After Jesus of Nazareth fed the five thousand with five loaves and two fishes (Lk. 9:10-17), his apostles collected twelve wicker baskets of leftover fragments. The perfection of these numbers - seven and twelve - indicates the Divine Abundance of everything that comes from the hands of God. Mystics of the ancient Orient also knew of Divine Abundance. They called this mystery Saccidannda, a Hindu term that connotes the divine Bliss (Ananda) that arises within us when our Awareness (Chit) rests in Being (Sat), not in thinking. The experience of Saccidannda is what Jesus meant when he said, 'The kingdom of God is within you' (Lk. 17:28). One way of entering the kingdom of God, or experiencing Saccidannda, is to contemplate the Mystery of Presence. Presence, like the Mystery of God, is impossible to describe, yet, is as undeniable as it is indefinable. Presence is the experience of being completely empty of thought and devoid of agenda. Presence is the experience of transcendental Awareness that intuits the infinity of Being, and imparts such Divine Bliss that we sense it can only be coming from God. This book is a collection of fragments gleaned from the experience of Presence. They are given here to help the reader be present, and grow in contemplative prayer.

With its irresistible combination of form and function, wicker basketry has captivated artisans for hundreds of years. Use these timeless techniques to make elegant and practical baskets for modern use. Whether you are a beginner or experienced weaver, illustrated step-by-step instructions offer a range of techniques and tips for making both round and oval bases, making handles, preparing to weave, and adding color. Projects include a simple plant basket, a bread basket with beads, a lidded sewing basket, and a large double-handled shopping basket. A glossary of basketry terms, a listing of suppliers, and instructions for designing your own basket is included. This book is great for weavers and crafters of all skill.

American Baskets is the first book to offer a comprehensive overview of an art form that is ten thousand years old. Basketmaking is the most basic of all crafts in its methods and material, and its development reflects specifically local traditions. Here, author Robert Shaw ("the information source on major U.S. crafts" -- "Booklist) examines the craft's history and artistry throughout the country and through various periods. Once among the most common of household objects, handmade baskets have a cachet that has never been equaled. Despite the fact that the American artisan basket has all but disappeared from daily use (the baskets that we have in our homes today are either made from synthetic materials, often by machine, or imported from overseas where labor is cheap), the genuine example of a handcrafted basket is highly prized as a beautiful and valuable object. Baskets are fixtures in the popular style of country decorating, and collectors search out fine antiques as well as outstanding contemporary basket creations. American Baskets celebrates the treasures of yesterday while exploring the work of many of the fine artists who labor over the art form today. Beautifully photographed and exhaustively researched, American Baskets analyzes the influences of both Native Americans and early settlers, including the Aleuts and Hopi as well as the Quakers and Pennsylvania Dutch. The significant contributions of early African-American East Coast culture and the rich heritage of rural Appalachia are also discussed. Paying special attention to the collectible aspect of the American basket, Robert Shaw investigates every type of basket indigenous to this country: ash splint farmbaskets, rattan "lightship" baskets, rye straw baskets, African-American rush baskets, and more. A resource guide listing museums that house basket exhibits, antiques dealers and auction houses that sell high-quality pieces, and traditional basket artisans and organizations completes the elegant package.

Add That Certain Je Ne Sais Quoi to Your Home, Effortlessly Rustic and elegant French décor never goes out of style—and with easy yet sophisticated accessories for your home, these 70 projects will transform your space and add that special touch to any room. Jamie Lundstrom’s projects use easy-to-find and recycled objects, as well as new materials, to bring her French vintage style into your life. Projects span every season and category, from sewing to painting and upholstery, including provincial antique baskets, a fantastique Trumeau mirror, a jolie gold leaf frame, boutique plaster of Paris–dipped flowers and a chic antique chair. Featuring simple step-by-step instructions with beautiful photos to help guide you, these projects can be created in just a few hours or less.

"Contemporary wicker baskets first presents you with the basics--tools and materials, weaving techniques, bases, borders, handles, and lids--with easy-to-follow instructions, detailed illustrations, and helpful how-to photographs. Then use what you learn to make any or all the 30 magnificent wicker baskets in the project section."--p. [4] of cover.

~Over 50 easy to follow step by step projects~Includes a list of all tools and materials needed to complete all of the projects in the book~Over 900 colour photographs~There's tips and advice on working with wood~Includes a suppliers' web directory~Includes projects for the laundry room, the kitchen, the attic, the garden and more!

Includes how-to information.

Handmade Style is a thoughtful collection of a variety of sewing projects to stretch your skills and keep you enjoying the process of creating throughout the year. Each project builds upon the other and is designed to help any sewist create a complete cohesive handmade simple and sophisticated look.

· Learn the methods to the art of traditional rib basket weaving · Features 15 classic folk basket patterns, including egg, potato, and Appalachian baskets · Provides 3 complete projects with step-by-step instructions and photography · Focuses on proper techniques instead of just the how-to on an intermediate level · Author Lora Irish is an accomplished artist and maker of many trades