Books for Art & Industry

Including Books for Sculptors, Architects, Decorators and Designers


    On this page, you'll find a selection of books for artists, architects or those interested in restoring and decorating.

     We have taken care to choose only the best books in each field.

     If you're a sculptor, be sure to check out the art of sculpting with polymer clay and techniques for decorative artwork.

     For those visiting architects, learn about the use of the computer and the rising field of digital architecture.

     If you're interested in landscape design, we have some great books on the installation of water gardens and patio design.

     Our books on restoration cover such interesting projects as the building of straw bale houses and the preserving of slate roofs.

     You'll also find information for the hobby and craft,  industries on kiln-firing,  glazing, and the art of hand-painting china.

    If you have a specific book you'd like us to make available, or an area of interest you'd like to see covered, please email us with your suggestion and we'll try to add it to our site.


     Please return to this website if you order more than one title so that we will get credit for each book you order.

     Click on the photo of the book you wish to order. Click on the "back" button of your browser to return to this page.
ee ith any suggestions or questions


The Art of Polymer ClayThe Art of Polymer Clay : Designs and Techniques for Making Jewelry, Pottery and Decorative Artwork (Watson-Guptill Crafts)
by Donna Kato

Our Price: $17.47

Hardcover (September 1997)

New Ways With Polymer ClayNew Ways With Polymer Clay : The Next Generation of Projects and Techniques
by Kris Richards

Our Price: $15.96

Paperback - 112 pages (February 1997)

Polymer clay has become so ubiquitous in recent years that it's surprising and exciting to come across a book that takes a fresh, unique approach to the subject. The Art of Polymer Clay is most innovative in its interesting surface treatments and imitative techniques--particularly the ways they're used in vessels--but it is also unique in its approach to jewelry settings, which are themselves made with polymer clay and combined with freshwater pearls for a very rich, unusual look. Donna Kato is a true master of this versatile medium. With half of the text devoted to thorough coverage of the basics, this guide provides an excellent introduction to an increasingly popular medium. Polymer clay is readily available and easy to work with, but must first be prepared properly. New Ways explains everything from conditioning to adding texture to working with various tools to baking procedures. The second half offers 10 step-by-step projects, including boxes, picture frames, jar lids, and a variety of ornaments.

The Digital ArchitectThe Digital Architect : A Common-Sense Guide to Using Computer Technology in Design Practice
by Ken Sanders

Our Price: $55.00

Water in the GardenWater in the Garden : A Complete Guide to the Design and Installation of Ponds, Fountains, Streams, and Waterfalls
by James Allison

List Price: $32.50
Our Price: $22.75
You Save: $9.75 (30%)

Encyclopedia of Landscaping and Patio DesignEncyclopedia of Landscaping & Patio Design : Over 325 Ideas for Landscaping & Patio Design
by Randall W. Cole (Introduction), Jerry Bates (Illustrator)

List Price: $19.95
Our Price: $15.96
You Save: $3.99 (20%)

Provides advice on using computer technology in design practice, explaining the strengths and weaknesses of tools such as Windows 95, AutoCAD, on-line resources, multimedia, and virtual reality. Discusses choosing and integrating technology in the architectural firm, managing the digital office, operating systems and networks, and desktop hardware. For architects, engineers, and designers. Contains numerous b&w illustrations and photos, plus margin notes Illustrated with 250 color photographs, explains design principles and construction hints for ponds, fountains, waterfalls, bridges, and such accessories as plants, fish, and birds. No specialized knowledge is necessary to understand the text. The only essential, fully-visual guide to hardscaping projects. Make an educated decision while choosing the right face or yard for your home. Included are ideas for walkways, porches, lampposts, mailboxes, waterfalls, walls, patios, gazebos, planters, and fountains. Whether trying to find new ideas or communicate those in mind, we have put together the best collection of fresh ideas available including pattern variations

Straw Bale House

The Straw Bale House (A Real Goods Independent Living Book)
by Athena Swentzell Steen, Bill Steen, David Bainbridge, David Eisenberg (Contributor)

List Price: $30.00
Our Price: $24.00
You Save: $6.00 (20%)

The Straw Bale House - An guide to building living structures with straw bales. Covers benefits of building with straw bales, safety concerns, building codes, and insurance, and offers techniques for building walls, windows, doors, foundations, roofs, floors, and plastering the straw walls. Includes b&w photos demonstrating building techniques, and color photos of finished homes and interiors.

Buildings of Earth and Straw

Buildings of Earth and Straw: Structural Design for Rammed Earth and Straw Bale Architecture
by Bruce King, Ann Edminster (Editor)

List Price: $25.00
Our Price: $20.00
You Save: $5.00 (20%)

Buildings of Earth and Straw: Chelsea Green's The Rammed Earth House and The Straw Bale House chronicle the possibilities and realities of straw bale and rammed earth construction. Buildings of Earth and Straw fills in the gaps for professional builders, contractors, engineers, inspectors, lenders, and architectural students. It includes special construction requirements of earth and straw, design capabilities and limitations of these materials, and documentation of testing data for use in addressing the concerns of officials. This book offers the nuts and bolts of rammed earth and straw bale building techniques, and why they are so spectacular, durable, and earth-friendly.

Restoring Houses of Brick and Stone

Restoring Houses of Brick & Stone
by Nigel Hutchins, Donna Farron Hutchins

List Price: $24.95
Our Price: $19.96
You Save: $4.99 (20%)

Restoring Houses of Brick & Stone - Packed with history, ideas, and useful information, and complemented by over 300 black-and-white and color photos, easy-to-follow diagrams, and descriptive pen-and-ink drawings, "Restoring Houses of Brick and Stone" provides a gallery of new ideas for the old-house restorer.

Nigel Hutchins is a respected authority on the preservation of old buildings. Since the early 1970s, Hutchins has worked on numerous restoration/rehabilitation projects and has taught college courses on the same subject.

The Slate Roof Bible

The Slate Roof Bible : Everything You Wanted to Know About Slate Roofs Including How to Keep Them Alive for Centuries
by Joseph Jenkins

List Price: $35.00
Our Price: $28.00
You Save: $7.00 (20%)

The Slate Roof Bible is the first comprehensive book on the topic of slate roofs since 1926. It contains 200 photos, some in color, and an additional 175 black and white drawings. This two-part book tells you why older slate roofs should be preserved, if they can (and how to determine that), and how to identify the various types of roof slate. It details the history of the slate roofing industry in the United States and in Wales (the Welsh started virtually all the slate quarries in the United States), and explains how the finished roof slates were made.

The Clay Lover's Guide to Making Molds

The Clay Lover's Guide to Making Molds : Designing, Making, Using
by Peirce Clayton, Chris Rich (Editor)
List Price: $24.95
Our Price: $17.47
You Save: $7.48 (30%)

Hand-Painting China

Hand-Painting China : How to Design and Paint Your Own Beautiful Ceramics, Without the Need for Kiln-Firing
by Lesley Harle, Susan Conder (Contributor), Debbie Patterson (Photographer)
List Price: $17.95
Our Price: $14.36
You Save: $3.59 (20%)

The Big Book of Ceramics : A Guide to the History, Materials, Equipment, and Techniques of Hand-Building, Molding, Throwing, Kiln-Firing, and Glazing
by Joaquim Chavarria

List Price: $35.00
Our Price: $28.00
You Save: $7.00 (20%)


The Architecture of Country Houses

The Architecture of Country Houses : Including Designs for Cottages, and Farmhouses, and Villas, With Remarks on Interiors, Furniture
by Andrew Jackson Downing, J. S. Johnson (Designer)
List Price: $12.95
Our Price: $10.36
You Save: $2.59 (20%)

Victorian Cottage Residences

Victorian Cottage Residences
by Andrew Downing, George E. Harney (Editor)
List Price: $10.95
Our Price: $8.76
You Save: $2.19 (20%)

French Farmhouses and Cottages

French Farmhouses and Cottages (Country Series)
by Paul Walshe, John Miller (Photographer)

List Price: $19.95
Our Price: $15.96
You Save: $3.99 (20%)

All reviews courtesy of Amazon.com


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