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      • Local history

        Cornish Guernseys & Knitfrocks

        by Mary Wright

        In late 19th century Cornwall hand-knitting was a vital cottage industry and coastal villages developed their own distinctive patterns and names for the traditional navy blue guernsey or knit-frock. Contract-knitting - the occupation of many Cornish women - had died out by the 1920s and was almost forgotten until author Mary Wright started asking old people what they remembered of it. Her research has resulted in a remarkable picture of social history. Cornish Guernseys & Knit-frocks includes many delightful contemporary photographs, and detailed instructions and charts show how to knit a Cornish guernsey incorporating one of thirty local patterns.

      • Handicrafts, decorative arts & crafts

        DAVID BOWIE: STARMAN

        A Colouring Book

        by Illustrations by Coco Balderrama, Text by Laura Coulman

        Featuring 30 iconic looks from every phase of his fashion evolution, David Bowie: Starman: A Colouring Book offers a uniquely creative way to remember David Bowie, the daring, chameleonic icon who changed popular music forever. Whether posing as Ziggy Stardust or Aladdin Sane, Goblin King or China Boy, Thin White Duke or huge-hearted hero, Bowie’s career is a veritable kaleidoscope of ever-changing colours, styles and sounds. Peppered with quotes, facts and memories of Bowie from those who knew him best, – essential reading for fans of every generation.

      • Handicrafts, decorative arts & crafts

        PRINCE: PURPLE REIGN

        A Colouring Book

        by Illustrations by Coco Balderrama, Text by A. D. Hitchin

        Following his untimely death on 21 April 2016, Prince was at the forefront of the public’s interest. His albums shot to the top of the international charts and the world’s landmarks were lit up in purple as countless fans mourned his loss. Despite being one of the most influential and experimental pop-artists of our time, Prince was a figure shrouded in mystery. Prince: Purple Reign: A Colouring Book details some of the lesser known facts about his life and illustrates Prince’s most memorable looks. So much more than just a colouring book, each image has a history, with quotes from Prince and the people who knew and worked with him.

      • Embroidery crafts
        September 2020

        Animal Embroidery Workbook

        by Jessica Long

        Embroider a menagerie of 30 adorable animals! From a sweet giraffe and a happy cat to a sly little red fox and a friendly hedgehog, Cute Critters features step-by-step instructions and dozens of easy-to-use patterns to create embroidery hoops for all your favorite animals with charming floral details. Intermediate embroiderers will pick them up in no time, and beginners can tackle the simpler projects and further their skills with the more complicated designs. Also included is basic introductory information about materials and supplies, techniques and a guide to basic stitches.

      • Lifestyle, Sport & Leisure

        Twisted Colouring

        A wonderfully wicked creative colouring book

        by Leighton Noyes

        Take up your coloured pencils for some anger management and release the tensions of the day by embracing your dark side – it's a new way to chill (or just shiver!). Discover popular horror themes like skulls, zombies, vampires and werewolves, plus a coven of witchy illustrations that cast a spell. Darkly humourous llustrations for adults to colour in include Dracula decorating a Christmas tree, a zombie bride, a day of the Dead Sugar skull, and a bat-infested witch's bar scene.

      • Lifestyle, Sport & Leisure

        Cute Felt Bears

        20 easy-to-make felt bear projects

        by Benjamin Rowling

        This delightful bear-themed collection includes charmingly quirky bear toys and cute bear-decorated projects such as accessories, pillows and bags to craft. There are stylised versions of real bears (giant panda, polar, grizzly, black  and sloth bears) alongside a troupe of imaginary bears that include a romantic bear for Valentine's day, a vampire bear for Halloween, and a Christmas Santa bear.

      • Lifestyle, Sport & Leisure
        September 2020

        Material

        Making and the Art of Transformation

        by Nick Kary

        A master craftsperson explores the ways in which working with our hands reveals the essence of both our humanity and our relationship with the natural, material world In our present age of computer-assisted design, mass production and machine precision, the traditional skills of the maker or craftsperson are hard to find. Yet the desire for well-made and beautiful objects from the hands (and mind) of a skilled artisan is just as present today as it ever has been. Whether the medium they work with is wood, metal, clay or something else, traditional makers are living links to the rich vein of knowledge and skills that defines our common human heritage. More than this, though, many of us harbor a deep and secret yearning to produce something – to build or shape, to imagine and create our own objects that are imbued not only with beauty and functionality, but with a story and, in essence, a spirit drawn from us. Nick Kary understands this yearning. For nearly four decades he has worked on commission to make fine, distinctive furniture and cabinets from wood, most of it sourced near his home, in the counties of South West England. During this time, he has been both a teacher and a student; one who is fascinated with the philosophy and practice of craft work of all kinds. In Material, Kary takes readers along with him to visit some of the places where modern artisans are preserving, and in some cases passing on, the old craft skills. His vivid descriptions and eye for detail make this book a rich and delightful read, and the natural and cultural history he imparts along the way provides an important context for understanding our own past and the roots of our industrial society. Personal, engaging, and filled with memorable people, landscapes and scenes, Material is a rich celebration of what it means to imagine and create, which in the end is the essence of being human, and native to a place. As Kary puts it, “Wood and words, trees and people, material and ethereal – it is here I love increasingly to dwell.”

      • Handicrafts, decorative arts & crafts
        November 2020

        Blackwork Embroidery

        Techniques and Projects

        by Jen Goodwin

        Blackwork has a rich history that has developed over the years into an iconic and sophisticated style of embroidery. This practical book presents a number of ways to approach blackwork embroidery, from forming basic stitches and patterns to developing complex shaded pieces with confidence. Through an assortment of exercises, it introduces the principles of shading along with several projects to further explore the potential of blackwork.   • Detailed instructions on designing and developing shaded pieces of blackwork embroidery • Guidance on how to choose suitable images for translating into stitch • Step-by-step instructions on how to form basic stitches and how to form patterns • Almost 250 shaded patterns, indicating how differing patterns appear when worked in different thicknesses of thread • Patterns grouped by family for easy identification and pattern blending

      • Lifestyle, Sport & Leisure

        An Elegant Practice

        The Transcending Power of Smanurai Ikebana

        by Gahou Yokochi (art) and Mei C. Yao (text) with Takashi Imai (photography)

        The last human interaction a true Samurai has is his final bow to his witnesses: expressing gratitude for their bestowing him the honor of “achieving a good death” in front of their presence. He does all this at the exact moment when he is about to stab his precious sword into his own belly, then bring it across his stomach from left to right. It takes a sublime level of self-discipline that is beyond thought and carnal courage. The art of dying a good death is an artless art: a discipline imbued with a Zen spirit that penetrates all cells of the Practitioner’s mind and body. The outcome is an austere beauty for which you would have no word. You simply feel it. When given a chance to live in Tokyo for two years, the co-author, Mei Yao, had an immediate but vague desire to do Zazen (i.e., sitting meditation) with the Japanese monks, and also to find out what the word “Ikebana” is really about. And if there is no coincidence under the large scheme of things, then it is indeed fate that she would accidentally run into the person who would volunteer to take her to the “practicing field” (called a “dojo” in Japanese) where a select group of people, from as young as 28 to as old as 84 years of age, are still practicing the art in the unadulterated, ancient way that originated from a Samurai and world famous ink-painter, Shinso Soami, during the Muromachi Era some 500+ years ago. Upon arriving at the “dojo” of the Souami School, Mei was taken aback by the reverence she felt from the greetings exchanged between her guide and the 21st Headmaster, Gahou Yokochi Sensei. As she entered the space, a palpable sense of veneration silently emanated from each and every practitioner. None of them are monks. They simply come together once every other week --- to hone in their understanding of nature and technical dexterity with the floral branches, and also to quietly observe the demeanor of their master teacher and other senior disciple-masters --- with the hope to further refine their heart through the art. What she experienced there in the “dojo” is utterly different from her previous experiences in the “classrooms” of two other popularly commercialized Ikebana schools. In this book Mei Yao shares her ever-deepening understanding of the soul and principles of “living Zen” --- as explained in Souami’s handwritten scroll, The Book of Flowers and Samurai Miyamoto Musashi’s The Book of Five Rings. These ancient values are still manifesting in every corner of the Japanese society and culture today. Humanity and the Earth are both passing through a very challenging time right now, but with one ultimate reason: to raise ourselves to the perfection we are within. The way of ancient Ikebana has been a surprisingly elegant practice for Mei Yao on her personal journey towards “the Way” over the years. Readers who enjoy the beauty of Mary Oliver’s poetry and Henry Thoreau’s natural writing will have a chance to also glimpse into “the Formless Self” by immersing themselves in the original Ikebana masterpieces by one of the most disciplined Ikebana masters, Hikaru Yokochi (a.k.a. Gahou Yokochi, bestowed Ikebana heritage name), who makes a faithful living in Tokyo as a renowned fine-oil painter.

      • Lifestyle, Sport & Leisure

        Creating Jewellery in Wood

        Skill-building projects and techniques

        by Sarah King

        Taking jewellery design beyond metal, discover how woodworking skills like jointing, bevelling, steaming, inlaying and polishing can open up new perspectives for jewellers. Learn how to combine wood with other media, from silver to silicon. Includes designs for necklaces, earrings, bracelets, cufflinks and rings.

      • Handicrafts, decorative arts & crafts
        September 2020

        A Masterclass in needle felting dogs

        Methods and techniques to take your needle felting to the next level

        by Cindy-Lou Thompson

        The art of needle felting dogs can produce amazingly hyper-realistic – almost taxidermic – results, and with a little know-how, some needles and wool, and a few inexpensive accessories, you, too, can needle felt like a professional. If you have ever wanted to improve your needle felting and take it to a whole new level to create lifelike dogs, this book, by world class needle felting master Cindy-Lou Thompson of Chicktin Creations, will show you how. Covering four different breeds of dog (Dachshund, Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier and Poodle), with step-by-step instructions and photos, Cindy takes you through the processes of creating different body shapes, proportions, armatures, coats, and blending, as well as realistic accessories such as eyes, noses, mouths, ears, and nails. Learn how to achieve a professional finish with different textured coats, clipping and shaping, and finishing off, using a variety of mediums and methods, some of which Cindy has designed and developed herself, and never revealed ... until now.

      • Lifestyle, Sport & Leisure

        Jewellery Solutions

        How to care for, repair and restore your jewellery

        by David McLoughlin

        Discover how to clean and care for a wide range of materials and learn how to repair common faults, restore missing stones, clasps and other elements. With information on everything from clasp types to cleaning fluids, re-stringing beads to storing vintage rhinestones, Jewellery Solutions is packed with real, practical, how-to advice for jewellery wearers and collectors, design students, professional makers, and vintage dealers.

      • Spinning & weaving

        The Nature of Things

        Essays of a Tapestry Weaver

        by Tommy McClure Scanlin

        The Nature of Things weaves together a life full of happiness and sorrow. In these fourteen collected essays, Tommye McClure Scanlin reflects on her artistic journey and how crafting and life are interwoven, two threads that comprise a larger picture. Readers will find themselves lost in Scanlin’s full-color tapestries and comforting writing style as they explore the natural fields and woods of southern Appalachia. A final part of the book gives an overview of tapestry weaving basics with diagrams and descriptions for setting up a simple pipe loom and weaving a small tapestry sampler. Glossary, simple pipe loom illustrations, and a resource list are included for reference.

      • Knitting & crochet
        November 2021

        A Knitter's Guide to Shawl Design

        by Emma Vining

        As a desirable item of fashion, a cherished gift or a wardrobe essential, the shawl enjoys enduring popularity among knitters and non-knitters alike. The most admired of these beautiful accessories are designed with inspiration drawn from a wide range of themes and ideas. This creativity is achieved by blending a knitter’s imagination with their knowledge of how to translate a source of inspiration into an exciting new design. A Knitter’s Guide to Shawl Design will inspire knitters of all levels to personalize their knitting and create original shawl designs. Author Emma Vining describes her own design processes, encouraging readers to explore and experiment with shawl shapes and stitch patterns. Beautifully illustrated with photographs, sketches and explanatory diagrams, this book explores tradition and innovation in shawl design. It demonstrates the effects of yarn, knitting techniques and finishing choices on the end design and considers the framing effect of edges and borders and how to plan these into your project. The geometry of the shawl shape is examined - there are individual chapters on squares, rectangles, triangles, circles, semi-circles and crescents. Finally, the design process is illustrated in full over five detailed case studies, each culminating in a full shawl pattern by built environments.

      • Spinning & weaving
        October 2021

        Weaving

        Structure and Substance

        by Ann Richards

        Weaving: Structure and Substance looks at weave design from several different perspectives, showing how resources, ideas and practical experience can come together in a creative process of designing through making. Emphasizing the potential of woven textiles throughout, Ann Richards follows the success of her sister title Weaving Textiles that Shape Themselves and explores the tactile properties that emerge from the interaction of materialand structure. The book is organized into four parts that look at the natural world as inspiration, the design resources of material and weave structure, the fabric qualities as starting points for design, and the practical issues of designing through making. With over 280 lavish photos, this book will be an invaluable resource for textile designers and enthusiasts looking for inspiration and practical advice.

      • Needlework & fabric crafts
        November 2017

        Stumpwork Embroidery

        Techniques and Projects

        by Helen Richardman

        Stumpwork is a highly decorative and imaginative embroidery technique, which typically uses raised and padded stitches that are rich in texture. This practical book explains how to create your own piece of stumpwork embroidery. Beginning with an introduction to the appropriate materials, equipment and tools, it instructs on a wide range of stitches and techniques, and illustrates them with ten delightful projects. It then explains how to design your own piece of stumpwork before advising on finishing, presenting and caring for you work. Written by a leading embroiderer, this beautiful book will inspire and encourage you to try this exciting technique and create your own exquisite designs.

      • Lifestyle, Sport & Leisure
        October 2019

        Green au naturel

        Drawing techniques for nature illustration

        by Santi Sallés

        Capturing the beauty of nature and learning how to distinguish the infi nite variety of its forms and colours can be a real challenge, but it is also a source of endless pleasure for those who love drawing and nature. Santi Sallès runs through all the techniques and resources you need to be able to render the beauty of plants, fl owers, trees, and natural landscapes.This book covers mediums such as pencil, watercolour, acrylic, inks and gouache, and how they can be used to render nature, exploring elements and settings such as plants, trees, fi elds, forests and urban green areas, while also covering topics such as digital retouching and digitalisation. Verde al natural is a complete practical guide to drawingand painting all things green.

      • Lifestyle, Sport & Leisure
        September 2017

        Bobbin Lace-Making with Children

        All basics - easily explained

        by Katrin Baumann/Steffi Schmat

        The first beginner's book of bobbin lace-making for children! Colourful and creative projects are waiting for the young and old beginners, whereby these are assigned to the individual learning steps. Exact lists of materials, lace letters, colour code drawings, many step-by-step photos, drawings of all work steps ensure that nothing can go wrong and that everyone will soon be enjoying themselves.

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