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• Bird Decoys of North America: Nature, History, and Art-NS

  $40.00 $24.00 0 review(s)

  
  

  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.

• GREAT BIG TOY TRUCKS

  $24.95 $14.97 0 review(s)

  
  

  Monster trucks can roar right into your home with Great Big Toy Trucks, a step-by-step guide to making a collection of wooden vehicles that can be played with and enjoyed – by the truck maker and the truck receiver alike! Sturdy, fun, and popular. Wooden trucks are great projects for the beginner and the experienced woodworker with the end results giving children hours of pleasure playing with the toys. With more than 400 images to view, detailed instructions for a fleet of vehicles are easily explained by author Les Neufeld, who has chosen toys that are consistently rated by toy manufacturers and retailers as top sellers. Nine working vehicles can be made, including: •giant loader •mining dump truck •school bus •tractor with wagon •6-wheel dump truck •fire truck •steamroller

• BUILD SMARTER WITH ALTERNATIVE MATERIALS

  $34.95 $20.97 0 review(s)

  
  

  This book gives a clear understanding of alternative materials and how using them can enhance your projects, both residential and commercial. Included are installation tips and manhours. Material covered are used in each phase of a project, in order, from foundation to ridge pole. Roofing systems, siding, insulation, trim, decking, framing, radiant heat, doors and windows, kitchens, bathrooms, etc.

• RELIEF CARVING IN WOOD: A PRACTICAL INTRODUCTION

  $19.95 $11.97 0 review(s)

  
  

  Pye is a professional carver and here presents a course on relief woodcarving. He uses one design, a fish, and explains exactly what he is doing, why he is doing it, every step of the way. Pye discusses tools, wood, the workplace, and what to do if things go wrong.

• In-laws, Outlaws, and Granny Flats

  $24.95 $14.97 0 review(s)

  
  

  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 they’re 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 book’s 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.

• BUILD LIKE A PRO: BUILDING OUTDOOR STRUCTURES

  $19.95 $11.97 0 review(s)

  
  

  Building Outdoor Structures offers practical, easy-to-follow instructions on enhancing any home’s front and backyard with the natural beauty of wood. Starting with the simple uses of wood in landscaping, such as raised beds, author Scott McBride shows the average DIYer how to build retaining walls, arbors, pergolas and 7 other projects, including a gazebo. The book covers everything from choosing materials to building techniques.