Despite what seems like common sense, John and I like to keep our retail network small and personal. We enjoy working with people who share our philosophy on craft and business. Those people are few and far between.
Recently we began working with Best Made Co., a retail and online store headquartered in Tribeca in New York City. After initial conversations, it became obvious that our businesses were well-matched. Best Made Co. offers really nice tools, knives, books and outdoor clothing.
We are pleased and honored to be associated with Best Made Co. They currently carry three of our titles: “With the Grain,” “The Anarchist’s Tool Chest” and “By Hand & Eye.” Be sure to check them out next time you are in the city or online.
I hope to stop by their retail store at 36 White St. during a visit to Brooklyn in January for a Lie-Nielsen Hand Tool Event.
Here are a few quick updates on things you might care about.
“Calvin Cobb: Radio Woodworker!” by Roy Underhill will ship from the printer on Nov. 10. So we’ll be getting that out in plenty of time for Christmas (whew). As I mentioned yesterday, the “Book of Plates” is a wee bit delayed at the bindery. So if you want that book for Christmas, please place your order as soon as possible.
Sweatshirts are back in stock, except for the XXLs. Those will be in stock next week. As to sizes, take a look at the charts provided by American Apparel for the sweatshirt here. Some people are reporting they fit a bit snug. I haven’t found that to be the case, and I’m on my second washing.
George Walker, one of the authors of “By Hand & Eye” is teaching a class at The Woodworkers Club in Rockville, Md., on Nov. 3-4. And there are a few openings. Want to be a better designer? Talk to George. Details here.
Peter Galbert is depleting the world’s supply of pencils with his new book. If you want a peek at the illustrations, follow him on Instagram here.
You can download the geometry animations discussed in “By Hand & Eye” by George Walker and Jim Tolpin. Simply visit Jim Tolpin’s YouTube channel. Scroll down and you’ll see all the animations there.
If Randy Wilkins likes your book, you are solid gold (in my book).
Randy is a set designer extraordinaire who has been involved in some incredible films. He is deft with both the mouse and pencil (he’s taught me some fantastic things about SketchUp). And he’s a nice guy.
This weekend, Randy posted a generous and informative review of “By Hand & Eye” that brought his experienced eye to the party. Using the principles explained in “By Hand & Eye,” Randy explored early sailing ships and goes on a lengthy (and informative) discourse on the dividers needed in your personal kit.
Of all the nice reviews we’ve received of “By Hand & Eye,” this is the one that counts the most for me.
And in his last e-mail to me, Randy lamented: “The book is great, unfortunately my wife as absconded with my copy and is not sharing so I’ll have to get another.”
If you haven’t checked out this fantastic book, read more about it in our store.
You can now download “By Hand & Eye” by George R. Walker and Jim Tolpin for your computer or mobile device.
The price is $16 and can be downloaded directly from our store here. International customers can purchase the file via PayPal by sending $16 U.S. to John Hoffman’s PayPal account at john@lostartpress.com. You will then receive a link to download the file.
Because of the graphics-intense nature of the book, we are offering it in pdf format only and at an unusually high resolution. The file is more than 100mb and is free of all DRM (digital rights management) or other electronic locks.
The book is augmented by a series of electronic animations, which can be downloaded here.
About the Book “By Hand & Eye” is a deep dive into the world of history, architecture and design. And the authors have emerged with armloads of pearls for readers.
Instead of serving up a list of formulas with magical names (i.e. the Golden Section, the Rule of Thirds) that will transform the mundane into perfection, George R. Walker and Jim Tolpin show how much of the world is governed by simple proportions, noting how ratios such as 1:2; 3:5 and 4:5 were ubiquitous in the designs of pre-industrial artisans. And the tool that helps us explore this world, then as now, are dividers.
The key to good design is to master these basic “notes” – much like learning to sing “do, re, mi.” How to do this is the subject of the first three-quarters of the book. It offers exercises, examples and encouragement in opening your inner eye, propping it up with toothpicks and learning the simple geometry that will help you improve your design.
The last quarter of “By Hand & Eye” takes these principles and puts them into practice by designing nine projects that are decidedly contemporary – proof positive that design isn’t reserved for highboys and 18th-century Philadelphia side chairs. The projects show all of the book’s design principles in full flower, and yet the projects are small enough and simple enough (for the most part) that you can use them as a way to explore the book’s concepts without risking a lot of wood or time in the process.
“By Hand & Eye” is not, however, a recipe book for better design. The principles of good design are learned through exercise and repetition, and the authors offer the critical exercises in every chapter. Reading about good design is not enough to be able to master it. You have to practice it until it becomes second nature and your hand and your eye work together as one.
“By Hand & Eye” is 200 pages long with full-color illustrations.