Offers step-by-step instructions, illustrated by detailed bandw diagrams and photos, on how to make simple and more complicated decorative boxes. Chapters explain progressively advanced techniques and give instructions for projects using the techniques. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Winner of a 2008 Golden Hammer Writing Award. Learn the art of box making from one of the foremost experts of the craft. Through Doug Stowe's decades of experience, you'll learn the basic techniques to get started, as well as more advanced ways to approach finely crafted boxes. Project after project, your skills will build, and you'll come to refine your work, asking how can processes could be simplified and how can finishes be improved. Throughout the book, Stowe offers this advice: Repeat yourself. Repetition leads to refinement, and refinement leads to success. Though it's not necessary to build the projects in this book in any particular order, they are arranged by the level of difficulty. As you grow in confidence working through the projects in this book, use your imagination and ask a few questions: What if this box were made in that wood? What if that joint were used on this box? What if the lid had more overhang? What if I made it larger, or smaller? The question "What if?" will challenge and engage you as a box maker for years of adventure.

Cartonnage is a lovely handmade art, originated in France long time ago and it has been revived around the world in the latest years. It is the "art of box making", out of cardboard, glue and fabric or paper. With this technique, we can make much more than boxes, unique functional pieces to decorate our homes, for everyday use or as unique gifts. With step by step color picture Cartonnage instructions (about 700 pictures), no steps missing, this book is a master class to make your own beautiful fabric boxes from the very beginning. Also covers how to build more advanced pieces including dividers, trays and drawers. You will learn how to start from the scratch cutting your own cardboard or you will be able to start from some DIY kits (sold separately) with all pieces of paperboard pre cut and have fun using your favorite fabrics. Very simple materials needed, no expensive tools! You will also have the opportunity to learn how to personalize your boxes painting your own fabric or adding embroideries! Online videos available for this book.

Publisher description

Once ideas and images come to mind, the next step in weaving your tapestry--interpreting these into effective compositions--may be challenging. Learn here, in ways that relate specifically to tapestry art, the design basics you need to make your best work. Renowned master weaver Scanlin offers 60 step-by-step "explorations" that lead you from understanding design concepts in your head to using them on your loom. Be inspired to explore "weavable" ways to manage line, shape, color, texture, emphasis, balance, rhythm, and more for results that bring your tapestries to a new level. In Part 1, dive into the fundamentals of design. Parts 2 and 3 hold explorations--exercises with a tapestry twist. Part 4 teaches ways to turn designs into cartoons. A resource treasure trove offers ideas for finishing tapestries (essential to the design's completeness), helpful templates, glossaries, and other core information to carry forward on your creative path.

The 2nd edition of the classic offers even more creative box examples and time-tested traditional-quality methods for book-art and multimedia craft lovers.

This updated edition has even more projects children will love and more information in an expanded introductory section on tools, materials, techniques, and safety.