Celebrate the amazing evolution of beadwork from a simple craft to expressive art. Every stunning sculpture, vessel, figure, loomed and woven work, free-form installation, and piece of jewelry shown here in glorious color photos is gallery-quality and thoroughly unique. Jennifer Maestre and 39;s intricate, swooping pencil-point bead sculptures explore form, motion, and space. A. Kimberlin Blackburn has fashioned lush Hawaiian Island scenes out of glass beads and hand-carved wood. The ever-innovative David K. Chatt has entries ranging from the pointed commentary, White Men in Suits, to vivid jewelry. For a little humor, try Valeria Harlow and 39;s masterful Toe Mangler, a testament to every woman who has ever suffered in uncomfortable shoes. This amazing collection is truly state-of-the-art.

Category : Art/Media/Performance - Gifts

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Styles, Techniques And Materials From Around The World Five hundred inspiring variations on the simple, functional bowl will fire any potter and 39;s imagination. Displayed on each page are bowls that reinvent and reinterpret the form, and use techniques from across the globe and through the centuries. More importantly, every piece, such as Kate Maury and 39;s wheel-thrown porcelain, Stephen F. Fabrico and 39;s slab-built bowl with handles, and Ruchika Madan and 39;s stoneware Fruit Bowl, testifies to the artist and 39;s boundless inventiveness. Captions give each bowl and 39;s size, with details on its material and glazes.

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Never before has such an extensive and beautiful collection of brooches been assembled, or photographed to such perfection. Marjorie Simon, a distinguished presence in the jewelry field, chose the pieces, and every one features the fine craftsmanship of a top contemporary jeweler. The breathtaking and provocative styles range from traditional to very avant-garde, and the brooches come not only in gold, silver, copper, and wire, but also in glass, porcelain, paper, and other more unusual materials. They and 39;re forged, soldered, chased, and cast, and surface embellishments run the gamut from enamel and metal foils to patinas and inlay. In some cases, detail images and artist and 39;s comments accompany the full-size photos.

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The successful 500 series shines a spotlight on today and 39;s most breathtaking ceramic sculptures. Selected from more than 8,000 entries by the distinguished art critic, historian, and professor Glen R. Brown-an elected member of the International Academy of Ceramics in Geneva-these exquisite works will inspire both beginning and professional ceramists, as well as collectors and enthusiasts. They include Esther Shimazu and 39;s hand-built, Asian-influenced nudes; Von Venhuizen and 39;s mixed-media, wheel-thrown stoneware, and Katy and 39;s Rush and 39;s slip-cast and press-molded porcelain. Every work is amazing.

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Ceramic Explorations of Utility and Grace In the hands of an expert ceramist, the once-simple cup can become an extraordinary work of art--as these 500 magnificent examples so beautifully prove. The exciting pieces come from an international array of artists, each with a unique perspective. The stylishly varied collection has a little bit of everything the cups range from handbuilt to wheel-thrown, practical to sculptural, round to square. Benjamin Schulman and 39;s Stacked Teacup Set takes a strictly functional approach, while Heather O and 39;Brien and 39;s Dessert Cups on Stand focuses on aesthetic form rather than usefulness. Annette Gates and 39; Espresso Shot Cups with Rubies has a surface design of simple abstract lines and dots of glaze and jewels. Some are whimsical, others starkly conceptual. Every one is a treat for the eye.

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Poring through the beautiful images in this exquisite gallery of earrings is like stepping inside a jewelry store filled with remarkable pieces from the finest contemporary jewelers. Juried by award-winning designer Alan Revere, the earrings range from the classic to the avant-garde, and come from an international array of artists, including Cynthia Eid, Rachelle Thiewes, and Jeff and Susan Wise. Their materials include not only traditional gold, sterling silver, copper, and wire, but also more unusual items such as glass, plastic, porcelain, and paper. The earrings are forged, soldered, chased, and cast, with surface embellishments that run the gamut from enamel and metal foils to patinas and inlay. Expert jewelers, students, artists, and everyone who appreciates fine craftsmanship will enjoy this collection.

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Ceramic Artists Celebrate The Human Form It and 39;s an absolutely unequaled photographic gallery no other book has ever presented such a varied, captivating collection of contemporary ceramics based on the human form. The works range from representational to abstract, from artful realism to provocative surrealism, and many of them come from leaders in the field such as Judy Fox, Kurt Weiser, and Andy Nasisse. Kay Yourist has produced female forms that are smooth, minimalist vessels with only the slightest hint of breasts and belly. The simple, rounded features of Diane Lublinski and 39;s black-and-white figures possess a fun, clown-like whimsy. Michael A. Prathers mournful ceramic portraits have frowning faces and pointed dunce-like heads in a muted color palette. Many of the ceramics come with detail images and illuminating artists commentary.

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Contemporary and unique, these handmade creations range from representational to abstract, from skillful realism to provocative surrealism-and they and 39;re made from every conceivable material, including beads, gourds, and polymer clay. Juror Akira Blount, a pioneer in the art dolll movement, incorporates vines, twigs, and carved wood in her fabric dolls; with their expressionless faces and closed eyes, they appear absorbed by inner worlds. Dutch artist Marlaine Verhelst and 39;s porcelain designs seem to have sprung straight from a medieval painting. Chris Chomick and 39;s strange and slightly scary figures feature amazing detail and elaborate costumes. Dollmakers, crafters, collectors, and anyone who loves beautiful objects will love the amazing diversity showcased here.

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Contemporary Explorations of Containment Juried by Fred Fenster, a distinguished presence in the field, 500 Metal Vessels features page after page of superbly crafted bowls, teapots, vases, chalices, urns, and other exquisite handmade hollowware. Made from diverse metals and techniques (forging, raising, casting, forming, soldering, and welding), these eye-catching pieces also display gorgeous applied surface embellishments, from enamel to repousse. Explore Sarah Perkins luminous enamel bowls; the monumental vessels, made by Kim Cridler out of unassuming steel rods; and the work of Tom Ferrero, whose fascination with architecture and Gothic forms inspired his meticulous surface designs. Edited by Fred Fenster, one of the most most influential living metalsmithing artist. His works are included in the Smithsonian Institute at Renwick Gallery, the Milwaukee Art Museum, and more. As a recipient of the American Craft Council gold medal award for consummate craftsmanship in 2005, Fred Fenster is an undisputed master of his craft.

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500 Metal Vessels features page after page of superbly crafted bowls, teapots, vases, chalices, urns, and other exquisite handmade hollowware. Made from diverse metals and techniques (forging, raising, casting, forming, soldering, and welding), these eye-catching pieces also display gorgeous applied surface embellishments, from enamel to repouss?. Explore Sarah Perkins luminous enamel bowls; the monumental vessels, made by Kim Cridler out of unassuming steel rods; and the work of Tom Ferrero, whose fascination with architecture and Gothic forms inspired his meticulous surface designs.

Category : Art/Media/Performance - Gifts

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