NZ Crafts

Describes and illustrates the materials, tools and techniques, explaining every stage. The author stresses the need for integrity and respect for the traditional forms of bone carving. First published in 1987.

Raupo Books, Penguin NZ, Auckland, 2008. Softback. 116 pages. NEW

Step by step instructions on how to make a puipui, the traditional Maori flax kilt. Colour photographs illustrate every stage of the process and include a gallery of traditional and modern puipui creations.

Raupo Penguin NZ, Auckland, 2008. Softback. 96 pages. NEW

50 interesting and entertaining projects designed to teach the basic skills of Maori flax plaiting. Each described step by step and accompanied by easy to follow line drawings.

Raupo Books, Penguin NZ, Auckland, 2008. Softback. 111 pages. NEW.

The Maori Mantle by Ling Roth together with a review by Sir Peter Buck, Te Rangihiroa. A reprint of Roth’s 1923 classic work on Maori textiles, weaving and clothing. Describes the cultivation, preparation and dying of fibres, creation of Maori cloaks, taniko, feather mantles, feather and skin garments, rain cloaks, capes, kilts, dog skin garments, karowais and colour worsted ornamentation. Originally published in 1923 by the Bankfield Museum, Halifax, England, this reprint was published by Ruth Bean, Carlton, Bedford in 1979.

Bankfield Museum, Halifax, U.K. Softcovers, illustrated, photographs, diagrams, 77 pages.  NEW

Brings together important and often neglected art forms from a wide range of family and tribal backrounds. 280 items are illustrated, photographs by John Martin. A great resource for those interested in the Maori crafts.

Penguin Books NZ, Auckland, 1984. Softback. 237 pages. SECONDHAND

The art of Maori weaving and plaiting is a precious gift from the ancestors that is maintained, nourished and enriched by Maori weavers today, this is their contempory work.

Huia Publishers, Wellington, 2005. Softback. 176 pages. NEW

Provides a thorough grounding in harness making and details the various types of driving harness, it's design and manufacture, complemented by line drawings and over 200 photographs.

J.A. Allen, London, 2004. Hardback, no dust jacket as issued. 266 pages. NEW.

A companion for anyone with an interest in the saddler's trade. History of the trade, descriptions of tools and their use, traditional and modern materials, measurements and conversions. Fully illustrated.

J.A. Allen, London, 2001. Hardback with dust jacket. 218 pages. NEW

Demonstrates tools and techniques available to the modern blacksmith, explaining hammer and body motions for forging to creating tools and hardware. Weigers explains the hows and whys of inventing, improvising, and constructing things out of nothing.

Ten Speed Press, Berkeley, USA, 1997. Softback. 300 pages. NEW

Lucid and practical instruction that will appeal to all craft metalworkers. More than 450 photographs, including studio processes and diverse masterworks collected from artists around the world.

A. & C. Black, London, 2009. Hardback with dust jacket. 183 pages. NEW.

A guide to smithing the perfect blade from beginning to end, illustrated with photographs and line drawings on the workshop and tools, steels, fire and forge, forging blades, rough grinding, heat treating, final grinding, sharpening and fitting.

Paladin Press, Boulder, USA, 1987. Softback. 179 pages. NEW

An advanced study on steel for experienced blacksmiths to help perfect their forging skills and knowledge, illustrated with photographs and line drawings. Sections on steels and alloys, advanced forging techniques, the power hammer, heat treating and tempering.

Paladin Press, Boulder, USA, 1991. Softback. 286 pages. NEW

Represents years of research and experimentation and includes information from hundreds of sources. With its thoroughness and ease of use it is intended a both a text and a tool. This is the 'Professional Edition' aimed at those with experience in the craft.

A. & C. Black, London, 2010. Hardback, no dust jacket as issued, spiral bound for ease of use. 301 pages. NEW

A book for those who have mastered the basic techniques of jewellery making and who want to develop their skills to a higher degree. It is full of step by step projects and includes designing work, implementing design, photographing work, mixed media and special texture techniques.

A & C Black, London, 2005. Hardback with dust jacket. 160 pages, illustrated. NEW

Essays about crafts and craftspeople sharing insights into the nature of work and its integration with lifestyle, inspiring us to have faith in the human spirit and human endeavour. Most of the craftspeople have been featured in Resurgence magazine.

Green Books Ltd., Totnes, UK. Hardback with dust jacket. 190 pages. NEW

Shows how history has drawn faultlines between craftsman and artist, maker and user, technique and expression, practice and theory and that society in general suffers from these divisions. The author investigates ways of working that restore these divisions and can motivate individuals to lead fulfilling working lives.

Allen Lane Penguin, London, 2008. Hardback with dust jacket. 326 pages. NEW

Describes the use of plants that can be grown in the garden or collected. Beautifully illustrated with accurate and detailed watercolours of each plant and samples of the colours the plants produce.

The Crowood Press, Marlborough, UK, 2009. Softback. 160 pages. NEW

Shows how to use modern fancy knitting yarns to make scarves using the Ashford Knitters Loom.

Ashford Handicrafts Ltd., Ashburton, 2005. Softback. 65 pages. NEW

Shows how to prepare fibre by carding and includes tutorials on flick carding, hand carding and drum carding and also colour blending and fibre blending.

Ashford Handcrafts Ltd., Ashburton, 2006. Softback. 92 pages. NEW

A comprehensive text specifically written for the four shaft loom. I covers warping, pattern drafting, weaving techniques and includes fourteen innovative projects.

Ashford Handicrafts Ltd., Ashburton, 2007. Softback. 175 pages. NEW