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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 |
Now you're ready to carve but first some information on wood itself. Information on hard and soft wood and the conversion and seasoning of wood. How to deal with defects and woodworms. Grain, hardness, figure, texture, and durability: recognize those elements that distinguish a quality piece. What type of wood works for what type of carving, gluing up, edge to edge, face to face, flat and end grain joints. And last but not least, all about finishing. REGULAR $19.95 OUR PRICE $15.95. YOU SAVE 20%.
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$24.95 $14.97 |
Written by a professional woodturning instructor with over a decade’s teaching experience, A Lesson Plan for Woodturning is a systematic, skill-building introduction that helps beginning woodturners master basic woodworking techniques on their own.
A Lesson Plan for Woodturning provides a complete, self-directed course in woodturning safety, tools, and techniques that will help any beginning woodturner learn the basics on his or her own time. Using methods proven in the classroom, A Lesson Plan for Woodturning provides the equivalent of three semester-length classes in one book.
Designed to give readers a thorough grounding in every essential woodturning technique, A Lesson Plan for Woodturning is systematically organized to teach basic skills that are building blocks for mastering more complex tasks. Each lesson features projects designed to develop the specific skill discussed. The structure, order and specific exercises are based on classroom-tested experience in teaching woodturning to both adult and younger students and are well tested in the classroom.
Each project is thoroughly documented with step-by-step instructions, illustrations and photographs, showing the specific tasks, positions, and cutting motions needed to successfully complete the project. The projects are simple, direct, and focused on skill development. Readers can easily develop their own similar projects following the same general steps.
A virtual training course in one book, A Lesson Plan in Woodturning is the next best thing to having your own personal woodturning instructor. This is the most practical book for the home hobbyist who wants to thoroughly master the fundamentals of woodturning.
About the Author: The founder and senior instructor at the Mount Diablo Woodturning Center, Jim Rodgers is a professional educator who has been teaching woodturning to both adults and youths for over a decade. Rodgers lectures throughout the United States and has published many articles on woodturning.
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$39.95 $23.97 |
This is part of Taunton's "Complete Illustrated Guide" series. Jewitt provides in-depth coverage of tools and materials and covers all of the key processes from surface preparation to color matching. There are sections that cover advanced techniques such as adjusting color, disguising defects, toning, glazing, spray finishing and rubbing out. This is a complete look at finishing, from storing finishing materials to using various types of end coats. Regular $39.95 Special $31.95
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$19.95 $11.97 |
Good finishing can be the key to a successful woodworking job, and fortunately its a task that anyone can master. All thats required is simple equipment and a solid understanding of the basicswhich this fully-illustrated guide, with 200 color photos and easy-to-follow instructions, provides. Whether youre considering a full grain French polish or a quick and easy wipe-on, youll find advice here on whats suitable for any particular piece. A general review features a technical description of each main finish and information on the best methods of application, while coverage of preparation encompasses everything from safety considerations to stripping the wood. The step-by-step projects include almost every imaginable style.
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$21.95 $13.17 |
With detailed instructions and over 800 step-by-step photos, expert carpenter Greg Kossow shows you how to complete every possible trim project, from simple baseboards to complicated casings. He even includes hard-to-find advice about complex crown moldings and creating custom moldings. From creative planning, to choosing tools and materials, to every last detail you'll need to complete a project, Trim Complete is the only guide you'll ever need.