update its history over the past quarter century. One new chapter explains the impact public art programs are having on culture in our cities. There are also sections on the impact of the computer on design and marketing of art. This is the latest, most complete, and practical book about an art form destined to become increasingly popular. Over 475 illustrations offer ideas, inspiration, techniques, and finished examples of art. This book is a must own for artists, craftsmen, collectors, designers, gallery owners, museum curators, and everyone interested in metal sculpture. Historical examples show where the art has been, where it is, and who is doing it.

The splendor and sparkle of the diamond is unmatched by that of any other gem in the world. As status symbols or emblems of""endless love, diamonds have been worn, collected, and presented as lavish gifts since the earliest days of antiquity. Today, steady sales--and borrowed baubles on the arms of starlets--indicate that diamonds remain among the most sought-after gemstones. But few, if any, private collections surpass that of Queen Elizabeth II."The Queen's Diamonds" takes readers on a tour of the magnificent royal inheritance of diamonds from Queen Adelaide in the 1830s to the present day. The book features more than seventy awe-inspiring pieces of jewelry from one of the finest collections in the world. With three hundred full-color photographs--many newly commissioned for the book--the dazzling display ranges from the flawless pink diamond presented to Princess Elizabeth, as she was then known, for her wedding in 1947 to nineteenth-century diamond diadems to the Cartier "Halo" tiara worn most recently by The Duchess of Cambridge at her wedding in April 2011. As informative as it is stunningly beautiful, the book includes information on many items of international importance and great historic significance. Published on the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, "The Queen's Diamonds" offers the first authorized account of this iconic and unparalleled collection of diamond jewelry. The photos superbly encapsulate the breathtaking beauty of the subjects, and the descriptions are packed with fascinating details.

Eileen Dubrow has exhaustively combined all original catalog material from major American furniture manufacturers of the 1880s and 90s. This period was American's hey day of growth, and its furniture is the fastest growing field of collecting today. This book will enable the reader to identify makers and give ideas of other pieces available. This book presents a fascinating study showing hundreds of examples covering furniture for the dining room, parlour, library, bedroom (brass beds), and office (a tremendous number of variations of roll top desks), including rattan and children's furniture. These pieces are still available in the market place at reasonable prices and are superbly crafted. This book contains a price reference guide.

The idea for the cane in this book came from the author's good friend and fellow carver Claude Bolton. Both belong to the Caricature Carvers of America, and the group was looking for some way to honor a friend and supporter. Claude hit upon the idea of a cane made up of many segments to be carved by various members. In addition to Tom and Claude they include: Jack Price; Peter Ortel; Steve Prescott; Harley Schmitzen; Rich Wetherbee; Bob Travis; Dave Dunham; Dave Stetson; Keith Morrill; Joe Wannamaker; Tex Haase; Doug Raine; Marv Kaisersatt; Dave Rasmussen; Harley Refsal; Harold Enlow; Claude Bolton; Gary Batte; Desiree Hajny; Pete LeClair; and Randy Landen. In the gallery of this book you will see the results of their enormous talents. Tom Wolfe takes the reader through the process of creating a four-face segment for a cane. What you learn there can be applied to any of your caricature carving or can be used to create your own friendship cane, by yourself or in your carving club. The cane you create will be a true token of friendship and will be cherished for many years to come.

Bringing the existence and significance of the lost riches of Henry VIII back to life, this book sheds new light on Henrician and Tudor court culture. Henry VIII amassed the most spectacular collection of gold and silver of any British monarch. Plate and jewels were hugely prominent in medieval and Renaissance courts and played an essential role in dynastic marriages and diplomacy as well as in cementing the bonds between king and court. Ranging from plain domestic wares to extraordinary bejewelled works of art, Henry's collection embraced virtuoso continental objects as well as vast quantities of plate commissioned from London goldsmiths or inherited from his father. But nearly all of these holdings were destroyed over the following century, and of the thousands that he owned no more than a handful have survived to modern times. This book makes use of the wealth of surviving documentation - inventories, drawings, lists of payments, dispatches by foreign ambassadors and other records - to explore this lost collection and the light it sheds on the monarchy. Starting with an assessment of the young king's inheritance from his father, the book considers the role of plate at state banquets, in great church services and in the regular exchange of gifts between courtiers and ambassadors; the role of plate and jewels as a potent symbol of power; how the king used confiscation as an instrument of humiliation of those who fell from grace, including Cardinal Wolsey and Katherine of Aragon; and how Henry's avaricious seizure of church plate towards the end of his life throws light on his changing character. While the focus is on plate and goldsmiths' work, the context ranges from court ceremonial to rivalry between princes, the role of the church, the vulnerability of persons and institutions with covetable assets, and relations between the king and his own family. Bringing the existence and significance of these lost riches back to life, the book sheds new light on Henrician and Tudor court culture.

If you love silver jewelry but don't have the time or patience to learn traditional silver-smithing techniques, then the exciting medium of silver clay will open up a whole new range of possibilities to your jewelry making. Boasting all the same properties as modeling clay, it is 99.9% pure silver--meaning that you can make high-quality jewelry using the easiest of techniques. Revised and reformatted Silver Clay Workshop is perfect for anyone taking their first steps with this rewarding craft. 22 projects that show perfectly the versatility of silver clay. Shape, roll, cut, mold and indent your way through them, learning the techniques as you go. From pendants and bracelets to rings and statement beads, there will be something for everyone.

With this pocket-sized guidebook and a trusty Swiss Army Knife, readers will be ready to whittle wherever they go. World-famous whittler Chris Lubkemann shows how to carve 43 useful and whimsical objects using nothing more than a stick and an Original Swiss Army(R) Knife. Chris offers step-by-step instructions for all the traditional whittling favorites like spoons, forks, and flowers, plus some decidedly funny animals and the classic curly tail rooster. He also provides sage advice on how to choose wood, sharpen a blade, and safely control your knife. Published in collaboration with Victorinox(R) AG, makers of the Original Swiss Army Knife.

Antique wicker furnishings are greatly cherished by collectors today. Here hundreds of charming pieces made of cane, rattan, reed, rush, and willow that are displayed in full-color photographs from private collections. Trace the evolution of wicker furniture design from 1870 to 1930, the heyday of its popularity. Learn about preeminent manufacturers of the period such as Dryad Works, Bielecky Brothers, Heywood Brothers and Wakefield Rattan Company, and Lloyd Manufacturing Company, all carefully documented with pertinent examples of their work. A useful discussion of care and restoration of antique pieces is included. A wide variety of wicker furniture styles are highlighted, from ornate Victorian to Art Deco. The chairs, rockers, tables, baby carriages, sofas, loveseats, desks, and ferneries that you've seen tucked in grandmother's attic or prominently displayed at the local antique store are very valuable. Take a stroll through the decades when wicker furniture was a staple inside and outside homes all across the world. And take this book along when shopping for wicker--an up-to-date price guide will help you with your buying and selling decisions.

Raised as a Quaker in Eastern Pennsylvania, designer and sculptor Paul Evans is known for his highly unusual and yet completely functional furniture designs. Evans produced more than a dozen lines of furniture and countless design variations during his thirty-year career as a mid- to late 20th century artist and designer. Regardless of his materials, whether metal, wood, or even cardboard, his work continues to defy easy categorization. It is modern and yet independent of recognizable influences. Other designers and manufacturers openly copied his work, though these copies lacked the presence Evans easily achieved. At the height of his popularity in the mid-1970s, Evans employed nearly ninety people. Several museums and galleries exhibited his work, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Today, his work is sought by collectors, who value its style and quality. His unusual furniture and sculpture stand the test of time and are displayed here in over 220 vivid photos. It appears classic and contemporary at the same time. This book will be treasured by all who have a passion for design.

The traditional art of Illumination - the creation of elaborate, decorated letters and initials - is now attracting new enthusiasts. It reached its apogee in the monasteries of medieval Europe and was practised with great skill and artistry. Embellished with gold leaf, the illuminated letters of those early scribes seemed to reflect light, as though they were indeed 'illuminated'. Illuminated Letters presents step-by-step instructions for recreating illuminated alphabets from six historical periods, including Celtic, Gothic and Romanesque. Diagrams for upper- and lower-case letters are accompanied by ideas for borders and decorations, and full instructions for gilding. Each section also explores ways in which the illuminated letters can be adapted to create a truly personal style, while a gallery of modern examples will inspire further creativity.

This title features 20 inspirational projects that are shown step by step. Creative picture framing explored in classic and contemporary techniques. It shows how to create many different framing effects, from woodstaining to verre eglomise. Comprehensive instructions clearly demonstrate how to make mounts and cut glass, as well as how to cut, join and assemble frames. It includes over 300 step-by-step photographs to illustrate every stage of each project, helping the reader get to grips with difficult techniques. In the past, artists often paid as much attention to the way their work was presented as to the art itself. Today, we still know that an imaginative and eye-catching surround can set off its contents wonderfully. This practical book offers a variety of classic and contemporary ideas for your own designs. An initial techniques section covers all the basic skills, such as selecting and fitting a mount, cutting and joining a basic frame, and the correct way to cut glass. More than 20 inspirational projects then let you put these skills into practice. Create a multiple window mount, a lime-waxed frame, a decoupage frame or a tortoiseshell frame. Whether you want to frame canvas or fabric, photographs or an off-beat collage, or even a three-dimensional object, this book shows you how to do it with style.

Wire and glass beads are combined in this jewelry-making guide as equal partners, making the bending of wire more than just rings for attachments. Time, space, and affordability of the materials are kept minimal, so the jewelry-making process remains fun. Instructions and color photographs of 60 necklace, bracelet and earrings sets are provided to inspire your own creativity. You will love not only creating the jewelry shown, but also making your own jewelry designs in combinations of glass, ceramic, or metal beads with wire elements of various types.

Upholstered pieces of furniture are familiar to all of us as more or less constant companions of everyday life. Upholstery is comfortable, it conveys security and promises comfort, it has a specific design, asserts or creates status and tells a (hi)story. We rarely consider its interior. At the same time, a view into the hidden content of chairs and armchairs is a journey into secrets, into lashed and sprung constructions that prove to be unknown masterpieces of craftsmanship. Deep-Seated. The Secret Art of Upholstery explores furniture and its interiors and explains why upholstery is always also a part of cultural and social history. With contributions by Thomas Andersch, Maximilian Busch, Cordula Fink, Thomas Rudi, Stefanie Seeberg, Thomas Schriefers, Xenia Schurmann, and a foreword by Olaf Thormann. Text in English and German.

A small box is an ideal woodworking project for anyone looking to gain skills and learn techniques. The reward is something elegant and functional that also makes a great gift. In this book, Dennis Zongker gives clear, step-by-step instructions for seven different projects (with variations), each designed to teach the reader skills that can be applied to a wide variety of box projects as well as to furniture and other woodworking projects. The boxes featured are traditional in style with a modern twist and incorporate a rich variety of woodworking techniques from basic to advanced: veneers, joinery, segmented turning and more. Also included are detailed chapters on carving and marquetry, which give these stylish boxes an elegant look.

Hattie Carnegies life story surpasses that of Cinderella in that it is true. Born in 1886, she went from being a destitute Macys messenger girl who owned three blouses and one skirt to controlling, at its high point, a ten-million-dollar empire. Her five companies included custom and ready-to-wear clothing, hats, perfume, and fabulous costume jewelry. For decades, her personal taste and fashion sense influenced the styles worn by countless American women. Today, Hattie Carnegies jewelry is what has lasted, and this groundbreaking book showcases the full range of designs -- from glamorous rhinestone bracelets to exotic Oriental pins. Over 480 stunning color photos illustrate earrings, necklaces, sets, pins, and bracelets produced from the 1920s to the 1970s. Historical background, jewelry marks and signatures, current values, and collector tips are all included. Many have heard the name Hattie Carnegie, but until now her story has remained a silent secret. With this engaging book, collectors can finally enjoy a look at Hattie Carnegies fascinating life as well as the beautiful jewelry that serves as her legacy.

The book is an illustrated collection of projects carried out in silver and gold reflecting the many interesting personal stories that combine people with a place of significance portrayed in miniature for a special event in their lives. This is the story of forty years of making architecturally-based silverware, from small domes and columns on stud earrings to larger bespoke presentation pieces. The author charts her development from student days to acquisitions by the Victoria & Albert Museum and the Boston Museum of Fine Arts amongst others. Her insights into how to render buildings such as the Pantheon in Rome, the Sydney Opera House or Oxford's Sheldonian Theatre into a brooch, a ring or a box make fascinating reading.

The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection celebrates some of the most beautiful objects ever made, many in precious materials, and often on a small scale. Focussing on 50 exquisite works from the collection, this beautiful little book showcases the decorative art of creating small-scale carvings, snuffboxes, inlay pictorial illusions, and more, in cut-and-polished natural stones, often incorporating the widely known technique of pietre dure. Demonstrating remarkable skill and ingenuity, many of the works were commissioned by the powerful Medici family and royal families across Europe as symbols of their power and prestige. With detailed photography and extended captions the books explores the fascinating interplay of craftsmanship with the natural beauty of stones such as amethyst, lapis lazuli and jasper.

Individualistic and unusual jewelry designs do not need to be expensive. Renate Bosshart demonstrates over 100 designs, made with simple techniques. The results are amazing, unique pieces that will complete any woman's wardrobe with startling effects. The design palette ranges from simple to extravagant, from carefree to richly precious. The book is illustrated with elegant photographs in twelve chapters. Easy to follow, step by step instructions are included, which, combined with the reader's own creativity, lead to delightful and beautiful handcrafted jewelry.

Hand lettering is the hottest craft going right now, and it applies perfectly to the co-existing trend of wooden signs displaying inspirational, heartwarming, or funny messages throughout people's homes. This book combines the two in a hard-working book that teaches the art of hand lettering with 20 projects to make for the home.

A new and refreshing look at the role decorative arts play in the Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Amish home is revealed in this book. An encyclopedic collection of colorful, expected, and unanticipated objects associated with Amish culture are showcased in 328 color photographs distributed throughout an insightful and informative text. Author Trish Herr explores the development and use of the arts, design and style within the Amish home. Furniture, quilts, rugs, samplers, boxes, glass, china and toys made by the Amish for themselves are featured. Dr. Donald B. Kraybill, respected author and authority on Anabaptist settlements in the United States, introduces the subject with a concise history and interpretation of the present day Lancaster County Amish culture. Patricia T. Herr is an historian of antique textiles and a veterinary doctor living in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Here is a beautiful publication of factual information and 1043 color illustrated examples of highly popular styles. Important and prolific designers of costume jewelry, including Chanel, Schiaparelli, Boucher, Miriam Haskell, Monet, Sarah Coventry, and many more are well represented. Current prices are included to aid the collector. This will be a most useful reference for collector and dealers, and the current value ranges will aid and inform all.