Rural crafts Books

Book SynopsisAs natural materials such as wood, leather, rattan and cork continue to be used in the home, handmade woven objects, from bread baskets and trays to stools and screens, are fast becoming the must-have accessories of the contemporary interior. Master basket maker and willow grower, Jenny Crisp, teaches you some of the key weaving techniques to make 20 simple willow projects without the need of complicated tools. Jenny’s approach is innovative and moves forward beyond the old patterns and boundaries, to allow the reader to make work that is fresh and for contemporary use.

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Book SynopsisTraditional mortars are eminently workable, effectively porous, economic in use and appropriately durable. Used in buildings for thousands of years, these materials are ideal for repair and conservation work. Unlike cement or modern hydraulic lime, their routine use would make a significant contribution in the struggle against climate change. However, despite the 1975 'lime revival' there remains a deficit in research into the most-used traditional mortars. This book seeks to redress the balance. Drawing upon historic literature, material science and industry case studies, topics covered include: a historical overview of traditional mortars; slaking and mixing hot mixed lime mortars; the essentials of pozzolans, aggregates and lime tempering; plasters, lime washes and sheltercoats, and finally, the revival of interest in the use of like-for-like and compatible mortars.

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Book SynopsisWoman's Own Book Club 2023 ‘A truly beautiful book. Rosie’s writing makes me want to close my laptop, step outside, and appreciate the magic that each season brings’ Jessica Elliot Dennison In her late-twenties, feeling utterly overwhelmed by the pace of modern city life, Rosie Steer found solace in the traditions she had been brought up with, influenced by her Scottish roots, that celebrated nature and observed the small steady shifts in the seasons. The Celtic Wheel of the year is an ancient seasonal cycle that aligns with solar events – the solstices, equinoxes and their midpoints. For each mini-season, Rosie shares nature notes for what we can look out for as the days get warmer or cooler, the nights longer or shorter, alongside activities, things to make, flowers or fruit to forage, seasonal recipes to enjoy and a modern take on the traditional celebrations. As the Wheel turns towards Imbolc on 1st February, we can make hand poured candles to welcome the return of the light, embrace the chill of a wintery walk with a flask of hot chocolate, and fill our homes with the scent of citrus making batches of marmalade. By slowing down and paying attention to the ebbs and flows of nature, we can find moments of calm whenever we need them.Trade ReviewSlow Seasons is a charming, thoughtful book that brings to life the importance of seasonal reflection. Rosie combines personal insight, craft and ceremony in a direct, approachable way that encourages us all to reconnect with nature across the year -- Mo Wilde, author of The Wilderness Cure‘A truly beautiful book. Rosie’s writing makes me want to close my laptop, step outside, and appreciate the magic that each season brings’ -- Jessica Elliott Dennison'A brilliant guide to embracing the wonder of nature, slowing down and celebrating simple everyday joys’ -- Willow CrossleyA reflective, inspiring guide to a life lived in harmony with the seasons. It is brimming with fascinating insights into the Celtic Wheel of the Year, as well as tempting recipes and practical projects. Slow Seasons is the perfect read for anyone who wants to connect with the natural world and live more intentionally. I loved Rosie Steer’s thoughtful suggestions for weaving together nature and home, and her gift for incorporating celebration and gentle ritual into everyday life. It is a beautiful, heartfelt, comforting book -- Laura Pashby‘A heart-filling book to keep close throughout the year. I love Rosie's pilgrimage through the Celtic wheel of festivals, showing us how to embrace seasonal joys and ancient rituals in our everyday. She shares her secrets for a slower life and encourages us to celebrate and marvel at the little things that shine light, even in the darkest times. A constant companion of wonderful stories, crafts and recipes’ -- Lucy Brazier, author of Christmas at River CottageSlow Seasons is a joyous invitation to embrace the present, observe the beauty enticed by each seasonal shift and celebrate with Rosie's stunning array of delicious recipes and rituals you'll want to revisit year after year -- Rachel de Thample‘Beautiful… a wonderfully calming read’ * Woman's Own Book Club *

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Book SynopsisImmersed in the natural world, The Organic Artist for Kids inspires creativity by connecting kids and their adults to our wilderness roots. In addition to offering a wide variety of fun, collaborative projects using nature as a source for art supplies and inspiration, this book also introduces the concepts of awareness and perception that are fundamental to the creative process. Children will be encouraged to learn new skills, build resilience, and be resourceful as part of an urgent struggle to prevent and undo Nature Deficit Disorder. Rooted in experimentation and an understanding that fun is fundamental to learning, kids will refine their drawing skills, as well as increase their appreciation for the visual arts and the natural landscape. Just some of the projects and skills covered include: Making pens and wild inks Making paint from stones and rocks Crafting your own paintbrushes Making simple stencils and rubbings The Organic Artist for Kids encourages you to return to the days when art was made with all-natural materials like charcoal and birch bark. Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION 7 Paint 13 Project 1: Simple Stone Paint 14 Project 2: Earth Pigments 18 Project 3: Egg Tempera Paint 22 Project 4: Watercolor Paint 26 Paintbrushes 31 Project 5: Paintbrush Scavenger Hunt 32 Project 6: Chewed Stick Paintbrush 36 Project 7: Snake Plant Paintbrush 38 Project 8: Stick Palette Knife 41 Project 9: Hair and Fur Paintbrush 44 Charcoal 49 Project 10: Campfire Charcoal 50 Project 11: The Charcoal Kiln Can 51 Project 12: Artist Charcoal Stick 52 Project 13: Charcoal Holders 60 Crayons 63 Project 14: Stone Crayons 64 Project 15: Charcoal Crayons 68 Inks 71 Project 16: Berry Ink 72 Project 17: Charcoal Ink 74 Project 18: Acorn Ink 78 Project 19: Black Walnut Ink 82 Pens 87 Project 20: Twig Pens 88 Project 21: Beaver Pens 90 Project 22: Sharp Stick Pens 92 Prints, Stamps & Rubbings 95 Project 23: Hand Printing 96 Project 24: Beet Stamps 97 Project 25: Berry Splat Prints 100 Project 26: Pounded Plant Prints 102 Project 27: Leaf Rubbings 105 Project 28: Eco Prints 108 Project 29: Nature Prints 112 Stencils 119 Project 30: Hand Stencils 120 Project 31: Found Object Stencils 122 Project 32: Cutout Stencils 124 Papier-Mâché 129 Project 33: Mask with Papier-Mâché Strips 130 Project 34: Make Papier-Mâché Clay 136 Project 35: Papier-Mâché Clay Mask 140 Project 36: Papier-Mâché Art Box 144 Land Art 147 Project 37: Earth Art Mobiles 148 Project 38: Earth Art Assemblage 152 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 156 ABOUT THE AUTHOR 157 INDEX 158

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Book Synopsis From baker, beekeeper and birdwatcher to falconer, farrier and forager, join poet Angus and printmaker Lilly as they explore the British Isles, uncovering and celebrating our crafts and traditions. This collection of poetry and printmaking aims to capture and celebrate the heritage and craftsmanship of the British Isles. The book comprises of thirty poems with accompanying black and white linocut prints. In this book, Angus and Lilly draw attention to traditional, artisan crafts of particular importance as many are in danger of becoming 'extinct' and there is a fear that, without recognition, aspects of our cultural heritage will disappear. This is a timely celebration of rural lifestyle.Trade Review'From the beekeeper to the bird watcher, the verses are packed full of rich imagery that’s wonderful escape from the daily humdrum Each of Angus’s thoughtful poems is accompanied by a charming illustration by Lilly – the perfect combination in print.' * Planet Mindful *

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Book SynopsisThe most comprehensive guide to traditional basketry and basket-making techniques, containing complete guidance for beginners while acting as an essential reference manual for more experienced basket makers.Table of ContentsMaterials; workshop, tools and equipment; structures; basics and special techniques; bases and starting up; weaves; borders; handles; lids, fastenings and fittings; programme of work; designing.

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Book SynopsisArtist Rachel Dein introduces readers to botanical bas-relief, an innovative and exciting technique developed by the author, one that anyone?gardener, parent, weekend crafter, or artist?can try at home in every season. Casting Flowers introduces botanical bas-relief as a rewarding method that encourageseven the most basic beginners to revel in the ability to record a plant''s texture, pattern, and delicacy in fine detail, creating compositions as small as a single stem or as complex as a field of wildflowers. All it takes is clay, flower, plants, and plaster. Artists can leave a finished piece bare and elegant, or experiment with painting on its surface, bringing the plants to life in color. From small plaster tiles featuring a single flower portrait to large panels that suggest an entire garden full of blooms, botanical castings reflect every artist?s desire to capture the ephemeral in nature. A meditative activity that encourages artists to explore their gardens and natural spaces for materials, botanical bas-relief teaches readers how to track the progress of the seasons, immortalizing the plants at the moment when they are most alive. With accessible instructions, stunning photography of the process from start to finish, andinsights intothe artist''s own garden, readers will discover: Step-by-step guidance on the tools and equipment needed to set up a simple workspace What plants work best in botanical casts, and which to avoid How to arrange flowers and stems to make well-balanced artistic compositions Tips on creating unique pieces of artwork as mementos of a seasonor records of special occasions

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Book Synopsis'Not everyone can keep a cow, but everyone can make cheese.' This book shows you the very basic equipment needed to make your own cheese: the ingredients, including different milks, herbs and flavours; how to make a simple cheese; and how to produce some of the worlds speciality cheeses such as Roquefort, Brie and Edam. You will find recipes for making many cheeses at home. Whether you are making a cheese cake, a ricotta-based pudding or a stonking salty blue, this book is a cheese lover's guide to making their own favourite food - and there are some recipes for the biscuits to go with it, too. Contents: Cheese: The Miracle Food; How Cheese is Made; Milk, Starters and Other Ingredients; Cheese-making Equipment; Basic Cheese-Making; Hard Cheeses; Soft Cheeses; Cheddar; Blue Cheese; Goats Cheese; European Cheeses; British Cheeses; Manufactured Cheeses; Cooking with Cheese; Cheese for Sweets; Common Cheese-making Problems; Index.Trade Review'After giving us the once-over about the basics of cheese making, we then get to the nitty-gritty with Paul's wonderfully researched cheese-making recipes.' Rochdale Observer. 'This is a cracker of a book. Beautifully laid out and written. If you are considering developing your cheese making skills and becoming abit more self sufficient I thoroughly recommend this book.' www.cottagesmallholder.com.Table of ContentsCheese: The Miracle Food; How Cheese is Made; Milk, Starters and Other Ingredients; Cheese-making Equipment; Basic Cheese-Making; Hard Cheeses; Soft Cheeses; Cheddar; Blue Cheese; Goats Cheese; European Cheeses; British Cheeses; Manufactured Cheeses; Cooking with Cheese; Cheese for Sweets; Common Cheese-making Problems; Index.

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Book SynopsisThe perfect companion for any family outdoor day, a joyful introduction to the crafts available in any piece of woodland. Woodland Crafting guides the reader on making things with wood, in the woods, with a series of beautiful hand-drawn illustrations. It provides the basic knowledge and skills to complete a range of both simple and more advanced craft projects, from functional structures to creative outdoor play forms. You?ll learn how to choose and work your wood effectively, use simple tools, tie knots and develop your own designs to make masks and puppets, night torches and staffs, arrows, jewelry, ladders, shelters, chairs for stargazing and much more. This book has all you need to know to make working with wood fun.This book, previously published as Making Woodland Crafts, is the perfect companion for any family outdoor day, a joyful introduction to the crafts available in any piece of woodland. It is guaranteed to get children (and their parents, siblings, grandparents?) out and about and enjoying nature.

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Book SynopsisCelebrate 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. In fact, there's something here to satisfy all your project desires! 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. Be inspired to work with one of nature's most beautiful and classic materials. Wood can offer you the look and feel, and even scent, that no other natural material can provide. With Woodland Craft you'll learn all you need to know about tools and devices, both old and new. You'll browse through the handy directory of tree species and identify the best uses for each. You'll appreciate and admire the massive display of illustrations and photographs throughout - nearly 700 combined! And you'll gain the insight you need to make practically anything out of this clean, crisp, beautiful element. AUTHOR: Ben Law, woodsman, craftsman, eco-builder, teacher and writer, lives and works in Prickly Nut Wood in West Sussex, UK. The building of his unique woodland home was featured on Channel 4's Grand Designs in the UK and was voted by viewers as the most popular episode ever. In addition to the coppicing of his own woodland, he runs courses on sustainable woodland management and permaculture, runs a specialist eco- building company and trains apprentices. 185 illustrations, 496 photographs in full colour

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisCreate a colorful garden with tiles galore! A beginner-friendly guide, Garden Mosaics opens with insightful chapters on understanding the materials, tools, and techniques necessary to prepare and get started. Using ceramic, vitreous glass, marble, mirrors, or granite tiles, you'll move on to create 19 stunning mosaic garden projects that range from simple to elaborate, from one-of-a-kind pots, garden ornaments, and bird baths to stepping stones, garden tables, wall panels, and more! Each design contains step-by-step instructions and coordinating photography, as well as pattern templates. Authors and talented mosaicists Emma Biggs and Tessa Hunkin have written more than 5 books on mosaic art, design, and techniques.

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Book SynopsisWhittling is more than just a way of busying idle hands – it is a pastime for those who love the texture of wood and a way of life for those who feel a special connection between people and trees.This beautiful and practical guide to the art of whittling offers the perfect antidote to the stresses of modern life and a means of getting back to basics and creating unique items from scratch. Inside you will learn about the ancient art of whittling as one of the earliest forms of artistic expression; the different types of wood to use in your work; the simple tools you need to get started; and the various cutting techniques.The Art of Whittling also preaches the idea of Danish hygge – translating to coziness and being with friends and family in a warm atmosphere. Here, author Niklas Karlsson gives us an insight into why the Danes are considered the happiest people in the world – and how you can bring some hygge into your own lives.More than just a manual, this book offers a contemplative view on a skill that is more popular than ever.Table of ContentsIntroduction • The Carved Surface • A Whittler's Tools • Equipment and the Workshop • Wood • A Whittler's Skills: The Projects • Epilogue: A Note on Simplicity • Resources • Credits.

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Book SynopsisThe classic text on coppicing and woodland crafts, redesigned for a new generation of woodspeople. If you’re lucky enough to have access to a patch of woodland, this book contains everything you need to set up, manage and profit from a thriving coppice. But even if you don’t, there’s plenty of information on traditional woodland crafts here for you: learn how to work with bought coppiced wood to make all manner of products, from the archetypal besom broom and humble tent pegs to sturdy gate hurdles. Woodland crafts expert Ray Tabor guides you through a range of heritage woodland conservation methods. He introduces the best tools for each job – the time-honoured woodsman’s billhook being the most important of all – and the devices you’ll need. He shows how to select wood for each purpose, from ash, traditionally used for tool handles, to chestnut for making perfect fences. There’s also an in-depth exploration of the essential art of riving (splitting wooden poles by hand). Full of invaluable advice, historical information, useful diagrams and evocative photography, this book will help you reconnect to nature and the environment, and gain immense pleasure from creating beautiful crafted products using heritage methods.Trade Review‘Tabor is to be congratulated on making it easier to start using green wood that other books seem to make out.’ Andy Hancock Green Woodworker

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Book SynopsisIcy inspiration for playing, exploring and surviving in the snow. Don’t be put off by the cold – get out there and be dazzled by the wonder of winter. With fifty projects for having fun and staying safe in the snow, you’ll never be short of ideas. Fifty Things to Do in the Snow is a playful and informative winter survival kit. Camp craft and forest school expert Richard Skrein teaches you not only to observe and admire the beauty and wonder of snow, but also how to survive in it. His projects range from practical tips on building igloos, making sledges and winter camping, to reflective, mindful ideas for observation of snowflakes, spotting winter trees and pine cones, and forest bathing adapted for winter. Filled with accompanying illustrations from artist Maria Nilsson, this latest title in the Fifty Things series will help you make the most of nature’s bountiful gifts throughout the thrilling seasons of cold and dark. Chapters:Snow Play (Sledges, Snow Forts)Snow Craft (Frozen Bubbles, Snow Lanterns)Winter Wisdom (Winter Tree ID, Forest Bathing)Winter Survival (Snow Tracking, Making Snowshoes)Snow Fires (Swedish Fire Log, Ice Fires)Trade Review For 50 Things to Do by the Sea: ‘If you have been unable to visit the coast during the last year due to the pandemic, this lovely book is a small step towards soothing your seaside cravings.’- Country Life For 50 Things to Do With a Stick: ‘This book is a great gift for all ages and features lots of top tips and skills to learn. Anyone who loves the outdoors would be happy to find this book in their stocking. And you'll be glad of them if you get stuck out in the wild!’ – Caravan magazine

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Book SynopsisFind inspiration for reconnecting to the earth by creating the garden-based handicrafts, edible and medicinal recipes, and beauty care products found in A Woman's Garden. Trade Review‘ A celebration of femininity in the garden and an innovative and important book, this will expand the horizons of seasoned gardeners, while being accessible for beginners.’ -- Jack Wallington * RHS The Garden *Table of ContentsIntroduction THE EDIBLE GARDEN 1 | The Kitchen Garden Deanna’s Garden Gallery of Homegrown Produce Creating a New Vegetable Garden Pallet Strawberry Planter Growing Salad Greens A Berry Delicious Garden Low-Maintenance Edibles 2 | Edible Flowers Jan’s Garden Gallery of Edible Flowers Edible Flowers in Your Garden Edible Flower Planter Floral Ice Cubes Edible Flower Frittata Lavender Shortbread 3 | Culinary Herbs Rekha’s Garden Gallery of Culinary Herbs Growing Culinary Herbs DIY Herb Spiral Herb-Infused Oil Three-Mint Mojito Herb-Embedded Pasta HEALTH AND BEAUTY 4 | Plants For Skin care Tanya’s Garden Gallery of Skin Care Plants Growing Plants for Skin Care Creating Botanical Extracts Rose Petal Facial Mist Herbal Bath Fizzies Lavender and Alkanet Soap 5 | Herbal Medicine Giovanna’s Garden Gallery of Medicinal Plants A Home Herbalist’s Garden Growing Chamomile for Tea Chamomile Tincture Calendula Skin Salve Lemon Balm Cold Sore Balm HOME AND CRAFTS 6 | Herbs For The home Ashlie’s Garden Gallery of Plants for the Home Growing a Home Garden Raised Garden Bed Rosemary and Citrus Kitchen Spray Natural Wood Furniture Polish Soapwort Multipurpose Cleaner 7 | Natural Plant Dyes Teresinha’s Garden Gallery of Plants with Natural Color Growing a Dye Garden Using Dye Plants Dyeing Yarn with Onion Skins Naturally Coloring Handmade Soap 8 | The Crafty Garden Melissa’s Garden Gallery of Creative Garden Makes A Creative and Low-Cost Garden Fossil Imprint Stepping-Stone Pressed Flower Candles Papier-Mâché Leaf Lanterns A Word of Thanks About the Author Index

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Book SynopsisCapture the beauty, fragrance, and power of herbs in these delightful crafts for home and garden. Why craft with herbs? They're easy to grow, beautiful, fragrant, full of health benefits, and are incredibly versatile! Herbs are best known for their medicinal and culinary uses, but there’s so much more you can do with them. From spray disinfectants to wreaths and garlands, custom herb salts to homemade skincare products, there's something here for every room of your house—and everyone on your gift list! Learn how to make beautiful and useful items such as: Smudge Sticks Herb Sachets Hanging Herbal Swag Natural Confetti Herbal Cleaning Vinegars Herb salts (with recipes for different blends) Herbal Teas Compound Herb Butter Lavender Neck Wrap Simple Herbal Balm And much more! In addition to the crafts, learn how to grow, prune, harvest, dry, and store your favorite herbs. Woven throughout are helpful tidbits on the wellness properties and history of herbs.Create useful crafts that will beautify your home and make wonderful DIY gifts!Trade Review"Herbs and edible flowers have wonderful benefits far beyond their culinary or medicinal uses, as author Debbie Wolfe shows us in her new book, Crafting with Herbs. She walks the reader through expertly photographed step-by-step instructions to make visually gorgeous wreaths and centerpieces, and aromatic face scrubs and hair rinses. We learn how to make beautiful bouquet garni, confetti cones, and smudge sticks—all of which capitalize on the aromatic and visual beauty of the various herbs. The projects are relatable and functional while celebrating the many uses for herbs beyond flavoring a sauce. —Lisa Steele, author of Fresh Eggs Daily and Gardening with Chickens "Debbie Wolfe's green thumb and boundless creativity have led to an extensive and exciting collection of garden projects. Her photos alone will inspire readers to get their hands dirty!" —Kathleen Corlett, Editor in Chief at BobVila.com, Acton Media "Debbie has done it again! Crafting with Herbs is filled with DIY projects for every area of the home! You will find yourself excited to make the next herbal craft after you see the beautiful photography throughout the book!" —Kasey Schwartz, All Things Mamma, Author of Essential Oils for a Clean and Healthy Home. "This fun book shows how to make 30 craft projects from fresh herbs collected from your garden. There are lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) neck wraps, miniature herb wreaths that act as tea bags, and eco-friendly confetti made with colorful, dried herb flowers. Hidden messages can be sent with small herb bouquets called 'tussie-mussies' that are based on each herb’s meaning. Recipes cover making herbal oils and scrubs, honeys, pastes, hair rinse, and salve. Brief descriptions highlight 14 of the herbs used in the projects with a few medicinal and culinary uses along with gardening stats. Wolfe wrote DIY Garden Projects and Crafts and writes for home repair retailers like Bob Vila." —Kathi Keville, American Herb Association Quarterly Director.

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Book SynopsisAccompany woodsman Ben Law as he celebrates the amazing diversity of craft products made from materials sourced directly from the woods. Including brooms, rakes, pegs, spoons, chairs, baskets, fencing, yurts and even a caravan, the items are hewn from freshly cut green wood, shaped by hand and infused with a simple, rustic beauty. Detailed instructions and advice are given for each craft, along with essential knowledge about tools and devices. With fascinating information on the history, language and traditions of the crafts, coppice management and tree species, this book teaches about all aspects of the low-impact woodland way of life.

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Book SynopsisThe exquisite art of bonsai is beautifully demonstrated in this authoritative, practical handbook, which takes the reader from a first foray into the world of miniature trees to a level of considerable expertise. The book, now made available again in paperback, covers both indoor and outdoor varieties and is full of practical information about cultivation, propagation and pruning. It is a guide both for newcomers to the art and for bonsai gardeners with some knowledge of the subject. The handbook describes, with clear text and step-by-step artworks and finely detailed photographs, the anatomy and the art of this classic hobby. It describes the rules - and also how they can be broken. It will enable beginners to start up their own bonsai collection, whether of home-grown or bought trees, and to keep their bonsai healthy and in good shape. It will answer questions for those who already have some experience with bonsai. All the tools and the skills needed are described, and a photographic compendium displays the top 24 species, both outdoor and indoor.Trade Review"Bonsai books abound, but [this] may convince me to try again. It combines aesthetic appreciation with lucid practical advice, along with helpful drawings. Prescott deals with almost every facet of the art-from the proper tools, to watering, feeding, root pruning, soil types, pots and branch wiring-in a way that is truly encouraging."--"Washington Post Book World"

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Book SynopsisWoodlander 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. AUTHOR: Ben Law, woodsman, craftsman, eco-builder, teacher and writer, lives and works in Prickly Nut Wood in West Sussex, UK. The building of his unique woodland home was featured on Grand Designs in the UK and was voted by viewers as the most popular episode ever. Ben runs courses on sustainable woodland management and permaculture, runs a specialist eco-building company and trains apprentices. Ben Law is the author of several books, including The Woodland House (Permanent Publications, 2005). The Woodland Year (Permanent Publications, 2008), and Woodsman: Living in a Wood in the 21st Century and Woodland Craft (GMC Publications, 2015). www.ben-law.co.uk. 300 photographs, 100 illustrations

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Book SynopsisDiscover the joys of crafting your own unique and personal perfumes. Nancy Booth shows you how to pinpoint your fragrance preferences and design personalized products for both body and home. Learn how to use herbs, essential oils, natural plant extracts, and alcohol to create one-of-a-kind perfumes, sprays, colognes, and potpourris that not only smell great, but are free of harsh chemicals. With helpful tips on storing, packaging, and even marketing your products, you'll be inspired to explore the aromatic world of homemade fragrance.

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Book SynopsisBring the joy of flowers into your home with 30 stunning projects for every season.From spring planters to summer floral crowns and autumn vase arrangements to winter wreaths; life is better with flowers all year round. With clear, step-by-step instructions, expert florist Ashlee Jane leads you through her inspirational ideas for floral designs to bring the calming presence of flowers and foliage into your home.There is something for every occasion here, from small place settings and everyday bouquets to show-stopping displays for a mantlepiece or staircase, and everything in between. Including styling tips, a directory of favourite flowers and gorgeous ideas on every page, you will be inspired to fill your home with flowers throughout the year.

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Book SynopsisThe essential guide to creating your own underwater world.Sunken Gardens is packed with everything you need to plan, design, and maintain a planted freshwater aquarium. Karen Randall shares her years of expertise and makes this enchanting hobby accessible to everyone. You’ll learn everything from the biology of aquatic plants and basic aquarium chemistry to tank maintenance and troubleshooting. Plant profiles highlight the best options for a range of tank situations, and a chapter devoted to aquascaping styles provides basic design principles and inspiring examples. With hundreds of color photographs and clear, reliable advice, Sunken Gardens is an essential introduction to a fascinating pastime.

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Book SynopsisThis is a complete guide to growing herbs, with an informative directory and over 120 recipe and gift ideas. It offers practical advice on every aspect of growing herbs from designing your own herb garden and raising healthy herbs, to propagation, pruning and training. It is a botanical A-Z of over 150 herbs, with information on uses, cultivation and detailed descriptions of each variety. It features over 80 tasty and innovative herb recipes from summer soups, tasty snacks, and rich casseroles to light desserts, refreshing punches and soothing tisanes. It offers a wealth of attractive craft gift ideas including scented candles, table decorations, bath lotions and much more. For centuries, herbs have been used in gardening, perfumery, folk crafts and cooking. This book combines the range of skills needed for herb cultivation with hundreds of inspirational ideas for appetizing herb recipes and attractive craft ideas. The first half of the book is a practical guide to growing herbs successfully. The second section identifies over 150 herb varieties, providing cultivation tips as well as essential information on their medicinal, culinary and scented properties.An irresistible collection of recipes follows, including dishes for every taste. The book ends with a treasury of projects for scented displays, gifts and beauty products.

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Book SynopsisWalter Murray was a young man tired of living in the city. Early in the 1920s, he persuaded a Sussex farmer to rent him a derelict cottage, which stood alone on a hill, with no running water or electricity. Most of the windows were broken, it was dirty, dark and ran with rats. He bought a brush and pail in the village, forced the rats to retreat, brought in rudimentary furniture. The local postman found him a dog, and with his new companion he began to explore his surroundings. In that year at Copsford he made a living from collecting, drying and selling the herbs he found locally: agrimony, meadow-sweet and yarrow. He became alert to the wildlife and plants around him. His life was hard - he supplemented his income with occasional journalism, but it was here he met his future wife, who he calls The Music Mistress, and with whom he would later found a school. Copsford is an extraordinary book. Bearing comparison to Thoreau's Walden, Murray's intense feeling for his place is evident on every page. It is, though, no simple story of a rural idyll - life at Copsford was hard, and Murray does not shy away from the occasional terrors of a house that had its hauntings. A publishing success when first published in the late 1940s, this new edition has an introduction by Raynor Winn, author of The Salt Path.

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Book SynopsisOriginally a follow-up to the outstandingly successful Blankets and Throws, the newly reformatted Cosy Throws & Blankets (previously published as More Blankets and Throws) has over 100 different blanket squares that can be knitted up to create a dozen unique blankets or throws in a variety of styles. More gorgeous blanket squares from bestseller Debbie Abrahams – there’s something for every knitter in this book. In this new book, Debbie Abrahams offers 100 unique blanket squares that can be combined to create a dozen stunning blankets or throws. Full instructions are given for each square, including expert advice on how to knit with several colours and how to personalize them using beads and other embellishments. Clear, step-by-step instructions show you how to piece the squares together to create each blanket, and close-up photos and clear charts mean you can’t go wrong. Follow the patterns given or have fun and create your own designs using the squares. Practise a range of knitting techniques, from intarsia through to textured stitches, and create squares using clean, matt cottons and soft, hairy winter yarns. Be inspired by these beautiful projects from beginners’ basics to advanced challenges. From a colourful circus-inspired afghan to a sea design in aqua shades, from a sophisticated blanket in mineral tones to a bright fruity rug, there's a design for every taste. Other titles in this series include Blankets & Throws to Knit (9781843404712), 25 Cushions to Knit (9781843405092) and Zoë Mellor's 50 Baby Bootees to Knit (9781843405078).Trade Review Praise for Cosy Throws & Blankets: ‘Beautifully illustrated with really helpful and clear step-by-step instructions … this is a perfect book for busy people looking to relax with a project that is achievable and so satisfying to create. Creating the little squares is so much fun because as well as following the patterns you can also create your own designs. We absolutely loved this delightful book. Highly recommended!’ – Escape Learn and Create Blog ‘I'm currently trying desperately to choose between all the gorgeous patterns in this book.’ – Bishops Stortford Independent

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Book SynopsisWilderness Knits for the Home is Linka Neumann’s second book, showcasing a stunning collection of homeware knits to make while embracing the Scandinavian spirit and cosying up next to a warm fire. After the success of Wilderness Knits, with its cosy jumpers and cardigans set against the backdrop of the Norwegian landscape, Linka brings us gorgeous wall hangings, cushions, blankets (including for your dog!) and more. Once again, set in the stunning Norwegian countryside, the book inspires you to knit these beautiful creations and embrace the aesthetic of the Scandinavian wilderness. As ever, Linka uses her environment to inspire her as well as animals from the snowy north – with dogs, orcas, polar bears and reindeers finding their way into her designs. If making jumpers and cardigans with Scandi-style yokes feels too complicated for you, these simpler shapes of squares and rectangles will give you the confidence to make your own creations with similar designs. Including 27 projects – all with knitting diagrams and inspirational photography – you will be knitting presents for all your friends and family as well as for your own home in no time.Trade ReviewPraise for Wilderness Knits: ‘These knits will keep ramblers warm and dry for a lifetime of adventuring’ – Let’s Knit ‘Super-cosy jumpers and cardigans’ – The Knitter ‘Exceptional pieces’ –The Scandi Edit

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Book SynopsisThe Cottage Life reflects our collective desire to escape the chaos of modern existence; to live with more purpose, more compassion and more joy.  The Cottage Life is an essential guide to slow and simple living, inspired by the magical world of cottagecore. To follow the cottagecore aesthetic is to wear secondhand clothes that tell their own stories; to bake fresh bread and cakes, no matter how wonky the outcome; to spend time in nature, to observe and draw the plants, to breathe freshair and to connect with species beyond our own. It is taking the time to notice the seasons change, or to turn off your screen mindfully and pick up an old novel instead. It is lighting a fire on the first cool night of autumn and sipping a fresh cup of tea by the fireplace, or watching the first spring leaves unfurl after the long, dark winter.Celebrating t

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Book Synopsis'A must-have for anyone interested in working with straw and an astonishing contribution to the preservation of this endangered craft.' Jay Blades MBE, Co-Chair of Heritage Crafts An engaging makers’ guide to the history and craft of straw plaiting, brimming with helpful step-by-step diagrams. Straw plaiting has been used to make accessories from hats and baskets to handbags, trimmings and homewares around the world for centuries. Once employing tens of thousands of people in the UK alone, the craft is now listed as Critically Endangered on Heritage Crafts’ Red List. This book aims to change that, drawing on more than 50 previously unpublished patterns and techniques from around the world that will help you to unlock the history and preserve the skills of straw plaiting. For each pattern, follow the step-by-step diagrams and instructions and discover how they were developed whilst learning about materials, tools and preparation. Once familiar with the plaiting techniques – using straw as well as other materials – you will be able to develop your own skills, possibly blending in recycled materials, which are increasingly being used to produce beautiful and unique pieces.Trade ReviewThis impressive and thoroughly researched book traces the journey of straw from farmer’s field to finished hat. Veronica Main has covered the subject in depth with good illustrations, and the clearly drawn patterns show the many ways straw can be plaited ... we should now make more use of it as a renewable resource. -- Alan and Vanessa Hopkins, The School of Historic DressA must-have for anyone interested in working with straw and an astonishing contribution to the preservation of this endangered craft. -- Jay Blades MBE, Co-Chair of Heritage CraftsStraw plaiting has all but disappeared from the public consciousness; what was once so common, it touched the lives of everyone everywhere... Veronica Main's exhaustive research may ignite a timely renaissance of interest in straw as we search for sustainable alternatives to plastic. -- Polly Leonard * Selvedge Magazine *This is a book that will fascinate and enthral both researchers and makers alike. * The Braid Society *From simple patterns through to elaborate work for hats and baskets, this is equally enjoyable as a record of a rare craft, or as inspiration to take up straw plaiting and help take this craft off the endangered list. * Family Tree *Straw Plaiting: Heritage Techniques for Hats, Trimmings, Bags and Baskets is sure to become the go-to publication for anyone interested in learning or studying this time-honoured craft. * HATalk Magazine *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Foreword by Marian Nichols Introduction Terminology 1. Straw Plaiting in Great Britain 2. Straw Plaiting in the Atlantic Islands and North America 3. Straw Plaiting in Europe 4. The Decline of the Straw Plaiting Industry 5. Plaiting Materials 6. Straw Preparation 7. Tools of the Trade 8. Development of Plait Patterns 9. Preparing to Plait 10. Plait Instructions Three, Five and Seven End Plaits Nine and Eleven Ends Basic Plaits Rustic Plaits Piping and Porcupine Purl and Moss Batwing or Vandyke Feather and Wisp Diamond and Wave Brilliant Trimmings Endnotes Conversion Tables Glossary Bibliography Picture Credits Index

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Book SynopsisLearn to make stunning crafts with these beautiful sea gems! Sea glass is the beautiful result of broken glass being naturally polished and smoothed by the ocean’s currents for extended periods of time. These beautiful jewels become weathered and frosted from abrasion and erosion in salt water, giving them a distinctly beautiful, jewel-like appearance that is perfect for all sorts of crafting! Sea Glass Crafts includes more than twenty step-by-step projects for you to create beautiful works with your collection of sea glass. Accompanying each project are beautiful full-color photographs that visually aid readers in the instructions as well as display of the finished product. From jewelry to other lavish lifestyle crafts, this book will give readers the skills needed to learn the art of creating beautiful homemade pieces. Sea glass can be purchased in bulk online, but it is way more fun to collect on your own. On your next trip to the beach, when you find yourself swimming in these treasures, be sure to utilize the lessons in this book to create something truly homemade, unique, and beautiful. It’s a perfect activity for anyone interested in jewelry making or crafting, or for someone looking to learn a new hobby.

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Book SynopsisThread Folk: A Modern Makers Book of Embroidery Projects and Artist Collaborations is a modern refresh of an age-old craft. Author Libby Moore teaches basic stitches and how to choose materials, and shares original patterns with easy-to-remove perforated pages. Thread Folk also features Artist Collaborations, a series of projects based on the curated artwork of several distinctive, talented artists, including clothing designer Audrey Smit, and illustrators Alli Koch and Lauren Merrick.Trade Review"Thread Folk will inspire new and seasoned artists alike to explore embroidery in ways they have not considered before. Libby Moore does a beautiful job of reintroducing this ancient craft as a contemporary medium with easy to follow projects." --Ekaterina Popova, founder and editor of Create! Magazine

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Book SynopsisBuchanan-Smith’s Axe Handbook is a trusted resource for anyone looking to reconnect with handcraft and the outdoors. Beautifully designed and lavishly illustrated, this handbook will inspire readers to rediscover the great outdoors.   Peter Buchanan-Smith founded Best Made Co. in 2009 because he loved making things with his hands and wanted to start a company that would not only celebrate the inherent beauty of timeless, utilitarian tools, but would also inspire people to get out from behind their screens and experience the natural world.   From the basics and fundamentals of handling and owning an axe to the details on how to find the right axe to everything a reader must know about use and maintenance, this stylish, informative axe guide is ideal for anyone interested in the outdoors and a must-have compendium for the axe-wielding adventurer by one of the industry’s leading tastemakers.  “EnlTrade ReviewEnlightening...very interesting...therein lies what was so inspiring about this book: there's so much joy tied into this simple object for the author, a deigngner who wanted to reconnect with the nature while living in a big city. * Popular Woodworking Magazine *

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Book SynopsisMake exquisite papers right in your own kitchen. With a few pieces of basic equipment and a small harvest of backyard weeds, you can easily create stunningly original handcrafted papers. Helen Heibert’s illustrated step-by-step instructions show you how easy it is to blend and shape a variety of organic fibers into professional stationery, specialty books, and personalized gifts. You’ll soon be creatively integrating plant stalks, bark, flower petals, pine needles, and more to add unique colors and textures to your paper creations.

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Book SynopsisFind inspiration in decorative country living with Country Brocante Style. Lucy Haywood is the creator of The Country Brocantes – home and lifestyle fairs held in idyllic rural surroundings. In Country Brocante Style, she introduces her pretty and accessible signature look into the home, fusing two classic and enduring decorating traditions – English country style and French-inspired vintage styling. There’s plenty of classic French ‘brocanterie’ – old textiles, vintage furniture and decorative pieces – alongside lifestyle brands, gardenalia, handmade textiles, cottage-garden flowers and other homewares. In the first section, Country Brocante Style, Lucy leads you through the colour palette of the Brocantes and discusses key pieces of furniture and decorative pieces before presenting creative ideas for putting the look together. In the second section, Country Brocante Interiors, she pays a visit to the homes of the dealers and the buyers who flock to the fairs. Decorative country style is more popular than ever and The Country Brocante will inspire you to create this romantic, timeless style in your own home.

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Book SynopsisBritain has a long and rich tradition of woodcrafts and what, since about the 1970s, have been called the 'greenwood crafts'. Greenwood crafts focus on using wood that contains sap and that is easy to work with simple hand tools to produce beautiful and useful products.

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Book SynopsisIt’s time to enjoy more bare-bottomed fun from Woolly Bush. Bernard and Barbara invite you to the Woolly Bush Carnival and all that entails – there’s dancing round the maypole, a baking competition, vegetable growing, archery, farm animals and a dog show to enjoy. Patterns include Jim the farmer, his dog Willie and his pig and piglets, the chickens and cockerel as well as the village Vicar and his binoculars. Packed with lots of dinky objects to create your scene – from an archery set to a Battenberg slice and even a sausage in a bap. Bursting with British eccentricity, double entendres and a lot of village fun, this craft book will appeal to knitting fans and humour-lovers alike.Trade Review‘Hilarious, if not a little naughty’ -- Simply Knitting

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Book Synopsis In this accessible collection of creative projects, Rachel Hazell shares exciting paper crafting techniques to develop your bookbinding skills. 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 Three-Hole Pamphlet Stitch, 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.So 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.

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Book SynopsisFind happiness in the natural world, be fully present where you are and free yourself from the expectations of others.Embrace a more peaceful life with cottagecore a soft, fairytale world that combines traditional comforts with a modern existence to create a sense of magic and retreat.While we may not be able to uproot ourselves and settle entirely off-grid in the middle of a forest, Escape into Cottagecore will help you rekindle your love of nature and rediscover simple joys, wherever you may live.Full of practical advice and inspiration, and covering topics from home décor and herbology to eating with the seasons and mindfulness, this beautiful book will invite you on a cottagecore odyssey, bringing the nostalgia, relaxation and beauty of countryside living to every part of your life.

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Book SynopsisCreative Ropecraft is a wonderful collection of practical nautical knots and decorative ropework. Anyone tempted to try their hand at this will be able to follow the steps easily thanks to Stuart Grainger''s exquisite and clear drawings. This brand new, fully updated edition has a foreword, revisions, and tips from knotting expert, Des Pawson. Readers can learn how to tie and use a wide variety of knots, both practical and elaborate, including: crown and wall knotsturk''s heads door knockershammocksmatsbeltscuff linkstable lampsrope-edged trays and much more. This book will be beautifully presented in a larger format, in full colour, and with new photography and material from Des Pawson. It will now sit comfortably alongside the successful Knot Craft and Rope Mats.Reviews of the previous edition: ''The best fancy knotting book...only when you''ve tried can you know just how good.'' Knotting Matters ''Essential for any knot tyer''s library. Stuart Grainger''sTrade ReviewThis brand-new, fully updated edition is an essential guide for learning how to tie and use a wide variety of knots. * Powerboat & RIB Magazine *Table of ContentsForeword by Des Pawson Preface to the Fourth Edition Introduction 1. Cordage characteristics - Standard knots 2. Bindings, multi-strand knots and splices 3. Single strand fancy knots 4. Plaits and sennits of up to six strands 5. Multi-strand combination knots 6. Covering and netting 7. Ropecraft design 8. Practical Projects Conclusion and Bibliography Useful suppliers Index

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Book SynopsisAlli Koch has mastered the art of turning simple doodles into beautifully designed floral illustrations. She shares her expertise in this book, a step-by-step guide that teaches everything you need to know about modern florals. You'll learn designs from classic favourites like the rose to today’s trendiest florals, as well as succulents and cacti. 'How to Draw Modern Florals' is an introduction, so no experience is needed!

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Book SynopsisAlli Koch has mastered the art of turning simple doodles into beautifully designed floral illustrations. She shares her expertise in this book, a step-by-step guide that teaches everything you need to know about modern florals. You'll learn designs from classic favourites like the rose to today’s trendiest florals, as well as succulents and cacti. This book is an introduction, so no experience is needed!

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Book SynopsisFun, easy-to-do outdoor activities to unleash your inner child.Trade ReviewBeautifully produced and full of games and activities to unleash the outdoorsman in you. -- Natasha Harding * THE SUN *

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Book SynopsisWhile other books only cover the basics, this one explores the history, construction, magical properties, and ritual uses of brooms. The witch''s broom is one of the most loved magical tools, but not many practitioners know how to fully make and use it. Chelsea Townsend and Gypsey Elaine Teague delve into the history, lore, magic, and craft of brooms. They teach you not only how to create your personal broom, but also how to use it in spells, rituals, and magical circles. Chelsea and Gypsey help you make the perfect broom, presenting the metaphysical properties of over 40 species of wood, deity correspondences, divination methods, and sewing techniques. The authors also teach you about the five types of brooms, how to consecrate and retire a broom, and how to use a broom in sabbats and other rituals. No matter your skill level, this book will add a powerful new ally to your practice. This is THE book you need if you want to expand your magical horizons.?Debra L. Burris, author of Weather Magic

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Book Synopsis''This is a book about the stories we tell ourselves and one woman''s determination to make hers true'' Spectator''A fresh . . . heartfelt book that . . . makes you want to throw away your mobile, run for the hills and learn a traditional craft'' The Lady''A spirited defence of manual labour'' TLSAt the age of twenty-six, Whitney Brown met a dry-stone waller. Within weeks she was out on the hill with him in Wales, learning the language of dry-stone walling. Far away from the pressures of her old life, she found deep satisfaction in working with her hands, in the age and heft of the stones, and the ring of the hammer.Out under the open sky, Whitney relished every sore muscle and smashed finger, opportunity to stand atop a wall she''d just built and feel like the strongest woman alive. Between Stone and Sky is a celebration of the raw and rugged splendour of the Welsh countryside and the enTrade ReviewThis beautiful memoir really got under my skin -- Jenny Tattersall, Cogito Books * Guardian Travel *Confessional, heartfelt . . . memoir . . . adventure and intrigue aplenty . . . this is a book about the stories we tell ourselves and one woman's determination to make hers true. Triumphant and tragic in equal measure, Brown's story is the American dream for the millennial generation * Spectator *A spirited defence of manual labour -- Rebecca Foster * Times Literary Supplement *A fresh . . . heartfelt book that . . . makes you want to throw away your mobile, run for the hills and learn a traditional craft -- Rebecca Wallersteiner * The Lady *Refreshingly funny . . . wonderful . . . Brown's writing about the Welsh countryside, and the Welsh people, is particularly colourful; she captures their earthy warmth brilliantly with her outsider's eye. The details about walling are also fascinating and empowering: as a woman working on the land, Brown writes powerfully about the feminist emancipation she experiences . . . But the woman Brown gets to know best in this multi-textured memoir is herself, as she encourages us to find ourselves, in all weathers, in the open air -- Jude Rogers * BBC Countryfile *

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