This is rare look into the traditional ways of creating the beautiful masks that have brought such admiration to the native American carvers of the Pacific Northwest. The masks of the Kwakiutl people of the Pacific Northwest are noted around the world for their bold colorful designs. Used for dramatic recreations of the ancestors' adventures, they carry a depth of social, historical, and religious meaning. Lelooska has spent a lifetime creating these masks, a privilege bestowed upon him by the Kwakiutl. He has recreated many of the ceremonial masks which were lost or destroyed when the potlach was, for a time, outlawed. His masks are used in the traditional dances both at the revived gatherings and at recreations of the dances presented by the Lelooska Foundation in Ariel, Washington. Now he shares the traditional carving techniques with carvers everywhere. The Kwakiutl carvers are known particular for their transformation or opening masks, which change or open to reveal a second, inner mask. The mask carved in this new book is just such a mask, beautiful in its design and its complexity. Each step is illustrated and described to help the carver recreate the mask on his or her own. This is a unique and much awaited book by one of America's foremost artists.

The Traditional Art of the Mask: Carving a Transformation Mask (Schiffer Book for Woodcarvers)

Arts & Photography

Lelooska, Don

History & Criticism

Schiffer Craft

In Craig Stevens's unique chipcarving style he creates images from nature by using carved shapes and patterns rather than outlining the subject. With a brush painter's sensitivity these carved shapes create a flow and movement that imitates the simple but graceful patterns of the natural world. The initial drawing creates the foundation of each carving. The book shares Craig's method with other carvers, taking them step-by-step through the carving process, beginning with an introduction to the tools and the wood. Every carving step for the main project is included with a clear color photograph and a concise description of the carving technique that is used. The pattterns are included as is a gallery of variations and applications.

Chip Carving Nature: An Artistic Approach (Schiffer Book for Woodcarver)

Stevens, Craig Vandall

Using over 230 color photographs, an introductory text about basic wood turning techniques, and step-by-step instructions, Mike Cripps guides his reader through the turning of bird houses, planters, and bulb planters known in England as “garden dibbers.” The bird house and planter projects are turned from unseasoned lumber. New hobbyists and seasoned professional wood turners alike will enjoy this book and the freedom they will derive from turning unseasoned timber, which is free from dust and needs virtually no sanding or difficult-to-apply glossy finish. A color photo gallery will fire the wood turner’s imagination. Patterns are provided for each project.

Wood Turning for the Garden: Projects for the Outdoors (Schiffer Book for Woodturners)

Crafts, Hobbies & Home

Cripps, Mike

Crafts & Hobbies

Talented turner and teacher Michael Cripps guides the reader through all the wood turning steps necessary to create a variety of beautiful wood goblets. Spindle and bowl turning techniques necessary to complete each project are discussed in detail. Each step is clearly described and illustrated with full color photographs taken from the wood turner’s point of view. Patterns for eight different goblet bowl and foot shapes are provided, allowing each woodturner to mix and match them to create unique goblets all their own. A no-nonsense discussion of basic turning tools, techniques, and safety tips round out this invaluable text. A gallery shows the finished projects and a variety of other possibilities to fire the imagination. These projects create wonderful results for wood turners, from beginners to experts.

Turning Goblets (Schiffer Book for Woodturners)

Veteran carver and instructor Al Streetman cleaned up his shop and came up with yet another hot book, this one presenting a thin cast of characters carved from leftover wood scraps. Streetman takes novice and advanced carvers alike through a step-by-step process of carving and painting these unique creations made from piles of narrow leftovers. The task is made simpler with 126 photos and more than 25 illustrations, including the cutout patterns for 20 unique figures, such as Santas, elves, and the featured pirate project. In addition to sharing Al’s tips and secrets regarding head, hand, and body carving, this informative book provides detailed suggestions regarding carving tools, paintbrushes, and paint colors.

20 Pencil People Patterns for Carvers

Streetman, Al

Santa rides again! This highly animated Santa carving depicts the jolly old elf getting more than he bargained for on an off-season fishing expedition. David Sabol demonstrates his traditional wood carving techniques, taking the reader through each step from wood blank to finished carving with clear, step-by-step instructions and color illustrations. The finished carving is brought to life with color staining techniques and given a hint of age with antiquing methods David describes in detail. Patterns are provided for six classic Santas in a variety of poses and for the venerable Mrs. Claus as well. A color gallery shows each of the finished patterns to fire the imagination of every carver. Carvers with basic skills will enjoy the challenges, and advanced carvers will be delighted by the details presented in the projects in this book.

Old St. Nick Carving: Classic Santa's from Wood (Schiffer Book for Woodcarvers)

Sabol, David

Fifty years ago, the fountain pen was an expensive, and very personal, prized possession. Once deposed by mass produced ball points, the fountain pen is making an elegant return through the wood turner's art. Michael Cripps takes the reader through every step necessary to create elegant pens (fountain and ball point alike) with turned hardwood outer surfaces in a variety of shapes and sizes. Each step is illustrated from the turner's perspective with detailed color photographs. Additional instructions are provided for creating desk accessories including letter openers and magnifying glasses with beautiful hardwood handles. Ladies' pens and perfume applicators round out the text. A gallery provides a view of the finished products. This book is wonderful for turners of all skill levels.

Turning Pens and Desk Accessories (Schiffer Book for Woodworkers)

Antiques & Collectibles

For caricature carvers the greatest challenges and the greatest rewards come from carving the head and face. This is where the personality of the figure resides. The exaggerated nose, the enlarged ears, the toothy or toothless grin...they all combine to give the figure a story we can understand at a glance. In this new book, Tom Wolfe concentrates on the caricature head by carving busts. About 8 inches tall, these carvings give plenty of room for detail, and allow the carver to explore new ways of giving expression to their work. One figure is carved step-by-step, with clear color photographs illustrating each technique. They carry the reader from laying the pattern on the blank to the final painting. Also included are patterns for 15 other figures, including military, western, and Victorian characters, and a full color gallery of 23 finished busts, each shown from four angles. This is an important guide for caricature carvers, and will lead to hours of learning and pleasure.

Carving Desperados with Tom Wolfe (Schiffer Book for Woodcarvers)

WOLFE, Tom.

Dogs are a favorite subject of carvers everywhere. Sometimes they are shown as companions of the human subject in a carving and sometimes they stand by themselves. Whatever your carving needs, this treasury of Tom Wolfe's dog patterns will be a valued tool. In his long and creative career as a woodcarver, Tom Wolfe has created literally hundreds of dog patterns. 90 of the best of these is offered here for the first time in print. Clear line drawings of a variety of dogs will give carvers all they need to produce wonderful creations. The breeds covered include everything from poodles to coon dogs, and dachshunds to terriers.

Tom Wolfe’s Treasury of Patterns: 90 Patterns for Dog Carvers (Tom Wolfe Treasury of Patterns)

Using oil based clay, Dale Power takes the reader through all the steps needed to sculpt human heads and complete animal figures in clay. Instructive line drawings show the proper positioning of features on the human face and three different eye treatments. Two techniques for sculpting human heads are illustrated. For added clarity, every step is accompanied by color photographs. Patterns for two armatures on which to fashion human heads and patterns for two articulated animal frames are also provided. A color gallery gives the reader a final look at finished pieces and presents additional figures to fire the imagination. This book is a valuable reference for anyone wishing to work in clay.

Sculpting in Clay With Dale Power (Schiffer Military History)

Power, Dale

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Books by Schiffer Craft