Handicrafts, decorative arts and crafts Books

Book SynopsisThis book celebrates basketry as a culturally significant skilled practice and as a theoretically rich discipline which has much to offer contemporary society. While sometimes understudied and underappreciated, it has much in common with mathematics and engineering, art, craft and design, and can also act as a socially beneficial source of skill and care. Contributors show how local knowledge of materials, plants and place are central to the craft. Case studies include the skill in weaverbird nest building (challenging how we perceive learning in craft and nature), an engineer's perspective on twining Peruvian grass bridges, and the local knowledge embodied in Pacific plaited patterns and knots. Photo-essays explore materials and techniques from the point of view of artists, anthropologists and mathematicians, revealing how the structure and skill in basketwork illustrate a significant form of textile technology. Thus, the book demonstrates that the textures, patterns and geometric forTrade ReviewAt a time when we need, more than ever, to reconnect with each other and our environment, The Material Culture of Basketry is a reminder of how the most simple things can be so meaningful and sophisticated. This exploration of how the process of basketry has influenced our history, culture and global economy is both surprising and fascinating. It is a rich and compelling case for craft skills and material knowledge. -- Rosy Greenlees, Crafts Council, UKThe Material Culture of Basketry is a tour de force. The spotlight is on baskets and basket making, but the chapters in this collection are about far more. Taking a boldly interdisciplinary approach, objects and artisanal practices become effective means for authors to probe a vast range of anthropological concerns, including cultural meaning; sociality, well-being and recovery; embodied skill, situated problem solving and the intelligent hand; ecology and place-making; human origins, history and development; and techniques of making that we share with fellow species. The significance of this book is far reaching and will surely be on interest to scholars and craftspeople alike. -- Trevor H J Marchand, SOAS University of London, UKBaskets stand for a fast vanishing connective world. No robot can make a basket. A retired consultant pathologist discusses making basket with brain injury patients in a remarkable interdisciplinary collection is written by diverse contributors - basket makers, mathematicians, ethnographers, and archaeologists. Baskets - threatened by plastic containers of all kinds, their materials harder to access, their rhythmic, complex patterns growing unfamiliar - have much to teach us. The process of making baskets throws light on embodied knowledge, changing global economies and the subtle interactions between humans and plant materials. They are not simply evidence of technique, being also records of social relations. This visionary and sustaining book should be read by anyone concerned for the future of this planet. -- Tanya Harrod, Founder Editor of the Journal of Modern Craft, UKTable of ContentsAcknowledgements List of Contributors List of Illustrations Introduction, Stephanie Bunn PART ONE: Materials and Processes: from plant to basket and beyond Introduction, Victoria Mitchell 1. Bird-nest Building, Susan D. Healy and Maria Cristina Tello-Ramos 2. Binding Place, Caroline Dear 3. Archaeological Basketry and Cultural Identity in Ancient Egypt, Willeke Wendrich 4. The Sustainability of English Traditional Willow Basket-making, Mary Butcher 5. Drawing Out a Tune: from head to hand, Tim Johnson 6. Material Values, Lois Walpole PART TWO: Basketry as Maths, Pattern and Engineering: growth, form and structure Introduction, Stephanie Bunn 7. On the Continuities Between Craft and Mathematical Practices, Ricardo Nemirovsky 8. Friction: an engineer’s perspective on weaving grass rope bridges, Ian Ewart 9. Basketry and Maths: some thoughts and practical exercises, Geraldine Jones 10. Counting, Number, Loops and Lines, Mary Crabb 11. Extracts from 'Imagining the Body Politic: the knot in the Pacific imagination', Susanne Küchler 12. Secret Strings, Sabine Hyland and William Hyland 13. Exploring Mathematical and Craft Literacies: learning to read and learning to make patterned baskets in Vanuatu, Lucie Hazelgrove-Planel PART THREE: Gathering Knowledge: basketry as a medium of memory, belonging and evocation Introduction, Victoria Mitchell 14. Snare and Enfold, Caroline Dear 15. Irish Woven Communities: a glimpse into the Irish indigenous basketry tradition, Joe Hogan 16. Straw Ropes and Wattle Walls: aspects of the material culture of basketry in Atlantic Scotland, Hugh Cheape 17. The Primordial Basket, John Mack 18. Woven Communities: from handwork to heritage in Scottish vernacular basketry, Stephanie Bunn 19. Making baskets, making exhibitions: indigenous Australian baskets at the British Museum, Lissant Bolton PART FOUR: Basketry: memory, healing, and recovery Introduction, Stephanie Bunn 20. Basketry as Therapeutic Activity, Florence Cannavacciuolo 21. The Hand Memory Work of An Lanntair in the Outer Hebrides, Jon Macleod 22. Hand Memories in Net-making and Basketry with People with Dementia, Told Through Life-moment Stories and Associated Images, Paula Brown 23. Meeting Angus MacPhee, the Weaver of Grass. Interview with Joyce Laing, 2016, Stephanie Bunn 24. Making Grass Replicas Inspired by the Work of Angus MacPhee, Joanne B. Kaar 25. The Legacy of World War 1 for Basket-making, Hilary Burns 26. Extracts from an Interview with Scholar and Occupational Therapist Dr Catherine Paterson, MBE. Taken from a Collaborative Film made with the University of Hertfordshire and Woven Communities Project, University of St Andrews, Stephanie Bunn 27. Basket-making as an Activity to Enhance Brain Injury Neurorehabilitation, Tim Palmer PART FIVE: Renewal and Realignment: the embodied knowledge of basketry Introduction, Victoria Mitchell 28. Rush to Design, Felicity Irons 29. Nearly Lost: learning knots, knowing knots, loving knots and passing it on, Des Pawson 30. Renewing a Dying Craft: the Serfenta Association of Poland, Paulina Adamska 31. The Cultural Wastepaper Basket, Ian Tait 32. Braiding and Dancing: rhythmic interlacing and patterns of interaction, Victoria Mitchell 33. Weaving Together: human robot relations of basketry and knitting, Cathrine Hasse and Pat Treusch Afterword: To Basket the World, Tim Ingold Glossary of Terms Index

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Book SynopsisTree bark, pine needles, driftwood, acorns, seeds, shells and feathers - these natural materials are formed of beautiful shapes, textures and colours, easily and freely sourced in our surrounding environment, but are often overlooked or discarded. In Craft from Natural Materials, artist Jane Bevan explains how, with just a few simple tools and techniques, these natural, raw materials can be transformed into beautiful craft objects. Through 12 easy projects, including a basket, a driftwood sculpture, a brooch and a tea-light holder, the potential of collected material for craft makers is revealed. She also explains key principles of foraging, storing and organising natural craft materials, including the best locations in which to source specific items, and exciting ways to display your finds. Helpful how-to images accompany each project and a photo gallery showcases the extraordinary work of contemporary makers. For nature-lovers and crafty makers, this book will serve as an inspiratiTrade ReviewThis is a deceptively simple book with the potential for big ideas. It indicates how to look at natural materials of many sorts and suggests approaches to working with them … [T]here is no reason not to start and this book makes you feel it is possible. * Textile Fibre Forum *Table of ContentsIntroduction How to use this book: practical advice Getting Started Materials Three useful skills The Projects Nature picture Slate cluster pendant Driftwood fish sculptures Beach faces Feather wreath Bark tea-light holder Silver birch bark brooch Stick mobile Pine needle coiled basket Twined decorative baskets Besom style broom Walking sticks and canes Gallery Conclusion Suppliers Further reading Glossary Appendix: Exercise in adaptive learning Index Acknowledgements

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Book SynopsisFrom a jolly snowman ornament and feathery winter banner to ornate Easter eggs, fabulous bridal corsages and spooky cat ornaments, this title offers readers projects they want to make, as well as techniques they can use again and again.

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Book SynopsisThis beautifully rendered adult coloring book will offer Christian moms a perfect way to enjoy moments of peaceful creativity as they color 46 gorgeously detailed pictures and meditate upon God''s word. Filled with lovely botanical scenes, charming designs, and intricate patterns, the images and words of this book will remind mothers of their special place in the hearts of their loved ones and the wonderful purpose God created in them.

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Book SynopsisFeaturing:ÞÛ Forty-six illustrations of cloisonn pin art for music fansÞÛ Single-sided printing on high-quality paper to reduce the chance of bleed-throughÞÛ Perforated removable sheets that are easy to frame or share at coloring partiesÞÛ An introduction about the artist Gary Kroman by ÊDead RelixÊ founder Leslie D. Kippel

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Book SynopsisZentangle-inspired designs are turning up everywhereon prints, paintings, greeting cards, crafts, and fashion. But it's not just for professional artistsanyone can learn to draw using the easy-to-learn Zentangle method. Even if you have never considered yourself an artist you can create beautiful, original art with Zentangle! Inside this book readers will find an introduction to Zentangle basics; step-by-step practice tangle patterns; advanced techniques for shading and coloring; creative Zentangle-inspired project ideas; and a gallery of inspiring Zentangle artwork; plus templates, strings, stencils, alphabets, Zendalas, and more. Zentangle can be a satisfying, healthy stress-management activity, with many of the positive effects of mindful meditation. It can even benefit children with developmental disabilities by helping them to lead full and successful lives. But the benefits of Zentangle are not limited to those affected by a specific condition or disorder. Acquiring a sense of

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Book SynopsisLife is a wonderful adventure and all of our dreams can come true! Hold on to your dreams with Creative Coloring Inspirations Too, the colouring book that offers hope and encouragement on every page. Inside you'll find 30 relaxing new activities designed to motivate your creativity and stimulate your spirit.

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Book SynopsisColoring frees us from our daily routine, and encourages us to create something soothing and exquisite. Make a garden of beautiful flowers bloom with glorious color. Say hello to coloring, and feel your worries and distractions fall away!

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Book SynopsisWhat better setting for coloring than a bright and breezy tropical vacation? Step away from from your daily cares with this lush coloring book from breakthrough coloring artist Angel Van Dam. Escape to a hideaway of luxuriant orchids, friendly toucans, powerful jaguars, and shy spider monkeys, all waiting to be filled with every color of the rainbow. Hello Angel Tropical Escape Coloring Collection includes handy guides to coloring techniques like patterning, combinations, and shading. Guided Coloring Pages make coloring easy for beginners, with beautifully colored examples and ready-to-use color palettes. Perfect for decorating with all of your favorite coloring implements, each design is printed on one side only of archival-grade, acid-free, 200-year paper. Perforated pages detach easily for gifting or display. This book has earned the DO Magazine Artist Fair Trade Seal of Approval.

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Book SynopsisYou'll never look at flowers the same! Color with a purpose in a way you never have before with this amazing yet secretive coloring experience that reveals the hidden meaning and symbolism of each unique flower. Travel back to the Victorian era when flowers were carefully selected and sent as conversational messages and learn what each one truly represents. With full-spread coloring challenges, as well as drawing pages, reflectional prompts, and interactive activities interspersed throughout, Hidden Language of Flowers is a must-have coloring exploration! Valentina Harper is the coloring book author and artist of the best-selling Creative Coloring series.

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Book SynopsisHave you ever thought about what you can do with nail polish aside from the obvious? Budget-friendly and easily available in almost every color imaginable, crafting with nail polish is fast, simple, and perfect for everyone no artistic skills required! Learn how to add marbling effects to coffee mugs and dishware, give splashes of color to sunglasses and phone cases, and embellish shoes, hair accessories, and so much more.Chica and Jo Craft with Nail Polishfeatures 20 fun projects that can be accomplished in minutes with clear step-by-step instructions for painting techniques on a wide range of surfaces from wood and paper to glass and plastic so you can have fun with nail polish in new and unexpected ways! Also included are helpful tips on tools, troubleshooting, dishwasher-safe seals, and more. Use supplies you already have and get crafting!

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Book SynopsisWeave your way to inner peace! A complete and playful guide to wrapping an array of decorative mandalas,Easy String Mandalasis perfect for anyone seeking fun, simple, and creative crafts. Made with easy-to-find and affordable materials, this beginner-friendly guide features 56 mandala projects of varying sizes, shapes, colors, and designs. Complete with step-by-step instructions and coordinating illustrations for every project, also included are helpful tips for creating your own original weaving looms. Go beyond coloring mandalas and learn how to finally make your own, from home decor to earrings!

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Book SynopsisFeaturing 40 hand-drawn designs and 5 coloured examples centered on bees in garden settings, this book offers a soothing, relaxing set of colouring canvases to help you get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Colour as you please, or enjoy Deb's beginner-friendly guides on colour theory to create advanced and eye-popping art.

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Book SynopsisMaking your own custom accessories is a great way to add colour, texture and comfort to your life—and can be fun too! Sew-It-Yourself Home Accessories offers 21 simple and beautiful projects to create with natural cotton. Using easy-to-learn sewing methods and bright, fresh fabrics, this book shows you how to make a range of useful items, from cushions, aprons and oven mitts to a laptop case, table linen and even a doorstop. Each project can be completed in just one weekend. Clear step-by-step instructions and colour photographs make the process straightforward and simple, even for absolute beginners. A basics section at the front of the book introduces you to all of the tools, materials and techniques you need to know.

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