Ardmore ceramics are found in major collections in several European countries, the United States and South Africa and have been given as state gifts to, among others, Bill Clinton, Jacques Chirac, Queen Elizabeth II and Empress Michiko of JapanGiraffe stretch out their necks and bat-eared foxes curl their tails to make handles for jugs, vases and tureens. Inquisitive monkeys peer over the edge of a planter, teasing the leopards below them. Magical creatures wear cloaks of flowers, spots and stripes; a turbanned Zulu figure sits astride a hippo Colorful, imaginative, vibrant, delicate and dramatic these are just some of the hallmarks of the artworks that have garnered international accolades for Ardmore Ceramic Art in rural KwaZulu-Natal. It is here, in South Africa s most successful ceramics studio set in the verdant Midlands, that exquisitely handcrafted and highly detailed figurative works and functional ware are created by more than fifty artists who draw on Zulu traditions and folklore, history, the natural world, and their own lives for inspiration.In turn, it is the lives of the sculptors and painters of Ardmore that fire the vision of the woman behind it all: Fee Halsted is an artist whose love of teaching and determination to fight poverty and AIDS have set others on the path of creative self-discovery and ultimately worldwide acclaim."Ardmore We Are Because of Others" tells the extraordinary story of this famous studio from its humble beginnings in a poverty-stricken corner of South Africa to its fame as a producer of exceptional and irresistible objets d art prized by collectors, galleries and museums throughout the world. It is also the story of the indomitable Fee Halsted who is the driving force behind the enterprise, and the artists whose inventive spirit and fearless creativity are at the heart of Ardmore."

'It is more motivating to make something that you genuinely desire, to create an object that you want in your home. The things we choose to have around us say something about who we are, but things we have made ourselves do that even more strongly. I want every project in the book to be something that the reader wants to make, to work really well in use and be something that can be proudly shown to others.' Tom Trimmins This wonderfully practical book is aimed at anyone looking to balance their busy lives by mastering core woodworking skills. Working with wood will challenge, stimulate, relax and reward - and you'll be proud to display the beautiful objects you've made with your own hands. Here you'll find a range of practical and pleasing projects to display around your home. Initially you'll need a small collection of readily available tools - as your skills develop and expand, so too will your tool collection. Every project has step-by-step instructions, and you'll learn about the properties of different woods, design techniques and how to fix-up vintage tools. The book mainly uses hand tools as they're cleaner, take up less room, are quieter and offer less potential for accidents than power tools.

An essential resource for any designer, crafter, artist, or historian, The Complete Pattern Dictionary is the most comprehensive, practical, and beautiful directory of patterns throughout history, covering all periods, styles, and cultures. Throughout history, patterns have come in countless permutations of motif, color, and scale. From the first rhythmic marks pressed onto clay vessels, to the latest digital design, pattern-making has been an essential part of the decorative arts since time immemorial. With 1500 illustrations of patterns from all ages and cultures, The Complete Pattern Dictionary is not only a visual feast, it is the most comprehensive resource available on the subject. The book is arranged thematically according to pattern type, with chapters on Flora, Fauna, Pictorial, Geometric, and Abstract designs. Each pattern includes the name of the pattern, the year of its creation, and a brief description. The categories are supplemented by in-depth features highlighting the work of key designers including William Morris, Sonia Delaunay, Charles and Ray Eames, Lucienne Day, and Orla Kiely, as well as sections detailing the characteristic motifs of key period styles from Baroque to Art Deco.

With over 200 scroll saw patterns to bring to life, this must-have resource will keep you scrolling throughout the year. With insightful sections covering the scrolling basics to assist beginners as well as more challenging projects for advanced scrollers this book offers a wide range of projects in various scroll saw styles.

Learn to create art with light, flexible floral wire. Detailed photographs and 26 easy-to-follow patterns show you how to make a variety of wire designs and airy sculptures. Basic wire-working techniques and the essential tools you will need to get started are here, plus 26 projects with clear, step-by-step instructions. You'll learn to make charming animals, flowers, leaves, bicycles, a Volkswagen bus, and more. Discover ideas for making projects like greeting cards and wall plaques from your wire sculptures. Learn to use mixed media in your designs, with instructions for combining wire with wood, paper, glass, and even recycled flatware. Once you have mastered the projects in the book, you can use the techniques you have learned as inspiration for your own wire designs.