Blacksmithing is one of the traditional "lost arts" deserving re-discovery by anyone interested in do-it-yourself building and crafting. Creating one's own apparatus from metal enhances wood-working, stonework, building, and restoration work. Traditional builder and historic preservation consultant Charles McRaven shows how practical, simple, and rewarding the forging of hand tools can be. Having discovered blacksmithing himself when he moved "back to the land" in the 1970s, Charles McRaven tells readers all they need to know to set up their own smithies and begin blacksmithing. Over the years, McRaven claims he has made almost every mistake that can be made while perfecting his skills, and he shares this hard-won knowledge with readers in a readable and humorous style. The simple and clear instructions supplemented by the step-by- step photography, show how to build a forge, how to make and/or acquire tools, and how to use those tools to create utilitarian items of lasting beauty and durability.

There is much discussion among artisans when it comes to improving the cutting behavior of tools quickly and permanently, but the debate is settled here, where expert engineers and master craftsmen prove the benefits of sharpening blades and tools using methods based on time-tested Japanese water stone grinding techniques. Learn through detailed instructions how to get perfect edges on your chisels, planes, axes and hatchets, woodcarving and woodturning tools, drill bits, and handsaws in a tool-conserving and-in the best sense of the word-sustainable way, using stones, files, and specially designed machines. Manual sharpening has the added advantage that only as much material as absolutely necessary is taken off the steel. Founded on a scientific understanding of steel types and sharpening means and filled with valuable tips, this guide is a standard-setting volume and the ideal companion on the path to acquiring sharper and better edges on all your hand tools.

Marquetry is a technique where different natural colors of wood veneers are carefully cut to fit precisely together, creating a spectacular design in a single sheet or picture. In the mid 16th century, Italian craftsmen began using marquetry as a furniture decorating art. Using a technique called the double-bevel cut, the novice to advanced woodworker is led through a fully illustrated step-by-step process from the design to the finish. Hundreds of color photographs demonstrate in detail how to saw your own veneers out of solid wood planks, the tools and materials required, using the scroll saw and the fret saw, choosing woods for color and grain, design tips, shading with hot sand, and finishing. Four patterns ranging from simple to challenging projects are included as is an extended gallery of finished works to inspire the marquetarian in you.

Pyrography is a decorative craft that has been practised worldwide for thousands of years. It involves the burning of designs on items, usually wooden but also made from leather, cork, fabric and paper. With a little practice you can personalize anything from spoons to larger, more ambitious items such as bread boards or even pieces of furniture. In this booklet are 12 step-by-step projects suitable for the absolute beginner. There is also useful information on equipment and techniques to guide you every step of the way.

Making wooden boxes is one of the best ways to develop overall proficiency in woodworking. Boxes are relatively quick to build, require only a small amount of material, and can be made in the smallest of woodshops. And, of course, they make wonderful gifts

In this all-new collection of boxes from one of America s premier box makers, Doug Stowe shows how to design and build eight distinctive boxes, ranging from a Greene & Greene-style jewelry box to a letter box with sloping lid reminiscent of a Jefferson lap desk. Each box illustrates a key design principle such as harmony, rhythm, texture, or contrast and includes one or two design variations.

The focus of the book will be on giving the reader creative license to make boxes that are more personal in design. But all design issues aside, this will be a book of beautiful boxes that woodworkers of all levels will be eager to build."

The Art Of Chip Carving is an easy to follow, step-by-step guide to one of the world's most ancient and widely practiced forms of woodcarving. Anyone, from the completely inexperienced beginner to the veteran craftsperson, can learn to use simple, inexpensive tools and techniques to carve striking decorative designs in wood. Chip carving is an especially good introduction to working wood for the inexperienced because of its low cost-of-entry, and because it puts the most essential concepts of woodworking front and center: safety, precision, and how understanding the nature of the wood itself leads to successful results. This guide is loaded with the technical information you need to start chip carving-the few tools you need and how to sharpen them, how to select and prepare wood for carving, how to transfer carving patterns, how to carve safely and precisely, and how to read and understand wood grain. Clay also teaches the basics of good carving technique, provides step-by-step guidance through two practice boards to build your skills, and then walks you through ten beginner projects that allow you to put your skills to use. The Art Of Chip Carving goes beyond any other how-to manual by introducing techniques and projects for learning freehand carving, and how to use the simple shape-vocabulary of chip carving to create your own carving designs in the style of traditional European folk carvings.

Stickmaking Handbook is a fantastic introduction to the wonderful world of creating a wide range of traditional walking sticks, market sticks and crooks; there are 21 projects in total. Suitable timbers are covered in detail as well as alternative materials such as ram's horn, antler, buffalo and cow's horn. Techniques and tips on straightening sticks, fitting handles and fixing a ferrule are thoroughly explained. Stickmaking Handbook also discusses seasoning timbers, shaping, carving and shanking handles as well as a wide range of colouring and finishing methods.

Aimed at keen woodworkers of all levels, this book features 25 designs to suit all tastes - from traditional hinged jewellery-box designs to boxes with more elaborate and sophisticated opening mechanisms such as a quatrefoil box. Woodworkers will be spoilt for choice. Many of the projects include helpful hints and tips to ensure a perfect result and all projects include step-by-step instructions, along with either clear diagrams or easy-to-follow step-by-step photography. Plans are also provided where necessary.

A smooth piece of wood, some sharp carving tools and the 37 tried-and-true relief woodcarving projects and patterns from the archives of Woodcarving Illustrated, are all that is needed for this popular form of artistic expression. By following the step-by-step instructions, woodcarvers can create everything from trivets and clocks, to signs and mantels in wood, or adapt some of the many patterns to create their own projects. Relief Woodcarving Projects & Techniques also features a stunning gallery of work. Readers will gain expert information, insight, and inspiration from today's top relief carvers, including Lora S. Irish, Kathy Wise, Jim Dupont, Cyndi Joslyn, Frederick Wilbur, Mary-Ann Jack-Bleach, Floyd Truitt, and Bob Duncan. Join them as they create an assortment of compelling carvings, in a variety of skill levels, for the home and beyond.

Trench art is the evocative name given to a dazzling array of objects made from the waste of industrialized war. Each object, whether an engraved shell case, cigarette lighter or a pen made from shrapnel, tells a unique and moving story about its maker. For the first time, this book explores in-depth the history and cultural importance behind these ambiguous art forms. Not only do they symbolize human responses to the atrocities of war, but they also act as mediators between soldiers and civilians, individuals and industrial society, and, most importantly, between the living and the dead. Trench art resonates most obviously with the terror of endless bombardment, night raids, gas attacks and the bestial nature of trench life. It grew in popularity between 1919 and 1939 when the bereaved embarked on battlefield pilgrimages and returned with objects intended to keep alive the memory of loved ones. The term trench art is, however, misleading, as it does not simply refer to materials found in the trenches. It describes a diverse range of objects that have in some way emerged from the experience of war all over the world. Many distinctive objects, for example, were made during conflicts in Bosnia, Vietnam, Northern Ireland and Korea.Surprisingly, trench art predates World War I and it can be made in a number of earlier wars such as the Crimean War, the American Civil War, and the Boer War. Saunders looks at the broader issues of what is meant by trench art, what it was before the trenches and how it fits in with other art movements, as well as the specific materials used in making it. He suggests that it can be seen as a bridge between the nineteenth century certainties and the fragmentedindustrialized values and ideals of the modern world. This long overdue study offers an original and informative look at one of the most arresting forms of art. Spanning from 1800 to the present day, its analysis of art, human experience, and warfare will pave the way for new research and will be of great interest to cultural and military historians, anthropologists, art historians and collectors.

Trench art is the evocative name given to a dazzling array of objects made from the waste of industrialized war. Each object, whether an engraved shell case, cigarette lighter or a pen made from shrapnel, tells a unique and moving story about its maker. For the first time, this book explores in-depth the history and cultural importance behind these ambiguous art forms. Not only do they symbolize human responses to the atrocities of war, but they also act as mediators between soldiers and civilians, individuals and industrial society, and, most importantly, between the living and the dead. Trench art resonates most obviously with the terror of endless bombardment, night raids, gas attacks and the bestial nature of trench life. It grew in popularity between 1919 and 1939 when the bereaved embarked on battlefield pilgrimages and returned with objects intended to keep alive the memory of loved ones. The term trench art is, however, misleading, as it does not simply refer to materials found in the trenches. It describes a diverse range of objects that have in some way emerged from the experience of war all over the world. Many distinctive objects, for example, were made during conflicts in Bosnia, Vietnam, Northern Ireland and Korea.Surprisingly, trench art predates World War I and it can be made in a number of earlier wars such as the Crimean War, the American Civil War, and the Boer War. Saunders looks at the broader issues of what is meant by trench art, what it was before the trenches and how it fits in with other art movements, as well as the specific materials used in making it. He suggests that it can be seen as a bridge between the nineteenth century certainties and the fragmentedindustrialized values and ideals of the modern world. This long overdue study offers an original and informative look at one of the most arresting forms of art. Spanning from 1800 to the present day, its analysis of art, human experience, and warfare will pave the way for new research and will be of great interest to cultural and military historians, anthropologists, art historians and collectors.

For any keen woodturners out there who want to do more turning but are short of time, 30-Minute Woodturning is the perfect book as it has an enticing variety of projects which can all be completed in 30 minutes. Even for those working at an intermediate level, this book provides you with something to aim for without compromising safety and it will help beginners to build their skills. Each of the 25 projects also has plans for four variations included so there are a total of 100 designs to whet your appetite. Most of the projects require only basic turning tools and workshop accessories that nearly every turner will have. A list of tools and materials required is included for each one, along with drawings with dimensions. Projects include: candlestick holder doorstop decorative bird box toadstool spatula honey dipper bud vase square edge plate

This revelatory book shows how the influential and controversial Empress Dowager Cixi used art and architecture to establish her authority Empress Dowager Cixi (1835-1908), who ruled China from 1861 until her death in 1908, is a subject of fascination and controversy, at turns vilified for her political maneuvering and admired for modernizing China. In addition to being an astute politician, she was an earnest art patron, and this beautifully illustrated book explores a wide range of objects, revealing how the empress dowager used art and architecture to solidify her rule. Cixi's art commissions were innovative in the way that they unified two distant conceptions of gender in China at the time, demonstrating her strength and wisdom as a monarch while highlighting her identity as a woman and mother. Artful Subversion examines commissioned works, including portrait paintings and photographs, ceramics, fashion, architecture, and garden design, as well as work Cixi created, such as painting and calligraphy. The book is a compelling study of how a powerful matriarch at once subverted and upheld the Qing imperial patriarchy.

Glass is a magical material through which light can shine. Throughout its millennial history, its colourful splendour and malleability have always exerted a particular fascination and a creative attraction. The book offers a profound and lavishly documented panorama of artistic glass design in Europe and the United States since the 1870s. Over many years Renate und Dietrich Götze have assembled one of the world’s most important collections of glass vessels, comprising some 500 exclusive objects. It reflects not only the collectors’ passion for this luminous material and its unlimited opportunities for inspiring the imagination, but also their tremendous expertise. The volume is a compendium of glass art with numerous artist biographies, a directory of the glass foundries, their techniques and symbols – and, above all: a feast for the eyes!

Woodturned Christmas ornaments are a delight to make and are beautiful pieces to hang on a Christmas tree or anywhere throughout your home during the holiday season. In this book, the author presents some of his favourite Christmas ornament designs. Each project is accompanied by detailed step-by-step instructions and photos, ensuring your success in every endeavour. The book includes information on making popular birdhouse ornaments and adding finials and mandrels to an ornament design. Nish has also included work from some of his favourite turners, resulting in a vast collection of elegant holiday decorations. Whether you're looking for something special to add to the tree this year or are searching for a gift idea, you're sure to find a design you like on these pages.

Discover the thrill of working with hot metal and creating your own pieces. This book shows you how: with lavish photographs, it captures the excitement of working at the fire and explains the techniques to get you started. Drawing on traditional methods, it encourages you to develop your own style and to design your own tools and creations. Step-by-step instructions to shaping, bending, splitting and drawing down hot metal are given along with advice on traditional methods to fasten metal pieces together. Projects included in this new book are making a hanging basket bracket and a toasting fork.

A reprint of the original 1886 catalog of bronzes from the House of Barbedienne is reproduced with original selling prices in French francs and dimensions plus the line drawings which depict many of these famous works. Barbedienne was one of the foremost French foundries for the production of bronze sculptures in the latter part of the Nineteenth Century.

For anyone who has ever been interested in trying their hand at the art of wood burning, this book is a delight. Accomplished artist Sue Waters guides the beginner through six beautiful wood burning projects. All of the tools, techniques and patterns necessary to create these works of art are provided within. Trouble-shooting tips help the novice avoid common mistakes from the outset. Color photographs and basic, straight-forward descriptions detail every step along the way. By the time these projects are finished, you will have mastered lettering techniques, created floral displays, mountain and lake-side scenes, and even rendered your first elk on wood. When you close the last page you will be left with the satisfaction only tangible evidence of your new-found skills may provide. You will also have the confidence and skill necessary to explore new creative possibilities on your own. Even the artist familiar with basic wood burning techniques will find new and useful information within these colorful pages.

Add Instant Rustic Charm to Your Home with Easy, Custom Woodburnings Kick your crafting up a notch with incredible handmade woodburnings! Whether you want to combine inspirational hand lettering with alpine charm in the Mountain Scene woodburning or complement your farmhouse aesthetic with one-of-a-kind Deer Silhouette Wall Decor, the art of pyrography is an easy, enjoyable way to fill your home with custom art. Aney Carver is the founder of Pyrocrafters, and in this book she shows you exactly how simple this impressive craft is. With just a wood canvas and a woodburning tool easily found at craft stores, you can make anything you can imagine! Each easy-to-follow project provides a traceable design template, then walks you through essential techniques like outlining and shading. With a variety of pieces like the darling Keepsake Box with Ink and the majestic Eagle Eye portrait, you can hone your pyrography skills as you create your own wonderful woodburnings. So grab your canvas and woodburning tool, because it's time to play with fire.

Craft Economies provides a wide-ranging exploration of contemporary craft production, situating practices of amateur and professional making within a wider creative economy. Contributors address a diverse range of practices, sites and forms of making in a wide range of regional and national contexts, from floristry to ceramics and from crochet to coding. The volume considers the role of digital practices of making and the impact of the maker's movement as part of larger trends around customisation, on-demand production, and the possibilities of 3D printing and digital manufacturing.

Co-published in Association with the Victoria and Albert Museum, London This book is a timely and engaging introduction to the way that artists working in all media think about craft. Workmanship is key to today's visual arts, when high 'production values' are becoming increasingly commonplace. Yet craft's centrality to contemporary art has received little serious attention from critics and historians. Dispensing with cliched arguments that craft is art, Adamson persuasively makes a case for defining craft in a more nuanced fashion. The interesting thing about craft, he argues, is that it is perceived to be 'inferior' to art. The book consists of an overview of various aspects of this second-class identity - supplementarity, sensuality, skill, the pastoral, and the amateur. It also provides historical case studies analysing craft's role in a variety of disciplines, including architecture, design, contemporary art, and the crafts themselves. Thinking Through Craft will be essential reading for anyone interested in craft or the broader visual arts.

A beautifully illustrated book exploring the art of Iran and Central Asia from the 5th to the 2nd Millennium BC This richly illustrated book explores the art of ancient Iran and Central Asia between the 5th and 2nd millenniums BC, a time that proved to be one of the region's most prolific periods. Over this period, the first cities arise, strengthen their power and multiply, and undergo continuous innovation. To serve this new world, items are invented and artistry flourishes-jars for storage and transportation of goods, prestigious weapons, jewellery, ceremonial vessels and statuary. Exquisite photography and illustrations throughout the book demonstrate the skilful design and wealth of materials used to create such objects. Ancient Iran was rich in minerals, while Central Asia had precious commodities such as lapis lazuli, gold and tin. Showcasing the distinctive artistic output of the region, magnificent objects from the Sarikhani Collection and other collections come together in this illuminating book. Distributed for the Sarikhani Collection

The art of forging multiple layers of steel together into beautiful, strong, and sharp Damascus steel blades started millenia ago. Now, with this guide, novice blacksmiths and bladesmiths have a practical and budget-conscious approach to forging their own Damascus steel knives. Starting with the basics, this practical guide shows how easy it can be to build a simple Damascus-grade forge; forge Damascus steel into different patterns; and forge a blade into shape, harden it, and turn it into a finished knife. Sketches, step-by-step instructions, and tools and materials lists help you prepare and work through the project methodically and safely. Complete with tips for sharpening Damascus steel blades and insights on the metallurgy behind this special steel, this guide is ideal for the metalworking hobbyist.

Home accents made with beautiful natural wood are hugely popular and add impact to any room of the house. But the simple elegance of a birch table lamp or a driftwood sculpture can carry an eye-watering price tag. Simply Wood shows you how to make beautiful and practical objects using found wood that doesn't cost the earth. All you need are basic skills such as measuring, sawing, drilling and gluing to achieve each of the 20 projects. Choose from lighting and shelving to wreaths and wall hangings, and simply follow the clear, step-by-step instructions to make your chosen item. Whether you are drawn to delicate twigs, graceful branches, sturdy logs, silvered driftwood or weathered boards, there is a project for you - be inspired, get creative and bring the beauty of nature into your home.