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Crafts & Hobbies

Are you a master of your own craft or just looking for your next hobby? You have come to the right place, because at Tales you find a wide variety of hobby and craft books perfect for both professionals and beginners. Whether you like action and fun found in sports, games and motor vehicles, or you enjoy diving into the more gentle and cozy creative activities and DIYs, you find it here. If you instead like spending time outside we would recommend you to take a look at our selection of books about hobbies within the field of gardening, nature and animals. We have something for every taste. Are you ready to dive into an inspiring universe of crafts and hobbies?
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  • - Sniper Option
    by Geoff Thompson
    £9.49

    A self-defence book aimed to train you to read the body language and ritual of attack and so "stop" your attacker in his tracks by using various tactics. Also covered are "ambush attacks" and "match fighting", with guidelines on how to distinguish and train realistically for action.

  • - 150 Easy Projects
    by John Nelson
    £15.49

    The Big Book of Weekend Woodworking by John Nelson, published in 2005 by Lark Books, U.S., is an essential guide for woodworking enthusiasts. This book encapsulates the passion and expertise of its author, making it a must-have for anyone interested in the craft. The genre is non-fiction, specifically focusing on woodworking and DIY projects. John Nelson, the author, is an expert in his field and he generously shares his knowledge and experience in this comprehensive guide. The Big Book of Weekend Woodworking is not just a book, it's a journey into the art of woodworking. Published by Lark Books, U.S., this book is a testament to their commitment to providing high-quality, informative books. This book is written in English.

  • - A Workbook for Observation and Drawing Plants
    by Margaret Colquhoun
    £14.99

    Features of the book include: a companion guide to plant development round the seasons; numerous illustrations to accompany the text; exercises for observing and for drawing plants; how science can be practised as an art; an introduction to the holistic approach of Johannes Wolfgang Goethe; and further resources and contacts for workshops are listed.

  • by Steven (New York NY) Heller
    £17.99

    The master creator of finely crosshatched illustrations and sinisterly amusing tales, Edward Gorey (American, 1925-2000) got his start in publishing by designing book covers for such New York houses as Doubleday, Grosset & Dunlap, Vintage Books, and later Random House. Today, his prodigious output of hundreds of dust jackets and paperback covers evidences his distinctive flair for design and his extraordinary ability to portray the essence of the books that came his way. Edward Gorey: His Book Cover Art & Design features a broad selection of his work, created from 1953 to 2000. In his essay, Steven Heller offers an insightful overview of Gorey's book cover art and design. He writes, "Successful cover design requires the expertise of an artist, typographer, poster designer, and logo maker. Many book design specialists were incapable of designing a cover or jacket with the same Gorey aplomb, even if they tried."

  • by SparkNotes
    £7.99

  • - People versus Corporate Power
    by Alastair McIntosh
    £10.99

    It is easy to feel helpless in the face of the torrent of information about environmental catastrophes taking place all over the world. In this powerful and provocative book, Scottish writer and campaigner Alastair McIntosh shows how it is still possible for individuals and communities to take on the might of corporate power and emerge victorious. As a founder of the Isle of Eigg Trust, McIntosh helped the beleaguered residents of Eigg to become the first Scottish community ever to clear their laird from his own estate. And plans to turn a majestic Hebridean mountain into a superquarry were overturned after McIntosh persuaded a Native American warrior chief to visit the Isle of Harris and testify at the government inquiry. This extraordinary book weaves together theology, mythology, economics, ecology, history, poetics and politics as the author journeys towards a radical new philosophy of community, spirit and place. His daring and imaginative responses to the destruction of the natural world make Soil and Soul an uplifting, inspirational and often richly humorous read.

  • by J.M. Evans
    £9.49

  • by Ellen Becker
    £15.99

    Gold leaf gilder and restoration artist Ellen Becker brings her years of experience to readers through over 300 full color photos and step-by-step instructions for various gold leafing and restoration techniques through a series of projects.This is the most comprehensive instructional book for gold leafing on the market today.

  • - The Gardener's and Farmer's Guide to Plant Breeding and Seed Saving, 2nd Edition
    by Carol Deppe
    £16.99

    Authoritative and easy-to-understand, Breed Your Own Vegetable Varieties: The Gardener's and Farmer's Guide to Plant Breeding and Seed Saving is the only guide to plant breeding and seed saving for the serious home gardener and the small-scale farmer or commercial grower.

  • by Carlo Goldoni & Lee Hall
    £12.49 - 12.99

    This is a adaptation of Carlo Goldini's 18th century comedy about a wily servant who gets the best of his masters by hook and crook.

  • by Juliette de Bairacli Levy
    £13.49

    Dog and cat owners are becoming increasingly concerned about the safety of processed pet food and the possible side-effects of over-use of antibiotics and hormone treatments This new edition, thoroughly revised and updated, covers Natural Rearing, herbal medicine and disease prevention.

  • by Gregor Tarjan
    £33.49

    A book on cruising catamarans - illustrated with four-color photography and diagrams. From the technical details to the luxurious lifestyle, it covers various aspects of cruising cats. It reviews basic concepts of design, construction, and performance. It discusses the catamaran developments.

  • - Patterns, Projects and Inspirations
    by Susan Briscoe
    £13.49

    Let an expert teach you the traditional craft of Japanese country quilting, ';the perfect simple, low-cost hobby to get you off your phone' (Slate). Sashiko, the traditional Japanese technique of needlework quilting, uses a simple running stitch to create beautiful patterns ideal for patchwork, quilting, and embroidery. Sashiko, pronounced shash-ko, means ';stab stitch' and refers to the small running stitch that is worked to build up hundreds of distinctive decorative patterns. This book begins by exploring the origins of the technique: to strengthen clothes and to make them warmer. The ';Getting Started' section describes everything you need to begin stitching, including selecting suitable fabrics and threads, marking out patterns on the fabric, as well as the stitching technique itself. Ten project chapters show how easy it is to use sashiko patterns to make beautiful items for the home. The sashiko patterns are described in step-by-step detail in the pattern library, showing you exactly how to achieve each individual pattern with ease. Finally, a gallery of work by contemporary Japanese textile artists provides extra inspiration. ';A book I would suggest anyone getting started with sashiko would benefit from having in their library... Susan Briscoe writes with an obvious fondness for Japanese culture.' The Ardent Thread

  • by Albert Jackson
    £21.99

    A completely revised, redesigned and updated edition of the definitive and bestselling woodworker's bible.

  • by Christopher Behrens
    £7.99

    An illustrated board book with a large die-cut circle in its center. Each spread offers a new scene for male readers to-ahem-star in.

  • by A Scarr
    £13.49

    Everything you need to know to create an entire miniature market and realistic produce in polymer clay. Master modeller Angie Scarr creates these lifelike scenes and explains the techniques, such as caning, colour blending and stacking, aided by step-by-step colour photography.

  • - History Facts and Figures from Every Day of the Year
    by Matt Rowson
    £8.99

    Watford FC On This Day revisits all the most magical and memorable moments from the club's rollercoaster history, mixing in a maelstrom of quirky anecdotes and legendary characters to produce an irresistibly dippable Hornets diary. From the club's formation in 1887 to the Premier League era, there's an entry for every day of the year.

  • - A Handbook for Instuctors
    by Jane Wallace
    £13.99

    Learning to ride should be fun, but all too often children can be frightened or put off. This book offers advice, exercises, lesson plans, games and teaching tips to provide variety and sound instruction, plus ideas for making learning to ride an enjoyable, worthwhile and satisfying experience.

  • - A Cultural History
    by Christopher S. Thompson
    £20.99

    Tells the story of the Tour de France since its creation in 1903. This book links the history of the Tour to key moments and themes in French history. It examines the popularity of Tour racers, and explores how their public images have changed.

  • - 50 classic routes exploring the Lakeland Fells
    by Mark Richards
    £14.99

    An inspirational guidebook to 50 memorable walks through the high fells of the Lake District. From the favourite summits of Scafell, Bowfell, Great Gable, the Crinkle Crags, to lesser-known fells, this guide offers only the best walks to explore all that is pure Lakeland. Some of the 50 walks described in is this larger format book are well known classic challenges - such as Scafell Pike and Esk Pike, or the Gable Girdle - while others approach a favourite mountain from a new angle or combine several in a testing way. Each one can be crammed into a single, long day or backpacked over two to spend a little longer in this rugged and addictive landscape. The circular walks are all graded, making this guidebook equally suitable for less experienced walkers looking for new summits and undiscovered areas of the Lake District, as well as experienced walkers looking for a challenging day out on the fells. All routes are illustrated with Harvey maps and the author's pictorial route diagrams.

  • - Get the Most from Your Tools with Shop Projects from Woodworking's Top Experts
    by Woodworker's Journal
    £9.99

    Includes 26 ingenious projects selected from the pages of "Woodworker's Journal", America's woodworking authority. Each one features plans, material lists and instruction and tips. This title contains projects such as: a precision cross-cut jig for the table saw, circle cutting jig for the router, and adjustable box joint jig for the table saw.

  • - Genetics, Conservation and Management
     
    £174.99

    * First book to review all information on Atlantic salmon genetics * Sponsored by Atlantic Salmon Trust and European Union * International team of contributing authors * Carefully integrated and edited landmark title.

  • by James Taylor
    £15.99

    The Rover P5 was the last great representative of traditional British luxury saloon building, with the emphasis firmly on quality rather than sportiness. Its spaciousness, refinement and wood and leather charm still command a considerable classic car following. This book looks at this saloon.

  • by Alice Hart-Davis
    £9.99

    A practical and comprehensive beauty guide for teen girls by an award-winning beauty journalist.

  • - The Essential Photograph Guide to Britain's Fungi
    by Paul Sterry
    £15.49

    Collins Complete Guide to British Muchrooms and Toadstools allows everyone to identify mushrooms found in Britain and Ireland. The book is illustrated with beautiful photographs throughout, featuring the species you are most likely to see.

  • - A Guide to the Edible Plants of Britain
    by Miles Irving
    £28.49

    At any time, in any place, food is there for the taking - if only we knew how and where to look. Many of these plants - nettles, dandelions, fat hen, sorrel - grow so profusely they are considered a nuisance. Foraging was something our ancestors did instinctively - this book truly connects us with our past and our future.

  • by Mark Diacono
    £13.49

    In the fourth River Cottage handbook, Mark Diacono tells us everything we need to know to create our own productive, organic garden, no matter where we live

  • - An Autobiography
    by Andre Agassi
    £9.49

    He is one of the most beloved athletes in history and one of the most gifted men ever to step onto a tennis court - but from early childhood Andre Agassi hated the game.

  • - The Inside Story of Your Car From Leading Motor Magazines
    by Colin Pitt
    £14.49

The advantages of Crafts and Hobbies 
At Tales you find hobby craft books for everyone. The books will allow you to dive into what interests only just you and to expand on your creative skills will evolve you as a human being. It will make it easier for you to concentrate in every situation of life including at your work space. It will also make you more innovative and creative in general - something many jobs require of you today. 
The hobby books are directed to every level and will inspire you to get started or improve the craft that you have fallen in love with. 
In Tales’ selection of Crafts & Hobbies - you could also get inspiration to get more motion or physical activities into your busy everyday life. We all know that exercise is good and healthy for us, but you may have tried all the most common sports(grene) and all the machines at your local fitness center, and concludes that motion was not something for you. In our selection of hobby craft books you find all the inspiration you need to discover new and creative ways of movement. They will make you forget all about motion and sweat and you will instead just enjoy the game, while you actually move your body quite a lot. Exercising is not only good for your physical health, but also your mental health will benefit from it. You improve our attention span and you will have a better capacity to learn new things.  
Another wonderful thing about hobbies is that it can create communities. When you gather around a common interest you can find new friends, who all like the same hobby or craft as you. As part of a creative community you can meet a great diversity of people, who all happen to be interested in the same hobby as you. A social community around a common hobby can also help you on your way to becoming better to your craft. In a community you can spar with each other and learn from each other's experiences both within the field of the specific hobby, but as your friendship grows you can also spare about life in general, maybe while you knit, sew or play. 

Crafts & Hobbies Trends
Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic the focus on DIY and other creative activities you could in a home doing quarantine has grown. Many have taken up their previous interest in sewing or knitting and others discovered the wonders of making their own clothes for the first time. Also in light of the climate crisis many especially young people have an increased focus on sustainability and by sewing your next dress or knitting your next sweater yourself you can also make the clothes making process more sustainable. 
The advantages by making your own clothes is in fact that you can design and make it as you want to. If you are a novice in sewing we would recommend you to follow the guidelines found in a good hobby and crafts book that will guide you every step of the way. The pandemic has also increased the focus on the home and garden, and in our selection you find the hobby books that will help you decorate your home in the best possible way, and guide you on how to get a vigorous garden with lots of flowers and life. 

Hobby crafts scrapbooks
Tales’ selection also counts hobby crafts scrapbooks. The scrapbooks either guide or invite you to fill out different creative tasks in order to remember some of life’s biggest events. You can for example get inspiration for how to best remember your wedding in the hobby crafts scrapbook Our Wedding Scrapbook. The scrapbook is a beautifully illustrated guide on how to gather all the wonderful and overwhelming first wedded memories in a well-arranged and pretty package of a book. 

Hobbycrafts sketchbooks
It can sometimes be hard to keep track of all your creative ideas, and that is why a hobbycrafts sketchbook is a good to have. In a sketch book you can collect all your different ideas both through text, illustrations and pictures and have them all assembled in one place, and have them at hand at all times. Who knows, when they might come in handy? You can for example find the popular Moleskine series in Tales’ selection of Crafts & Hobbies. The Moleskine notebooks are perfect as hobbycrafts sketchbooks and they come in a world of variations and colors. 

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