Product Description
Covering everything from how to make attractive jewellery out of paper, to setting up a workshop, to creating exciting and ornate pieces out of wire and metal, Teach Yourself Jewellery Making is a complete course in basic jewellery techniques for beginners. Featuring a full-color format, clear, step-by-step instructions, and numerous color illustrations, this book makes it easier than ever for aspiring jewellery makers to quickly master a wide range of skills and techniques. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Skip this book
Skip over this book if you are looking for a basic book of jewelry making techiniques. It does havea few pages of techniques but most of it some very odd jewelry, even sculpture, not anything the average person would want to make.

Techniques beyond beading
I give credit to the author for covering such a range of jewelry making techniques; there is much to learn here for anyone who wants to go beyond stringing beads. The book can certainly broaden one's knowledge of all the different methods and tools that can be used to make jewelry, and the dedicated jeweler will find much to refer to. The only fault I find with the book is that it covers each technique in too short a space.

This list will give a better idea of what is covered in the book, and will help you know if this is the type of craft you'd like to pursue:

1. Laminated paper tiara (laminated with iron)
2. Earrings made with a stack of hole punched paper discs!
3. Papier-mache beads
4. Felt beads made from raw sheep fleece and dyed
5. Annealing metal
6. Saw piercing, drilling, filing, soldering (showing diagrams of tools and techniques)
7. Wire pulled through a draw plate
8. Forging wire
9. Making jump rings and simple chain
10. Knitting wire
11. Shaping wire with doming blocks and fly press
12. Chasing for creating relief designs
13. Roll printing using a roll mill
14. Etching and leafing
15. Polishing with a polishing motor
16. Inlaying, riveting
17. Setting stones
18. Enameling with a kiln
(larger section dedicated to this)
19. Casting techniques
20. Making shapes with redsins and plastics (thermosetting) ... Read more

Product Description
Revealing how to master all the main watercolour techniques, this guide encourages you, through a range of exercises, step-by-step examples and finished paintings, to experiment and to find your own painting style. The book includes: information on choosing paints, brushes and other equipments with guidance on mixing colours and understanding colour harmony and contrasts; advice on selecting ideas and keeping a sketchbook; how to plan each stage of your painting, from checking the composition to adding the final details; help with painting from colour sketches, drawings and photographs as well as useful tips on how to tackle landscapes, still life and other subjects. ... Read more

Product Description
The difference between a good toy and a great one is the ability to entertain — and instruct — a child at the same time. The author, a woodworker with a graduate degree in Curriculum and Instructional Materials, combines his skills to show parents which toys are most effective for early childhood education, and then he gives them all the information they need to build those toys themselves. Nine fun projects — from Pattern Blocks and Dominos to a Puzzle Train — will get little ones learning — without them even realizing it! Over 200 color photos and drawings are included. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Great Book
One of the best books in my collection. Les is an incredible thinker and woodworker.

Great first wood toy book
If you have never made a wooden toy, this is the book for you.The projects are intrinsically simple and require only modest woodworking skills, but the book provides great enhancements on each theme.As the title suggests, these are toys that provide a young toddler both physical as well as mental play for years to come.My grandson (and his father!) love to play with these toys!The book is well-written, highly illustrated, easy to follow, and worth the price.I just bought a second copy for a friend--recently a new grandfather.

A Fantastic Resource!
So far, "grandpa" has made two toys from this book, with more to come.The square stacking rings are fantastic, as is the shape sorting box with the hinged lid.

We are absolutely thrilled with the book and the toys it makes.Our goal as a family is to provide as many "real" toys as possible, and to minimize the use of the electronic pseudo-educational garbage that is often available.

Great Instructional Book
This Book is a great guide to making children's toys.The toys are simple and elegant.Great illustrations and directions.

Quality and Fun
Neufeld presents a set of children's toys of extremely high quality that are fun to build. And, my grandkids play with them for hours. I believe the book describes how to make heirlooms. I highly recommend this for any woodworker. ... Read more

Product Description
2 pages + pattern pullout. ... Read more

Product Description
Treat yourself to the fun of adding beautiful ribbon accents to your crocheted fashions! Lisa Gentry shares her new techniques in 11 exciting projects: a necklace with beaded ribbon flowers; a mesh hat with flower edging; a scarf that is a lattice of flowers; a pillow with stripes of ribbon ruffles; a purse accented with loopy ribbon ruffles; a blanket of square motifs with ruffled ribbon borders; a lacy openwork triangular shawl with allover ribbon flowers; a bolero with ruffled ribbon edging; a child's sleeveless dress with ribbon ruffles at the armholes, neckline, and hem; a lacy shell with a circular yoke of ribbon flowers; and a long-sleeved wrap sweater with ribbon flowers along the front opening. You'll learn how to work with ribbon yarns as well as woven ribbons of all kinds. ... Read more

Product Description
This helpful guide for teachers and handbook for students has all the information anyone needs to create an entertaining and educational class for children between ages 7 and 14. All you have to possess is knowledge of some basic crocheting skills; crochet expert Kay Meadors will teach you the rest! The clear instructions are written without abbreviations, so they are easy for children to follow. The Basic Stitch Guide has large diagrams that can be photocopied for students to reference. Plus, these fun and easy projects will help get your students excited about crocheting: Flower, Newborn Hat, Juggling Ball, Striped Scarf, Rolled Brim Hat, Skull Cap, Striped Lap Throw, Square Pillow, and Bear's Hat & Scarf. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great book for any crochet beginner
I bought this book for my son (8 years old) who expressed interest in yarn projects after he observed me knitting.We've worked some of the projects, and I have to say this is the best Leisure Arts book I've ever bought.It's fully illustrated with colorful projects and photographs, and walks the child through clear and detailed explanations of all the basic stitches - even more so than most conventional beginning crochet books for adults.I'd recommend this book for ANYONE beginning to crochet, even if you're not a kid, since it is so very thorough. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (2)

Wonderful book for beginners to chip carving
This is the textbook I used to teach myself chip carving.There are plenty of good color pictures that shows basic techniques, help you visualize your hand positions, and how to diagnose your mistakes.If you follow the exercises step by step, you can learn the basics pretty quickly with good foundation.There are a few projects and patterns you can follow which are fun to do for practical objects.I highly recommend this book to anybody who is new to this art.

Great for a new chip carver
When I first started chip carving about 18 months ago, I bought this book. It is full of good instructions and how-to's. Great for a new carver. ... Read more

Product Description
Contents: Artist, Florist, Inventor; Muted Palette; Burning for Colour; Tiger of the Air; Magic Moments; Heaven, Earth and Man; Needles, Feathers and Bone; Pebbles, Patterns and Polyurethane Birds; Pewter Feet and Ruby Carvers; The Teacher; The Projects -- Black-Capped Chickadee; Immature White-Throated Sparrow; Immature Bluebird; Carolina Wren; Meadowlark; Robin; Downy Woodpecker; Evening Grosbeak; Cardinal; Blue Jay Family. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Songbird Carving with Ernest Muehlmatt
Book arrived in new condition. This book contains very detailed pattern of 10 favorite songbirds. The author Ernest Muehlmatt is a world-class ribbon winner. He teaches you how to carve and paint these songbird. Excellent book for the beginner or pro wood carvers.

Black Capped Chickadee,by Ernest Muchlmatt
I believe this book on carving birds is one of the
most informative bird carving anyone has ever written.
It's not so much about how to carve a Chickadee but an
all important and explicit information regarding,carving,
detailing,burning realistic feathers and painting birds.
One can apply all the information given by the author to
all avian species including raptor and owls.This book is
so well written it gave me the feeling I was in a carving
class with the author.

Oscar Legaspi

song bird carving
This a mighty fine book it is full of very good illustrations.It is a book recommended to me by my carving instructor who has used it as referance for years.Well worth the money a trully great book for any one wishing to learn more about carving birds

The Perect Book for anyone interested in learning how to carve songbirds
This was my first real book on carving birds out of wood.This book is very easy to understand with lots of information for the beginner.Lots of pictures with step by step detailed instructions on carving, detailing, and painting 10 songbirds.Ernie covers more birds in this one book then any two books I know.GREAT BOOK, GREAT TEACHER!

Useful book for ideas and patterns for bird carving.
Written by Roger Schroeder, this book is a summary of Ernest Muehlmatt's carving techniques that takes the reader through the steps of carving song birds using a power carver. Mr. Schroeder's writting style is difficult toget used to. He uses many un-necessary adjectives to describe the processof carving. Much of the first part of the book is devoted to reviewing Mr.Muehlmatt's personal opinions in bird carving. The reader gets a sense thatMr. Muehlmatt is quite egotistical. Nonetheless, the book does go over afew techniques useful to aquire for both carving and painting birds.Although geared toward people who use power carving tools, much of theinformation can be used for those who utilize knives and gouges. The secondpart of the book includes patterns of some common song birds and apictorograph showing how each one was carved and painted. This turns out tobe the most useful part of the book. Overall, readers will gain someknowledge of song bird carving and painting and a lot of insight into thethought process of Ernest Muehlmatt, albeit at the expense of siftingthrough the cumbersome writing sytle of Roger Schroeder. ... Read more

Product Description
Even if you don't consider yourself an artist, this book gives you step-by-step instructions that will enable you to "build" a landscape painting from a faded photograph of a cherished location. Linda Lover teaches that re-creating photographs in paint is simply a matter of painting and layering the photograph's individual elements one atop the other: sky and clouds, earth, trees and foliage, houses and buildings, and details. Four seasonal designs demonstrate how the process works: Springtime Cottage, Seaside Summer, Autumn Barn, and Winter Mill. ... Read more

Product Description
Here's everything you need to learn how to knit, plus extra hints and tips to help you perfect your skill. The instructions are arranged in a step-by-step format that moves you through the basics to more advanced techniques. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Teach Yourself to Knit
This book is a very valuable teaching aid and I am sorry that it is not in print anymore.i was so pleased that one of my students found it through you and that I was able to get another for myself and in very good condition.It has some techniques that other books do not have making it a very good resource.Marion Nelson

knitting instructions at its best
I bought a DVD and this book.I keep it in my knitting bag where ever I go for a quick reference.It is light weight and when I forget something the info is right there when I do not have access to my computer to answer my questions.

Perfect
This book arrived quickly and with other options of interest.The book was in excellent condition.

A must for the beginning knitter
I purchased this little book nearly twenty years ago when I wanted to be able to do more than just knit simple scarves. My knitting skills have improved since then, but I still refer to this book more than any of my other knitting references. This is a no-nonsense book, very well illustrated, and packed with useful information. A plus for me is that Rosen gives clear directions for knitting Continental style as well as the more common English style (I would recommend this method for all crocheters or anyone who is having difficulty learning to knit). The patterns in the book are not particularly inspiring, but there are so many beginner patterns available that you don't need to start with the ones here. ... Read more

Product Description
Instructions for learning the art of False-Graining, also known as grain-painting. This was popular among furniture makers, traveling craftsman, and country people in the U.S. from 1800-1860. The original purpose of false-graining was to duplicate the grain of more expensive wood which was not readily available or affordable. Later, false-graining involved into an ornamental or decorative art. To make the false-grained designs, a variety of objects were used such as feathers, corncobs, sponges and fingers. Today items such as plastic wrap and paper towels are also used to create many interesting designs. False-graining is simple and easy. Objects to be grained are first painted with a vivid base coat color; then, a dark glaze is applied over the base coat color. While the glaze is still wet, the chosen graining tool is used to create the desired design. Varnish is applied after the glaze is dry. Put your imagination to work and experiment to develop your own color combinations and grianing tools. ... Read more

Product Description
This practical handbook for homes and church communities helps to enrich the Christian celebration of Advent through the creation and use of an Advent calendar. Written for people of all skill levels, Baumgarten provides instructions for a calendar made of paper or junk mail, a no-sew felt version, and a fabric version for more advanced sewers.

Teach Us To Number Our Days, however, is more than a simple crafts book. Baumgarten provides readers with a brief history of the development of Advent in the Christian calendar, as well as detailed explanations of the various Christian symbols that can be used during the season. Paying attention to both the Old and New Testament symbols, as well as the Sundays of Advent and the Great 'O' Antiphons from December 17-23, this book is a complete guide to Advent for individuals, families, and churches.

Barbara Dee Baumgarten seeks to understand the relationship between visual art and theology. She has a Ph. D. in Theology and the Arts from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. She is also a quilter, and teaches quilting to others. Barbara lives with her family in Santa Paula, California. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

number our days
This is really an excellent explanation of Advent.The projects are a little more difficult than I really wanted to do, but I am thrilled with how detailed the book is.I would recommend it for anyone who wanted to understand what Advent is and what the symbols mean.

Wonderful way to celebrate the season
The book guides you through planning and creating an Advent calendar that interweaves the liturgy of the season with your everyday Christmas preparations, giving rich significance to such "menial" things as housecleaning, and serving as a reminder to do everything "as unto the Lord." You can choose from three different materials/levels of difficulty, and each one comes with step-by-step instructions and a shopping list! The book is written from a Catholic perspective, and the calendar is easy to adapt to other Christian traditions. Some days (like the 4 Sundays of Advent) have specific themes, but even the "doors" on those days can be personalized with different decorations and Scripture verses. Other days, you choose something that suits your family -- a school house for the last day of school or a Christmas tree for the day you decorate your tree. Each day's theme also comes with one or more Scriptures, a brief "lesson" and a prayer. For families used to starting the day with a devotional, this puts a different spin on it. For families that aren't, it's a great way to start. I've found a wonderful way of reducing the stress and reminding my family what's really important. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

wonderful book
Lots of really good instruction on watercolor, acrylic, pastel, charcoal and pencil.Most of the art "instruction" books I've seen are very short on detailed information - not this one.Each exercise is very clearly explained in a lot of detail, and beautifully illustrated.A great buy, especially for the price. ... Read more

Product Description
Drawing is one of the most enjoyable and creative ways of expressing your thoughts and ideas about different subjects and it is a vital supporting technique for every type of painting and craft. Teach Yourself Drawing offers a comprehensive course for the beginner as well as a helpful source of reference for those with more experience. Teach Yourelf Drawing includes: * information on the different drawing materials and types of drawing * instruction in the basic techniques, including drawing with line, point, tone and texture * advice on using perspective, keeping a sketchbook and selecting ideas * tips on tackling different subjects, with many supporting exercises, suggested projects, step-by-step examples and finished drawings. ... Read more

Product Description
Provides you with a wealth of creative guidance, suitable for both the complete beginner and those with some prior knowledge of the subject. Teaches you everything from the basic techniques to the technicalities of perspective, offering both inspiration and achievable advice. Gives great tips on tackling different subjects, with supporting interactive exercises and featuring sample projects broken down into their composition stages. Incorporates 150 illustrations, both black and white and colour. 'teach yourself Drawing' is a user-friendly and comprehensive guide that will prove indispensible if you're a complete beginner, and is a useful source of information even if you have some drawing experience. Clearly structured with both black-and-white and colour full-page illustrations, you will be guided step-by-step through every aspect of the creative process, from the practicalities of materials to the technicalities of perspective and the creative impulse itself.Featuring sample projects broken down into their composition stages, with exercises to tackle, and plenty of advice on line, tone, texture and composition, this is a combination of practicality and inspiration in a portable yet comprehensive format. ... Read more