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$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.
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$24.95 $14.97 |
From an internationally renowned turner who brought you "Turning Green Wood" comes an extremely practical guide to the process of woodturning. This new book covers materials, equipment and machinery, how to store timber, safety, tools, sanding and much more. Projects include a bowl, lamp, goblet, box and more. Even complex techniques are made simple with O'Donnell's logical step-by-step manner of instruction.
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$22.95 $13.77 |
How to make something from nothing, well, almost nothing! If, like most of us, you have a pile of leftover wood scraps stashed away in your shop, you’ll rejoice over Derek Jones’s book, Woodworking from the Scrap Pile. Now, at long last, a book packed with great ideas for turning that trash heap into treasure! 20 useful projects made from odds and ends. These made-from-scrap projects will not only clean up your shop, but provide satisfying work that results in useful items for your home, office, garden – or as nicely made gifts. Projects include: wooden salad serving forks, serving platter, and meat tenderizer that would cost a pretty penny in a specialty shop, along with a letter rack, tool caddy, cute bird house, and more. Show and tell instructions, tips for all skill levels. Each clever project is explained in clear, straightforward terms, with step-by-step photos that “show and tell” exactly what to do. And, whatever your abilities, there are plenty of projects for you – and opportunities to turn little bits and pieces into beautiful accessories like those in high-end shops.
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$14.95 $8.97 |
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$24.95 $14.97 |
In-Laws, Outlaws, and Granny Flats is the first book to explore the many designs, uses and benefits of this time-honored and emotionally satisfying living arrangement. In-law units take many forms and theyre all shown here: attic, basement and garage conversions, bump-out additions, carve-out suites, and backyard cottages. This book covers every aspect of turning one house into two homes. Its first four chapters deal with the specifics of assessing your needs, selecting an appropriate design, choosing space- and energy-saving appliances, and getting your plans approved. The books second half is a warm and engaging portfolio of in-law units and the families who created them: what needs prompted their decisions, which layouts worked best, and how they met life challenges with common sense, creativity and compassion. With more than 200 color photographs, 50 floor plans and architectural details, and a lively, personable voice, In-laws, Outlaws, and Granny Flats is perfect for homeowners who want richer lives and a more secure future.
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$99.95 $59.97 |
Information packed cd that installs a database of 1650+ woods to your computer for fast and easy access. Designed for ease-of-use and searchability. Includes 2000+ full-color wood scans, full mechanical details, and the ability to input your own woods and information. A truly remarkable encyclopedia of wood and tree information. Works on Windows, Mac, and Unix. Includes 1 year free membership to the Wood Explorer website and community.