A detailed and well illustrated work on leathercraft and production, first published in the 1940s. Contents Include: Foreword - Plates - Introduction - Materials - Design - Cutting Your Pattern and Material: Construction Notes - Small Articles - Handbags - Travelling Equipment - Gloves - Slippers. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Home Farm Books are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

Thirty years since its original publication, The Children's Year has been a much-loved book that has never been out of print. Now called Making the Children's Year, with colour illustrations and new projects that bring it up to date, it will appeal to a new generation of people keen to engage children in creative play, the seasons and the joy of handcrafting. Marije Rowling has revisited the book she originally co-wrote with two friends and brings new inspiration and ideas to a modern readership. Packed with all kinds of crafts, from papercrafting to building dens, she brings the seasons into the home. From beginners to experienced crafters, this book is a gift for parents and adults seeking to make toys that will inspire children - and to provide an alternative to a throwaway culture.

Originally published by the Britsh Museum (Natural History) in 1902 as a series of pamphlets on collecting and preserving specimens in all branches of natural history. These were then combined in book form by popular demand. Contents include: Removing and Preparing Mammal Skins Preservation of Birds Sexing Birds Collecting Reptiles, Batrachians and Fishes Collecting Insects Diptera Collecting Mosquitoes Blood Sucking Arthropoda Collecting Spiders Collecting and Preserving Invertebrate Animals Collecting Shells, Plants and Fossils Collecting Materials Instructions for Preservation etc. Illustrated. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Home Farm Books are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

As more and more people join the do-it-yourself revolution, they are breathing new life into many time-honored skills and crafts. Blacksmithing is among the trades that are enjoying a resurgence for both practical and artistic uses, yet there is not an abundance of readily accessible information available to beginning blacksmiths to help them get started and understand the craft. Author Ryan Ridgway, a veterinarian and blacksmith with more than fifteen years of metalworking experience, hopes to fill that void with this comprehensive volume geared toward answering the many questions that new blacksmiths often have. By explaining the physics of moving metal, the different styles of anvils and forges, and alternative fuel sources, Ridgway sets his book apart from less detailed volumes. Forty practical, easy-to-follow projects are presented, showing aspiring blacksmiths how to make tools, such as hammers and chisels; farm implements, such as gate latches and hoof picks; and items for home use, including drawer pulls and candle holders. Inside The Home Blacksmith: The evolution of blacksmithing around the world and the differences between the tools specific to each region The behavior of heated metal and the science of metalworking Setting up a shop safely and economically The heart of your shop--the anvil and forge--and the other essential tools Working with different types of steel, including how to salvage steel for different uses Techniques from beginning to advanced Step-by-step instructions for forty blacksmithing projects: tools and other implements as well as decorative pieces for personal use or sale

This book was written for gourd artists looking to improve their skills with the mini jigsaw. With step-by-step guidance, supplemented by detailed instructional images for ten projects, gourd artists will be able to create everything from simple puzzles and jack-o-lanterns to lidded leaf bowls and luminaires. By working through these projects, artists will build their confidence in using the mini-saw to execute techniques such as cutting tighter lines, cutting through a tight curve, and cutting 90-degree angles. The exercises also emphasize tips on cleaning, coloring, and sealing gourds. The book includes an extensive inspirational gallery and resource section for those who aspire to even more advanced 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 comprehensive guide for chalk art creators! With so many searching for ways to have fun at home in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, chalk art has become a great way to do so while enjoying some fresh air. The Chalk Art Handbook offers budding artists a review of the tools involved, as well as tips and tricks to creating an array of sidewalk creatures. Artist David Zinn, whose work has been used as inspiration for elementary and middle school art lessons, offers step-by-step guidance on how to make chalk art come to life and advice on specific techniques such as smudging, perspective, and 3-D illusions. He also encourages artists to work outside the box with details on how to best incorporate concrete specks and natural holes or cracks in the ground into their artwork. The Chalk Art Handbook even includes bonus activities to keep everyone drawing happily both indoors and outdoors. The perfect gift for those looking for hours of outdoor fun!

Woodlander is a complete and comprehensive guide to managing a small woodland, incorporating nearly 30 years of knowledge and experience from woodsman Ben Law and his unique home in Prickly Nut Wood. Woodlander contains everything you need to know if you are managing, or intend to manage, a small woodland. Ben's inspiring, forest-dwelling life has allowed him to put together a complete package of detailed information and practical examples based on his personal experience, giving this beautiful book an entirely authentic voice. Every page is infused with a deep respect for the traditions of the past while also embracing new ideas, methods and creative thinking. This is a holistic approach to woodland management, which looks at the entire place - the wildlife it supports, the natural cycles of growth and life, the precious products it creates and the communities that inhabit and surround it. All the while, understanding and emphasising that it is a balance of all these things that makes a healthy, biodiverse, resilient ecosystem. Detailed sections cover different types of woodland, the rich history behind them, how to assess what you've got, practical maintenance, planning for the future, promoting wildlife and biodiversity, harvesting and extracting timber, the tools you will need, crafts, social forestry and an in-depth resources section. Dotted throughout are personal snippets, observations and insights from Ben's life at Prickly Nut Wood.

From selecting yarns and learning basic crochet stitches to assembling your doll or animal and adding whimsical details, The Complete Guide to Crochet Dolls and Animals makes any amigurumi project possible! Hundreds of photos demonstrate the best crochet stitches to use, along with lessons on how to assemble amigurumi figures correctly and give them more personality. All the basic stitches and steps are explained in detail, including extra directions for left-handed crafters. This is the official guide created by The Japan Amigurumi Association--whose thousands of members are found all over Japan, the original home of amigurumi. It provides an authoritative overview of techniques and includes all the information that amigurumi enthusiasts need to know to create their own toy. This indispensable book shows you how to: Shape and proportion expressive heads, limbs and tails Assemble all the pieces together in a way that makes your toy come alive Add armatures so your toys can bend and stand on their own Create facial features that give your toy attitude and personality Make cute little accessories (zakka) like mittens, scarves and purses The Complete Guide to Crochet Dolls and Animals includes 3 start to finish project lessons to practice the skills you learn. Then style your own amigurumi with over 1,500 color photos and detailed diagrams instructing more than 100 crochet stitch techniques. This is a book you'll refer to again and again. Open it up, and get ready to crochet!

This volume discusses all you need to know to get started with greenwood crafts, including tools, workshops, sourcing wood, making some of your own devices and the characteristics of various woods. It covers a wide variety of turned and carved items for the house and garden.