The exquisite Japanese hikaru dorodango, or shiny mud ball, is created by rolling earth by hand into a perfect sphere and polishing it until it gleams. Not only are the results truly impressive, but this calm and meditative practice, once a playground game, has been rediscovered as a peaceful pastime. Known for inducing flow, the ultimate state of happiness, this simple art is being adopted by people of all ages. Alongside beautiful photographs of the process, master dorodango maker Bruce Gardner covers every aspect of making and finishing your dorodango, accompanied by inspiring words on the mindful qualities of this earthy activity.

Highly readable and hugely practical this book is either armchair reading or a valuable guide to getting your hands dirty and creating something useful as you discover the art of slow technology. Featuring topics such as building bread ovens, making clay pots in a bonfire, felling and processing trees, cooking on open fires, blacksmithing, beer making, wattle and daubing, this book is a combination of the dangerous book for boys and a practical manual of experimental archaeology and historical research.

Survival Guide for Living With Mother Nature and Other Things Learned in the Wild "Having this book in your backpack just may save your life one day." Jesse Weiland, national park ranger #1 Bestseller in Safety & First Aid, Hiking & Camping, Natural Disasters, and Reference Prepare for all the worst-case scenarios mother earth throws at you with Mother Nature is Not Trying to Kill You the only survival guide you need to overcome wildlife, natural disasters, and everything else outdoors. Survive the unexpected. Statistically, you're more likely to die from a vending machine than a shark. But, Rob Nelson knows many shark survivors. His college girlfriend was attacked by a crocodile and his roommate, a grizzly bear. His wife was sucked by a wave down a blowhole, he was left stranded at sea after a storm sank his sailboat, and the list goes on and on. To Rob, these "improbable" altercations are "random acts of nature," and he's learned how to survive them. On knots, poisonous plants, and natural disasters. Featuring 52 challenges you can encounter in the wilderness, this survival guide is your year-long crash course for ultimate disaster management. Whether you're preparing for a moose attack or a nuclear fallout, Mother Nature is Not Trying to Kill You enables you to confront the natural world with skill and confidence. This wilderness survival guidebook also includes: Pop culture examples like Jaws and The Revenant Nature and science-packed stories and narratives Diagrams, survival tips, and more! If you enjoyed books like Bushcraft 101, The Worst Case Scenario, or SAS Survival Handbook, then Mother Nature is Not Trying to Kill You is your next read!

Learn to hook with easy step-by-step photos! Rug hooking at its simplest is pulling loops of colorful wool fabric through a piece of linen backing to create beautiful designs for the floor or wall. Though in years past this was accomplished with a bent nail, a feed bag, and worn-out clothing, today we have specialized hooks and other tools that make the process much easier. In Basic Rug Hooking, you will learn what tools and materials you need to get started, and how to pull your first loops. Once you've learned and practiced the basics, you will be ready to try any of the 5 hooked projects included. Each project includes the pattern and complete step-by-step illustrated instructions. The styles of rugs you can make once you've learned the basic hooking process are endless. Rug hookers today create traditional florals, bright geometrics, pictorials, portaits, and primitives perfect for the modern farmhouse. Basic Rug Hooking teaches you everything you need to know to start hooking today!

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

Who could say no to adorable animals with sweet personalities? Use basic stitches to crochet amigurumi softies that will delight young and old alike. Use your favorite yarns to create a collection of 6" to 12" tall amigurumi animals, including a lamb, giraffe, elephant, raccoon, turtle, turkey, and more. Perfect for amigurumi fans who like larger projects and anyone who loves to crochet toys These irresistible cuties make great gifts for adults and children You'll enjoy crocheting and sharing unique softies

Since Ben Franklin brought broomcorn to America from Egypt in 1790, the humble kitchen broom has been an integral part of our daily lives. Discover the rich and colorful history of the American broomcorn industry, learn how broomcorn is grown, harvested, and dyed, and, following easy step-by-step instructions with photographs and illustrations, make your own broom using one of the seven different broom patterns provided, including Kitchen, Hearth, Cobweb, Turkey Wing Whisk, and Angel Whisk brooms. More than 150 masterpieces by America's most talented artistic broom makers appear in the gallery section and feature a surprisingly diverse and colorful array of handles and stalks. Entertain yourself with broom lore and superstitions, discover proper care methods to get the most out of your broom, quickly learn all the broom terms you need in the glossary, and also find a recipe for Broomstick Cake!

Whether you have already tried your hand at bookbinding or are a complete beginner, Rachel's knowledge and passion will inspire you to explore the many possibilities of bookart. After explaining the tools and materials needed, Rachel takes you through each project with step-by-step instructions. Different techniques for cutting and folding are demonstrated, and, once you are happy with the various techniques, you will then begin to bind your own books with stitches such as ladder, dash and chain. Projects include The Slit Book, A Concertina with Pockets and The Five-Hole Pamphlet, which can then be developed further to create unique and personal handmade notebooks, books and keepsakes that are not only fun and satisfying to make, but also make wonderful gifts.

Will Lilacwell works its magic once more?Times are changing in Lilacwell. Not only have Jasper and Adira settled into The Laurels manor, newly engaged and firmly casting off the shackles of their respective city lives, but Adira's friend and ex-colleague, Rory, is now also looking to leave London for the quiet beauty of the Forest of Bowland. Sparks flew when he and Lilacwell's innkeeper, Cassie, met at the summer party a few months ago, but Cassie has been loved and left before and is reluctant to put all her trust in Rory, who might return to his promising law career for the right offer. With Jasper and Adira's wedding just around the corner, love is in the air for Lilacwell, and some big changes are coming to the sleepy village... A beautifully cosy romance for fans of Holly Martin and Jessica Redland.

Welcome to Halesmere House, where romance might be just around the corner...After years of living in the past, Ella is ready to start building a future. The perfect opportunity presents itself when she is offered a short-term role at Halesmere House in the Lake District, and tasked with kick-starting its artists' residence. She can't wait to start and explore a new career in an inspiring location. But when Ella arrives at Halesmere, she wonders if she's made a huge mistake after she clashes with Max, the new owner. Max has his own reasons to be unsettled by her presence, but despite his misgivings it seems everyone else loves having Ella around. As a single dad, it's his children's attachment to her that bothers him most. Who will pick up the pieces when Ella leaves? What Max doesn't know is that Ella is falling for more than just the Lake District and the community around her. Can her temporary job lead to a permanent happy ending? A tender and uplifting Christmas romance for fans of Heidi Swain, Karen Swan and Sue Moorcroft. Praise for Snowfall Over Halesmere House 'Warmth, community and romance all wrapped up in a sumptuous setting - this is everything I want from a Christmas book!' Donna Ashcroft 'Suzanne's writing flows beautifully and her characters are real and vibrant. I thoroughly enjoyed the story carrying me along until was quite desperate for Ella and Max to find a way to be together.' Sue Moorcroft

A wealth of stylish patterns inspired by the textile history of Norway. One of the oldest textile factories in Norway, Salhus Tricotagefabrik (1859-1989) operated outside Bergen for over 130 years, producing thousands of sweaters and other durable everyday clothes such as wool and cotton underwear and woollen socks. The technical limitations of the knitting machines of the day gave rise to timeless geometric motifs with strikingly distinctive features motifs which inspired some of Norway's best-loved knit designers to come together and create this striking collection of all-new contemporary hand-knit garments, now translated into English for the first time! A detailed introduction to Salhus Tricotagefabrik Sweaters, jackets, skirts, home decor, and more, for children and adults The best of both worlds: bold, dynamic, fashionably retro designs, and flattering contemporary shaping and cut! Full-colour photographs and step-by-step instructions, with patterns that include both complex finishing for veterans and simpler raglan shaping Features designs from Birger Berge, Kristin Wiola Odegard, Siv Dyvik, Berit Lokken and other notable Norwegian designers

Featuring folklore, symbology and practical rituals alongside ancient crafts and modern techniques this beautifully illustrated book contains over 50 creative ways to use the gifts of the natural world to make charms, talismans, amulets, altars and much more. These natural offerings provide us with protection, good fortune and healing. Being in nature helps us to relax and connect with our innate knowing. When we're connected, we naturally want to collect: a pink shell, sycamore key, a pinecone, or a pure white pebble that calls to us. Nature's Hidden Charms is an invitation to reach into the natural world, understand folklore and to explore and discover the hidden symbols and gifts that even the tiniest twig or stone can bring. Inside this treasure trove you will learn how to: * Prepare to open the senses to intentionally connect with nature * Create and make amulets, charms, alters, talismans and natural mandalas * Work with plants, trees and herbs throughout the seasons * Understand the folklore, history and symbology surrounding the plants and practices featured * Recognise and explore symbols that speak to you in the natural world From making a healing lavender pouch to evoking the sacred power of the circle or arranging your charms as a mandala for meditation, this book is for anyone wanting to slow down, connect with nature and enjoy the simple pleasures of the natural world.

Sticks are essentially practical aides but are also works of art that often become integral to the owner. They have to be strong and reliable, but are beautiful too. This essential book covers all these qualities - it explains the traditional principles and methods of stickmaking, but also celebrates the designs and ideas behind these creations. Written by an award-winning stickmaker, it provides a full account of this age-old craft. Topics covered include materials, equipment and tools required to make a variety of sticks from timber, antler and horn; stick types and shapes; preparing timber to make handles and shanks; straightening shanks; making joints and exhibiting and competing. This new book will be an inspiration for all stickmakers, both new and old.