1000 Glass Beads
Innovation & Imagination in Contemporary Glass Beadmaking
Lark

They’re the very best in contemporary glass beadmaking, 1000 dazzling and unique examples by an international array of artists. This color survey has it all: the beads come single or in multiples, in jewelry or sculptural pieces, flameworked and kilnformed; and their diversity and beauty are amazing. Julia Skop’s intriguing Secret Surprise showcases clear glass beads with millefiori slices at the ends. Bruce St. John crafts his beads out of diachroic glass, then fuses and coldworks them at the lapidary well after completion. Nebula Black Necklace, from Rene Roberts, features an organic-looking focal bead adorned with fine metal leaf, glass shards, and a subtle dot decoration. An artist’s comment and detail image accompany many of the photos. A Selection of the Crafters Choice Book Club.

1000 Rings
Inspiring Adornments for the Hand
Lark

Diverse, extensive, and incredibly beautiful, this awe-inspiring collection features the most magnificent rings ever. With designs that range from the traditional to the very avant-garde, each of the 1,000 examples is an exceptional work of art, finely crafted by the best contemporary jewelers. Rob Jackson mixes antique industrial elements (a 100-year-old wrought iron nail) with radiant 20-karat gold and a glowing ruby for a dynamic visual contrast. Tomomi Arat’s collection, Treasure from Under the Sea, captures the exoticism of ocean life: he uses pearls, enamel, and sand to create rings that look as if they were chiseled directly out of a coral reef. Among the prestigious artisans represented: Arline M. Fisch, Michael Zobel, Katja Prins, Paul Preston, and Bruce Metcalf.

400 Polymer Clay Designs
A Collection of Dynamic & Colorful Contemporary Work
Lark

Unique creations by top artists such as Nan Roche, Cynthia Toops, Barbara McGuire, and Gwen Gibson make this the best showcase of polymer clay work ever assembled. With everything from jewelry and vessels to art dolls and sculptures displayed in superb color photos, the versatility and beauty of the medium is exquisitely evident. Mosaics, millefiori, canework, and molded, stamped, and embossed pieces: there’s a little bit of everthing to please the eye. Dayle Dorowshaw’s magical Egyptian Spell Book features carvings and image transfers that blend seamlessly with gold leaf, candles, branches, and silver. Luann Udell’s faux-ivory artifacts take their inspiration from the prehistoric art in France’s Lascaux Caves. It’s the largest—and finest—book of contemporary polymer art available anywhere.

400 Wood Boxes
The Fine Art of Containment & Concealment
Lark

Featuring 400 outstanding works that range from traditional to wildly contemporary, this superb gallery celebrates the art of the wooden box. The wonderfully wide variety of styles includes traditional jewelry and keepsake, turned, and tool boxes; miniature treasure chests; and sculptural work. Each one has been personally chosen by renowned boxmaker Tony Lydgate, and appears in an exquisite color plate; many of the boxes also come with detailed images that reveal important construction secrets. The selection includes pieces by a distinguished group of artists.

500 Animals in Clay
Contemporary Expressions of the Animal Form
Lark

No other volume has ever presented such a diverse and captivating collection of contemporary animal-themed ceramics. Juried by distinguished artist and educator Joe Bova, this magnificent gallery includes pieces from an international group of artists; the beautifully crafted works range from the representational to the abstract, from artful realism to provocative surrealism (including animal-human hybrids). Ann Marais’ image of a waterfowl painted onto a porcelain dish has a restrained, Asian quality. Sharkus’ painted and smoke-fired stoneware turtle could easily be mistaken for the living creature. Bova provides astute and illuminating commentary overall, with selected artists’ notes.

500 Baskets
A Celebration of the Basketmaker's Art
Lark

From the best artisans in the craft comes the basketmaker’s dream collection!
 
Embracing a breathtaking range of new techniques, styles, and materials, beautiful basketry offers more options than ever before. And these 500 exquisite artisan pieces will open crafters' eyes to the varied and wonderful possibilities. These baskets, made by top creators from around the world--including Ed Rossbach, Michael Davis, Lillian Elliot, Gyongy Laky, Patti Lechman, and Mary Giles--as well as the best emerging newcomers, range from exquisitely functional to purely decorative, from classical to ultramodern. In addition to traditional twill, rattan, and reed, the artists have incorporated more unusual objects, such as plastic, paper, thread, and metal wire--even seeds, fish scales, and newspaper. Basketmakers, collectors, students, and anyone who loves beautiful items will delight in these masterworks.

500 Beaded Objects
New Dimensions in Contemporary Beadwork
Lark

Celebrate the amazing evolution of beadwork from a simple craft to expressive art. Every stunning sculpture, vessel, figure, loomed and woven work, free-form installation, and piece of jewelry shown here in glorious color photos is gallery-quality and thoroughly unique. Jennifer Maestre’s intricate, swooping pencil-point bead sculptures explore form, motion, and space. A. Kimberlin Blackburn has fashioned lush Hawaiian Island scenes out of glass beads and hand-carved wood. The ever-innovative David K. Chatt has entries ranging from the pointed commentary, White Men in Suits, to vivid jewelry. For a little humor, try Valeria Harlow’s masterful Toe Mangler, a testament to every woman who has ever suffered in uncomfortable shoes. This amazing collection is truly state-of-the-art.

500 Bowls
Contemporary Explorations of a Timeless Design
Lark

Five hundred inspiring variations on the simple, functional bowl will fire any potter's imagination. Displayed on each page are bowls that reinvent and reinterpret the form, and use techniques from across the globe and through the centuries. More importantly, every piece, such as Kate Maury's wheel-thrown porcelain, Stephen F. Fabrico's slab-built bowl with handles, and Ruchika Madan's stoneware Fruit Bowl, testifies to the artist's boundless inventiveness. Captions give each bowl's size, with details on its material and glazes.

500 Bracelets
An Inspiring Collection of Extraordinary Designs
Lark

Never before has such a diverse collection of fine contemporary bracelets been assembled, showcasing hundreds of renowned international jewelers. Materials range from the most precious metals and gems to paper and plastic, and the varied techniques include forging, casting, weaving, and and surface embellishments. Among the featured creators: Abrasha, who contributes a Royal Pachinko Ball Bracelet; Sharon Portelance, who called her work Wrist Corsage: Ever Present; and Felieke Van Der Leest's amusingly named Hare O'Harix and His 6 Carrots. Whether you're an expert jeweler, a collector, a student, or simply someone who loves beautiful objects, these one-of-kind pieces will astound you.

500 Brooches
Inspiring Adornments for the Body
Lark

Never before has such an extensive and beautiful collection of brooches been assembled, or photographed to such perfection. Marjorie Simon, a distinguished presence in the jewelry field, chose the pieces, and every one features the fine craftsmanship of a top contemporary jeweler. The breathtaking and provocative styles range from traditional to very avant-garde, and the brooches come not only in gold, silver, copper, and wire, but also in glass, porcelain, paper, and other more unusual materials. They're forged, soldered, chased, and cast, and surface embellishments run the gamut from enamel and metal foils to patinas and inlay. In some cases, detail images and artist's comments accompany the full-size photos. Jewelers, students, collectors, and anyone who loves exquisite items will appreciate the amazing diversity on display here.

500 Ceramic Sculptures
Contemporary Practice, Singular Works
Lark

The successful 500 series shines a spotlight on today’s most breathtaking ceramic sculptures. Selected from more than 8,000 entries by the distinguished art critic, historian, and professor Glen R. Brown—an elected member of the International Academy of Ceramics in Geneva—these exquisite works will inspire both beginning and professional ceramists, as well as collectors and enthusiasts. They include Esther Shimazu’s hand-built, Asian-influenced nudes; Von Venhuizen’s mixed-media, wheel-thrown stoneware, and Katy’s Rush’s slip-cast and press-molded porcelain. Every work is amazing.

500 Chairs
Celebrating Traditional & Innovative Designs
Lark

These chairs aren’t made just for sitting down! They’re pieces of art meant to delight the eyes, stretch the imagination, and occasionally tickle the fancy. From classic forms to groundbreaking creations from modern innovators, this newest entry in the 500 series presents a dazzling collection of contemporary chairs from today’s leading furniture makers. Internationally recognized furniture designer Craig Nutt has selected the breathtaking examples—by such respected names as Sam Maloof (a walnut rocking chair), Garry Knox Bennett (two ladderback chairs), and Andrew Muggleton (his “Balustrade Chaise”)—and they’re breathtaking. Judy Kensley McKie contributes a cool “Monkey Chair” in walnut and bronze, with arms shaped like these playful animals. And Gord Peteran’s wittily named “Electric Chair” comes in tubular steel…and features a lightbulb!

500 Cups
Ceramic Explorations of Utility & Grace
Lark

In the hands of an expert ceramist, the once-simple cup can become an extraordinary work of art--as these 500 magnificent examples so beautifully prove. The exciting pieces come from an international array of artists, each with a unique perspective. The stylishly varied collection has a little bit of everything: the cups range from handbuilt to wheel-thrown, practical to sculptural, round to square. Benjamin Schulman's "Stacked Teacup Set" takes a strictly functional approach, while Heather O'Brien's "Dessert Cups on Stand" focuses on aesthetic form rather than usefulness. Annette Gates' "Espresso Shot Cups with Rubies" has a surface design of simple abstract lines and dots of glaze and jewels. Some are whimsical, others starkly conceptual. Every one is a treat for the eye.

500 Earrings
New Directions in Contemporary Jewelry
Lark

Poring through the beautiful images in this exquisite gallery of earrings is like stepping inside a jewelry store filled with remarkable pieces from the finest contemporary jewelers. Juried by award-winning designer Alan Revere, the earrings range from the classic to the avant-garde, and come from an international array of artists, including Cynthia Eid, Rachelle Thiewes, and Jeff and Susan Wise. Their materials include not only traditional gold, sterling silver, copper, and wire, but also more unusual items such as glass, plastic, porcelain, and paper. The earrings are forged, soldered, chased, and cast, with surface embellishments that run the gamut from enamel and metal foils to patinas and inlay. Expert jewelers, students, artists, and everyone who appreciates fine craftsmanship will enjoy this collection.

500 Enameled Objects
A Celebration of Color on Metal
Lark

The classic art of enameling is experiencing a well-deserved renaissance—and it’s stunningly captured in this lovingly curated survey. More than 300 international contemporary artists have contributed museum-worthy pieces, which range in scale from David C. Freda’s Green Slipper Brooch and Harlan W. Butt’s Maine Teapot to large sculptures and public art. Some of the creators take a minimalist approach, using only soft colors and matte finishes, while others exploit the material’s vibrant palette and glass-like surface. The broad technical applications include everything from simple sifting and torch firing to complex cloisonné and plique-à-jour.

500 Figures in Clay
Ceramic Artists Celebrate the Human Form
Lark

It’s an absolutely unequalled photographic gallery: no other book has ever presented such a varied, captivating collection of contemporary ceramics based on the human form. The works range from representational to abstract, from artful realism to provocative surrealism, and many of them come from leaders in the field such as Judy Fox, Kurt Weiser, and Andy Nasisse. Kay Yourist has produced female forms that are smooth, minimalist vessels with only the slightest hint of breasts and belly. The simple, rounded features of Diane Lublinski’s black-and-white figures possess a fun, clown-like whimsy. Michael A. Prather’s mournful ceramic portraits have frowning faces and pointed dunce-like heads in a muted color palette. Many of the ceramics come with detail images and illuminating artist’s commentary.

500 Glass Objects
A Celebration of Functional & Sculptural Glass
Lark

On display: the most magnificent collection of handmade glass creations ever assembled!
 
Handmade glass objects are taking the craft world by storm with their great variety and beauty. Juried by Maurine Littleton, a gallery owner and distinguished presence in the studio-glass field, these 500 outstanding pieces capture the finest work done by top artisans worldwide. Cast your eye over flameworked goblets, cast vases, blown cups, and fused and slumped bowls. Jane Lee's stoneware Rainbow Bowl is a symphony of brilliant color, while Keith Weiss-Cole's graceful furnace-blown Sculpture of Two glows with light. The magnificent techniques on display include mosaics, enameling, engraving, carving, and etching, and the unique shapes and eye-catching designs will amaze any art or craft lover.

500 Handmade Books
Inspiring Interpretations of a Timeless Form
Lark

Interest in bookbinding and the related arts has exploded in the past decade, inspiring artists to explore the unlimited possibilities of the form—and delighting collectors, crafters, and gallery owners. Lark’s Cover to Cover has been a bestseller for more than ten years, and this new and provocative on-the-page gallery, richly illustrated with hundreds of breathtaking photographs, will appeal to that same large and discerning audience. They’ll appreciate the artistry of a finely tooled leather cover, embellished with traditional gold-leaf lettering; the intricacy of an exotic Ethiopian binding with a show-stopping open spine; and others that resemble mysterious puzzle boxes, or that curl, hang, and swirl. The sublimely talented contributors all put their finest work on display: Jeanne Germani’s Cloudspeak showcases her own handmade papers, made from such varied materials as recycled denim, thistle, and other plant matter. Chris Bivin’s codex-style volume features curious, tiny, found objects. One of Laura Wait’s untitled pieces utilizes a handsome raised-cord binding to connect a pair of stained-cedar covers with abstract aluminum letterforms attached.
The entire collection is juried by the esteemed Steve Miller.

500 Handmade Dolls
Modern Explorations of the Human Form
Lark

Contemporary and unique, these handmade creations range from representational to abstract, from skillful realism to provocative surrealism—and they’re made from every conceivable material, including beads, gourds, and polymer clay. Juror Akira Blount, a pioneer in the “art doll” movement, incorporates vines, twigs, and carved wood in her fabric dolls; with their expressionless faces and closed eyes, they appear absorbed by inner worlds. Dutch artist Marlaine Verhelst’s porcelain designs seem to have sprung straight from a medieval painting. Chris Chomick’s strange and slightly scary figures feature amazing detail and elaborate costumes. Dollmakers, crafters, collectors, and anyone who loves beautiful objects will love the amazing diversity showcased here.

500 Knives
Celebrating Traditional & Innovative Designs
Lark

Contemporary knifemakers are far more daring than their counterparts from as recently as a generation ago: they’ve become masters of new techniques and technologies, experts in reinterpreting form and function to create sculptural works of art. Flip through this amazing on-the-page gallery, and you’ll discover a dizzying array of styles, from ones that demonstrate simple elegance to others that feature over-the-top embellishment. The collection includes daggers, kitchen knives, hunting knives, combat and folding knives, switchblades, multi-blades, swords, axes, tomahawks, and even a pistol-knife—all honed with fine creative vision.

500 Metal Vessels
Contemporary Explorations of Containment
Lark

Juried by Fred Fenster, a distinguished presence in the field, 500 Metal Vessels features page after page of superbly crafted bowls, teapots, vases, chalices, urns, and other exquisite handmade hollowware. Made from diverse metals and techniques (forging, raising, casting, forming, soldering, and welding), these eye-catching pieces also display gorgeous applied surface embellishments, from enamel to repoussé. Explore Sarah Perkin’s luminous enamel bowls; the monumental vessels, made by Kim Cridler out of unassuming steel rods; and the work of Tom Ferrero, whose fascination with architecture and Gothic forms inspired his meticulous surface designs.

500 Necklaces
Contemporary Interpretations of a Timeless Form
Lark

More artists make necklaces than any other form of jewelry—and these pieces are among the most exquisite ever created. Selected from over 5,000 entries, they range from unique chokers to artful collars. Some showcase precious metals and gems, while others use more unusual materials, including plastic, wood, paper, and glass. They’re forged, cast, and woven, and have surface embellishments that run the gamut from inlay to enameling. And the variety is simply astonishing: Classic bejeweled chains appear next to avant-garde felted wool constructions. Some of the eye-catching, full-color images feature enlightening quotes from the creators themselves. Jewelers, students, collectors, and anyone who loves beautiful objects will treasure this extensive collection—the largest of its kind.

500 Pendants & Lockets
Contemporary Interpretations of Classic Adornments
Lark

One look at these breathtaking suspended neck ornaments, and it’s clear why Lark’s series of jewelry design books has become so wildly popular. Every pendant is a masterful work of art, whether it’s symbolic and purposeful (amulets, talismans, and charms) or purely decorative.  Juried by Mike Holmes and Elizabeth Shypertt, co-founders of the esteemed jewelry gallery Velvet da Vinci, this beautiful color collection includes pieces crafted from diverse materials and techniques (including forging, casting, forming, and stone setting). “Fecund,” Tricia Lachowiec’s intricate construction of oxidized sterling silver, electroformed copper, enamel, and resin, is every bit as luscious as its title suggests. In “0210,” Seth Papac constructs a ghostly and atmospheric cityscape out of poplar wood, architectural siding, and building materials, as well as gold, silver, and elastic. Jane Adam’s signature use of softly colored aluminum always astounds, and decidedly so in “Flower Pendant” with its multiple fronds of gracefully arching metal.
Jewelers, metalsmiths, and collectors will all find inspiration in these one-of-a-kind works.

500 Pitchers
Contemporary Expressions of a Classic Form
Lark

500 stunning pitchers…endless inspiration for the creative potter.
 
Think you know what a pitcher looks like? Well, picture this: a salt- and soda-fired stoneware piece with boldly sensuous lines or a slab-built "oil can," wood-fired to mimic the appearance of rust. Never before has there been such an extensive and remarkable collection of ceramic pitchers that simply redefines the art. Juried by Terry Gess, this provocative color gallery presents 500 breathtaking images that include everything from handbuilt to wheel-thrown, practical to sculptural, round to square. A matte-black sake pitcher whispers simplicity of form. The irresistible surface of an Asian-inspired porcelain piece features stenciled motifs and luminous gold luster. One pitcher's geometric lines are so dramatic that it's a challenge to distinguish the handle from the spout. Whatever the approach, the results are all magnificent.

500 Plastic Jewelry Designs
A Groundbreaking Survey of A Modern Material
Lark

The popular 500 series takes its hippest, most fun approach yet, with an intoxicatingly vibrant and technically diverse collection of contemporary jewelry. Juror Susan Kasson Sloan has put together a groundbreaking survey of the best work being done with this thoroughly modern material.

500 Plates & Chargers
Innovative Expressions of Function & Style
Lark

Plates and chargers can serve as more than just places to put your food: they can be glorious art to show off on a table, sideboard, or hutch. These 500 spectacular pieces chosen by esteemed juror Linda Arbuckle range from the utilitarian yet beautifully glazed plate to dramatically decorated work, and they’re crafted from a remarkable variety of materials—including pristine porcelain and bold earthenware. Nick Joerling’s stoneware is the perfect canvas for a design: vigorous brush strokes set in wax resist race across its attractive surface. Kelly McKibben’s hand-built Going for a Stroll showcases delicately inlaid and silk-screened images. The stunning gallery provides a unique and wide-ranging snapshot of contemporary ceramic arts.

500 Tables
Inspiring Interpretations of Function and Style
Lark

These 500 tables are more than just practical places to set a coffee cup or notepad; they’re inspired works of art. Esteemed juror Andrew Glasgow has selected a wide array of styles and forms, from pieces that showcase masterful woodwork to ones that feature alternative materials and aesthetic sensibilities. The striking examples include Gord Peteran¹s end table fashioned from swirling red electrical wire, Boris Bally¹s small square transit table made of recycled aluminum traffic signs, and Stephen Whittlesey's "Eddy," which uses driftwood, salvaged oak, and chestnut. More than 300 artists are featured, and every work offers readers stunning craftsmanship, constant surprise, and beauty.

500 Teapots
Contemporary Explorations of a Timeless Design
Lark

It’s a fabulous source book with 500 of the most creative teapots ever. From handbuilt to wheel-thrown, functional to sculptural, traditional to funky, there’s a bit of everything in this artistic celebration. Some find inspiration in classic Asian designs. Others take a figurative approach. Still more look to the natural world. Browse through a variety of surface treatments, from intricate carved forms to narrative painted patterns.

500 Tiles
An Inspiring Collection of International Work
Lark

From press-molded pieces to carved works showcasing spectacular surface treatments, these magnificent tiles will inspire beginners and professionals, as well as collectors and enthusiasts. Some of the larger handcrafted displays here were made to decorate public and private spaces; others use single tiles to interpret nature, tell a story, or make a bold cultural observation. As always in this acclaimed series, all the contributors are accomplished artists, renowned in the field. Mary Lynn Buss creates the ultimate kitchen backsplash: a field of mosaic-tiled long-necked irises. Peter King and his wife and working partner Xinia Marín fashion large, expressively rendered, and sculptural installations. And Melody Ellis’s low-relief earthenware tiles pack intriguing narratives into every tile.

500 Wedding Rings
Celebrating a Classic Symbol of Commitment
Lark

Wedding rings symbolize commitment and eternal love—but in the hands of the world’s most creative jewelers they become works of art to interpret in endlessly intriguing ways. This breathtaking book, which showcases a stunning collection of contemporary, handmade wedding bands and engagement rings for men and women, shows just how far their imaginations can go. Masterfully set diamonds stand alongside conceptual designs that reflect a cutting-edge approach, such as Etienne Perret’s ring made for two fingers. The large gems in James Kaya’s sleek platinum setting, by contrast, seem almost suspended in air; it’s the tension of the surrounding metal that holds them in place. For jewelers in search of new ideas, and those about to whisper “I do,” these designs provide beautiful inspiration.

500 Wood Bowls
Bold & Original Designs Blending Tradition & Innovation
Lark

The bowl is one of the most traditional forms, but contemporary artists who work in wood understand that it has tremendous potential. These 500 exquisite examples, many by pioneering artisans, show just how much the bowl has been “reinvented” by craftpeople all over the world as both an iconic object and as a departure for self-expression. On display are a wide range of woodworking approaches, from chisel to chainsaw to router to bandsaw. Some have carvings on the suface; others feature paint and mixed media; while many more stay close to what nature provided, with the wood simply sanded and sealed. The talented creators include James Prestini, Bob Stocksdale, Rude Osolnik, Mel Lindquist, Ed Moulthrop, Mark Lindquist, David Ellsworth, and William Hunter.