38 item(s) - Page 1 of 8
$40.00 $24.00 |
Bird decoys, which were first fashioned by Native American hunter-artists at least 1,500 years ago, are the only major folk art form to originate in North America. Today, decoys made during the heyday of decoy carving--roughly from 1840 to 1950--rank among the most avidly sought of all folk art collectibles, with some rare and outstanding examples fetching upwards of $8000,000 apiece at auction. These humble hunting tools, intended to deceive wildfowl by luring them into shooters' range, are now appreciated on many levels: as compelling works of sculpture, as exacting portraits of living and extinct species, and as irreplaceable historical objects. Successful decoy carvers of the past knew their prey intimately--spending countless hours observing game birds in the wild and then bringing their accumulated knowledge of different species' appearance and behavior to the carving bench. Because the works these artisans created were meant to attract avian eyes--conveying the essence of a bird's plumage, form, and attitude at a glance--older handmade decoys are deeply observed symbols of living birds that no merely decorative object, no matter how photographically accurate, can match. In this definitive, lavishly illustrated work, folk-art expert Robert Shaw chronicles the now-vanished era in which the great decoy makers pursued their craft. Shaw traces the natural history of North American bird species--more than sixty of which are represented in antique decoys. He relates the history of wildfowl hunting on this continent, detailing the excesses of nineteenth-century commercial hunting and the rise of a conservation movement aimed at ensuring bird species' long-term survival. He examines the distinctive forms produced in each major hunting area, from the Maritime Provinces of Canada to the Chesapeake Bay to the bayous of Louisiana and beyond. And, with a storyteller's gift for the entertaining anecdote, Shaw puts us in touch with the lives and circumstances of the decoy makers themselves.
$29.95 $17.97 |
This groundbreaking manual discusses eco-friendly building techniques using straw, adobe, and much much more. More than 1,200 close-up photographs, along with in-depth descriptions, follow the real construction of an alternative house from site selection to the addition of final-touch interior details. Images show every move: how the site is cleared, the basic structure put together, the cob wall sculpted, the bales and cordwood stacked, a living roof created, and more. Most important, the manual conveys real-world challenges and processes, and offers dozens of sidebars with invaluable advice.
$27.95 $16.77 |
Japanese netsuke was traditionally created for practical reasons, to secure a valuables pouch to the sash of Japanese garments. They are now highly collectable works of art. Thanks to author and Chairman of the British Woodcarvers Association, Peter Benson, you too can learn this miniature carving style with this beautiful, concise guide that will take you through 9 step-by-step projects. The Art of Carving Netsuke covers the full process and all the techniques required for creating superb, miniature carvings reflecting this Japanese tradition. This book will inspire you - from relative beginners to the experienced and dedicated carver.
$26.95 $16.17 |
Contains complete step-by-step photos, material lists and construction plans for 10 attractive cabinets. Pieces range from large, room dividing wall cabinets to wall mounted display cases. The author is a professional cabinetmaker residing in Ontario, Canada. He is the author of Building Cabinet Doors and Drawers.
$24.95 $14.97 |
25 Projects for Outdoorsmen contains detailed instructions for practical projects, including a variety of treestands, animal houses, gun and rod racks, storage boxes and bins, and numerous types of sheds, shelves, and bookcases for sportsmen who enjoy do-it- yourself carpentry. Aimed toward the beginning to intermediate woodworker.