Scrimshaw is the art of the Eskimos and whalers. They began by carving fine lines into walrus ivory and bones, which developed into complex images. Today, scrimshaw is a recognized art form that inspires collectors all over the world - especially in Europe and the United States. Richard "Ritchi" Maier is one of the best "scrimshanders" internationally. In this volume, this skilled engraver explains the history and technique of scrimshaw engraving. Most of the book is a practical guide for those who want to try their hand at this artwork. The author provides tips on materials, equipment, and tools, and describes every step in detail, allowing the reader to share in his broad experience. Many photographs and illustrations detail techniques, procedures, and finished pieces. It is a perfect guidebook for anyone entering the wonderful world of scrimshaw.

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.

Fostoria was a most remarkable glassd company and George Sakier(1897-1988) was a most remarkable designer of Fostoria glass. For over fifty years, through the Great Depression, Sakier sent classic and modern designs to Moundsville, West Virginia, where millions of delightful glass objects were produced. They appear here in profusion. The book includes a throughly researched text about the man and his art(paintings, industrial designs and glass), as well as hundreds of brilliant color photographs of thousands of Fostoria glass items of many patterns and Sakier's fascinating oil painting landscapes. Sakier's Fostoria glass is American Art Deco design and the book is a fine resource for glass collectors.

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.

An extravagant array of miniature perfume bottles fills these full-color pages, pure rapture for those who love scent, beautiful glasswork, and the mystique of the truly elegant. While collectors of full-sizes perfume bottles have always found a place for a few choice "minis" on their shelves, these are a growing trend to specialize in these little beauties in their own right. From the Victorian era through the beginning of the 20th century, from the world wars through the 1990s, this book has it all! Over 600 brilliant photographs show every detail and each bottle is identified by fragrance, perfumer, size, and era. Significant glassmakers are discussed, and their works are identified. This book has bottle-by-bottle guide to current market values.

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!

This is the only book on the highly attractive, hand-decorated Chameleon Ware pottery from George Clews & Co. Ltd. in Tunstall, England. The company's finest work was made in the 1930s, but production started early in the century. This ware was exclusive when originally sold and its beautiful colors and exciting designs are now increasingly appreciated by discerning collectors. Colorful and informative, this book charts the history of George Clews' pottery during its fifty-five year existence, and gives a clear guide to collecting Chameleon Ware. Illustrated with over 250 color photographs, it includes a list of all known patterns with identifying numbers and a current price guide. This is an indispensable handbook for art pottery lovers.

The popular collectible dinnerware lines of our time are highlighted in this new book, principally Fiesta and Lu-Ray, plus other lines that are often confused with one another. Accompanied by a price guide and over 500 color illustrations, author Mark Gonzalez highlights the companies and the lines they produced. Look back at a previous time (1930s to 1960s) when bold dinnerware in Fiesta-type colors (red, cobalt, yellow, green, maroon, turquoise) and pastel glazes were "in" with consumers. American-made, solid-colored dinnerware features a wide array of shapes, in dozens of colors, made over approximately four decades.

This comprehensive book showcases the advertising legacy of over two hundred New England breweries, featuring a multitude of exquisite lithographs, trays, signs of all types, cans, bottles, foam scrapers, tap knobs, and other items produced during the last 100+ years. A foreword by noted breweriana author Will Anderson starts off this beautifully illustrated book, while the text provides background information about company history as well as the items presented. Dimensions, dates, and values are provided in the captions. Among the wonderful array of companies included are Cremo, Largay, Wehle, Frank Jones, Eldredge, Haffenreffer, Hampden, Van Nostrand, Narragansett, and Hanley. Breweriana and advertising buffs alike will delight in the colorful memorabilia from brewers of the past who once fiercely competed for market dominance.

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.

Conjuring up wooden wands might seem like a magical and mysterious process, but the Compendium of Wooden Wand Making Techniques is here to show you how simple it can be! In the first-ever guide to making wands, you'll learn how to whittle, power carve, wood turn, and scroll saw over 20 unique projects that are sure to delight any fantasy-loving woodworker. With five wands for each woodworking technique, included with each project are step-by-step instructions, coordinating photography, and full-size patterns. An overview on the history of wands and a guide to woods and their inherent magical properties is also featured for additional wizardly knowledge! A complete project collection that's truly the first of its kind, this book is a must-have source of inspiration filled with fascinating wand lore that belongs in any woodworker's library who has a love for all things fiction and fantasy!

This wonderful collection of inspirational period carving projects ranges fromt he quick and simple to the long and complex, and caters to hobby carvers of all abilities. The new carver can start with the simplest project and, over a period of time, work through to the intermediate and advanced levels, while experienced carvers will find pieces to challenge and engage them. Each project is designed to capture the spirit and style of a particular period throughout history and at the end of the project the carver will have developed new skills, gained an understanding of another style, and created a carving to proudly display in the home. Projects each have an introduction, setting it in historical context, a tracing pattern, an inspirational photo of the finished carving, and comprehensive, easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions and photographs.

Creating a diorama offers modellers a chance to display their figures and vehicles in a realistic setting, often providing a 'snapshot' of a moment in history. This book provides step-by-step instructions on how to plan, design and build a diorama and is suitable for new and more experienced modellers. With over 270 colour photographs, it considers all scales from 1/87 (H0) to 1/32 and their implications for the diorama builder. The importance of research to ensure historical accuracy is emphasized. Advice is given on the creation of dioramas in different scales and sizes. It demonstrates the techniques required to achieve effective results for landscapes, terrain and vegetation. Finally, examples are included from the Napoleonic Wars, American Civil War, World War I and World War II.

This new study of the Central Glass Company, Wheeling, West Virginia, and its beautiful glass is one of the most comprehensive books in the collecting field. Heavily illustrated with color images, historical documents, and catalog pages, it will satisfy both the collector and the glass historian. Each pattern is illustrated, most with beautiful color photos, and all are carefully described. A guide to current values is included. The pattern designs, collected from a variety of incomplete, partially destroyed, and randomly numbered catalogs, are placed in the correct order of the mold number, offering the first chronological overview of the company's growth. An easy identification guide compiles every known pattern made by the Central Glass Company from 1863 to 1893. The reader will discover many formerly unknown patterns with correct attributions to the Central Glass Company.