Woodworking and metalworking magazines are particularly well suited for library collections because their articles on techniques and project plans have long-term value and the specialty suppliers' ads and event announcements are of current interest. More so than with most popular magazines, a subscription not only satisfies current needs but also accrues benefits to patrons for years to come. Many of the following magazines have printed or online indexes to help patrons find articles from older issues.

Woodworking magazines have in common relevant advertisements and some mix of shop techniques, tool reviews, and project plans, but they target a range of readers' experience levels. The granddaddy of do-it-yourself furniture building, Taunton Press's Fine Woodworking (1975. 7/yr. $34.95. index. ISSN 0361-3453) is targeted to more advanced woodworkers. The featured projects and techniques are not for beginners, but the high level of craftsmanship can be admired by woodworkers at all levels. Articles over the years have included detailed how-to advice from some of the world's best-known living craftspersons. The thriving market in back issues of Fine Woodworking is now served by Taunton's DVD-ROM of all the issues (Nos. 1–201) for $149.95.

Better Homes and Gardens' Wood (1984. 7/yr. $28. online index. ISSN 0743-894X) is for woodworkers at the other end of the experience spectrum. Glossy, colorful, and chock-full of advertising, Wood publishes a variety of shop tips and a half dozen projects per issue that are all appropriate for beginners.

Popular Woodworking (1981. 7/yr. $19.96. online index. ISSN 0884-8823) strikes a middle ground. It has fewer ads than Wood, describes less-complex projects than those in Fine Woodworking, and particularly emphasizes product reviews.

Projects at intermediate skill levels are found in two magazines by August Home Publishing. ShopNotes (1992. bi-m. $27.95. index. ISSN 1062-9696) is filled with how-to techniques and tips for setting up shop, mostly with power tools. Woodsmith (1979. bi-m. $24.95. index. ISSN 0164-4114) includes a few shop tips but is better known for its detailed project plans that include materials lists. Woodsmith's projects have become simpler over the years, but most issues still have a few to challenge intermediate woodworkers. Both magazines come conveniently three-hole-punched to fit in attractive binders sold by the publisher for $12.95; each holds six issues.

A notable magazine among the many that address a particular type of woodworking is Wood carving Illustrated (1997. q. $19.95. online index. ISSN 1096-2816). The how-to articles, ads, and calendar of events are enhanced by the mag's interesting blend of advanced and beginner projects, all amply illustrated with color photographs.

Decorative objects expertly made of precious metals are the subject of Metalsmith (1980. 5/yr. $34. ISSN 0270-1146), the membership magazine of the Society of North American Goldsmiths. The gorgeous images of work by master metalworkers will inspire artists at all skill levels, perhaps leading them to take advantage of the extensive suppliers' advertisements.

Artistry and useful function are both important to members of the Artist Blacksmith's Association of North America. Membership to the organization includes two magazines. The Anvil's Ring (1973. q. $45. index. ISSN 0889-177X) is an illustrated showcase of members' work plus book reviews and event information. Included with a subscription is The Hammer's Blow (1993. q. ISSN 1531-0302), a three-hole-punched black-and-white publication of how-to advice.

Artistic form serves function for hobby machinists, whose magazine needs are met by three publications by Village Press. Working from plans, drawings, sketches, and samples, machinists manufacture, fit, and assemble metal and rigid nonmetal parts using machine tools such as lathes, drills, milling machines, and grinders. Since hobbyists may use multiple techniques in pursuit of their craft, these magazines touch on smithing, casting, and welding, but their focus is on machining. “Dedicated to precision metalworking,” Home Shop Machinist (1982. bi-m. $29.95. index. ISSN 0744-6640) describes projects and techniques for crafting tools and other functional objects. Machinist's Workshop (1999. bi-m. $26.95. index. ISSN 1521-8112) focuses on shop techniques, gunsmithing, and beginners' projects, and Digital Machinist (2006. q. $19.95. index. ISSN 1933-3773) describes computer-operated machining techniques for hobbyists. Despite all coming from the same publisher, the three have distinct content and graphic design.

Until recently, no major indexing/abstracting service had a product for crafts. EBSCOhost's new Hobbies & Crafts Reference Center is intended to be a 100 percent full-text database of craft magazines. Of the 12 titles on our rack, it currently includes only Metalsmith. Perhaps more from this list will be added in the future, but it's a good thing that many craft magazines include an annual print index or frequently updated online index to help patrons find information on a particular project or technique.