Marquetry is a technique where different natural colors of wood veneers are carefully cut to fit precisely together, creating a spectacular design in a single sheet or picture. In the mid 16th century, Italian craftsmen began using marquetry as a furniture decorating art. Using a technique called the double-bevel cut, the novice to advanced woodworker is led through a fully illustrated step-by-step process from the design to the finish. Hundreds of color photographs demonstrate in detail how to saw your own veneers out of solid wood planks, the tools and materials required, using the scroll...

Here's a step-by-step finishing school, featuring 14 different techniques for refining your wood surfaces. All of the tools and methods needed to successfully change the image of any wooden surface are provided. More than 200 color photographs accompany the text. In addition, there are instructions for restoring damaged finishes. The projects are arranged in order, from the most basic to the very advanced, and a color gallery provides a final look at all of the finishes. This book is an invaluable resource for everyone wishing to finish their wood up right.

Bent willow furniture, an early American craft, was a familiar sight on the front porches of America until the 1930s. Now in an easy to follow, step-by-step instructional book, one of America's foremost makers of twig furniture shares the technique. Starting with a basic arm chair, he also shows the creative possibilities of the form. Each step is illustrated with a full color photograph, making it easy to construct garden furniture for your home.

Gold leaf gilder and restoration artist Ellen Becker brings her years of experience to the table, sharing the long-guarded recipes of this ancient craft along with illustrated, step-by-step instructions for various gold leafing and restoration techniques. This book tells you everything you need to get started and where to find it, it illustrates various techniques for restoring antique frames, and it takes budding craftsmen through a series of projects, starting with simple Dutch metal application through the fine art of water gilding. The artist also shares one of her favorite projects: a...

Intarsia is a craft of precision and artistry. A picture is created by cutting out and then fitting together many pieces of differently colored and textured woods, much like a jigsaw puzzle. These pieces are then rounded and shaped individually, to create realistic contours and lend a three-dimensional effect. When the pieces are varnished, fitted together, and glued onto a backboard, they make a beautifully polished, professional-looking piece. Step-by-step, this book shows you how to make an intarsia teddy bear wall hanging, perfect for a child's bedroom. The project is ideal for someone...

This book presents a large-scale project for intarsia enthusiasts -- a lazy lion stretched out in the sun. Detailed, step-by-step instructions will explain how to select varieties of wood, use a pattern, cut and shape pieces, fit them together precisely, and finish your piece. Crabtree gives many "insider's secrets" for making sure that your pieces align correctly, and for choosing the best contours and finishes. While even a novice to intarsia will find that Crabtree's tips make their projects fit better and look more professional, this book is absolutely necessary for anyone who wishes to...

The art of pyrography -- burning designs into wood and many other materials -- can add a special touch to any project, including wooden trunks and jewelry, wildlife carvings, leather pictures, and paper collages. In this book, Al Chapman will explain the different tools and mediums that can be used, and will show you in detail how to use them for different effects. You will learn several methods of transferring a pattern onto your piece of wood or leather, how to give depth to your pictures with crosshatching, stippling, and flat-edge shading, how to make realistic-looking fur, and how to add...

For the avid scroll sawyer, this book brings a wealth of ideas and possibilities. Here are 79 wildlife patterns, drawn by one of the leaders of the scroll hobby. From bats to zebras, it includes fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals. In addition there are some ideas about how the patterns can be used in both decorative and practical applications...your imagination is the only limit. There are also a complete scroll saw blade selection chart, a general strokes-per-minute blade guide, and some practical instructions and tips from the author. All of this combines for a great book for the novice and...

With clear, concise instructions and 345 detailed photos, Ron Hampton takes the reader through every step required to turn and finish wooden works of art on the mini-lathe. Eight separate projects are turned and finished here, including a cherry goblet, several mushrooms, a turquoise bowl inlay, potpourri pot, leather Indian pot, stone bowl, Hawaiian bowl, and an ornamental bird house. A gallery of other designs is provided for inspiration. Every tool required is listed and explained along with a variety of tool rests. Tool sharpening techniques are discussed and valuable safety tips are...

Sue Waters skillfully guides readers through all the wood burning steps to create stunning angel art. Three inspirational projects are presented: The Prayer Bench, Puppy Heaven, and Victorian Angel. Over 240 clear, detailed, full color photographs, three patterns, and concise, step-by-step instructions are included. The detailed text provides full listings of all tools necessary to successfully complete these projects, ranging from the wood stock and burning tips employed to the varnish required to seal the work. Every step is carefully explained to complete these beatific angels, from the...