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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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  • - MORE Projects - NEW Solutions - GROW Vegetables Anywhere
    by Mel Bartholomew & Square Foot Gardening Foundation
    £14.99

  • - Botanical dyes for beautiful textiles
    by India Flint
    £18.99

    Now in paperback, an expert, highly accessible and achievable handbook of ecologically sustainable plant dye methods using renewable resources

  • - Modern geometric designs for throws and accessories
    by Esme (Author) Crick
    £12.99

    Mosaic crochet is a technique that allows you to work two-colour patterns without having to change yarns in one row, and produces incredible modern geometric patterns. This book by crochet designer Esme Crick is the only guide to mosaic crochet and contains 12 blanket designs and 12 spin-off patterns for home accessories.

  • - How to Minimize Waste and Maximize Style
    by Erin Lewis-Fitzgerald
    £11.99

    Mend and customize your old clothes creatively to revitalize your outfits - and save the planet.

  • by Elizabeth Kolbert
    £8.99

  • - Why Humour Is A Superpower At Work And In Life
    by Jennifer Aaker & Naomi Bagdonas
    £13.49

  • - The Definitive Visual History
    by DK
    £18.99

    Suitable for aviation buffs, covering the enduring impact that aircraft has on society as an object of curiosity, a symbol of luxury, and an essential weapon of war, this title is all about the men, machines, and landmark technology behind the iconic aircraft from the Supermarine Spitfire to the Concorde.

  • - Genoa & mainsail trim, spinnaker & gennaker, rig tuning
    by Ivar Dedekam
    £11.99

    A beautifully, uniquely illustrated nautical guide to how to trim your sails and rig for maximum performance. With a revolutionary approach, this guide tackles the practical and realistic elements of tuning your boat, plus the theory of sail aerodynamics.

  • - The History Behind the Epic Fantasy
    by Liz Marsham
    £18.99

    Dive deep into the history of the world's most popular fantasy RPG livestream with the cast of Critical Role in this definitive guide featuring never-before-seen illustrations and photos.From its unassuming beginnings as a casual home game between friends to the role-playing phenomenon it is today, Critical Role has become the stuff of legend. These pages chronicle how a circle of friends who all happen to be talented voice actors built the most-watched tabletop role-playing livestream of all time.Discover dazzling new illustrations and richly written insights into the locations, characters, and adventures featured in the hundreds of episodes across Critical Role's two campaigns, Vox Machina and the Mighty Nein. Go behind the scenes with archival photos and exclusive interviews with Dungeon Master Matt Mercer and the entire Critical Role cast as they explore their characters' most triumphant moments and darkest hours. And celebrate the massive community of Critters who support and expand the show's world through a highlighted tour of the crafts, cosplay, and art they create every day.Featuring a foreword from the cast, lush illustrations, and the inside story you won't find anywhere else, this book is your indispensable guide to Critical Role.The adventure begins!

  • - Science Fiction Wargames in the Ravaged Galaxy
    by Joseph A. (Author) McCullough
    £18.99

    In a galaxy torn apart by the Last War, vast pirate fleets roam from system to system, robbing, extorting, and enslaving. Amidst this chaos, thousands of independent operators - smugglers, relic hunters, freedom fighters, and mercenaries - roam the dead stars in small ships, scratching out a living any way they can.In Stargrave, players take on the role of one of these independent operators, choosing from a range of backgrounds each with their own strengths, weaknesses, and associated powers. Next, players must hire a crew for their ship, recruiting a lieutenant with a unique skill-set and a handful of soldiers, mechanics, hackers, and other specialists. Some captains may even recruit strange alien lifeforms with abilities no humanoid could ever possess. Once the players' crews are assembled, they are ready to dive into a campaign. Over a series of games, their crews will have the chance to carry out a variety of missions - recovering lost technology, stealing data, freeing slaves, and fighting back against the pirate fleets. In time, as the crews gain experience, they will become more powerful and hire more talented specialists. The more they grow, however, the more likely it is that a pirate fleet will take note of their activities and come after them!

  • by Jan Fennell
    £9.49

    You've heard of the Horse Whisperer - now meet the woman who uses similar methods to train dogs.Jan Fennell's remarkable gifts have earned her the nickname "e;the dog listener"e;. Her unique understanding of the canine world and its instinctive language has enabled her to bring even the most desperate and delinquent of dogs to heel.This easy-to-follow guide to understanding Jan's simple techniques draws on her countless case histories of problem dogs - from biters and barkers to bicycle chasers - to show how we can bridge the language barrier that separates man from his best friend.In The Dog Listener Jan shares her secrets, telling us how she grew determined to find a more compassionate alternative to standard "e;obedience"e; training techniques and ultimately how to communicate with canines.

  • by Teresa Goodridge
    £6.99

    Take a stroll down Main Street while coloring your way through a variety of shops and storefronts. Overflowing with nostalgic charm, these 31 illustrations feature scenes of quaint downtown areas.

  • - Analyse your Technique, Prevent Injury, Revolutionize your Training
    by Chris Napier
    £15.49

  • - The one-stop guide to plan, sow, plant, and grow your garden
    by DK
    £18.99

    Introducing 'RHS Complete Gardener's Manual', a comprehensive guide for gardening enthusiasts. This masterpiece is penned by the renowned author, Dk, who has once again outdone himself in the genre of gardening and horticulture. Published in the year 2020, this book is a treasure trove of gardening wisdom and practical tips. It's a one-stop manual that guides you through every step of the gardening process, from understanding the soil and choosing the right plants to designing the garden and maintaining it. The publisher, Dorling Kindersley Ltd, has done an exceptional job in presenting this rich content with clear illustrations and easy-to-follow instructions. The book is written in English and is a must-have for all gardening enthusiasts, whether you're a novice or an expert. Experience the joy of gardening with 'RHS Complete Gardener's Manual' and let your garden bloom with health and beauty.

  • - Through puppyhood and beyond
    by Cesar Millan
    £10.99

    For the millions of people every year who consider bringing a puppy into their lives -- as well as those who have already brought a dog home. Based on Cesar's own detailed experiences raising individual puppies from some of the most popular breeds, How to Raise the Perfect Dog is like having Cesar right beside you. HOW TO RAISE THE PERFECT DOG INCLUDES: what to expect from each stage of your puppy's development/ quick and easy housebreaking, the essentials of proper nutrition, the importance of vaccinating -- and of not over-vaccinating, creating perfect obedience from day one through rules, boundaries, and calm-assertive leadership, how to avoid the most common mistakes owners' make raising puppies and young dogs, and how to correct any issue before it becomes a problem.

  • - A comprehensive guide to mushroom identification
    by Roger Phillips
    £21.99

    'Roger Phillips has written the best mushroom book I know.' Hugh Fearnley-WhittingstallThe culmination of over thirty years' work, Roger Phillips's authoritative and superbly illustrated reference work is packed with the most up-to-date information and original photographs. The essential illustrated mycological encyclopedia, this book is also clear, user friendly and will appeal to a wide range of readers. Unsurpassed in both illustrative and descriptive detail, Mushrooms contains over 1,250 photographs, often showing the specimens in various stages of growth, and includes all the latest botanical and common names as well as current ecological information on endangered species. Having sold more than 750,000 copies in Europe of his previous title on mushrooms, Roger Phillips's Mushrooms once again sets the benchmark. Quite simply, nobody with an interest in the subject can afford to be without this book.

  • - One Hundred Must-See Football Venues
    by Mike Bayly
    £21.99

    British Football's Greatest Grounds offers a bucket list of places to watch football in England, Wales and Scotland as chosen by fans across the world. With beautiful colour images of each ground, this unique book is part guide, part love letter to the history, people and places that showcase the best of our unique football landscape.

  • - A Climber's Journey of Endurance, Risk and Going Beyond Limits to Climb the Dawn Wall
    by Tommy Caldwell
    £11.99

  • - Track Your Past, Order Your Present, Plan Your Future
    by Ryder Carroll
    £9.49

  • - Unlocking the Magic of the Everyday
    by Sharon Blackie
    £9.99

    'Engaging and inspiring, Sharon Blackie's beautiful book will empower people to find wonder in everyday life.' Clover Stroud

  • - 75 routes - north, central and east ranges
    by James Rushforth
    £15.49

    Guidebook to via ferrata routes in the Italian Dolomites covering the northern, central and eastern regions, including Cortina, Fassa, Sesto, Canazei and Corvara, with advice on choosing the best base. Comprehensive route descriptions for 75 graded routes with maps, topos and stunning photography. Part of a 2-volume set.

  • - Lessons I've Learned from the Man Who Made Me a Champion
    by Mike Tyson & Larry Sloman
    £11.99

    The story of the relationship between the most devastating heavyweight boxer in history and the mentor who made him.

  • by Lois Gladys Leppard
    £9.99 - 11.49

    A collection of bestselling Mandie books 6-10 telling of life at the turn-of-the-century; over 6 million sold in the series. Ages 8-13.

  • - (Patterns of Life)
    by Michael Braungart & William McDonough
    £8.99 - 9.49

    In this visionary book, chemist Michael Braungart and architect William McDonough challenge this status quo and put forward a manifesto for an intriguing and radically different philosophy of environmentalism. "Reduce, reuse, recycle".

  • - Rediscovering Nature in the Modern World
    by Sue Stuart-Smith
    £9.49

    'The wisest book I've read for many years ... Much more than a gardening book, much more than a guide to mental health ... Hugely recommended' Stephen Fry

  • - The Story of Makeup
    by Lisa Eldridge
    £17.49

    Makeup, as we know it, has only been commercially available in the last 100 years, but applying decoration to the face and body may be one of the oldest global social practices. In Face Paint, Lisa Eldridge reveals the entire history of the art form, from Egyptian and Classical times up through the Victorian age and golden era of Hollywood, and also surveys the cutting-edge makeup science of today and tomorrow. Face Paint explores the practical and idiosyncratic reasons behind makeup's use, the actual materials employed over generations, and the glamorous icons that people emulate, it is also a social history of women and the ways in which we can understand their lives through the prism and impact of makeup.

  • - The Life & Loss of the RMS Titanic
    by J. Kent Layton, Tad Fitch & Bill Wormstedt
    £21.99

    On the night of 14/15 April 1912, a brandnew, supposedly unsinkable ship, the largest and most luxurious vessel in the world at the time, collided with an iceberg and sank on her maiden voyage. Of the 2,208 people on board, only 712 were saved. The rest either drowned or froze to death in the icy-cold waters of the North Atlantic. How could this 'unsinkable' vessel sink and why did so few of those aboard survive?The authors bring the tragedy to life, telling the story of the ship's design, construction and maiden voyage. The stories of individuals who sailed on her, many previously known only as names on yellowing passenger and crew lists, are brought to light using rarely-seen accounts of the sinking. The stories of passengers of all classes and crewmembers alike, are explored. They tell the dramatic stories of lives lost and people saved, of the rescue ship Carpathia, and of the aftermath of the sinking. Never again would a large passenger liner sail without lifeboats for all. Despite the tragedy, the sinking of the Titanic indirectly led to untold numbers of lives being saved due to new regulations that came into force after the tragedy. Profusely illustrated, including many rare and unique views of the ship and those who sailed on her, this is as accurate and engrossing a telling of the life of the White Star Line's Titanic and her sinking as you will read anywhere. Made special by the use of so many rare survivor accounts from the eye witnesses to that night to remember, the narrative places the reader in the middle of the maiden voyage, and brings the tragic sinking to life as never before.

  • - Techniques and Projects for the Compete Beginner
    by Sian Hamilton
    £8.99

    Discover the art of macrame with 11 projects that are perfect for the beginner and more advanced alike. Projects and techniques have fully illustrated step-by-step instructions that make learning macrame quick and stress free! Projects range from making a simple wall hanging to creating a useful market bag with T-shirt yarn.

  •  
    £12.99

    A route and planning guide for anyone organising a trekking holiday in Nepal including The Great Himalaya Trail

  • - The Complete Coverstitch Sewing Guide
    by Johanna Lundstrom
    £15.99

    The ultimate coverstitch guide to help you master the coverstitch machine and create beautiful, professional-quality, garments. Fully illustrated step-by-step instruction on everything from hemming knits and sewing necklines to jeans making and sewing underwear. Includes chapters on accessories, needles, thread and troubleshooting.

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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