Make amazing natural projects ranging from simple but lovely plaits to creations fit for museums. The 20 different weaving techniques will prepare you to make house blessings including fans and harps; love knots, used to preserve and promote love; ancient and traditional designs such as Celtic knots, Earth Mother, Glory Braid, and much more.

Complete illustrated introduction to the age-old craft of plaiting harvest, or good luck figures from straw. 150 illustrations.

In Ireland, the humble organic materials of straw, hay, and rushes were utilized throughout the centuries for a myriad of purposes. The heyday of their use as objects were the 18th and 19th centuries, when travelers to Ireland often wrote disparaging and derogatory accounts of what they saw: saddles of straw, sleeping on rushes, restricting animals with tethers and spancels of bark and animal hair, and wearing crudely-made straw and rush hats. Yet, the people who produced and utilized these objects were both ingenious and thrifty, making use of what they could find at no cost and using their learned skills to make objects which are now seen as having not only function but also beauty. Author Anne O'Dowd's powerful and lavishly illustrated book looks at the historical context of the making of a wide range of useful and ceremonial objects, as well as the folklore of belief and custom connected with the materials and practices. The thousand or so objects (made from straw, hay, and rushes) in the National Museum of Ireland's Irish Folklife Collection are the foundation of this study. The book is beautifully illustrated with color/black and white images, and it presents a fascinating insight into Irish crafts and rituals, along with their ancient origins. *** Straw, Hay and Rushes has been selected the winner of the 2015 ACIS Durkan Prize for Books on Language and Culture. *** "...an inherently fascinating history that will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to community and academic library collections." -- Midwest Book Review, Reviewer's Bookwatch: March 2016, Julie's Bookshelf *** Librarians: ebook available [Subject: Social History, Irish Studies, Folklore, Art History]

A collection of craft ideas for kids that create a minimum of mess.

Several children enjoy playing in the snow.

This comprehensive book includes crafts for children to make at home or school. Detailed instructions, diagrams and color photographs on making a range of seasonal items are given: from decorated eggs and pompoms, straw and origami animals, to autumn garlands, lanterns, festive wreaths and paper window stars. Packed with enjoyable projects, this is the perfect resource for both parents and teachers. This is a fully revised compilation of the Christmas, Easter, and Harvest Craft Books.