Gary Blackwood’s book, Mysterious Messages- A History of Codes and Ciphers is a great read, aimed at children in the 9-12 age range, but which will appeal to adults with a love of history and mysteries as well. Blackwood shows us how some very famous codes were made and broken, and gives the reader lots of bits of codes to workout for themselves. There are some intriguing historical mysteries as well, for instance did Abe Lincoln’s Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton send coded messages as part of the plot to kill Lincoln? Documents unearthed by a history buff in 1962 suggest he may have. This book is a very entertaining and enlightening read for kids and adults.

Continued here:
Review – Mysterious Messages – A History of Codes and Ciphers

This whimsical pairing will certainly bring a smile to any dog-lover’s face! Each shaker is individually handblown (no molds used) in Oregon using high-quality glass and hand-mixed colors. Topped with corrosion-resistant metal caps, this delicate dog-and-hydrant shaker set provides the perfect touch of functional art in any kitchen!

Subcategory: Entertaining

Get current price and availability at Modern Artisans – Click here.

Our medium 12″ raku bottle-neck vase displays a fantastic glow of warm colors – glimmering shades of burnt orange, copper, blue, and maroon. Each piece is hand-formed in clay, placed in an outdoor kiln and fired to over 2000-degrees. While molten hot, the vase is placed in a pit with banana leaves and wood shavings that burst into flames. This intense, immediate reaction creates the one-of-a-kind variation on each vase. Handmade in the USA and available in 3 sizes.

Subcategory: Vases & Vessels

Get current price and availability at Modern Artisans – Click here.

Individually handcrafted in white porcelain, the vase is designed with a series of small holes that allow each stem to stay in place. Simply fill the water reservoir and fill with any small flowers to create a fantastic contemporary display that everyone will love! She is perfect for those small flowers in the garden that get no attention in a large vase – their day in the spotlight is here! Fun, functional and fabulous! Handcrafted in the USA.

Subcategory: Vases & Vessels

Get current price and availability at Modern Artisans – Click here.

Perfectly sized for any spot in the kitchen, this cheerful organization board includes an 8.5″ x 4.5″ cork board, 2 bright yellow peg hooks and a raised adornment of a lively chef. Individually handcrafted in the USA.

Subcategory: Kitchenware

Get current price and availability at Modern Artisans – Click here.

Designed in 1898 by Parisian artist Theophile Steinlen to advertise the ‘Black Cat Cabaret’, the ‘Tournee du Chat Noir’ poster has become a beloved art icon. Now, that vintage image has been transformed into a strikingly elegant table sculpture cut from sturdy mild steel. Crafted in South Carolina, this sculptural metal silhouette features intricately-cut details and a natural black finish.

Subcategory: Sculptures

Get current price and availability at Modern Artisans – Click here.

Thick sandstone is hand-split to form a set of 4 naturally-absorbent coasters. When not in use, the coasters are held in a metal accent tray with a organic patina finish. The silhouette of a pine cone on the tray compliments the color of the coasters and provides a rustic, yet discerning, style in your home or office. Crafted from all-natural materials in the USA.

Subcategory: Kitchenware

Get current price and availability at Modern Artisans – Click here.

Practical and durable, each coaster consists of a double layer of high-quality finished leather, hand stitched to create a two-tone effect. Set includes 4 coasters. Handcrafted in the USA.

Subcategory: Kitchenware

Get current price and availability at Modern Artisans – Click here.

Bench-crafted one at a time, the leather journal cover is made from custom tanned quality cowhide deeply embossed with a bold celtic knot design. The journal is accented with a solid pewter button, which an attached rawhide cord loops around to securely fasten the journal. Inside is a replaceable hard-cover blank book of heavy bond acid-free pages, perfect for recording sketches, diaries, dreams, poetry, musings or your personal works of literature. Once full, the journal may be refilled with a new blank book, allowing the journal to be appreciated for a lifetime.

Subcategory: Desk Accessories

Get current price and availability at Modern Artisans – Click here.

Our large 17-inch raku bottle-neck vase displays a fantastic glow of warm colors – glimmering shades of burnt orange, copper, blue, and maroon. Each piece is hand-formed in clay, placed in an outdoor kiln and fired to over 2000-degrees. While molten hot, the vase is placed in a pit with banana leaves and wood shavings that burst into flames. This intense, immediate reaction creates the one-of-a-kind variation on each vase. Handmade in the USA and available in 3 sizes.

Subcategory: Vases & Vessels

Get current price and availability at Modern Artisans – Click here.