We are now an amazon.com associate! For every
book, video, or dvd you order through the I.H.E.A. website, our organization
gets a percentage which will go toward site hosting, supplies, tools, and improving
our booth at the K.C. Renfest Site! We have put direct links to amazon.com that
list books related to the categories listed below.
While on the topic of books and ordering books, the members of
the I.H.E.A. have been accumulating a list of books and other media that we
think have been useful in learning how to do a craft, further your skills if
you've already learned a craft, or to give you a glimpse into the past when
these activities were common.
If you have a book, video, magazine, or other source of information that you
think would be a good addition to this list, feel free to contact
us with the title, author, publisher, ISBN#, and a brief description of
the material in it. We would be happy to add it to our list so that someone
else can enjoy it too!
†A Quick Note on ISBNs: The ISBN# is that little string
of numbers on the back of a book cover, generally right over the bar code. It
is a unique number assigned to a specific title and can be extremely useful
in getting exactly the book you are looking for when you order it. This is important
when there are more books than one sharing the same or a similar title to the
one you want.
Blacksmithing/Metal Work/Armory:
Basic Blacksmithing: A Training Manual, Intermediate Blacksmithing: A Training
Manual, Advanced Blacksmithing: A Training Manual by J. B. Stokes
A Blacksmithing Primer by Randy McDaniel, Dragonfly Enterprises,
3283 State Hill Rd., Sinking Spring, PA 19608, ISBN: 0-9662589-0-8.
New Edge of the Anvil by Jack Andrews, SkipJack Press, Inc,
Ocean Pines, MD, ISBN: 1-879535-09-2.
The Art of Blacksmithing by Alex Bealer, Castle Books, A Division
of Book Sales, Inc., P.O. Box 7100, Edison, NJ 08818, ISBN: 0-7858-0395-5.
The Blacksmith's Craft by Peter C. Welsh, Rural Development
Commission Formerly CoSIRA, 35 Camp Rd. Wimbledon Common, London, England.
Practical Blacksmithing Vol. 1 by M. T. Richardson, Astragal
Press, Mendham, NJ, ISBN: 1-879335-91-6.
Complete Modern Blacksmith by Alexander Weygers, Ten Speed Press,
P.O. Box 7123, Berkley, CA 94707, ISBN: 0-89815-896-6.
Under a Spreading Chestnut Tree, Basic Blacksmithing by Charlie
Sutton, Dolphin Press, P.O. Box 61005, Postal Outlet, Maple Grove Rd.,
Oakville, Ontario, Canada, L6J 6X0, ISBN: 0-9684098-0-6.
Iron and Brass Implements of the English (and American) House
by J. Seymour Lindsay, D.C.m., F.S.A. No ISBN available. An older book
(The dedication is to someone killed in WWI.) that you might have to hunt
for. A detailed sketchbook of mainly English household utensils ranging
through the ages. Some astonishingly intricate blacksmith work for even
the simplest of utensils. Also has a detailed drawing of a dog-powered
roasting spit as well as some neat lighting fixtures. More of a visual
guide/source of inspiration than a how-to.
Weapons: An International Encyclopedia from 5000 B.C. to 2000 A.D.,
The Diagram Group, St. Martin's Griffin, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY
10010, ISBN 0-312-03950-6 • An astonishing book that covers the gamut
from rocks to ICBMs, explaining the physics and anatomy of weapons, as
well as usage timelines. A lot of interesting information - seems that
cannons are a lot older than you'd think, and gunpowder in general has
seen action even longer! This book could be used to settle bets and/or
start arguements within the SCA...
Jewelry/Beadwork/Silversmithing:
Making Silver Chains; Simple Techniques, Beautiful Designs by
Glen F. Waszek, Lark Books, ISBN 1-57990-183-2 • How to make simple
chains using silver wire, basic soldering techniques, and easily available
tools from the hardware store.
Classical Loop-in-Loop Chains & Their Derivatives by Jean
Reist Stark and Josephine Reist Smith, Brynmorgen Press, ISBN 0-615984-8-4
• Slightly more complex and devoted to chains and their accompanying
accessories. Gives examples of usage through history of specific patterns
and techniques.
Interpreting the Past: Ancient Jewellery by Jack Ogden, The University
of California Press, ISBN 0-520-08030-0 • More a history than a "how-to",
gives some interesting insights on goldsmithing, lapidary, and bead-making
in the ancient world and how little things have changed.
Great Wire Jewelry by Irene From Peterson, Lark Books, ISBN 1-57990-093-3
• A good basic book on how to create chains with wire and without
soldering. Also contains some wire braiding techniques.
Wire Jewelry (#3292) by Lynda Scott Musante, Design Originals,
ISBN 1-57421-169-2 • A nice, inexpensive little book with a lot of
pictures and projects that require basic tools and no soldering. Good
for seeing if you are interested in wire working.
Wire Links (#3303) by Delores Frantz, Design Originals, ISBN
1-57421-180-3 • Another inexpensive basic wire working book with
some interesting non soldered chains.
Coiled Wire Bead & Jewelry (#03299) by LeRoy Goertz, Design
Originals, ISBN 1-57421-17-5 • Teaches how to coil wire using various
tools and techniques for making unusual beads.
Uniquely Yours: Beaded Amulet Purse Necklaces by Suzanne Cooper,
Suzanne Cooper, Inc., ISBN not available • This is more of a pattern
book than a "how to" for people who are looking for some really
involved peyote seed beading designs. Includes really nice patterns for
Chinese dragon, gecko, and faerie amulet pouches.
Jewelry Making Techniques Book, by Elizabeth Olver, North Light
Books, ISBN 1-58180-2102 • A well illustrated book on basic jewelry
making - gives instructions on how to make rings, clasps, lockets, etc.
with basic soldering techniques. Also contains instructions for bezel
stone and claw stone setting. Some nice projects!
Magazines:
Bead & Button: Creative Ideas for the Art of Beads and Jewelry
Br
aids: 250 Patterns From Japan, Peru & Beyond by Rodrick Owen, Interweave
Press, ISBN 1-883010-06-3 • Braiding is more than just three strands
in this book: 3-8-16 or more strand braiding using a card or a special device
called a Maru Dai - do you need unusual and exotic braids to decorate your
sword sheath? tunic? horse equipment? This is the book for you!
The Whole Craft of Spinning: From the Raw Material to the Finished
Yarn by Carol Kroll, Dover Publications, Inc., ISBN 0-486-23968-3
• Gives the basics of spinning with a wheel or a drop spindle plus
spinning alternative fibers and how to shop for a spinning wheel.
The Art of Manipulating Fabric by Colette Wolff, Chilton Book
Company, ISBN 0-8019-8496-3 • Ways of using fabric as a sculptural
medium. Not everything is period, but it's a good book for getting your
imagination going.
Dye It! Paint It! Quilt It!: Making and Using One-of-a-Kind Fabrics
in Quilts, by Joyce Mori and Cynthia Myerberg, ISBN 0-8019-8737-7
• Another book on fabric manipulation - only this time with dyes,
resists and block printing. Gives good detailed directions for some of
the more advanced tie-dyeing techniques. Do something different with your
garb! Salvage that garb that got ruined when someone spilled grape juice
all over it!
Learn to do Pinweaving in Just One Day, by Carley Poggemeyer,
American School of Needlework, ISBN 0-88195-743-7 and The Fine Art
of Pin-Weaving: Creative Variations by Donna Rhodes and Kathy Stachowicz,
Warp & Woof Books, ISBN not available • Got scraps left over
from garb making? Here's a thrifty way to use them up! No loom necessary,
all you need is cardboard, pins, fabric strips and some pretty string!
Beginner's Guide to Braiding: The Craft of Kumihimo, Search
Press, ISBN 0-85532-828-2, , by Jacqui Carey • Kumihimo
is an ancient Japanese braiding technique that uses 8 strands instead
of three. The product is now used for obi (kimono sash) tying and decoration
mainly, but was once used to hold samurai armor together. A neat technique
for making round, flat and half round braids that can be used for sword
decoration, belts, and tunic decoration.
Cooking:
The Laurel's Kitchen Bread Book: A Guide to Whole-Grain Breadmaking
by Laurel Robertson with Carol Flinders & Bronwen Godfrey, Random
House, ISBN 0-394-72434-8. A good book for getting to know the ins and
outs of whole grain baking, also includes some neat tools that you or
someone handy with wood working tools can make for you. (Hint hint!)
World Sourdoughs From Antiquity; Authentic Recipes for Modern Bakers
by Ed Wood, Ten Speed Press, ISBN 0-89815-843-5. Sourdugh was here long
before Felischman's Yeast and baking powder so it's authentic to all kinds
of reenactment projects!!! Not only does the author give you recipes for
ancient sourdough breads, but if you go to his web
site you can order authentic sourdough cultures from all over the
world! How about a challah loaf leavened with yeast from the actual Holy
Land?
Edible Flowers From Garden to Palate by Cathy Wilkinson Barash,
Fulcrum Publishing, ISBN 1-55591-246-x. Before you faint or run away gagging,
our ancestors used flowers as something more than mere table decorations.
This book tells what and how to prepare interesting and unusual dishes
using edible blossoms, as well as what not to put in your mouth.
Unusual dishes for feasts!
Celtic Folklore Cooking by Joanne Asala, Llewellyn Publications,
ISBN 1-56718-044-2. Seasonal recipes based on the Celtic year, and one
of the few "alternative religion" books that shows at least
marginal respect for the Christian tradition. Good hearty recipes for
Shepherd's Pie, Scotch Eggs, Mead, and many other dishes required as part
of the "care and feeding of your average blacksmith". Not for
people on diets!
Bookbinding/Papermaking/Paper Marbling/Crafts:
How to Clothbind a Paperback Book: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
by Francis J. Kafka, Dover Publications, Inc., ISBN 0-486-23837-7 •
Shows various techniques for hand bookbinding, as well as tools and how
to make some of your own bookbinding equipment. Useful for binding a favorite
paperback book for a more "period look", or salvaging an old
favorite that you just can't bear to replace so you can get a few more
years out of it.
The Art and Craft of Handmade Paper by Vance Studley, Dover Publications,
Inc., ISBN 0-486-26421-1 • Shows you how to make paper from just
about anything you can think of. Also shows you the tools and supplies
you'll need. A nice companion for How to Clothbind a Paperback Book
- now you have some unique paper to bind your paperback books with!
Creating Handmade Books by Alisa Golden, Sterling Press, ISBN
0-8069-8825-8 • How to make simple books from scratch. Maybe a good
way to bind an album or make a notebook that you can keep on site that
will blend in? Neat books, and some good ideas!
Making Your Own Artist's Tools and Materials by Vance Studley,
Dover Publications, Inc., ISBN 0-486-27246-X • Pretty much what the
title says. Shows you how to make artist's tools and such that will give
you a better idea of what life for an artist was like before Dick Blick
and Crayola became trade standards!
Costuming:
Patterns for Theatrical Costumes: Garments, Trims and Accessories
from Ancient Egypt to 1915 by Katherine Sttrand Holkeboer, Costume
and Fashion Press, ISBN 0-89676-125-8. A good book for getting started
in costuming - and it contains actual patterns to be blown up to the proper
1:1 ratio for usage.
Stage Costume Step by Step by Mary T. Kidd, Better Way Books,
ISBN 1-55870-406-X. Not as detailed as the above book, but it gives tips
on how to make simple garments appropriate to various historical periods.
Life in the Past:
The Forgotten Arts & Crafts; Skills from Bygone Days by John
Seymour, Dorling Kinderly Press, ISBN#0-7894-5847-0 • This is a book
that gives a certain amount of technical 'know-how" on how to do
anything from make chair rungs to bee keeping as well as the context these
skills were used in. Even if you don't plan to make any of the items described
in this book, it's a good way to learn how your SCA or other reenactment
personas may have lived or done things.
The Foxfire Book edited with an introduction by Eliot Wigginton,
Anchor, ISBN 0385-07353-4 • We aren't sure if this series is even
in print anymore, but it's worth a try at finding because even though
it mainly deals with the lifestyles of the people of Appalachia in the
past, there are a lot of crafts that their ancestors brought with them
to America from the U.K. which had been passed down through the generations
more or less unchanged. You might be able to find used copies online,
at a local used bookstore, or your public library.
Primitive Technology, A Book of Earth Skills From the Society of
Primitive Technology (ISBN 0-87905-911-7) and Primitive Technology
II, Ancestral Skills From the Society of Primitive Technology (ISBN
1-58685-098-9), ed. David Wescott, Gibbs-Smith Publisher, • From
the pages of The Bulletin of Primitive Technology, instructions
for creating fire and tools of wood, stone, and bone, as well as fiber
adhesives, projectiles, musical insturments, preperation of food. Also
includes the anecdotes of those who pursued the rediscovery of these early
technologies.
Possible Used Book Sources
Can't find it at amazon.com? These sites specialize in rare, out of print
and used books. We can't gurantee you'll find what you want, but these
sites are a lot of fun to explore!
