The art of glass bead-making has exploded in popularity during the past decade — and these awe-inspiring examples, exquisitely fashioned by 40 of the world's top creators, reveal why. Explore Bruce St. John Maher's fused and faceted landscape beads, the vitreous painted surface of Bronwen Heilman's glass and Kate Fowle Meleny's luminous electroformed glass beads that seem almost like sculptures. In this classic series, every artist receives a lavish eight-page feature with approximately a dozen high-quality images of his or her most impressive work, along with a biography and personal commentary, providing insight into the motivations and inspiration behind each piece.

An insightful glimpse into Robert Louis Stevenson's life and how it influenced his poems... illustrations convey the poetic notion of a romantic childhood memory. Muted colors are a peaceful accompaniment to the poems. School Library Journal These poems... are colorfully illustrated and notable for their detailed brushstrokes.

He was the greatest poet and playwright who ever lived, the dramatist who penned lines that we quote without even realising their origin. Shakespeare's glorious works have even inspired animated films — like Disney's The Lion King. Introduce children to the Bard with this wonderful, fully annotated collection of sonnets and soliloquies, enhanced with beautiful, highly realistic colour paintings that bring each excerpt to vivid life. Here are Shakespeare's most famous speeches: including everything from Hamlets — 'To be or not to be' — and Macbeth's witches cackling 'Double, double, toil and trouble' to the sonnets, Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? and humourous songs sung in comedies such as Twelfth Night. Every entry is a revelation.

Pat-a-Cake, Old King Cole, Rock-a-bye, Baby and Baa Baa Black Sheep are among the many rhymes that make up Mother Goose and have become staples of childhood. Little ones will love its mix of lullabies, humour and sing-song verse while they learn from it too. Gyo Fujikawa has brought her inimitable style to this title, which features a mix of enchanting line drawings and warm colour pictures. Fujikawa has succeeded in creating a truly magical world for children to enter.

Gyo Fujikawa creates magic with this enchanting collection of fairy tales and fables. These are the stories that all children should experience, that will nourish their young minds and imaginations: Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, The Hare and the Tortoise, The Little Red Hen, The Three Little Pigs and many more. Some are well known and beloved; others are unfamiliar, but as always, Fujikawa's characters are beautifully written and rich in personality, while her stunning images will appeal to all ages.

The long-ago mysteries of the great opera house in Paris have never been explained. Why did so many terrible tragedies happen there? Why did everyone flee from it in fear? This gripping story about the 'opera ghost' and the beautiful singer he loves launched one of most popular musicals in Broadway history — and it serves up enough thrills, chills and surprises to keep even the most reluctant reader fascinated. With Classic Starts[trademark], young readers can experience the wonder of these timeless stories from an early age. Abridged for easier reading and carefully rewritten, each classic novel is filled with all the magic and excitement that made the original story a beloved favourite.

Dumas' famous musketeers return in another exciting swashbuckler. And this time, Aramis is embarking on the most perilous mission of all: to depose King Louis XIV and put his twin brother Philip on the throne instead. Since childhood, Philip has been hidden away so no one would know of his existence — but Aramis believes that he would be the superior ruler. Is Aramis right... or is he making a deadly mistake? With Classic Starts[trademark], young readers can experience the wonder of these timeless stories from an early age. Abridged for easier reading and carefully rewritten, each classic novel is filled with all the magic and excitement that made the original story a beloved favourite.

In this sentimental favourite, young Cedric Errol learns that he is actually a British lord and heir to an estate and his life is transformed. He leaves Boston for Dorincourt Castle to live with his uncle, the Earl — a tyrant loathed by one and all. Will Cedric succeed in melting his cold, cruel uncle's heart? With Classic Starts[trademark], young readers can experience the wonder of these timeless stories from an early age. Abridged for easier reading and carefully rewritten, each classic novel is filled with all the magic and excitement that made the original story a beloved favourite.

One of the most beloved classics in children's literature, Kipling's masterpiece follows Mowgli, the boy raised by wolves and his animal friends as they fight for survival in the Indian jungle. Young readers will love the wise bear Baloo and Bagheera the black panther; shiver at the vicious tiger Shere Khan; laugh at the silly monkeys; and feel compassion for the grown-up Mowgli — who must finally acknowledge his own humanity.With Classic Starts [trademark], young readers can experience the wonder of these timeless stories from an early age. Abridged for easier reading and carefully rewritten, each classic novel is filled with all the magic and excitement that made the original story a beloved favourite.

Set in a richly rendered 15th century Paris, Victor Hugo's powerful drama focuses on a beautiful gypsy girl named Esmeralda, the two men (one an obsessed and manipulative priest) who love her and the pitiful hunchback Quasimodo who tries to save her. With this spellbinding version, kids can enjoy all the excitement of Hugo's masterful story. With Classic Starts [trademark], young readers can experience the wonder of these timeless stories from an early age. Abridged for easier reading and carefully rewritten, each classic novel is filled with all the magic and excitement that made the original story a beloved favourite.

With more than 175 gorgeous photos, this illuminating guide illustrates the myriad ways glass windows, walls, doors, skylights, entryways, partitions, and accents can add both drama and warmth to a home. Just as the material itself is transparent, the functional and aesthetic potential of glass is also invisible to many people. But these luminous images reveal that not only is glass an architectural focal point in its own right, but also it allows us to exploit the beauty and flow of natural light—a crucial element in a well-designed space. That’s why the discussion begins with a look at lighting exposures. Special sections then break down the different types of glass structures, with the pros and cons of each, while style guides throughout help you to choose exactly the right type for your home, décor, and taste. Each chapter ends with a look at a different type of art glass technique, from stained to beveled and beyond.

Grow a glass garden — and beautify any space with the exquisite decorative items you’ve created. George W. Shannon and Pat Torlen, two master teachers and artists who run the On The Edge Glass Studio, offer an array of glorious patterns for stained glass flowers, butterflies, birds, birdfeeders, planters, lanterns, and mobiles. Using dozens of close-up photos, they teach all the basics of both copper foil and lead came construction, from materials and tools to how-to techniques.

Children will delight in this unabridged version of Rudyard Kipling's classics, Jungle Books One and Two! Not only does this attractive volume feature the beloved tales of Mowgli, the man cub raised by wolves, and Rikki Tikki Tavi, but also the lesser-known but wonderful stories of Toomai, the boy who gets to see elephants dance; Quiquern, who saves his Eskimo people from starvation; and Kotick, the white seal.

Rings of seahorses that seem to rotate on the page. Butterflies that transform right before your eyes into two warriors with their horses. A mosaic portrait of oceanographer Jacques Cousteau made from seashells. These dazzling and often playful artistic creations manipulate perspective so cleverly that they simply outwit our brains: we cant just take a quick glance and turn away. They compel us to look once, twice, and over and over again, as we try to figure out exactly how the delightful trickery manages to fool our perceptions so completely. Of course, first and foremost, every piece is beautiful on the surface, but each one offers us so much more. From Eschers famous and elaborate Waterfall to Shigeo Fukudas Mary Poppins, where a heap of bottles, glasses, shakers, and openers somehow turn into the image of a Belle Epoque woman when the spotlight hits them, these works of genius will provide endless enjoyment.

How to decorate with colour and pattern, add lighting, showcase art, and more; Tips and hints from professional decorators; A spectacular collection of more than 400 photographs; A Main Selection of America's Homestyle Book Club House Beautiful gives us an inside look at how interior designers create their magic. It's savvy, elegant, inspiring, and sure to equal the success of 750 Decorating & Design Ideas (1588162699), which has sold nearly 65,000 copies. Even those of us with great taste and a natural talent for decorating know that there are certain insider design skills and secrets accessible only to professionals with years of experience. House Beautiful: 750 Designer Secrets gives everyone access to this precious knowledge. This spectacular, expansive collection of more than 400 photographs leaves no doorknob unturned, as some of the country's most creative decorators reveal their design know-how. They'll help amateurs understand scale and proportion, as well as how to decorate with colour and pattern, add atmospheric lighting, shape the shell, hang and showcase art, and fix up small spaces. There is ample advice on creating family-friendly areas, bedroom basics, smart storage, and outdoor rooms. Take advantage of House Beautiful's unrestricted pass to the world of interior design.

This title follows the adventures of the dashing King Arthur, the wizard Merlin, Queen Guinevere and the noble Knights of the Round Table as they battle and romance their way through enchanted Camelot. This version of the Arthurian legend, originally published in 1903, has been delighting children for over 100 years. Sterling Children's Classics is a new series presenting timeless classic works of fiction in handsome hardback volumes at an unbelievable price. Parents, teachers, librarians and of course young readers will welcome these beautiful, unabridged editions of evergreen children's favourites. Each beautiful book features: original full colour dust jacket artwork; three-piece cloth binding; the highest quality paper; detailed spot illustrations; and a ribbon page marker. It is beautiful classic literature at a classic price!

This work talks about a single person — but with two personalities: one that's noble and kind and another that's pure, repulsive evil. Robert Louis Stevenson's engrossing masterpiece about the dual nature of man — and a good doctor whose thirst for knowledge has tragic consequences — serves up all the suspense and satisfying chills one expects from the best horror and science fiction.

A shipwreck, a sole survivor, a deserted island — What could be more appealing to children than Robinson Crusoe's amazing adventure? Set in the 17th century and unfolding over a 30-year period, it offers plenty of adventure and suspense while painting a fascinating portrait of the age — including references to slavery and Europe's view of the New World. Abridged for easier reading and carefully rewritten, with Classic Starts[trademark], young readers can experience the wonder of timeless stories from an early age.

Through the eyes of Lemuel Gulliver, Swift's unforgettable satire takes readers into worlds formerly unimagined. Visit four strange and remarkable lands: Lilliput, where Gulliver seems a giant among a race of tiny people; Brobdingnag, the opposite, where the natives are giants and Gulliver puny; the ruined yet magical country of Laputa; and the home of the Houyhnhnms, gentle horses far superior to the ugly humanoid Yahoos who share their universe. Abridged for easier reading, with Classic Starts[trademark], young readers can experience the wonder of timeless stories from an early age.

The Wizard of Oz has captured the hearts of children and adults alike since it was published in 1899. The beloved tale of Dorothy, her dog Toto, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion and their journey through the magical land of Oz is filled with excitement and suspense. This attractive illustrated hardback edition of the treasured classic is sure to be cherished for years to come. Sterling Children's Classics is a new series presenting timeless classic works of fiction in handsome hardback volumes at an unbelievable price. Parents, teachers, librarians and of course young readers will welcome these beautiful, unabridged editions of evergreen children's favourites. Each beautiful book features: original full colour dust jacket artwork; three-piece cloth binding; the highest quality paper; detailed spot illustrations; and a ribbon page marker. It is beautiful classic literature at a classic price!