Celebrating Birch: The Lore, Art, and Craft of an Ancient Tree [Paperback]

North House Folk School (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2007

With its graceful silhouette and distinctive white bark, the birch tree has been important to people wherever it has grown. This book covers all aspects of the North's most versatile tree—from its biology and ecology to its different uses, craft applications, and legends. Some of the lore revealed includes birch's role as a Welsh token of love and its mysterious connection with witches' brooms. In addition to learning about how the wood is used in baskets, shoes, and wood coverings, readers can also make more than 15 craft projects from instructions in the book, including folded bark baskets, carved ornaments, and turned wooden bowls.

Editorial Reviews

Review

First place winner in the Art/Photography category of the 20th Annual Northeastern Minnesota Book Awards

"The beautiful photograpy makes this book a perfect option to leave on your coffee table, too."  —Mother Earth News

"The projects, beautifully and clearly illustrated with photos, are ones that students of the folk school would tackle and range from the simple and small to the more complex."  —Lake Superior Magazine

"Guides readers through 15 craft projects including carved ornaments, turned wooden bowls and folded bark baskets. It also explains that birch was used to weave shoes, clothing and even make primitive roof shingles."  —Woodshop News

"This extraordinary book introduces the birch tree in a truly engaging way."  —Cook County News-Herald (Minnesota)

"Excellent photography and clear photos of procedures make up this wonderful tribute to traditional craft."  —Woodcentral.com

"If you want to know how to weave a mat, carve a spoon, or make the components for a game involving throwing logs, plus several more, this book is for you, and if you delight in beautifully illustrated volumes, and have a love of heritage, you'll want to read it by a glowing fireside."  —Router & Power Woodworking, UK

About the Author

The North House Folk School preserves traditional skills and crafts of the past by teaching their practical use in today's world. Master craftsmen facilitate courses in woodworking, woodcarving, basketry, timber framing, boatbuilding, and more. It is located on Lake Superior in Grand Marais, Minnesota.

Product Details

• Paperback: 177 pages
• Publisher: Fox Chapel Publishing (November 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565233077
• ISBN-13: 978-1565233072
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #873,347 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Traditions and Folk Art Book, Not Too Instructional, January 14, 2008

By 

S. Froelich "Wood Junkie" (Eagan, MN United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Celebrating Birch: The Lore, Art, and Craft of an Ancient Tree (Paperback)

Being from a Birch growing state and having used birch in various craft and projects, I absolutely loved the subject matter and information. Being knowledgeable in woodcraft and carving, I would not recommend for the person looking to pick it up and start crafting for the first time. Just not enough room or photos to make that happen. Not that it is short on photos, but some of the more intricate crafts need greater detail. If you are a crafter already, you may be able to perform more. I likened my experience with the book to watching a demonstration and getting a good explanation of whats going on. The historical information and importance of this tree, is a pleasant read. A great book by Fox and the good folks at the North House School.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A BOOK I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR!, November 27, 2007

By 

P. A. Kettlewell "handyhen" (Antigo, WI United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Celebrating Birch: The Lore, Art, and Craft of an Ancient Tree (Paperback)

Living in the northwoods & being a wood artist, I love Birch and have used it for many years with my pyrography. I have experimented with the bark and tried to understand how to use it best, which this book explains clearly. Unfortunately for all of us who love this tree/wood, many of our birch are dying off from drought/fires/etc. If you are a person in search of a light colored, strong, easy to work with wood, this book will tell you everything you need to know about this beautiful and completely practical tree.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Real Treasure, December 28, 2007

By 

I. W. Fulton - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Celebrating Birch: The Lore, Art, and Craft of an Ancient Tree (Paperback)

For those who live in birch country, this is a book to cherish. It is artistically presented, photographically superb, and factually very accurate. I've worked with birch for years, both botanically, ecologically, and as a craftsperson, but I learned alot in this book. The joy and passion for their work these teachers at the North House Folk School in Grand Marais, MN share with us is outstanding.