For Materials on forging and smith work, please see the file called ‘Fighting, Weapons, and Military’.

Arts & Skills

Art Forger’s Handbook - $19.95
Eric Hebborn. The author, a modern forger of some renown, shares his master skills in the art of faking Old Masters. The book details the secrets of his forging techniques, with material on pigments, finding properly aged paper or aging it yourself, the use of silver point, relining & framing painting, and

Artists’ Techniques and Materials - $24.95

Antonella Fuga. This book discusses the materials and processes used in 8 media: painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, mosaics, ceramics, glass, and metalwork. Within each category, the author examines the range of materials and techniques that have developed over the centuries. Capsule descriptions in the margins list essential information about the subject under discussion, and details of the artworks employed as examples are called out. The book concludes with a brief overview of contemporary techniques. Richly illustrated (400 color illus). Pb, 384pp, indices of subjects & technical terms, 5”x8”. Getty

Backyard Lumberjack - $18.95

Frank & Steven Philbrick. The authors, enthusiastic & skilled lumberjacks, explain what it takes to bring a tree from forest to fireplace. Part hard work, part pure chain saw satisfaction, this book is your complete guide to bringing in the wood. It’s all here, from choosing the perfect chain saw to managing a woodlot to safely enjoying the pleasures of a backyard bonfire. Tr pb, 160pp, illus w/photos throughout (many in color). Glossary, BTU chart for various wood types, rec reading list, index. Storey

Beaded Chain Mail Jewelry - $24.95

Dylon Whyte. Fine chain mail jewelry enhanced with fabulous beads/ Chain mail jewelry is beautiful in and of itself, but when you add beautiful beads, it becomes spectacular.  Learn the fundamentals, a technique for threading the beads onto chain mail, and eight weave patterns, then try your hand at 27 pretty patterns. These pieces are true showstoppers. HC, dw, 144p, index, email list of suppliers. Lark/Sterling

Celtic Art: Methods of Construction - $9.95
Bain. Discusses mathematical structure of knotwork. Leads artist through construction of numerous elaborate designs, and calligraphy. Dover.

Celtic Design & Ornament for Calligraphers - $9.00

Jack Mackinder. The marvels of Celtic ornament depend on understanding how to design the pattern. The author provides a key to these marvelous designs, re-creating the precise geometric methods used by 7^th to 9^th century scribes and artificers. Clear diagrams, many in 2 colors, and detailed text. TR paper, 96p, bibliog.Thames & Hudson

Chain Mail Jewelry - $24.95

Terry Taylor & Dylon Whyte.  Contemporary designs from classic techniques. Make dazzling, distinctive jewelry by interlinking metal rings, whether commercial or your own making. Once used to make protective garments, chain mail techniques and patterns have now been adapted to jewelry making by innovative artists. Requires very few tools, yet you’ll achieve impressive results. 30 extraordinary projects HC, dj, 144pp, index, key to wire gauges. Lark/Sterling

The Cooper and His Trade - $21.95

Kenneth Kilby. This is the first book on coopering by a cooper. This trade is virtually at an end in Great Britain, with barrels of wood replaced by plastic. However, Mr. Kilby, coming from a family of coopers, once apprenticed to the trade, brings us the knowledge of this skill. The first part of this partially autobiographical title deals with materials, tools, and techniques, the second deals with the organization and conditions of work, and the social history of coopering. Tr pb, 192pp, 140 line drawings, 36b/w photos. Linden Publishing Co.

Creating a Reticella Rosette - $5.00

Marie Schorn. ‘Reticella is a form of needle lace where geometric patterns are embroidered over a fabric with most of the threads removed,’ says the author, and then proceeds to give us a brief history of the craft. The bulk of the book instructs us in the creation of a foundation for the lace, appropriate stitches, and patterns for drawn thread borders & various lace designs. Pb, saddle-stapled, 48pp, b/w illus, notes, references. SCA

An Early Lace Workbook: Bobbin Lace Techniques  Before the Baroque - $40

Rosemary Shepherd.  The author has studied lace-making deeply over the past 40 years.  The book deals with the early years of bobbin lace, including materials and equipment, bobbin lace in early paintings, selected patterns, and instructions for reconstructing surviving lace patterns. Oversize tr paper, 83pp, bibliog. – including internet sources, instructional diagrams and photos of completed pieces. Lace Daisy Press

English Embroidery in the Metropolitan Museum 1575-1700: ‘Twixt Art and Nature - $65.00

Melinda Watt and Andrew Morrall. This book centers around the Met’s preeminent collection of embroidered objects from England’s late Tudor and Stuart eras. These embroideries, some 80 in all, include samplers, gloves, headgear, purses, and many other items. In a series of essays, the book explores the important role of embroidery in the history of textiles and decorative arts. This is a superb and comprehensive overview of embroidery during this period. Hardcover, 256pp, 280 illus, index, extensive bible, stitch glossary. Yale University Press.

English Historical Carpentry - $24.95

Cecil A. Hewitt. This book on historic building construction is fascinating. Hewitt’s contribution to architectural history is his proof that the methods of assembling timber buildings, particularly the joints used, follows a strict historical sequence, as datable as pottery.  The book includes extensive joinery illustrations, and an in-depth discussion of timber framing. Tr paper, 338pp, line drawings throughout, extensive indices.. Linden Publishing Co.

Fingerloop Braiding - $5.00

Lois Swales & Zoe Kuhn. Finger loop braids are braids woven using loops (or bowes) of string on your fingers. This reached a high point in Medieval Europe and England between 1200 & 1600 CE. This technique survives today in isolated areas of Europe, the Middle East, S America, & Japan. As points, laces, or cords, braids have a multitude of uses. This pamphlet focuses on the 15^th – 17^th century English language instructions for making braids. Pb, saddle-stapled, 72 pp, Diagrams & directions, biblio. SCA

Forgotten Art of Building a Good Fireplace - $12.50

Vrest Orton. This classic book (1969) on fireplace design has brought about a revival of the Rumford fireplace. The basic principles (set forth by Rumford in 1795) describe the construction of a large shallow fireplace which does not smoke, and which throws out much more heat than many other designs (which tend to send much of the heat up the chimney.) This edition contains practical notes by Wally Leeds, a mason in Tunbridge VT, who builds Rumford fireplaces today. Pb, 64pp, b/w illos & diagrams. Alan Hood.

Forgotten Art of Building and Using a Brick Bake Oven - $12.50

Richard M Bacon. First published in 1977, this book remains the authority on how old time brick ovens were designed and used. The book explains the evolution of the oven from the 17^th through the 19^th centuries, outlines the basic points to consider in building such an oven today, and describes in detail its construction. From ash pit complex, types of brick & mortar, lintels & doors, plans, dimensions, and actual brickwork – this book has them all. Generously illustrated with photos, diagrams, & drawings. Also includes material on using the finished oven. Pb, 64pp. Alan Hood.

Great Medieval Projects You can Build Yourself - $21.95

Kris Bordessa. This exciting interactive guide brings to life the Middle Ages, from the Crusades to the Plague, through more than 20 projects, including building a marshmallow cannon and creating a medieval feast fit for a king. Ages 6 – 12. Map & illustrations. Tr pb. Nomad Press.

Here Be Drolleries - $30

Nancy Spies. Similar in format to her earlier Here be Wyverns, this new book includes over 400 designs graphed from medieval sources. Grouped under alphabets, animals, architecture, birds, borders, drolleries, odds & ends, overall patterns, people, plants, and water creatures, this collection is sure to have something for every embroiderer, knitter, beader, or calligrapher.15 color plates of worked-up designs. Tr pb, 194 pp, spiral-bound. Arelate Studios

Introduction to Manuscript Studies - $39.95

Raymond Clemens & Timothy Graham. Providing a comprehensive and accessible orientation to the field of medieval manuscript studies, this lavishly illustrated book is unique in its scope and level of detail. Useful to students in history, art history, literature, and religious studies, while also appealing to advanced scholars and general readers. Its material on the making of the manuscript, from preparation of the writing surface & inks, decoration, through the binding & storage, will be of great value to current scroll makers and illuminators. Includes sections on abbreviations, punctuation, selected scripts, Books of Hours, charters & cartularies, maps, rolls & scrolls. As recommended in Tournaments Illuminated. Oversized trade paper, 301pp, glossary, index, extensive bibliog., over 250 illus (sources cited), both contemporary & diagrams. Cornell University Press

Japanese Braiding: The Art of Kumihimo - $21.95

Jacqui Carey. Provides a fresh approach to this traditional craft, with clear step-by-step color photos for six projects, which show how to make a variety of different braids. Includes tips on equipment and advice on how to create patterns for 70 additional braids. HC/spiral-interior to lie flat, 96pp, index. Search Press

Needlework Patterns from Renaissance Germany - $10.00
Recharted by Kathryn Newall, from the 1597 edition of Johan Sibmacher’s Modelbuch. 26p, saddle-stapled, 8½ x11. Costume/Dressmaker Press.

Pavilion Book - $15.95

John LaTorre. In one book you can find a complete guide to buying, maintaining, and living in a medieval-style tent. The author, a tentmaker with 20 years of experience, explains how to choose the best tent for your budget and needs, and how to make your tent last longer and perform better, how to clean and repair it, and much, much more. Tr pb, 160pp, b/w photos & some diagrams. Dragonwings

Persian Court Costume and Dance in the 16^th Century - $5.00

The Practical Guide to Medieval Adhesives - $5.00

Maya Heath. The author reminds us that in the past, as now, things needed to be held together. “Mechanical methods were not always practical or entirely secure” and people turned to adhesives for lasting attachments. This book contains an introduction, which includes a discussion of tools, materials, and safety precautions, and instructions on the making and use of milk and casein glues, hide glues, fish glues, combination adhesives, hide glue’s use in painting, vegetable gums, and wheat or gluten paste. A list of weights and measures, a brief bibliography, and notes complete this handy little volume. Perfect-bound pamphlet, 52pp, 25 illus. SCA

200 Braids to Twist, Knot, Loop, or Weave - $27.95

Jacqui Carey. Choose from sumptuous braided designs to complete any project: clothing, furnishings, greeting cards, jewelry, totes, floral arrangements, and more. Braids are arranged by structure, from twisted and knotted pieces to more elaborate looped and woven ones, even those that incorporate beads. Each braid features a close-up photo, materials list, step-by-step instructions and clear color illustrations. HC, spiral-bound, 256pp, index, resources list. Interweave Press

Simple Art of Celtic Calligraphy - $19.95

Fionna Graham-Flynn. This beautiful calligraphy epitomizes the ideal of Celtic craftsmanship, from intricate knot work to animals snaking into the loops of illuminated letters, whether carved in wood or etched in metal or stone. With the help of this guide, you can learn key Celtic scripts and can create items to treasure. Includes 18 projects, uncial, half-uncial, and runic scripts. 128pp, Tr pb, 300 color artworks and photos. Cico Books

When Work is Done: a medieval child’s guide to playful pastimes - $5.00

Rae L Hadley, editor. Children in the Middle Ages had a lot of work to do, but they had time for some fun and games too. This book is about some of the toys, games, and crafts that medieval children would have enjoyed. Most of the projects are written for kids from 8 to 12 years of age. The 8 projects (by different authors) are divided into ‘Fun in the Kitchen’, ‘Toys, Games & Crafts’, and ‘Rhymes & Music’. Perfect bound, 82pp, illus and notes. SCA

Woodwright’s Guide – $22.50

Roy Underhill. Each chapter explores one of the nine trades of woodcraft. Includes hundreds of detailed drawings that illustrate the hand tools and processes for shaping & joining wood. 250pp, index, Tr pb. University of North Carolina Press.

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