When the stresses of modern life get too much, what could be better than gathering a few simple tools, heading into the woods and literally whittling away a few hours? The gentle art of whittling is a relaxing and absorbing hobby that can be enjoyed almost anywhere from round the campfire to in a cozy armchair at home. All you need is a good pocket knife, a piece of wood and your imagination. Projects can range from the delightfully simple to impressively intricate--it's up to you. Woodland Whittling guides you through the basics explaining what equipment you need, how to hold the knife, and what timber to use. The projects are then all described in detail with clear step-by-step photographs. Projects include: letter opener, thumb stick, ring tree and egg cup.

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.

This is a sketchbook of original designs for woodcarvers and artists. "Fantastic Book of Canes, Pipes, and Walking Sticks" is the remarkable work of (the late) Harry Ameredes, notable artist, woodcarver and sculptor. Spanning 35 years of work, these fabulous pen and ink sketches showcase Ameredes' styles ranging from fighting canes in a medieval style to one of a kind walking sticks crafted from tree roots and driftwood. This edition features a new, 8 page colour photo gallery of the author's finished work. It includes drawings that will inspire carving, woodburning and other craft projects.

Celebrate the splendor of wood with these wood-crafting projects. From simple woven panels to making a functional yurt, Woodland Craft features an array of easy-to-follow projects that include crafts for the farm, garden, wood fuel, building and domestic use. Green wood - wood that has been recently cut and is therefore still moisture-rich - is the predominant material used in the projects featured in this essential guide for craftsman of all levels. With Woodland Craft: you'll learn all you need to know about tools and devices, both old and new. you'll browse through the directory of tree species and identify the best uses for each. you'll gain the insight you need to make practically anything out of this clean, crisp, beautiful element. Includes 700 illustrations and photographs

A practical and in-depth look at modelling faces in clay covering essential information from choosing your clay and modelling tools to drying your work and types of natural finishes. This is a practical and in-depth look at modelling faces in clay, using step-by-step pictures, which is ideal for anyone who wants to have a go at working in detail. As the face gives the figure life and personality, it is an important focus once the body has been created. This book examines the various aspects that make up the face in depth, and which need to be considered when modelling, such as the proportions of the head, bone structure, muscles and expressions. From the face of a child to that of an adult, and from sadness to joy, the enormous variety of faces and expressions all require a different approach and convincing details to complete the figure or bust. All these things are covered thoroughly using diagrams, step-by-step images and clear explanations in order to help you create a face for your work and to improve your modelling. The book also covers essential information such as how to get started, choosing your clay and modelling tools, drying your work and types of natural finishes such as wax.

Master the old-fashioned craft of whittling with this easy-to-learn beginner's guide. Even if you've never carved a piece of wood before, Old Time Whittling will show you how to create iconic whittling classics like the wooden chain, ball-in-a-cage, arrow-through-the-heart and more. Woodcarving instructor and author Keith Randich takes you step-by-step through 10 projects, with concise instructions and more than 50 photographs and diagrams.

Whittle 12 whimsical woodland creatures with step-by-step instructions and easy-to-use patterns in Woodcarving the Country Bear and His Friends. Not quite caricature, but not realistic either, these humorous bears, moose, rabbits and beavers are easy and fun to make. Each enjoyable project features full colour photos from 4 angles, in-progress shots, detailed patterns and paint colour recommendations. Also provides a complete overview of tools, plus carving and painting tips. Great for beginners or seasoned woodcarvers alike!

Peering down from rooftops with their haunting, even humorous expressions, gargoyles have endured for centuries as architectural necessities directing rainwater away from age-old buildings, or as others speculate, warding off evil to protect the cathedrals, churches and homes where they were perched. Today, these mysterious beasts are a popular carving subject for anyone looking to add primitive ornamentation in and around their homes. If you've ever wanted to carve a gargoyle, grotesque, chimera or guardian, or just understand their differences, this unique step-by-step tutorial from renowned woodcarver, Shawn Cipa, will guide you from start to finish. In addition to being led through the entire carving and finishing process, you'll also discover fascinating legends and lore about each of these spirited creatures, where surviving gargoyles can be found around the world, and the facts and conjecture surrounding their purpose and meaning. After you master the skills to complete the Traditional Water-Spouting Gargoyle and Class Grotesque projects, you'll find 10 additional original patterns for rowdy characters, like the Crouching Imp and the Screaming Keystone Grotesque. You'll even find patterns for functional projects, like a gargoyle cane-topper, and a green man door knocker.

The Woodland Craft Handbook is an inspirational yet practical guide to traditional crafts, woodland coppice products and forest permaculture. Step into the shoes of woodsman Ben Law as he explores this diverse collection of crafts made from materials sourced directly from the woods. Brooms, rakes, pegs, spoons, chairs, baskets, fencing and walking sticks - the items are one-off and unique -- hewn and shaped by hand, infused with a simple, rustic beauty. With fascinating information on the history and traditions of the crafts, coppice management, tree species and the tools and devices used, we learn about all aspects of the low-impact woodland way of life. Much as the traditional techniques associated with the woods were passed down through families, this book aims to help secure their relevance and adapt them for future generations.

Professional caricature carver Mike Shipley introduces you to a whole clan of colorful backwoods characters from his native Ozarks. Whether you re a beginner just learning to whittle, or an old hand looking for some new ideas, this book delivers plenty of fun, inspiration, and satisfaction. More than 100 step-by-step color photographs guide you through whittling, painting, and staining. You ll learn Mike s quick and easy clean-cut method, plus his original formula for mixing your own wood stain in a blender. All twelve projects feature distinctive patterns with easy-to-follow cut-lines. Whittling Country Folk, Revised Edition also provides valuable Getting Started advice on tools, sharpening, wood, and safety, as well as humorous down-home tales about each friendly country character."

RMS Titanic has had more written about her than any other ship but, surprisingly, there is little information directed at the model shipwright. This new edition of the bestselling manual contains all the information needed to build a highly accurate model, right down to the tiniest details of the hull's rivets. The book is based on the author's own remarkable 18ft model, commissioned for a travelling exhibition through North America and Europe. It contains a mass of practical information on how to construct every part of the great liner and is equally useful for building a small, static bread-and-butter display model as it is for creating a large-scale working version. It is illustrated throughout with superb close-up photographs of the model, detailed drawings, and a large collection of photographs of the prototype herself. In addition the book contains a complete set of plans of the _Titanic_ which are considered to be the most accurate yet drawn. This new paperback edition makes all this remarkable information available again to a new generation of _Titanic_ enthusiasts and modellers.

Packed with patterns for small-scale projects ideal for beginning and intermediate crafters, this companion features original relief projects that stand alone beautifully or that can be easily incorporated into functional and decorative items in the home. The entire carving process is demonstrated, employing a country apple quilt square project as the example, alongside detailed information on necessary tools, a review of the best woods to use, and instructions on how to achieve the appropriate levels of depth. Patterns include wildlife, botanical, mythical, and landscape subjects, and each project includes two detailed patterns: a line and a shaded variety. Fifty additional patterns for gorgeous corner designs that can be incorporated into a variety of crafts projects--from carving and wood burning to painting and quilting--are also included.

If you'd like to learn to carve in relief, this comprehensive guidebook will teach you everything you need to know. With some sharp tools, a smooth piece of wood and this new book, you'll soon be confidently carving exquisite animals, landscapes, flowers, borders, Celtic knots and more. Acclaimed carver and instructor Lora S. Irish takes you step-by-step through simple carvings on a practice board to introduce all of the essential cuts, contouring and smoothing steps used in basic relief woodcarving. 10 original new project patterns are accompanied by clear in-depth instructions and dozens of how-to photographs. Each design is presented both as an outline pattern for tracing directly onto wood, and as a detailed sketch to guide your work. A stunning photo gallery of finished projects is included to offer further inspiration.

Your ultimate guide to carving, painting and decorating pumpkins for your home, complete with tips and recipes for getting the most out of your pumpkin all season long. From playful and whimsical pumpkins that will liven up Halloween, Day of the Dead or Thanksgiving parties to sophisticated and elegant designs that will bring autumnal charm to your home all season long, you'll find projects to suit every style and taste. Divided and organised into helpful sections, you'll find: A guide to the tools, tips and techniques that will help you achieve the best results Pumpkin carving projects, for transforming your pumpkins and seasonal gourds into show-stopping jack-o-lanterns Pumpkin painting projects, for transforming your pumpkin with a lick of paint, no sharp objects required Pumpkin dressing projects, for turning your pumpkin into an original creation with glue, tape and other odds and ends And recipes, for using every part of the pumpkin to create delicious meals and tasty snacks Each project features easy-to-follow instructions, whilst beautiful photographs throughout will give you all the inspiration you need. And handy templates at the back of the book can be copied and used again and again for perfect results every time.

The ultimate beginner-friendly project guide to whittling flat-plane carvings with a modern twist! Whittling Workbook is perfect for anyone seeking a range of easy wood carvings they can accomplish with just one knife - including roughing out. All you need is a block of wood and one knife to achieve any of the 15 wood carving projects featured within these pages! From a simple strawberry, whimsical wand, and magical mermaid to a sea captain, Martian, pig, and so much more, each project includes detailed step-by-step instructions to walk you through the entire process from start to finish. Also included are insightful overviews on basic carving cuts, painting and finishing techniques, safety notes, and how to join a carving community. Author James Miller is a recent college graduate and a protege of decorated Scandinavian-style carver, Harley Refsal. James has been a regular contributor to Woodcarving Illustrated since 2010 and published his first book, Whittling Flat-Plane Animals, in 2020.

Carving Flat-Plane Style Caricatures shows you how to carve more than 50 imaginative figure patterns in the traditional flat-plane style, from lumberjacks and golfers to trolls and elves. Front and side-view patterns show you how to achieve success with just one knife and a few simple, well-placed cuts.Once you try it, you'll be hooked by this distinctive style of figure carving, in which large flat areas called 'planes' are deliberately left intact. There's no smoothing, rounding, sculpting or sanding involved. Each simple finished piece merely implies detail - and says more by carving less.Discover how to carve and paint both a humorous folksy character and a colourful toy horse, with step-by-step photos and detailed instructions. You'll be delighted with the way these charming caricatures come to life with an engaging, folk-art personality!

This title covers the full process and all techniques required, from making the maquette to finished item. It includes 6 step-by-step projects with photographs and expert tips. It also features an in-depth history of the craft and a gallery of inspirational examples. Author lives in West Sussex, UK. Readers can create their own Japanese carvings with this new, comprehensive how-to title on the intricate skill of Japanese netsuke. Traditionally created for practical reasons, these fantastic, miniature carvings are now highly collectible works of art. "Carving Japanese Netsuke for Beginners" is packed with information on the history, techniques, tools and skills needed to master the art. Written in an approachable, personal style with 6 step-by-step projects to follow and 27 additional ideas each accompanied by colour photographs, this book includes everything readers need to get started.

Blazed Wax is a comprehensive and colourful guide to contemporary candle making from friends and designers Ruby Kannava and Emma Cutri, with twenty-five projects for beautiful candles and candleholders that will light up your life. Candle making is an ancient craft, but modern candle making is all about incredible shapes and surprising colour combinations. This book brings together everything you need to start making your own sculptural candles at home - from mould-making using everyday items like fruit and vases, to dip-dyed candle-pouring, or even making fun twisted candles from supermarket candles. Including twenty-five projects for candles and candle holders, with easy instructions, step-by-step photography and guides to materials, scents, safety and styling, Blazed Wax will have you creating in no time. Beautiful candles are a surprisingly easy art to try at home, the possibilities are endless, and you can always melt your creation down and start again! These unique candles bring warmth and ambience to your home, are perfect for celebrations and gifts, and will become the centrepiece of any dinner table or relaxing ritual. There's something innately magical about how a burning candle brings people together, and Blazed Wax will help you to capture some of that magic in your own hand-made candles.

Few craft materials are cheaper to buy or easier to work with than plaster, and by mastering and using a few simple techniques you can turn this humble material into gloriously inspiring objects and artefacts. No expensive equipment is required - plaster dries naturally and does not need kiln-firing - so all you need to get started is a bag of plaster, a few simple materials and some basic shaping tools. The book shows how to make articles such as shells, fruit, animals, masks, wall plaques and bows; practical objects such as containers, candleholders, frames and bookends; and how to restore damaged frames. There is also advice on finishing techniques - from painting and gilding to weathering, distressing and varnishing. The book presents the craft of plastering in a beautifully inspirational form.

Best known as one of the most widely used industrial ceramic techniques, slipcasting has become increasingly attractive to individual artists and craftspersons. Slip, a water and clay solution, is poured into porous molds. As the mold absorbs water from the slip, a layer of clay forms a cast. The excess slip is removed from the mold and the cast is stiffened, removed, dried, and fired in a kiln. Since the molds can be based on anything from delicate sculpture to found objects, slipcasting frees artists from the constraints of other ceramic techniques while allowing them to create multiples of their works. Sasha Wardell's Slipcasting is a straightforward, practical guide for those interested in the boundless possibilities of the technique. The book contains more than one hundred color illustrations, diagrams, and slip formulas. An inspiring "Individual Approaches" chapter discusses the slipcast work of a variety of contemporary ceramicists from around the world.

'The cultural history of the mirror is fully explored by Sabine Melchior-Bonnet. The book marries science and art, literature and philosophy.' - New York Times

'This erudite meditation ... reveals how significantly the mirror has influenced Western culture ... this beautifully illustrated study offers so many intriguing glimpses into the meanings of reflection that it will reward anyone who peers beneath its surface.' - Publishers' Weekly

This book is the perfect introduction to the simple, yet immensely pleasurable, craft of creating attractive objects with nothing more than a knife and a piece of timber. Whittling is an art form that can be as simple or as complex as you like. This delightful book guides the reader through the basics starting with straightforward projects such as a garden dibber and a paper knife, then progresses to more complex and intricate items such as a linked chain and a whistle. The tools you'll need, plus the basic techniques and how to perform them safely are all covered in a clear and easy-to-follow way. Projects include: Butter spreader, fork, cane toppers, backscratcher and dog-head stick handle.

Norm Marshall was a well-known toy maker, whose classic toys were loved by children and woodworkers alike. They provided hours and hours of entertainment for countless generations and best of all - they were easy to build. Now you can build a Norm Marshall wooden toy! With "Great Book of Wooden Toys", you'll discover 37 three-dimensional projects, each complete with an exploded illustration, a materials list and detailed step-by-step instructions for a fool-proof building experience. More than 125 photographs show woodworkers how every piece goes together. A special chapter is also devoted to finishing or painting your toys for a professional look. Toys covered in this title include: Classic Model T car, Steamroller, Bulldozer, Biplane, Trains and much more. There are also 16 projects that are perfect for beginners - like a pull-along train and circus animals.