Islamic geometric designs are admired worldwide for their beauty and marvellous intricacy, yet in truth they are seldom understood. Indeed, their complexity and artistry can seem almost beyond the powers of human ingenuity. In this handsomely illustrated volume, artist and teacher Eric Broug analyses and explains these complex designs in their historical and physical context. His own original drawings accompany magnificent photographs of mosques, madrasas, palaces and tombs from the Islamic world, ranging from North Africa to Iran and Uzbekistan, and from the 8th to the 19th centuries. Chapters are devoted to each of the main 'families' of geometric design - fourfold, fivefold and sixfold - and to the complex 'combined' patterns. Every design is carefully explained, and illustrated with a wealth of stunning photographs and clear, meticulously detailed drawings. Readers can follow the design processes by which these patterns were created and even learn to reproduce and invent geometric patterns for themselves, using exactly the same tools as the Islamic craftsmen of old: a ruler and a pair of compasses.

The Art of Letter Carving in Wood is a thorough guide to this beautiful craft. Based on the v-cut method, it explains how to carve letters in a range of sizes, styles and different kinds of wood. The book progresses from the basic to the difficult, and from simply designing and carving letters to using them in a wide range of situations, from the purely practical and informative to the expressive and interpretative. Written by one of the UK's leading and most respected lettering artists, this book not only covers the process of letter carving in wood but also does much more by explaining how to convey a message effectively. It looks at every aspect of designing the piece - be that using italics, spacing the letters, using letters, using the grain or adding colour. With over 500 illustrations, it is the definitive text for all letter carvers in wood.

Inspired by radical Italian designer Enzo Mari, this practical book with step-by-step DIY projects for hand built, beautiful furniture is a tribute to his simple ideas that challenged the consumerism of the furniture industry. Many interpreted Enzo Mari's book Autoprogettazione? as a manifesto of nostalgic longing for a pre-capitalist society where people built what they needed themselves, but Mari's goal wasn't to make people cease consuming. Mari wanted people to consider the more basic aspects of the objects we surround ourselves with and what it is that makes a piece of furniture, beautiful, comfortable and functional. Taking Enzo Mari and his book as his influence, Erik Eje Almqvist unpacks the practical aspects of the Autoprogettazione? theory, offering simple designs for handbuilt, beautiful furniture. Using just a hammer, nails and boards cut to standard dimensions, Hammer & Nail explores only a few techniques but arms the reader with skills and inspiration for life. With easy-to-follow instructions and diagrams, there are basic methods for making furniture joints, and includes tips on how to avoid cracking boards as you go, making clean cuts with a saw, and ideas on surface treatments. Projects include: Sheep chair, Tilting Shaker chair, Pinstol/Windsor chair, Garden chair, Arts & Crafts chair, Ski chair, Mirror stool, Stackable stool, Beer table, Kitchen bench, Park bench, Sofa, Top and tail bed, Dining table, Worktable, Cabinet, Gun Kessle's shelf and Giraffe lamp.

* Packed with inspiring photographs of gardens, borders and features, this book provides a wealth of ideas for adapting schemes to fit the area being planted. * Includes patterns for 'natural' designs as well as more formal approaches. * TOPICS COVERED: Plants with Pattern: Leaf Shape and Texture; Patterns in Garden Layouts: Symmetrical and Formal; Patterns using Plants: Borders and Bedding; Patterns in Landscape

The Handcarved Bowl provides step-by-step photos and directions for every stage of the bowlcarving process that will appeal to everyone from beginning woodworkers to seasoned carvers. Carving wooden bowls by hand may appear to be just a romantic notion (don't worry, it's that too), but there's also lots to learn about this natural material and unique process that will be undoubtedly serve you for every future woodworking project, no matter the tools or methods used. Bowl carving gives unparalleled insight to the basic properties of wood behavior, intimate knowledge of how tool edges interact with different grain, and the importance of learning to reframe failure as one of the keys of building deep understanding. The Handcarved Bowl is the beginning of many projects, not just the three designs outlined here in step-by-step instructions, and both seasoned woodworkers and beginners alike will find the inherent value of carving using these methods. Along the way you'll learn tips and tricks that will keep you safe, help you make informed decisions about your own designs, and give you the confidence to take your work in any direction you'd like.

Analysis of a group of images of kingship and queenship from Anglo-Saxon England explores the implications of their focus on books, authorship and learning. Between the reign of Alfred in the late ninth century and the arrival of the Normans in 1066, a unique set of images of kingship and queenship was developed in Anglo-Saxon England, images of leadership that centred on books, authorship and learning rather than thrones, sword and sceptres. Focusing on the cultural and historical contexts in which these images were produced, this book explores the reasons for their development, and their meaning and functionwithin both England and early medieval Europe. It explains how and why they differ from their Byzantine and Continental counterparts, and what they reveal about Anglo-Saxon attitudes towards history and gender, as well as the qualities that were thought to constitute a good ruler. It is argued that this series of portraits, never before studied as a corpus, creates a visual genealogy equivalent to the textual genealogies and regnal lists that are so mucha feature of late Anglo-Saxon culture. As such they are an important part of the way in which the kings and queens of early medieval England created both their history and their kingdom. CATHERINE E. KARKOV is Professorof Art History at the University of Leeds.

Delight your children and grandchildren by making these fabulous vintage toys. Author Chris Reid takes you through the making process, giving clear advice and helpful tips to show how to make toys from the Victorian and Edwardian eras. There are 15 projects to choose from, including diabolo, yo-yo, skipping rope, spinning tops, quoits and skittles and more complicated toys such as a kaleidoscope, walking cow, dog and pig. This book includes basic techniques, such as making jigs and turning spheres and cylinders, as well as advice on wood and finishes that are safe for children's toys.

In 1934 Alcoa introduced a revolutionary new line of aluminum alloy giftware and domestic items designed by American pioneer industrial designer Lurelle Guild. Called Kensington Ware, these relatively expensive, slick, machine-age objects were in an unmistakenly Art Deco style with cast brass accents. They represent an important American contribution to modern design and decorative arts. The Kensington plant ceased production around 1970, and collectors have recently been scooping up these compelling objects in the antique and collectible markets. This is the first book to tell the Kensington story and identify, value, and illustrate the aluminum in 375 color, vintage, and black-and-white illustrations. It is a must for anyone interested in aluminum, Art Deco, and the machine-age in America.

This title offers 25 step-by-step hand-crafted projects. It shows you how to master decorative wood techniques including carving, pyrography, marquetry and fretwork, as well as basic automata and construction. It offers 25 stunning projects that include a tomato box chest, a carved maple clock with carved numerals, a rodeo toy, mirror frame and a contemporary shelf. It offers step-by-step instructions for techniques and ideas with over 300 photographs. Simple materials and equipment are used to create a diverse range of wooden objects. It introduces an inspiring variety of contemporary work by leading craftspeople. Essential information for selecting and preparing wood is included, with details of the main hard- and softwoods, the tools and the basic techniques. For anyone who enjoys creative crafts, working with wood is a perfect medium for both practical and artistic purposes. This book introduces a variety of decorative wood techniques, that are used in 25 appealing projects, which range from a simple keepsake card in balsa wood requiring the minimum of equipment, a harlequin book end, and a sturdy five-piece bench constructed in hardwood parana pine. Other imaginative projects use found or dismantled wooden objects, such as the Mirror Frame with stair spindles or the Lamp Base made from orange boxes. Every project is designed to reveal the characteristic grain, natural shade and texture of the individual wood. Although to make a number of these projects you will need a drill and a jigsaw, many do not require elaborate power tools. Don't be put off by sophisticated techniques, but connect with this natural resource at the most basic level, enjoying its classic, natural simplicity.

The first major scholarly investigation into the rich history of the marked body in the early modern period, this interdisciplinary study examines multiple forms, uses, and meanings of corporeal inscription and impression in France and the French Atlantic from the late sixteenth through early eighteenth centuries. Placing into dialogue a broad range of textual and visual sources drawn from areas as diverse as demonology, jurisprudence, mysticism, medicine, pilgrimage, commerce, travel, and colonial conquest that have formerly been examined largely in isolation, Katherine Dauge-Roth demonstrates that emerging theories and practices of signing the body must be understood in relationship to each other and to the development of other material marking practices that rose to prominence in the early modern period. While each chapter brings to light the particular histories and meanings of a distinct set of cutaneous marks-devil's marks on witches, demon's marks upon the possessed, devotional wounds, Amerindian and Holy Land pilgrim tattoos, and criminal brands-each also reveals connections between these various types of stigmata, links that were obvious to the early modern thinkers who theorized and deployed them. Moreover, the five chapters bring to the fore ways in which corporeal marking of all kinds interacted dynamically with practices of writing on, imprinting, and engraving paper, parchment, fabric, and metal that flourished in the period, together signaling important changes taking place in early modern society. Examining the marked body as a material object replete with varied meanings and uses, Signing the Body: Marks on Skin in Early Modern France shows how the skin itself became the register of the profound cultural and social transformations that characterized this era.

For woodturners at an advanced level, this book offers skills, projects, and inspiration. The 10 turning techniques here allow experts to expand their skills and also learn tips that make for better projects. Step-by-step instructions and a wealth of appealing and informative photographs give precise guidance for mastering each technique. Next, 18 projects are presented with complete photo instructions. Designed by the author and five expert colleagues, these projects also offer useful tool-fabrication and chucking solutions, and include contemporary as well as traditional and artistic turned objects. A gallery section features objects designed by today's top woodturners, and provides additional inspiration for the technical and design aspects of your own projects.

Plywood is an astonishingly versatile material, made by gluing together layers of cross-grained veneers, creating a pliable board that can be stronger than solid wood. Stylish and practical, plywood offers huge possibilities for experimental design, and it has been used to make a wide range of products, from aeroplanes, boats and automobiles to architecture and furniture. This book traces the history of plywood from its use in 18th-century furniture, through its emergence as an industrial product in the 19th century, to a material celebrated by 20th-century modernists such as Alvar Aalto and Charles and Ray Eames. An ideal material for the digital age, plywood has become popular again in recent years and is widely used in contemporary design and manufacture. Produced to accompany an exhibition at the V&A, this book is the first comprehensive study of the history of plywood and its myriad applications throughout the ages, unveiling the stories behind objects that surround us and that we often take for granted.

Part of a series of exciting and luxurious Flame Tree Notebooks. Combining high-quality production with magnificent fine art, the covers are printed on foil in five colours, embossed, then foil stamped. And they're powerfully practical: a pocket at the back for receipts and scraps, two bookmarks and a solid magnetic side flap. These are perfect for personal use and make a dazzling gift. This example features Uematsu Hobi's Box Decorated with Chrysanthemums.

Many designers, from jewellers to architects, use folding techniques to make three-dimensional forms from two-dimensional sheets of fabric, cardboard, plastic, metal and other materials. This unique handbook explains key folding techniques, such as pleated surfaces, curved folding and crumpling. It has been updated with a new chapter covering some lesser-known techniques, suggesting yet more creative possibilities. The techniques are accompanied by clear step-by-step drawings, specially commissioned photography and ten new instructional videos.

There's more to being Irish than kissing a Blarney Stone

Few places on earth match Ireland's romantic attraction and historical legacy. Every year, millions of visitors flock to the ancient sites and burgeoning cities of this enchanted island to immerse themselves in its rich literary, musical, and political heritage.

"The Everything Irish History & Heritage Book" introduces readers to the people, places, and events that have shaped the past and given rise to the unique culture of the Irish people. From the Iron Age to the economic renaissance, this comprehensive account familiarizes readers with Ireland's history and acquaints them with the climate, food, language, and sports that make it truly unique.

Features exhaustive coverage of:

• Celtic mythology and ancient folklore
• The Irish literary tradition--from "The Book of Kells" to "Ulysses"
• The potato famine and the Great Hunger
• The Irish in America and the immigration experience
• The Troubles and the road to peace
• Religion and family life

Being on the migrational flyway for ducks and geese, the upper Chesapeake Bay has long been a center for waterfowl hunting. Where there is hunting, there are, of course, decoys. The area around Havre de Grace, Maryland has produced some of the most prolific decoy makers in America. Usually born of the necessity of the hunt, their decoys have become highly collectable. In Upper Chesapeake Bay Decoys and Their Makers, David and Joan Hagan share their talent for photography with the reader. They illustrate the art of the decoy makers in this area with beautiful images of the birds they have formed. Usually their decoys are accompanied by the portraits of the artists and recollections and reflections on their art and experiences. Over eighty decoy makers are represented in Upper Chesapeake Bay Decoys and Their Makers. Many of them are still alive and active in their work. The decoys illustrated range from early decoys, faded and worn smooth with use, to recent decoys which go directly from the artist to the collector without ever touching the water. All of them show the skill of the artist and evoke the appreciation that has made the decoy a central theme in American folk art.

In the 1920s and '30s Art Deco influenced everything from art and architecture, interiors and furnishings, automobiles and boats, to the small personal objects that are part of everyday life. The items in this thematically structured book demonstrate Deco style at its most alluring. They were then the height of fashion, and are highly prized collectibles today. They demonstrate an era of close cooperation between designers and manufacturers, who aimed to produce goods that were not only fit for purpose, but also well made and beautiful. This informative showcase of portable classics of avant-garde modern design from Britain, Europe (particularly France) and the United States will appeal both to collectors and to anyone with an interest in Deco style and the history of fashion, taste and design. It is the first book to bring together the small collectibles - from cigarette cases and lighters to powder compacts and cosmetics accessories, watches, jewelry, even cameras - that demonstrate the style, glamour and sophistication of the Jazz Age.

Cutting and laminating, or gluing, wood for artistic effect and unique design has been part of woodworking throughout history. Now it's your turn to discover the beauty and complexity of "multi-generational" concepts. With today s improved tool technologies, this fun and surprisingly simple process is sure to become the average woodworking and home shop enthusiast's new playground. Nature provides the various wood grains, textures, and vibrant colors. Then, you combine those aspects into forms whose dimensions and variations are limited only by your imagination. Friendly instructions and helpful images break down the full-stripe pattern in three "generations," beginning with straight stripes, and resulting in kaleidoscopic, multi-contrast designs that will amaze your friends and family. The author covers, in detail, safety, jig design, tools, wood movement and moisture, and other woodworking basics. Using this foundation you can develop the lamination methods provided and eventually your own with confidence."