First published in 2004. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Here is the first comprehensive survey of modern craft in the United States. Makers follows the development of studio craft--objects in fiber, clay, glass, wood, and metal--from its roots in nineteenth-century reform movements to the rich diversity of expression at the end of the twentieth century. More than four hundred illustrations complement this chronological exploration of the American craft tradition. Keeping as their main focus the objects and the makers, Janet Koplos and Bruce Metcalf offer a detailed analysis of seminal works and discussions of education, institutional support, and the philosophical underpinnings of craft. In a vivid and accessible narrative, they highlight the value of physical skill, examine craft as a force for moral reform, and consider the role of craft as an aesthetic alternative. Exploring craft's relationship to fine arts and design, Koplos and Metcalf foster a critical understanding of the field and help explain craft's place in contemporary culture. Makers will be an indispensable volume for craftspeople, curators, collectors, critics, historians, students, and anyone who is interested in American craft.

Jazz Makers gathers together short biographies of more than 50 of jazz's greatest stars, from its early beginnings to the present. The stories of these innovative instrumentalists, bandleaders, and composers reveal the fascinating history of jazz in six parts:* The Pioneers, including Scott Joplin, Louis Armstrong, and Bessie Smith* Swing Bands and Soloists, with Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and Billie Holiday* The Piano Giants, featuring Fats Waller, Art Tatum, and Mary Lou Williams* Birth of Bebop, including Dizzy Gillepsie, Charlie Parker, and Miles Davis* Cool Jazz, Hard Bop, and Fusion, with John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, and Stan Getz* A Century of Jazz, featuring Wynton Marsalis, Joshua Redman, and other contemporary greats.

It whispers, it sings, it rocks, and it howls. It expresses the voice of the folk—the open road, freedom, protest and rebellion, youth and love. It is the acoustic guitar. And over the last five decades it has become a quintessential American icon. Because this musical instrument is significant to so many—in ways that are emotional, cultural, and economic—guitar making has experienced a renaissance in North America, both as a popular hobby and, for some, a way of life. In Guitar Makers, Kathryn Marie Dudley introduces us to builders of artisanal guitars, their place in the art world, and the specialized knowledge they’ve developed. Drawing on in-depth interviews with members of the lutherie community, she finds that guitar making is a social movement with political implications. Guitars are not simply made—they are born. Artisans listen to their wood, respond to its liveliness, and strive to endow each instrument with an unforgettable tone. Although professional luthiers work within a market society, Dudley observes that their overriding sentiment is passion and love of the craft. Guitar makers are not aiming for quick turnover or the low-cost reproduction of commodities but the creation of singular instruments with unique qualities, and face-to-face transactions between makers, buyers, and dealers are commonplace. In an era when technological change has pushed skilled artisanship to the margins of the global economy, and in the midst of a capitalist system that places a premium on ever faster and more efficient modes of commerce, Dudley shows us how artisanal guitar makers have carved out a unique world that operates on alternative, more humane, and ecologically sustainable terms.

Do you want to see how the big brands really make shoes? Now you can! More than just a tour through a sneaker factory, How Shoes are Made will show you how modern shoes come to life! From drawing shoe designs to sample development and footwear manufacturing you will see how it’s done. Written by veteran shoemaking pros, How Shoes are Made will give you a look inside the REAL world of shoe design, development and mass production. Updated 2019 Edition! Includes 26 Chapters explaining shoe design, shoe pattern making, sample development, footwear materials, stitching, outsole and tooling design, EVA forming, final assembly, shoe lasts, shoe factory prices, quality control, shoemaking equipment, starting your own shoe brand, and much more! 200 pages with over 400 color photos and drawings. A must-read for young shoe designers, sneakerheads, or any footwear fanatic! Over 10,000 copies sold! Read in over 60 countries!

In Hollywood, women don't have to be in front of the camera to shine. Each of the 15 women profiled in Film Makers shares a common trait: she is, as Shonda Rhimes says, "First. Only. Different." These phenomenal women have redefined the film and television industry, winning awards historically given to a male counterpart, being the only woman in a writers' room, or portraying stories no one else could tell. While their resumes are impressive, it is how they live their lives that has made a greater impact in the communities they serve. Many of them, like Gina Prince-Bythewood and Greta Gerwig, mentor other women. Some, like Agnieszka Holland and ChloÉ Zhao, have stood up to those who seek to ignore or silence them. All of them tell their stories with passion and integrity, serving as role models and champions for future generations. We hope they will inspire you to use the tools of film to tell your story!

Entrepreneurship can change your life—and even the world Idea Makers shares the incredible stories of 15 women who changed the world through their entrepreneurship. Author Lowey Bundy Sichol presents five industries that women are leading in recent years: food, fashion and clothing, health and beauty, science and technology, and education. Jenn Hyman brought couture fashion to everyday women with her idea to Rent the Runway. Morgan DeBaun supports Black journalists through Blavity. And Sandra Oh Lin is inspiring kids everywhere with KiwiCo activity boxes. Readers learn about how the women featured risked their early careers, gave up their salaries, and sometimes even went against the approval of their families to follow their passions and start their own businesses. Today, these women are modern leaders worth billions of dollars and employing tens of thousands of individuals. Young women today are embracing innovation and idea making, and the women profiled in Idea Makers will show them how that can change the world.