Lifestyle and Hobbies

On July 2, 1900, Ferdinand Graf Zeppelin made the first ascent in an airship of his own design. The flight was initially viewed with skepticism, however public opinion changed after the destruction of his fourth airship at Echterdingen. Zeppelin received so many donations that not only was he able to found his own companies for the purpose of building airships, but also production facilities for t

America is the land of the beautiful, but it is also a land of mystery and many haunted and bizarre places. With 150 images, addresses, and directions, go state-by-state to tour the macabre side of the United States. Journey to haunted old battleships, abandoned prisons, creepy lunatic asylums, the Amityville Horror House, the Winchester House, museums such as Edgar Allan Poe's home, New Orleans V

Humans are the only species known to adorn themselves with a second skin. This extra hide, leather, can be smooth, soft, and cosmetic, or robust, resistant, and protective. For thousands of years this versatile material has provided the foundation for the manufacture of clothing, jewelry, and accessories. Josephine Barbe encourages the reader to use this all-purpose material in a variety of ways.

By training fruit trees and shrubs to grow in controlled shapes, you accomplish two goals: improved appearance and increased productivity. Depending on location and demand, espalier fruit trees can offer privacy, weather protection, and decoration, not to mention an abundant and delicious harvest. All types of trellises, including wall-covering cordons and free-standing pergolas, are featured here

If you love making meaningful gifts for friends or just desire a stylish accessory that doesn’t break the bank, this book is a must-have. Instructions for making Brazilian bracelets of various shapes and sizes are included, decorated with crosses, zigzags, diamonds, dots, and even fish, and adorned with beads and charms. In all, there are more than twenty projects and seventy-five different variat

Over the years the motion picture industry has (sadly) gravitated to generating poorly cropped and heavily airbrushed posters that rely far too often on celebrity head shots. Thankfully, an underground network of graphic designers and artists has reinvigorated the art of the movie poster, crafting stunning pieces for classic and cult films. Here is the first comprehensive look at the movement, pre

Here is a travelogue for those whose idea of a perfect vacation doesn't involve amusement parks and tourist traps, a guidebook for fans of horror and the macabre. Ride along with the author to ghoulish destinations, such as where fright flicks like Friday the 13th and Jaws were filmed, Jeffrey Dahmer's childhood home, UFO crash sites, and macabre graves, to name a few. See the sites in over 70 viv

Following the life of this aircraft from its initial inception to the delivery of the first production models, this book begins with Boeing's initial thoughts concerning a new wide-body transport, how the original concept changes over a period of months of discussion, and finally, a description of the final configuration. The reasoning that went into the final design is explored. Many of the new a

A revolutionary commercial propeller transport, the Lockheed Constellation burst on the aviation scene in the early 1940s. Unheralded for the most part, due to wartime secrecy, it finally entered commercial service in 1946, and promptly set new standards for speed, range, reliability, and passenger comfort. The Connie, as it was affectionately known, pioneered new flight paths in many parts of the

The revised and expanded second edition of this beautiful, popular, and easy-to-follow book is a thorough reference to antique and period jewelry, created over a 200-year period, in Canada, Europe, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It presents the changes in construction techniques and jewelry styles through over 680 color photographs, including over 190 new images, with clear description

This is the ultimate guide to sharpening with traditional waterstones for all owners of Japanese knives. Provided are step-by-step instructions on proper knife sharpening accompanied by over 120 color photos, plus black and white graphics for clarity. Details on the care for all major blade types are also provided, along with expert advice on the use of solid, abrasive materials, and steel. Import

BLADE has already told his life story through graffiti. Now, more than forty years into his career and armed with an incredible memory, BLADE sits down with Chris Pape to reflect on growing up in the Bronx in the turbulent 1970s, and recounts the highs and lows of his storied career, holding nothing back. BLADE is considered "The King of Graffiti" because, by 1980, after painting 5,000 wildly crea

Many supernatural creatures are said to inhabit our world. Their magical, wonderland realm has been the subject of many books, movies, and our childhood dreams. In this richly illustrated book, 30 designers from around the world transform natural settings into enchanting displays that recreate that sense of wonder. Using artificial flowers, fabric, sticks, wire, crystals, berries, acorns, baskets,

Not sure what to do with that old, dilapidated chair that has been sitting in your garage or down your basement? How about turning it into a decorative piece of art for everyday use or for a seasonal decoration? In this new DIY book, master painter Sammie Crawford takes you through, step-by-step, seven chair-painting projects: the rose, sunflower, tiger lily, frog, butterfly, rooster, and, just in

Long considered the definitive book on DKW (Dampf-Kraft-Wagen), this classic book is now available in a complete English language edition. Featuring over 640 color and black and white images, this book covers all of the automobiles and motorcycles manufactured by the legendary DKW from its founding in the early twentieth century to its closing in the 1960s. Described in detail are the technical de

This highly illustrated volume covers the variety of armored cars used by Czech forces during World War I, and the Russian Civil War, as well as its post-WWI use in Italy and Slovakia. Along with details of armored car design, manufacturers, construction, and variants, the book covers Czech armored unit formations and their extensive operational use during the First World War. Special sections cov

With seven techniques and 101 patterns, this how-to book provides detailed, clear instructions for knitting and crocheting colorful and artful socks. These projects cover a wide range of skill sets, from the beginner to the advanced knitter. You’ll learn, among other things, how to create sock heels in three different styles, knit with circular needles, knit from the toe up, and create felted text

Reuse, recycle, and repurpose the clothing you love, creating new, one-of-a-kind garments. Every one of the twenty-one inspiring projects in this book can be sewn quickly, even by beginners. The descriptive photo instructions make it easy to follow the process step by step. Sew a length of chiffon onto a top to create a unique dress. Change a beloved sweater by giving it a great new neckline. Reva

Video cover art is a unique and largely lost artform representing a period of unabashed creativity during the video rental boom of the 1980s to early 1990s. The art explodes with a succulent, indulgent blend of design, illustration, typography, and hilarious copywriting. Written and curated by Tom “The Dude Designs” Hodge, poster artist extraordinaire and VHS obsessive, with a foreword by Mondo’s

With detailed instructions, templates, and colorful photography, this book shows how to craft fifty-five paper jewelry projects. Colorful and graphic designs range from necklaces, brooches, earrings, and bracelets to hair accessories. Learn how to find inspiration in a wide variety of recycled papers. Projects re-use maps, stationery, comic books, cardboard, magazines, and even candy wrappers. The