'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.

Decorating with motifs is truly quick and easy. Use these wonderfully versatile decorating techniques and designs to create a special atmosphere and leave your own unique imprint -- on various articles in and around the house, for yourself or as prized gifts for family and friends. This book inspires in two parts. The first section is filled with colour photographs of completed projects, as well as numerous tips. The second section contains over 250 motifs to choose from and combine with the craft of your choice. The motif collection is divided into ten themes: Africa, cacti, shells, leaves...take a look -- you will find something to suit every taste and setting.

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.

Many traditional crafts practiced in contemporary Egypt can be traced back hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Scenes inscribed on the walls of ancient temples and tombs depict the earliest Egyptians making pottery and papyrus and working with stone, wood, and other materials. The eleven chapters of this volume explore these and other crafts that continue to flourish in Egypt. From copper and glass works to jewelry, woodwork, and hand-woven carpets and fabric, each chapter offers an in-depth look at one material or craft and the artisans who keep its traditions alive. The authors, drawing on historical sources and documentary research, sketch the evolution of each craft, looking into its origins, the development of tools and methods used in the craft, and the diverse influences that have shaped the form and function of craft items produced today, ranging widely through the pharaonic, Coptic, Islamic, and modern periods.This historical examination is complemented by extensive field research and interviews with craftsmen and women, which serve to set these crafts into a living cultural context and offer a window into the modern craft economy, the lives of craftspeople, and the local communities and traditions they express and sustain. The volume is amply illustrated with vivid photographs of contemporary craft items and artisans at work, from the coastal town of Damietta to the far-flung deserts and the ancient alleyways of Cairo. It is a narrative and visual tour that provides valuable insight into contemporary Egypt as seen through its material culture and the legions of unsung artists who nourish and enrich it.