Now anyone can make their own, custom-built canoe guaranteed to draw raves on land and water alike. The Illustrated Guide to Wood Strip Canoe Building is a comprehensive, detailed guide to the process of contructing a high-quality wood strip canoe, written especially for the novice boat builder. Sheathed strip boat construction is becoming increasingly popular among both amateur and professional builders. This is a method of producing a light weight, strong, beautiful boat of the sleekest design using materials, tools, and techniques available to the recreational builder. This book offers complete coverage of the procedures and techniques of mold set-up, assembly of the wood strip hull, epoxy resin, and fiberglass application, finishing, and more. All phases of construction are extensively illustrated with color photos and line drawings. For each stage of the building process, a range of alternative methods is presented, enabling the builder to select those which will yield a craft customized to his or her own needs. Source lists for canoe plans, building materials, and tools are included. This book is dedicated to helping the backyard boat builder achieve professional quality results in creating a fine canoe to use and be proud of for years.

Woodturning is as popular as ever -- a constantly growing segement in the woodworking world and one of the most wide-reaching woodcrafts among artists and hands-on crafters. It s appeal is based on the short learning curve, the minimal equipment, and the sheer joy of learning to make something out of wood with one s own hands. But, unlike a lot of crafts that rely on individuality and creative thinking, the initial techniques of woodturning must be mastered. While at first liberating, these same techniques can eventually be confining because in mastering them, one must follow the lead of others. At a certain point, woodturners can feel that mastering the techniques has become the end in itself as they lose sight of their true pursuit: to create one s own original style. In fact, some woodturners, who believe they aren t creative enough, will simply continue to master techniques while imitiating the style of others. Terry Martin, the author of The Creative Woodturner and a woodturning artist, instructor, and photographer for over thirty-years, believes this goes against the fundamental nature of creating and being an artist. There is no right or wrong and the pursuit of originality should be the goal of every woodturner. Best of all, creativity can be learned and the ability to think and see in one s own artistic style can be achieved. The Creative Woodturner is not your usual how-to woodturning book. It won t tell you what a chuck is, how to sharpen a scraper, or how to turn a goblet. Instead, this book is a how-to for unlocking curiosity, how to break the rules, and for following one s own artistic path with confidence. Designed to give readers a wide-persepective on creativity, The Creative Woodturner begins first with insightful commentary, quotes, and examples from the woodturning and art community that will both inspire and inform. In addition, the author shares his Idea Tools: questions to ask during the planning and creative process that are as important to the creation of the woodturning project as any equipment in the shop. Finally, 16 one-of-a-kind projects from boxes and vessles to bowls and one-of-a-kind scultpures are featured that will spark the creative mindset of any woodturner. Each project is documented with instructions and crisp photography highlighting the key steps, techniques, and tasks necessary for completion. In taking the reader through each project, the author pulls back the curtain on his woodturning magic and shares his vision and how the Idea Tools and creative thinking emerges in each project. An inspiring and enjoyable read not only for woodturners, but for any artist, The Creative Woodturner will anyone to think and see differently so time is spent at the lathe or whatever creative pursuit it is -- creating the original ideas instead of imitating someone else."

Tom Wolfe goes back to basics. With easy to follow, step-by-step instructions, Tom helps the novice carver bring life to a block of wood. With a single knife Tom carves a relining country figure and teaches the basic methods of woodcarving. Each cut is illustrated with a full-color photograph, an important visual aid to learning this fun craft. These projects are simple and fun. The new carver will find that the mysteries of this art quickly disappear and that they can quickly learn the skills they need to create a nice piece of art.

Tom Wolfe has been carving canes and walking sticks for almost twenty years. Among the hundreds that he has carved, no two are alike. Each one takes on its own spirit and personality. And each one shows the carver's creativity and skill. Tom introduced his readers to the carving of walking sticks in Tom Wolfe Carves Woodspirits and Walking Sticks. In response to the requests of readers he presents this book devoted to canes and walking sticks. Patterns for eleven figures are included with two of them carved step-by-step. The carver can follow the color photographs of each step, gleaning whatever additional information he or she may need from the concise caption. This is a fun book for all carvers, from the novice to the pro. It continues the long tradition of Tom's creativity.