Books published by publisher Search Press

An easy to follow guide to producing beautiful Japanese braids using Kumihimo disks and plates; templates for which are printed on the cover flap ready to be cut out and used. There is advice on the yarns or threads to use, arranging the threads on the disk or plate, producing many different types of braid, braiding with beads, finishing off and using the braids to make bracelets, necklaces, bag handles and much more.

This easy-to-follow book teaches the reader how to draw a wonderful variety of mandalas using very simple steps. Well-known doodler Ann Marie Irvine, owner of AnnsDoodles.com, includes a good selection of simple and more complex mandala designs. From flowers to seashells, even beginners will soon be able to create great drawings using these illustrations as a guide. Numerous examples of Anns drawings can be seen on her website, which she set up in 2007, and her work is available to buy from her Facebook page (www.facebook.com/Annsd00dles) and from Etsy (www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Annsdoodles).

Geoff Kersey shows people who have never picked up a paintbrush how to paint convincing watercolour landscapes using just 3 colours, 3 brushes, a plastic palette and a watercolour pad. Only 3 affordable Students’ range watercolour paints are used: light red, cadmium yellow pale and ultramarine blue; yet from these, Geoff shows how 9 realistic watercolour scenes can be painted. There is no colour theory or long-winded mixing information to put off the first-time painter, but a practical absolute beginner's course that shows the three colours in action. Only 3 affordable brushes are needed: no. 10, no. 4 and no. 2 rounds in a synthetic range, to achieve all of the paintings shown. Starting from the simplest of scenes, Geoff Kersey builds skills through 9 easy exercises, resulting in landscapes to be proud of. Start with a simple sky and progress through a basic scene with a reflected sunset, to landscapes that include simple buildings and even a figure. Clear advice and step-by-step photographs show how to add a simple figure to a scene and how to trace and transfer the basic drawings from the finished paintings, which are shown full size in the book for this purpose. Readers have everything they need to get painting.

Tim Fisher makes the most of the superbly versatile qualities of acrylics and demonstrates his own innovative and inspiring techniques for painting a gorgeous selection of popular flowers. The reader learns how to select the right paints and the best brushes for the great range of techniques, including negative painting, masking, washes, impasto methods, texturing and much more. There are richly illustrated sections on using colour and sketching and planning paintings, and many handy tips throughout. A fantastic book for artists of all skill levels who want to create atmosphere, experiment with colour and paint accomplished, beautiful paintings.

This is a practical and comprehensive guide for all oil painting enthusiasts, from the beginner to the experienced artist. Starting with advice on materials, painting from photographs, colour and composition, it goes on to describe basic and more advanced techniques such as wet on wet, wet on dry, scumbling, dry brush, sgraffito, impasto and glazing and the wonderful effects they can produce. For those wanting to avoid the use of smelly additives like turpentine or white spirit, there is a section on water mixable oils. For readers who would like to see quick results, there is a section on instant oil painting, or painting in an intuitive, spontaneous way. Easy to follow step-by-step demonstrations show the reader how to paint landscapes, sea and sky, still life and flowers, and each section is accompanied by a selection of inspirational paintings by the four featured artists, in a rich variety of styles.

Ruth Issett is passionate about colour, and in this exciting and vibrant book she explores the use of colour through her own work as a textile artist, designer and embroiderer. The clear and informative text coupled with numerous examples of Ruth's work make this not only a comprehensive guide for artists, designers and students with an interest in the use of colour in textile work, but also a beautiful 'must-have' book for anyone who simply loves colour. Throughout the book the reader is encouraged to experiment with and, above all, enjoy colour and the challenges it offers. It begins with detailed coverage of the range of colouring media and surfaces available to the contemporary textile artist and how these can be used with print and stitch. There follows an inspirational journey through all aspects of colour, including colour mixing; adding tiny touches of colour; achieving intensity, vibrancy and depth; working with opacity, transparency and translucency; colour selection and combination; and working with a limited palette.

Things No One Will Tell Fat Girls is a manifesto and call to arms for women of all sizes and ages. With smart and spirited eloquence, veteran blogger Jes Baker calls on women to be proud of their bodies, fight against fat-shaming, and embrace a body-positive worldview to change public perceptions and help women maintain mental health. With the same straightforward tone that catapulted her to national attention when she wrote a public letter addressing the sexist comments of Abercrombie & Fitch's CEO, Jes shares personal experiences along with in-depth research in a way that is approachable, digestible, and empowering. Featuring notable guest authors, Things No One Will Tell Fat Girls is an invitation for all women to reject fat prejudice, learn to love their bodies, and join the most progressive, and life-changing revolution there is: the movement to change the world by loving their bodies.

Macramé is back with a fresh, new style. Claire Rougerie guides the reader through 9 lessons accompanied by easy step-by-step instructions and diagrams. There are 29 original and colourful designs to make including jewellery, bags, accessories and various ideas for embellishing your outfits. The designs are both chic and bohemian combining a retro sixties style with a more modern look.

A comprehensive course in landscape painting with acrylics by popular author and tutor Charles Evans. Charles' no-nonsense techniques and engaging writing style bring acrylic painting within the grasp of anyone keen to get started in this versatile and popular medium.The book begins with excellent advice for the beginner, including easy drawing for painting, composition, easy perspective, light and shade, colour, and how to use acrylics with different painting styles. There are six full step-by-step painting projects ranging from simple skies to snowy landscapes with horses, each of which is supported by additional exercises and techniques. The tracings are available to download and print with the ebook edition - see inside for more details!The step-by-step projects allow aspiring artists to put into practice their new-found skills, and produce six stunning paintings of their own, in a range of styles. A pull-out outline drawing is provided for every project, and Charles shows how to transfer these onto the painting surface. Charles' accessible and irreverent style makes learning to paint with acrylics easy and fun.

Knitting double, also known as double knitting, is a technique by which two fabrics are knitted simultaneously on one pair of needles to create a single, reversible piece of knitting. This book explains the technique thoroughly using clear, step-by-step instructions, numerous photographs, diagrams and appealing projects, and is ideal for knitters wishing to expand their repertoire and explore new ideas. There are more than 30 projects to choose from, starting with basic patterns such as hats and scarves and moving on to more detailed designs that include mittens, pot holders, socks and baby blankets, providing ideas and inspiration for those new to double knitting as well as more experienced knitters.

Search Press Little Quilts & Gifts Book- Choose from 30 gorgeous little quilts and gifts, all made from your Jelly Roll scraps. Try your hand at 15 stunning quilt designs, each created using a different patchwork pattern or quilting style, or make a range of 15 beautiful gifts for friends and family to treasure, cushions, tablemats, toys and tablet cases. All the essential techniques are covered, including basic cutting and stitching, layering, quilting and binding. 127 pages in a soft cover.