Contemporary and unique, these handmade creations range from representational to abstract, from skillful realism to provocative surrealism—and they’re made from every conceivable material, including beads, gourds, and polymer clay. Juror Akira Blount, a pioneer in the “art doll” movement, incorporates vines, twigs, and carved wood in her fabric dolls; with their expressionless faces and closed eyes, they appear absorbed by inner worlds. Dutch artist Marlaine Verhelst’s porcelain designs seem to have sprung straight from a medieval painting. Chris Chomick’s strange and slightly scary figures feature amazing detail and elaborate costumes. Dollmakers, crafters, collectors, and anyone who loves beautiful objects will love the amazing diversity showcased here.

Principles, practice and techniques: here is the ultimateguide for the aspiring designer. Discover how design has evolvedover the centuries, and learn how to think visually and create yourown personal style. Whether you are decorating your own home orthinking of taking up interior design professionally, you will findthis book an invaluable and inspirational source of reference.

Diverse, extensive, and incredibly beautiful, this awe-inspiring collection features the most magnificent rings ever. With designs that range from the traditional to the very avant-garde, each of the 1,000 examples is an exceptional work of art, finely crafted by the best contemporary jewelers. Rob Jackson mixes antique industrial elements (a 100-year-old wrought iron nail) with radiant 20-karat gold and a glowing ruby for a dynamic visual contrast. Tomomi Arat’s collection, Treasure from Under the Sea, captures the exoticism of ocean life: he uses pearls, enamel, and sand to create rings that look as if they were chiseled directly out of a coral reef. Among the prestigious artisans represented: Arline M. Fisch, Michael Zobel, Katja Prins, Paul Preston, and Bruce Metcalf.

Discover a world of decorative ideas with this compendium of history's most elegant patterns and ornamental designs. The World of Ornament brings together the two greatest encyclopedic collections of ornament of the 19th century: Auguste Racinet's L'Ornement polychrome Volumes I and II (1875-1888) and Auguste Dupont-Auberville's L'Ornement des tissus (1877) to provide one lavish source book spanning jewelry, tile, stained glass, illuminated manu*, textile and ceramic ornament. Encompassing classical, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Asian and Middle-Eastern, as well as European designs from medieval times through the 19th century, this compilation of cultures and esthetics offers a primary reference for artists, historians, designers and patternmakers, and anyone engaged in decorative design and impact.,

The best-selling and highly regarded reference to sustainable construction gets an update! It聮s refreshed with a completely revised introduction, a bright new cover, and extensive online resource tie-ins. This groundbreaking book doesn聮t just tell you about 聯green聰 house-building techniques: it actually shows you, with more than 1,200 step-by-step photographs that follow the actual erection of an alternative building from site selection to final-touch interior details. Readers will get a clear sense of the real world challenges as Snell and Callahan create a lovely country cottage using four methods: straw bale, cob, cordwood, and modified stick-frame. Along with sidebars throughout, there聮s a thorough discussion of the fundamentals of building construction, alternative approaches, and designing a beautiful yet environmentally responsible home. Building Green was the first book of its kind聴and it remains heads and shoulders above other titles in this field. ,

Fully revised and updated edition of the world's finest and most authoritative source of gardening advice, from the experts at the RHS Marking 20 years since first publication, the updated edition of the RHS Encyclopedia of Gardening is the classic reference for keen gardeners. Packed with unrivalled gardening advice you'll find guidance and step-by-steps on everything from pruning to propagation. Plus new topics reflect current trends including how to grow fruit and vegetables in containers and green roofs. Whatever your level of skill in the great outdoors, expert tips and guidance from editor Christopher Brickell and a team of specialist contributors, the RHS Encyclopedia of Gardening will help you create and keep your garden perfect all year round.

This comprehensive guide to working with wire features thework of four artists, providing a great range of projects andideas. This book begins with general wire basics, withtechnique-specific basics introducing each chapter. Unlike otherwire books on the market, this book includes fresh, new looks inchapters on woven wire, textured wire, corrugated wire, heavy wire,and chain wire. This book also introduces strip wire,creating innovative projects that appeal to all different types ofartists

Journalist Welch, coauthor of Winning (with her husband, former GE CEO Jack), offers an in-depth look at the decision making process that has brought her success and formed the basis of her work-life advice column in O, The Oprah Magazine. By imagining a decision's impact in the short and long term-in 10 minutes, 10 months, and 10 years-readers will discover not just their innermost values, but the wisdom to pursue them with confident and empowering choices. While easy to follow and simple in theory, the process can raise painful and challenging issues, illustrated in numerous case studies, Welch's personal story and the science behind 10-10-10. Welch also demonstrates how poor decisions are often the result of stress and guilt, rather than a lack of understanding or knowledge; the practical upshot of her approach is the ability to break through the often paralyzing ambivalence that keeps people in dead end jobs and relationships. Anyone who feels stuck, rushed or simply too emotional to make important life d