Woodworker's Central Woodworker's Gazette Gazette Archive 6/3/99

A book review: By Mark Fleenor Title: Decorative Painted Wood Projects Authors: The Designers at Provo Craft Published by: Sterling Publishing Co. Inc. 387 Park Avenue South New York, NY 10016-8810 ISBN 0806981415 Price Hardcover: $24.95 (Canada $34.95) Price Softcover: $14.95 (Canada $21.95) Decorative Painted Wood Projects, from the Designers at Provo Craft, shows you how to design, build, and - most importantly - decorate painted wood projects. There are thirty-two projects, including windmills, wind chimes, and bird houses. Go to any crafts show and note the variety of bright, cheerful painted wood projects that people make daily. Birdhouses, indoor and outdoor decorations, and other so-called woodcrafts will brighten the day of a child, a relative, or a down-the-street acquaintance. This how-to book includes plans; construction tips, and detailed finishing instructions that include what finishes to use and how to apply them for the desired effect. Color photographs of each project show how the finished item should look, and a section on finishing technique shows you the steps to take for a proper finish. Often, we traditional woodworkers are at a loss for ideas where gifts are needed for a young boy or girl, or for a gift to make a young lady smile. No complex joinery to impress the perfectionist here; just good, solid gifts that are meant to be pleasing to the eye and fairly straightforward to construct. Several of the projects would fill your need for a grandchild gift - one that they can really play with. Other projects might be appropriate as a project that you could do with a young child as a way to introduce them to woodworking techniques. If you're looking for a project that would interest husband and wife, there are lots of ideas that could be used as is, or customized to fit your specific needs. LMF. Editor's Note: Sterling Publishing has graciously donated several books for review which are passed on to our members free of charge. Thank You!