A must-have whittling guide for beginning carvers looking to learn how to whittle, as well as advanced carvers seeking to build their existing skills and try something new. Featuring 35 projects and high-quality, full-size whittling patterns, all you need is one knife, a few found items either from out in nature or around your home – from twigs and basswood blocks to soap, avocado pits and golf balls – and this exciting whittling project book. Try a classic ball-in-cage whimsey, learn how to turn a golf ball into a face, an avocado pit into an owl, or a twig into a mini sculpture. Projects are small and simple, so they’re easy to take with you and chip away at anywhere you go! This guide also includes helpful introductory sections on the fundamentals of woodcarving, including basic cuts, wood and grain, and safety. See how easy, fun, and creative whittling can be! Original patterns contributed by today’s leading carvers, such as Guinness World Record holder Chris Lubkemann, James Miller, Nikki Reese, Tom Hindes, Sara Barraclough, and other talented and award-winning artists.

Retreats, hideaways, escape spaces - call them what you will, such havens offer us a personal, private and peaceful place to nest, nurture and take time out. These spaces offer the chance to create a completely unique interior. Be it a simple garden room, a homely shepherd's hut, a yoga-lover's cabin, a fishing lodge or summer house, a treehouse, a circus wagon, a purpose-designed garden smart pod or even a canal boat, the glorious retreats showcased here will provide inspiration for creating your very own place for escape or somewhere to enjoy favourite activities. Author Sara Bird reveals the essential elements of a soulful hideaway, from building materials to decorative details, and then explores 14 remarkable retreats in three chapters: Close to Home, On the Water and In the Wild. These are spaces designed for rest, relaxation, play and daydreaming either alone or en famille, as well as for their effects on our mental and physical wellbeing.

Master the craft of glass art in your own home studio

The Glass Artist's Studio Handbook is a robust review of three popular glass art styles--stained glass, fusing, and lampworking--that brings learning new skills and making glass art within everyone's reach. With the right tools, classic techniques, and several "teaching projects," you will soon be making beautiful glass art at home.

Artist Cecilia Cohen walks you through planning your work space, selecting tools and materials, mastering basic glasswork techniques, and applying your new skills to original pieces. In addition, "The Glass Artist's Studio Handbook "encourages good organization, unique and inspired design, and eco-friendly practices, ensuring it will remain an invaluable resource for artists.

The Glass Artist's Studio Handbook

- Invites you into the studios of 18 glass artists from around the world

- Teaches fundamental glass-art techniques--cutting glass, soldering, flameworking, kilnwork, and more--in full-color photographs

- Illustrates the steps for crafting beautiful pieces of glass art, including suncatchers, jewelry, boxes, beads, and a kaleidoscope

Whether you are new to the art and want to set up your first studio and learn the basics, or an experienced artist looking to expand your repertoire and stimulate your creativity with advanced projects, The Glass Artist's Studio Handbook is for you.

Artist and popular workshop instructor Traci Bunkers can turn just about anything into an interesting stamp, printing block, or tool. In this book, she shows readers how to see overlooked, everyday objects in a new way, and how to "MacGyver" them into easy to use printing blocks and tools. Readers learn to create 52 print blocks and stamp tools, all from inexpensive, ordinary, and unexpected materials--string, spools, bandaids, flip flops, ear plugs, rubber bands, school erasers, and a slew of other repurposed and upcycled items. The book also shows how to use those simple tools to make gorgeous, multi-layered prints and patterns that can be used to enhance journal covers, stationery, fabrics, accessories, and more.

Photographs have always evoked strong emotions - special memories caught on camera have their own special magic. But photos must be displayed for us to share their magic with others. Now there are many more display possibilities than placing them in an album or simply framing them.

This book shares more than 75 ideas for turning your photos into attractive and interesting displays. It is the result of much experimenting and trial and error. While some projects are both functional and decorative, others are delightfully quirky. They all have one thing in common: the creative use of photographs, and whatever you have at hand for embellishment. Bases used include canvas, glass, porcelain and ceramics, wood (MDF and soft wood), fabric, candles and skirting boards. In fact, there is hardly a surface that cannot be covered with a photograph in some way or another.

Various techniques are used, including several transfer methods, decoupage, photomontage and covering with resin. Use these ideas to turn your photos into valued gifts by personalising general-use items or simply create eye-catching decor for your home. Once you start, you may not want to stop! Illustrated with step by step photographs as well as magnificent photos of each finished project, the book will both teach and inspire.

So give your creativity free rein and fill your life with your special moments.