Lifestyle and Hobbies

Using hand tools and the lathe, a master furniture builder takes the readers step-by-step through the process of building a tavern table. Beginning with raw lumber, they will learn the techniques of joining, mortise and tenon construction, turning, and finishing in authentic early American fashion. Following this basic guide, even a novice can build a table of which they will be proud. Each step i

Over 330 color images display the designs, sacred images, and scripts that are the tattoo art of Indochina. Traditional tattoo forms dating back over a thousand years are presented, expressing the combined animist-tribal beliefs and deep religious faith of a complex and spiritual people. Despite the encroachment of the global community, the skilled priests and specialists of Indochina continue to

Stained glass has long been a part of domestic architecture, but in the late 1800s its popularity soared. In part, this was due to new manufacturing techniques and distribution networks, but also it caught the imagination of Victorian, Art Nouveau, and Arts and Crafts designers around the world. Here over 350 examples of architectural stained glass span several countries and many years.

This engaging book details the wide variety of plastic model kits produced by Revell, Inc.*TM, of Venice, California, from the 1950s through the 1970s. Over 540 color photographs display many of the much-sought-after kits, ranging from automobiles and ships to aircraft and spaceships in scales from 1/16 to 1/72, including the battleship U.S.S.

Enter an ultra-patriotic era of "military mood" fashions, replete in red, white, and blue. One in a series of books from Schiffer Publishing documenting fashion trends in America, this is an invaluable resource for fashion designers looking to revive and rework retro styles, for costume designers working to recreate an era, and for collectors and historians wanting to document vintage clothing. A

This exquisite volume presents the best vintage exotic skin handbags by the most renowned designers of the past century and a half. Intended particularly for fashionable women, design students, collectors, dealers, and clothing historians, it outlines the fascinating history of alligator and crocodile handbags, the ultimate status symbol since the 19th century. Many prestigious designers are featu

In this book Ernst G. Siebeneicher-Hellwig and Jürgen Rosinski show the simplest and least expensive ways to construct a simple forge, make all necessary tools yourself, forge a stub tang blade from an old automobile coil spring, and make a complete knife.Their practical guide demonstrates the most important theoretical basics and shows how simple it can be to experience bladesmithing. Each step i

Since the 1968 World Amateur Surfing Championships were held in Rincón, Puerto Rico has been on the international map of world-class surfing destinations. But it wasn't until photographer Steve Fitzpatrick relocated to San Juan in 1992 that the island's outstanding surf conditions and culture had a dedicated documentarian. Steve has spent the last two decades chasing nearly every swell with his ca

Damascus steel: centuries-old, hot-forged steel that is legendary for making sharp, strong blades that struck fear in many a man’s heart. Artisans, blacksmiths, and hobbyists the world over have initiated a renaissance of this fascinating, decorative material, which is the focus of this comprehensive book. Unravel the history and mysteries surrounding various types of Damascus steel before delving

This is a high-level overview of the legendary watch brand, A. Lange & Söhne. In 1845 Ferdinand Adolph Lange convinced the Saxon government to build a pocket watch factory in Glashütte, a quaint town in the East Ore Mountains now known as the birthplace of the German watch industry. For four generations the Langes produced some of the most exquisite, intricately designed wristwatches the horologic

An innovative designer is always looking for new concepts. Fresh Floral Jewelry, an instructional introduction to the world of making jewelry that incorporates fresh flowers, is the first of its kind. For everyone from beginners to experienced jewelry makers and floral designers, this volume is an essential guide to creating exciting, colorful, and undoubtedly unique accessories that are suitable

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

Though only three were produced in late-1920s/early-1930s Germany, the Dornier Do X was the largest flying boat of its time and flew passengers on international flights in extreme comfort during the pre-World War II years. Powered by twelve engines, the aircraft could accommodate over 100 passengers and crew and included sleeping and dining areas. This detailed and highly illustrated book covers t

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

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