An inspirational practical guide with bold and colourful designs, Polymer clay is a popular medium suitable for and loved by crafters of all ages and skill levels.

It is available in every imaginable colour and easily cured in a home oven, making clay art accessible to everyone. Clay surfaces can be enhanced in many ways and borrowing techniques from other crafts, such as stamping, punching, mosaicing and embossing adds tremendously to the versatility of this craft, making it fun and rewarding. This book shows you how to use it to create exquisite jewellery, stylish gifts, decorative boxes, buttons, faux finishes, attractive home accessories and much more.

Lots of step by step photographs ensure that not even a rank beginner can go wrong, and full page pictures of the finished items will inspire clay crafters to try the terrific projects. Many techniques, from basic conditioning to creative canework and millefiori-finishes, are clearly explained and illustrated, then contextualised in the various projects. Use these techniques to create your own unique pieces and custom designs. Owing to the nature of the medium, no two pieces will ever look exactly the same.

So go get your clay and start playing!

What does it take to build an amazing sandcastle? The answer is: more than you think! Take students on a fun exploration of the properties of sand and factors that influence sandcastle construction such as moisture and sunlight. Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, this STEAM book will ignite a curiosity about STEAM topics through real-world examples. It features a hands-on STEAM challenge that is perfect for makerspaces and that guides students step-by-step through the engineering design process. Make STEAM career connections with career advice from actual Smithsonian employees working in STEAM fields. Introduce early science topics to young readers with this STEAM book that is ideal for 1st grade students or ages 5-7.

Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

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.

Ceramicists searching for new ways to fire their creations now have a wealth of options. Authors James Watkins and Paul Wandless, along with a group of distinguished artisans, demonstrate in detail how to build low-cost, low-tech, yet high-quality kilns and varied firing techniques. The plans range from an easy, affordable and versatile Raku Kiln to a unique wood-fuelled Downdraft Stovepipe Barrel kiln. These clever devices make it possible to produce rich surface effects from alternative reduction firing techniques. In addition to showing the basic procedures for using each kiln, easy-to-follow directions for many fast-fire methods unfold in color photographs: you'll see how to achieve terra sigillata surfaces with direct chemical application and how to do traditional crackle-glaze raku and smoke finishes.

Making Small Scale Models is for those who have never made a model before or want to develop or increase their skills. From cutting a straight line to making a scaled human figure that 'lives', through to creating beautifully detailed buildings and finely detailed furniture, the book takes you through each stage of the process. Topics covered include: Methods for a wide range of disciplines, from theatre design to railway modelling to interior design; Practical guide to tools and materials; Basic techniques for constructing scale models using simple, readily available materials; Step-by-step guides to projects designed to practise and develop skills; Advanced ideas focus on colour, texture and form to bring models to life.

Whittling Woodland Animals introduces the simple art of whittling with 15 wilderness creatures to create from scratch. The relaxing and rewarding craft of whittling is synonymous with a woodland setting, which provides the ideal subject matter for this new book from seasoned woodcarver, Peter Benson. Intricately carved and infused with character, this collection of 15 whittled woodland creatures makes a perfect beginner's guide to the hobby. Making delightful gifts and trinkets for nature lovers, you'll want to carve every single animal in the book. The main tools and techniques are clearly explained, how to carve safely and clear step-by-step instructions for each animal. A handy campfire-friendly size, simply grab your whittling kit and head out into the woods to while away the hours.

With a mix of illustrated step-by-step guides for beginners and more pared-down pattern profiles for advanced carvers, this compilation is perfect for carvers of all skill levels. The featured patterns and projects are from some of today's leading carving experts, including Shawn Cipa, Floyd Rhadigan, Chris Pye, Don Dearolf, Rick Jensen, Robert Biermann, and Sandy Smith. With step-by-step instructions and colour photos, readers are guaranteed a very merry carving experience.

Dragons have captured the imagination of artists for aeons and feature in the earliest myths, on the armour of medieval knights, as well as in today's popular culture. In this new and improved third edition, dragon aficionado and artist Lora Irish shares tips and techniques for creating your own fantastic renderings of man's favorite foe. Updated for this edition: brand new art for both Eastern and Western dragons, a new gallery, sections on dragon history, lore, and anatomy, and a newly added section on transfer instructions for all applications, including fabric, wood, canvas, and other materials.

The Art of Chip Carving teaches crafters of all levels how to create 15 decorative rosette patterns. Chip carving is that art of forming intricate geometric patterns by carefully cutting away small triangles of wood to slowly create the full project. Tatiana Baldina's incredibly detailed instructions, with photographs accompanying every step, will allow even a complete beginner through the process of recreating her patterns, while more experienced carvers will relish the opportunity to try out new designs. The projects can be used to decorate all manner of objects, from boxes to plates and wall panels to furniture. The book also contains a comprehensive introduction to the art, including choosing the appropriate tools and materials and instructions for all the different cutting techniques you'll need.

"The Art of Whittling" has provided readers with a wonderful introduction to the enjoyable hobby of whittling for decades. First published in 1930, Walter L. Faurot's guide was one of the first manuals on the subject. This book contains a wealth of traditional whittling projects that are not found in many other books today.
Rediscover such classics as:
- Interlocking wooden puzzles
- Rings and dumbbells
- Continuous wooden chains
- Ships inside bottles
Perfect for a beginner or someone looking to enhance their whittling skills, this book also contains instructions for making such items as working wooden scissors and pliers, balls in cages, entwined hearts, fans, animal toys, and joint work. Enjoy exploring a new hobby with this unabridged republication of the original edition.