With the establishment of a glass museum at Murano in the late 19th century and the exhibition of historic glass objects, the Murano glass-blowers had the opportunity to thoroughly investigate almost forgotten techniques and revive them. The magnificent objects produced by superior glass-blowers in 20th-century Murano are based on a few already existing methods like 'Zanfirico', 'a Canne', 'a Murrine' and 'tessere', as well as modifications on the hot or cooled surface with chemicals. During the 1950s and '60s, these techniques - adapted to new forms -, brought about an impressive renaissance.

The publication shows contemporary photographs, original drawings and dazzling color shots of these defining subjects of Murano's glass-making techniques, which made the brilliant glass-blowers of the tiny island internationally famous.
Price: $95.00

At Seguso Vetri d'Arte in Murano, many noted artists worked, including Napoleone Barovier, Luigi Ferro, Antonio and Angelo Seguso, Vittorio Zecchin, Flavio Poli, Mario Pinzoni, and Vittorio Rigattieri. The most spectacular objects were produced during the 1950's, when experiments were made with the 'sommerso' technique, whereby several layers of transparent coloured glass were moulded together, resulting in fantastic colour effects. These masterpieces were shown at international exhibitions of Murano glass, and even after half a century have remained as fascinating as ever.

A complete catalogue with a full list of models, original design books never published before, splendid colour photographs and many historic illustrations make this book an absolute [base ']must' for all connoisseurs of Murano glass!
Price: $145.00

Whether you are building a new house or remodeling an old one, master plumber Peter Hemp shows you the best ways to design, size and install piping for water supply, wastes, fuel-gas supply and vents. You'll learn how to cut and join copper, iron, galvanized steel, various plastic pipes and even terra-cotta, and how to decide which materials, products and tools to use and which to avoid.

In text, detailed technical drawings and black-and-white photos, Hemp presents the code-sanctioned ways of solving tricky plumbing problems and helps you decide which solution makes the most sense for you.

Ages 4+
Price: $30.00

Plants depend on getting the right amount of water at the right time. But even in climates where rain is plentiful, nature can't always provide the moisture a garden needs. A home irrigation system can provide reliable rain. It can also conserve water by delivering it to plants in a timely and efficient way.

Irrigation can be as simple as sprinkler heads or soaker hoses or as complex as a permanently installed drip irrigation system. Authors Howard Hendrix and Stuart Straw discuss all the options and explain step by step how to make them work for you.

You'll learn how to:

• assess your irrigation needs for climate, soil, and types of plants
• choose the system that's right for you
• find your way through the newest technology
• choose the right parts and put them together correctly
• design a custom system to fit your yard
• lay out and install your system
• add manifolds, automatic shutoff valves, and other labor-saving devices

If you want to do right by the environment but have had trouble finding earth-friendly alternatives, this is your book. Architect John Hermannsson, a specialist in environmentally sound building practices, created this resource guide to help everyone involved in home building-builders, architects, and homeowners-find the facts needed to make informed decisions about environmentally sensitive design and construction.

Inside this book, you will find approximately 600 "green" building materials succinctly described. This guide includes both structural and finish materials, such as recycled lumber, natural-fiber carpeting, low-toxic adhesives, and resource-efficient appliances. All of the products are organized by construction divisions and are extensively cross-referenced so you can quickly and easily find what you are looking for.

To help you evaluate these materials, Hermannsson compares each to a standard material in use today. Easy-to-recognize icons show you at a glance whether a product is nontoxic, is made of recycled or sustainable material, is more durable than the standard material, or requires less maintenance than the standard material. And a pricing index tells you how the cost of the material compares to the standards Want more information? You will find addresses and phone numbers listed for each manufacturer.