Margaret Shepherd

For those intimidated by the complexity of personal interaction, or those simply looking to polish their speaking skills, The Art of Civilized Conversation is a powerful guide to communicating in an endearing way.
In our fast-paced, electronic society, the most basic social interaction—talking face-to-face—can be a challenge for even the most educated and self-assured individuals. And yet making conversation is a highly...

"For those who enjoy writing notes, or those who value doing so but find themselves intimidated by the task, acclaimed calligrapher Margaret Shepherd has created both an epistolary tribute and rescue manual. Just as you cherish receiving personal mail, you can take pleasure in crafting correspondence. Love, gratitude, condolences, congratulations-for every emotion and occasion, a snippet of heartfelt prose is included, sure to loosen the most stymied...

In this book, you'll meet more than twenty artisans who have devoted their lives to honoring traditional techniques and to creating something useful and beautiful every day. In-depth profiles of the artisans illuminate the philosophies and histories behind their work. Gorgeous photographs transport you to studios from Oaxaca to Kyoto and from Milan to Tennessee. Two essays explore the challenges and rewards of engaging deeply with tradition. This...