Object Lessons is a series of short, beautifully designed books about the hidden lives of ordinary things.It may be responsible for a greater improvement in human diet and longevity than any other technology of the last two thousand years-but have you ever thought seriously about your refrigerator? That box humming in the background displays more than you might expect, even who you are and the society in which you live. Jonathan Rees examines the past, present, and future of the ho...

Painting with the watercolor medium is a partnership. You bring to the process your ideas and images and the medium takes them to another place all together. You can fight the medium and try to contain it within set boundaries or you can work with it and find unexplored territory when it shows you other ways of making color sing on the paper. Being able to set the medium free is all about understanding what will and what will not hurt you. This small ebook is big on helpful, empowering adv...

Permaculture in a Nutshell is a concise and accessible introduction to the practice of permaculture in temperate climates. It covers how permaculture works in the city, the country and on the farm and explores ways in which people can work together to recreate real communities.

City Farmer celebrates the new ways that urban dwellers across North America are reimagining cities as places of food production. From homeowners planting their front yards with vegetables to guerilla gardeners scattering seeds in neglected urban corners, gardening guru Lorraine Johnson chronicles the increasing popularity of innovative urban food growing.

Here is a revolutionary approach for heating rooms and generating hot water. Author Gaelan Brown has worked with engineers and compost scientists to refine methods of composting that can heat greenhouses, barns, buildings, and hot water, all without combustion.It seems almost too good to be true: make high-value organic compost while generating reliable combustion-free heat. But it works, and this book is your practical introduction. With detailed case studies of l...

YOUR MISSION: Discover the tactical secret of self expression--the art journal!Harness the artistic explosion ticking in your head, just looking for a creative way to detonate. Prepare to be bombarded with ideas, techniques and suggestions as you allow your creativity to take hold. The Journal Fodder Junkies are on a mission, ready to arm you with all that you need to explore artistic ways of recording your life and thoughts. Part sketchbook, part diary, p...

Turn your farm into a cash cow! Ron Macher offers a host of simple strategies for increasing your farm earnings, from purchasing durable equipment to growing economically viable crops. A seasoned expert in farm efficiency, Macher shows you how to locate a lucrative niche market for your products, optimize sales, and minimize costs. Whether you’re buying a new farm or jump-starting an old one, Macher’s savvy tips will help you turn your enterprise into a profitable business.

The Shakers produced many incredible furniture objects that we continue to venerate today. For the woodworker the fascination is often rooted in the essential simplicity of the work. Interest in Shaker design is as strong today as it was when the first edition of this book was published in 1977, possibly stronger. This ongoing interest is the direct result of the inherent beauty of Shaker design-beauty that stems not only from form, but from superb workmanship, a commitment to utility and ...

Discover how you can make exceptional coffee at home for a fraction of the cost of ordering coffee at the coffee shop! Learn the characteristics of great coffee and how you can make great coffee every time using inexpensive equipment and simple coffee brewing techniques. Once you have experienced great coffee, you'll never go back to mediocre coffee again!

Based on the premise that we have 21 days before we lose our modern conveniences, Surviving the Apocalypse in the Suburbs is packed with practical solutions for becoming more self-reliant and transitioning to a lower energy lifestyle. From shelter to livestock to transportation to tools, this is the ultimate guide to simplifying your lifestyle while reducing your dependence on oil.

The acclaimed sculptor and furniture designer teaches readers how to make their own hand-carved wooden spoons in this beautifully illustrated volume.Marvels of craftsmanship, beauty, and function, Joshua Vogel's sculptural kitchen tools are coveted far and wide. In The Artful Wooden Spoon, Vogel shares more than one hundred gorgeous pieces from his workshop gallery, providing rich visual inspiration as he explains the principles behind handcrafting spoons.Vog...