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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 |
The scrollsaw is a versatile machine, which lends itself to a host of practical and decorative projects. It is not difficult to use, and good results can be obtained in a short time, even if you have little or no prior experience of woodworking. In Scrollsaws: A Woodworker's Guide, scrollsaw experts Julie and Fred Byrne tell you all you need to know to get started on this absorbing hobby, from choosing the right equipment and materials to coloring and finishing your completed work. You will learn how to set up your scrollsaw to get the best possible results from it, and how to work safely and efficiently. Plans and instructions are included for a series of attractive projects, themed to suit different rooms?including the garden. Once you have seen for yourself what the scrollsaw is capable of, you may well be hooked! Projects include: •Kitchen: key holder, trivets, letter rack, doorstop, blackboard •Bathroom: fish mobile, peg rail, towel rail, door plate •Child's room: bookends, coat hooks, name plate, wall hanging •Garden: birdhouse, boot rack, house name, seed organizer
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$45.00 $35.00 |
A worldwide survey of woodworking techniques and the uses of wood. The book is organized into seven main sections with over seventy topics. "Raw Material", "Carving and Shaping Wood", "Joinery", "Decorating and Finishing", "Wood at Work", "Heart and Soul", and "Tools". With over 800 illustrations, 634 in color, this is a fascinating look at wood and how it is used and manipulated throughout the world. Everything from turning, inlay, furniture, ships, wagons, windows, doors, gears, boxes, chests, and hundreds of other items. This is a real gem for those interested in the world of wood. Regular $45.00 Special $35.00
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$21.95 $13.17 |
Roe Osborns first book, Framing a House, tackled the complex art of house framing. Now, in this follow-up volume, he lays out all the steps and instruction required to complete the inside. The timing of each step is critical, and its important to understand what needs to be done first. Whether youre finishing one room or the whole house, this richly illustrated reference demystifies the process and follows a logical progression from installing insulation and drywall to hanging cabinets and doors to putting down floors and running trim. Each chapter begins with the question: Should I tackle this step myself ? The pros and cons of hiring someone are then discussed. Applicable both for new construction and remodels and with 400 photographs and 20 drawings, this book shows DIYers how to make a house their own.
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$39.95 $23.97 |
Very thorough manual dealing with the difficult task of estimating excavation projects. Includes information on a variety of factors affecting estimations, such as soil characteristics, accessibility, location, and costs.
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$19.95 $11.97 |
A thorough introduction, covering both miniature objects (scaled down reproductions of full-sized works) and small turnings. Includes how to season and store wood, choose the appropriate tools, make some tools, in short, everything you need to know to get started.