Create beautiful, decorative, and practical crafts in the authentic folk art style. Lavishly illustrated, this exquisite volume blends historical information and inspirational examples with more than 30 wonderful projects, including painting on walls, furniture, and small accessories; textile creations like quilts and rag rugs; wood, plaster, and paper crafts; cut and pierced metalwork; and authentic period toys and games. Long used by ordinary people to adorn everything from furniture to eating utensils, folk art objects are proof positive that the creative spirit moves within everyone. As such, even someone who has never tried any type of crafting before will find that it is surprisingly easy to make beautiful projects filled with the warmth of the traditional styles of people from both America and Europe. Make a colorful bridal chest, painted tinware, a bear's paw quilt, a cross-stitch pincushion, a sturdy braided rag rug, a carved wood spoon rack, bandboxes, a pierced and cut lampshade, an Amish-style rag doll, and more. A charming, irresistible combination of the attractive and functional, folk art offers a wealth of possibilities for crafters and decorators, and with this remarkable celebration and instructional guide anyone can learn to bring the spirit of the past into the homes of today.