Magic Books & Paper Toys: Flip Books, E-Z Pop-Ups & Other Paper Playthings to Amaze & Delight

James Smith Rudolph

Make Your Own Working Paper Clock

Clocksby Isaac AsimovThrough most of history, people hardly felt the need of clocks. It seemed sufficient to consult one's own physiology to tell when one was hungry or sleepy, or to observe the general position of the sun in the sky during the day or that of the Big Dipper at night.Those who were meticulous enough to want something better searched for some regular motion that existed in nature or that could be contrived. In ancient times, the sundial was invented so that the passage of the shadow of a rod could be followed as the sun crossed the sky.Or else one could observe the extent to which a candle burned downward, or wait till a certain amount of sand had sifted through a small opening. Such devices could be used on cloudy days or at night, when the sun could not be seen and shadows were not observed.In ancient times, the best timepiece was the clepsydra, or water clock, which measured time by the regular dripping of water through a narrow opening. As water accumulated in the lower reservoir, a float carrying a pointer rose and marked the hours. The best water clocks were quite elaborate but few in number and fragile. They could not be relied on to tell time more closely ...

Gustie L. Herrigel

Zen in the Art of Flower Arrangement: The Classic Account of the Meaning and Symbolism of the Japanese Art of Ikebana

Japanese masters have developed the techniques of ikebana over centuries and, while many different styles have evolved, they all share the same fundamental principles. The art embodies aesthetic considerations, knowledge of the natural forms of plants, and a profound understanding of the space around them. This book explains these principles by describing the lessons learned from master arranger Bokuyo Takeda and the underlying Zen symbolism in the art of ikebana. Readers will learn that training in ikebana is a process of achieving spiritual enlightenment and that the craft of arranging flowers is a form of meditation. These lessons provide a perfect escape from the stresses of everyday life and the incomparable satisfaction of creating beauty in the home.

Rich Rousseau

Making Wooden Fishing Lures: Carving and Painting Techniques That Really Catch Fish!

Get Caught Up In Eleven Easy To Follow Lure Projects Making a usable fishing lure from a scrap of wood and some paint is a fun and easy project for anyone who enjoys fishing, carving, or collecting. Award-winning carver and fishing enthusiast Rich Rousseau likes to do them all, so he decided to share his fish-tested designs for creating a variety of fresh and saltwater lures. Divided into three main chapters, Making Wooden Fishing Lures, covers everything you need to know about wood, types of lures, extra options to add to your lure, how to dress a hook, and full-sized bonus patterns to develop your skills. Along with the wonderful lures you can make yourself, you will be reeled in by the full-color gallery of historic and contemporary wooden lures, accompanied by an introduction from top collector Butch Bartz. Rousseau's love of lure making and fishing in general is evident in the Fun Fish Facts and entertaining stories that are littered throughout the book.