Rural crafts Books

Book SynopsisNearly 60 years ago, the WI handbook for country women teaches, through the seasons, the delights of cider-making, indoor bulb-planting, smocking, butter-making, cooking with home-grown herbs, public speaking, wall-papering, Durham quilting and more. How much times have changed for women, but how much we have forgotten!

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Book SynopsisFrom the craftsman behind the popular YouTube channel Primitive Technology comes a practical guide to building huts and tools using only natural materials from the wild. John Plant, the man behind the channel, Primitive Technology, is a bonafide YouTube star. With almost 10 million subscribers and an average of 5 million views per video, John''s channel is beloved by a wide-ranging fan base, from campers and preppers to hipster woodworkers and craftsmen. Now for the first time, fans will get a detailed, behind-the-scenes look into John''s process. Featuring 50 projects with step-by-step instructions on how to make tools, weapons, shelters, pottery, clothing, and more, Primitive Technology is the ultimate guide to the craft. Each project is accompanied by illustrations as well as mini-sidebars with the history behind each item, plus helpful tips for building, material sourcing, and so forth. Whether you''re a wilderness aficionado or just eager to spend more time outdoors, Primitive Technology has something for everyone''s inner nature lover.

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Book SynopsisChic and timeless, macrame has once again established itself as a popular home decor trend.Decorative Macrame walks you through the process of creating your own unique pieces, perfect for your space. Clear step-by-step photographs show you how to create the four basic knots and apply simple macrame techniques, while detailed diagrams help you with things like measurements—making the creation process less daunting.Diagrams, drawings and instructions show you how to create 20 projects that are simple enough for beginners and satisfying enough for practiced knotters. Ranging from small accessories to hanging statement pieces, everyone will be able to find something that catches their eye.The projects in this book include: Soft wall hangings—perfect for warming up any space An elegant room divider A boho chic lampshade An adorable bunting that can hang year-round Multiple hanging plant holders Curtain ties that add a touch of interest to your windows A keychain so you can carry your crafts with you And much more! Beautiful lifestyle images of the finished projects (surrounded by muted tones, natural materials and an abundance of plants) are sure to inspire your own space.Trade Review"Macrame is back, and this guide walks readers through several patterns sure to please those seeking classic motifs and new enthusiasts eager to embrace a boho aesthetic alike." --Booklist"Profusely illustrated throughout and thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, Decorative Macrame is an ideal and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, and community library Needlecraft instructional reference collection." --Midwest Book Review

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Book SynopsisFraktur is a manuscript-based folk art tradition brought from Europe by German-speaking immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania in the seventeenth century. Framing Fraktur takes a unique approach to the study of traditional fraktur by connecting it to the work of contemporary artists who similarly combine images with texts.

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Book SynopsisConceived of by artist Amy Goldin, “flowstones” are crafted by moulding a sheet of polymer clay around a smooth river rock. With a beauty all of their own, they impart a sense of calm to the holder, grounded by the weight and soothed by the smooth surface. In Flowstones, Goldin shares photographs of the stones she has created and includes step-by-step illustrated instructions so we can all enjoy creating these delightful objects.Trade Review"This little book features stunning images of flowstones..." -- The People's Friend

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Book SynopsisFrom blue- green to purple and pink, flower-shaped to squat and spiky or tall and fuzzy, the variety, versatility, and low-maintenance care of succulents makes them go-to plants for home gardeners. Here, succulent stylist Rachael Cohen shows that these traits also make succulents the ideal material for living art. Tiny, jewel-like succulents can be clipped and replanted in infinite combinations, and unlike cut flowers, they thrive in these arrangements. When planted in corks, they become charming living magnets; when placed in seashells, they are a delightful reminder of a day at the beach. Succulents can also grow nestled in moss, creating an opportunity for even more creativity: arrange them atop mini pumpkins or adorn a headband or a tiny wreath. In addition to illustrated step-by-step instructions for more than a dozen crafts, Cohen explains which succulents are best for each project, how to clip and prepare rosettes and leaves, and what to do when the plants outgrow their art pieces. Lush photographs throughout capture the natural beauty of the plants and boundless range of possible creations.

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Book SynopsisThis keepsake box set includes all four of the beautiful Wild + Free activity books, designed to stimulate children’s minds, instill a lifetime love of learning, and bring families closer together all through the year. Filled with fun crafts, creative activities, ways to play and explore outside, step-by-step color photographs, inspiring essays by other mothers, and more, this collection will spark children’s curiosity and wonder and help families connect and deepen their bonds. The four books included are:  Wild + Free Handcrafts: Crafts in a variety of styles, with step-by-step instructions and photos. Wild + Free Nature: Ideas for ways to get outside, seek adventure, and enjoy the outdoors.  Wild + Free Holidays: Create fun new holiday traditions with your family.  Wild + Free Book Club: Packed with book club activities including games, discussion questions, menu and décor ideas, suggested reading lists, and more, a fun way for kids to fall in love with reading. 

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Book SynopsisExplore the art of basketry in this idea-filled book for weavers at all levels. Over 300 how-to photographs, guidance on using a fascinating selection of woven styles, and 15 original new patterns combine to offer much more than traditional, historical weaving. Learn the basics, materials, dyes, tools, and techniques; then practice, using all or parts of the book to create your own award-winning designs. Traditional baskets are updated with new techniques, while contemporary patterns employ flat, flat oval, and round reed in plaids, twills, spiral, braids, arrows, diamonds, twining, waling, handle wraps, rim borders, and more. A gallery section features the inspiring artwork of experts who are bringing unique ideas to twenty-first-century woven art. This book will serve as a practical guide and an essential reference for every basket weaver.Trade ReviewPati English...is well respected as a teacher and admired for her “award winning basket designs.” I look forward to adding her book to my library. —Suzanne Moore, basket maker and owner of NC Basket Works, Inc.Ideas, techniques and explanations for weavers of all levels. [[[Traditional weaving methods are explored in new ways, creating unique basket designs that stand out. Some history of basketry and tips for new weavers will guide them through the learning curve, advancing them more quickly. Modern materials like slotted bases, special handle wraps, and woven embellishments give the advanced weaver something new to try.]]] English condenses her many years of weaving into a concise guide that will inspire and educate. —Angie Wagner, owner of The Country Seat, Inc. www.countryseat.com

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Book SynopsisTen contributing authors examine the cultural history of American basketry, from its utilitarian origins to the fine art world Rooted, Revived, Reinvented is a visual history of American basketry, from its origins in Native American, immigrant, and slave communities, to its contemporary presence in the fine art world. Ten contributing authors from different areas of expertise, andover 250 photographs,insightfully show how baskets convey meaning through the artists'' selection of materials, the techniques they use, and the colors, designs, patterns, and textures they employ. This book illustrates how the processes of industrialization changed the audiences, materials, and uses for basketry. It also surveys the visual landscape of basketry today; while some contemporary artists seek to maintain and revive traditions practiced for centuries, others combine age-old techniques with nontraditional materials to generate cultural commentary. This comprehensive treasury will be of vital interest to artists, collectors, curators, and historians of American basketry, textiles, and sculpture.

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Book SynopsisThis book offers a whistle-stop guide to the history of basketry and willow weaving. The story begins in prehistory when people first wove plant fibres together to create containers, shelters and fences. The book explores the ways in which basketry and willow weaving has continued to be important throughout human history in artistic, economic and functional terms. The second part of the book brings us up to date, via interviews with modern basketry and willow weaving artisans. These artists generously allowed the author a window into their studios and discussed the way they use and adapt traditional methods, techniques and tools for the twenty first century. Photos of their work, and their working environment offers a unique view into the world of this ancient craft. Finally, if you are inspired to try your hand at this fascinating and most ancient of crafts, the book also has a resources section. It includes a valuable list of suppliers of plant fibres, plants, and tools, as well as information about training courses, useful websites and more - everything you need to get started.

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Book SynopsisSeashells are tiny treasures, each one completely unlike any other. Their variety of shapes, colors, and sizes makes collecting—and even searching for—seashells a favorite pastime of avid and occasional beachcombers alike. As she did for the ocean’s other jewels in Sea Glass and Sea Glass Seeker, photographer Cindy Bilbao captures the ridges, striations, and hues of delicate shells everywhere she finds them. Displaying sun- bleached fragments, glittering, cantaloupe- colored nacre, and scallop shells washed by the tides, Bilbao’s photographs embody magic and mystery. From weathered quahogs and mussels on the cooler shores of New England to a rich, chestnut-colored Florida Fighting Conch shell nestled in the sands of its namesake state, she describes in intricate detail how these shells are formed and why they look the way they do. Complete with Bilbao’s expert tips for finding the most unique shells and enjoying the hunt, Seashells is the perfect gift for any anyone who loves the beach.

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Book SynopsisIn a fast-paced, modern Ireland it can be difficult to imagine how different our lives are to those that went before. In this book Olive Sharkey lovingly describes the lives, activities and material possessions of irish people living between 1800 and the 1930s. The implements of the home, the farm, the garden and home-crafts are recounted, with detailed drawings and photographs. These once familiar objects - bittles, butterworkers, noggins and truckle beds - are explored, as we are shown a lifestyle where people made much of their own furniture and clothes, and fed themselves from their own land. Based on Olive Sharkey's Ways of Old, this new addition to the O'Brien 'Heritage Series' will draw the reader back to a time when people were much more tuned into the rhythm of the year and the ground beneath their feet.Trade Review[O’Brien Irish Heritage series] is building up to be a handsome collection of well produced hardback books, well illustrated by photographs and drawings, complete with ribbon bookmark … a great gift for any visitor or relative living abroad, but equally it deserves a place on the bookshelf of anyone who values our past * Tuam Herald *wonderful little books which reflect the old ways … contains evocative descriptions and detailed drawings … part of a series by The O’Brien Press, exploring and celebrating Irish heritage and I could not think of a more appropriate time for readers than now, to delve into what makes this small but beautiful country of ours so unique' * The Opinion *

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Book SynopsisFairy House is a fascinating adventure into the making of miniscule kingdoms of the fairytale realm from objects found in nature. Through more than 350 clear, detailed, full-color photographs and understandable yet whimsical guidance, the reader will learn to fashion intricate, tiny cups from acorn pods and grapevine tendrils, dreamlike beds from delicate flowers and leaves, and an amazing array of other beautiful and unique pieces that will inspire the reader to find their true artistic ability and imagination. A photo gallery of other stunning pieces provides the reader with more possibilities to create.Projects include: ·The Forest Cottage ·The Fairy Garden ·Princess Canopy Bed ·Garden Wishing Well ·Tower for the Elfin King ·The Gardener’s Wagon ·Fairyland Gazebo ·The Fairyboat Bed ·Woodland Characters ·and many more!Trade Review“The Schramer’s treehouses are striking for their attention to detail, for their child-like sense of whimsy and their originality. They are enchanting; I have never seen anything like them.” —Agnes Gund, Past President, Museum of Modern Art, N.Y.“Husband and wife team Debbie and Mike Schramer craft a magical world in their artistic creations with nature as their inspiration." —National Endowment for the Arts“Debbie and Mike Schramer’s Fantasy Treehouse is a creation of pure whimsy, where fairies reside in decorated nooks and crannies of a magical tree.” —The Baltimore Sun

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