Creating useful and decorative pieces with natural materials is extremely enjoyable and satisfying. Many of the projects in this book can be achieved by those with little or no weaving experience, and there are projects that require some previous weaving knowledge for those who want to extend their weaving repertoire or who like a challenge. From delicate cords for jewellery to rugged hefty thick ropes used in outdoor art, from useful bottle carriers and decorative flask holders to toys for children and pets, window blinds and table runners, mobiles and fiery dragons, or Taniwha, this book shows how basic weaving, knotting and plaiting techniques can be used for the creation of any number of useful, fun, and beautiful items with wide appeal. With its strength, durability, flexibility while green and hardness when dry, New Zealand flax is an ideal material for weavers to create practical items as well as decorative pieces. As a sustainable and biodegradable resource, it is a perfect weaving material for a world with too much plastic.

This is a beautifully presented book featuring some stunning images and concise accounts of the concepts and values of traditional and contemporary Maori weaving. Featuring some of New Zealand's foremost Maori expert weavers, The Eternal Thread: The Art of Maori Weaving celebrates innovation and development of weaving and plaiting as art forms in modern times while acknowledging the technology developed by weavers through the past centuries.

The Effortless Floral Craftsman is a picture filled How-to and Why-to guide that systematically builds up design skills with practical advice and techniques for creative floral designers and nature lovers who craft with plant material to take their flower arrangements and designs to the next level.

The history and use of New Zealand's native plants A guide and gift book in equal measure, this treasure of a book pays homage to New Zealand's native plant species. The Meaning of Trees tells the story of plants and people in Aotearoa New Zealand. Beautifully illustrated with botanical drawings, paintings and photographs, it shows us how a globally unique flora has been used for food, medicine, shelter, spirituality and science. From Jurassic giants to botanical oddballs - these are our wonderful native and endemic plants, in an exquisite hardback edition.

Anyone can learn to plait a kete whakairo from the long blades of harakeke, commonly known as New Zealand flax. This book Kete Whakairo plaiting flax for beginners gives detailed, step by step instructions and illustrations for plaiting a beginner's version of this type of kete. Margaret Rose Ngawaka first became interested in her native craft of plaiting when a group of tutors were invited to teach women in a small northern community on Great Barrier Island, New Zealand in 1998. Margaret Rose has maintained this traditional art and skill. She continues this folk art of Raranga by teaching others who are interested.

Varieties of flax with location, description and uses.