From its earliest beginnings in New England just after the Revolutionary War, tole painting  — the art of embellishing tinware such as trays, coffeepots, teapots, cups, mugs, canisters, match safes, and more with decorative floral designs — has been a beautiful and beloved American tradition. In Tole Painting: Tips, Tools, and Techniques for Learning the Craft, acclaimed painter Pat Oxenford provides guidance on the tools and materials needed to get started in this charming folk craft.

Tole Painting is a comprehensive resource containing instruction, inspiration, and historical insight. In its pages, readers find the following information:

• Tips on preparing tin for painting
• Easy techniques for pulling the basic strokes that are the foundation for creating full designs
• Step-by-step directions for painting a variety of folk art flowers
• Patterns for creating your own tole painting projects
• 504 color photographs, including images of the tools needed and an extensive gallery of painted tinware
• Background on the tradition of tole, along with numerous historical examples
• A list of material suppliers, resources, museums, organizations, historic sites, and festivals
• A list of books and videos on the history of tole

With a convenient spiral-bound hardcover format, Tole Painting is a book that's both enduring and easy to work with. It's a must-have volume for any crafter's bookshelf.

Pat Oxenford lives in Douglassville, Pennsylvania, and has been painting in traditional decorative formats for three decades. She is a member of the National Society of Decorative Painters, a Brazer Guild member of the Historical Society of Early American Decoration, and was selected as one of the top 200 craftsmen working in traditional forms by Early American Life magazine.

Author — Pat Oxenford.

Hardcover. 168 pages. 8½" × 11" (22 cm × 28 cm).