Garden Crafts - Hardcover

Rudge, Geraldine

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1840910542 ISBN 13: 9781840910544

Publisher: Conran Octopus Ltd, 1999

Synopsis

Faced with limited choice, creating your own garden features holds great appeal. This book covers every major craft that can be applied to the garden, including mosaic, metal and wirework, glass, willow weaving, coppice work and pebble work. There are ideas for creating all kinds of garden structures and features. It explains the historical origins of each craft; the range of objects that can be made for the garden, traditonal or contemporary, formal or wild; materials and where to obtain them; paints and other finishes; design considerations such as placement and associated planting; tools and techniques. Each chapter concludes with two achievable projects commissioned from leading contemporary makers in each craft, with a brief profile of the maker, a list of materials required, step-by-step construction techniques and photographs of the finished feature in a garden setting.

About this title

Review

Garden Crafts does it exactly as its title suggests. The book combines two increasingly popular disciplines: gardening and crafts, including mosaic, wood, glass and metal, to unique effect. Author Geraldine Rudge is editor of Crafts, the Crafts Council's magazine devoted to contemporary decorative arts and her enthusiasm for creating beautifully made pieces is obvious.

The book is positioned very much at the cutting edge of contemporary craft, but gives an interesting historical background on each of the garden crafts addressed and draws on modern techniques to update traditional skills. Rudge has researched her subject thoroughly. In the chapter on metal and wire, for example, the historical perspective includes references to notable architects and buildings and periods ranging from the Bronze Age to Modernist architecture. She goes on to discuss the practicalities: when introducing metal features outdoors it is important to consider the following, says Rudge: style, scale, situation and function. These tips make the book accessible to all levels of craft enthusiast, from amateur to experienced.

Garden Crafts caters for every taste. In addition to metal and wire the book has chapters on glass, wood, willow and coppice wood, mosaic and slate, pebble and shell. Each chapter concludes with two projects commissioned from contemporary designers, including a web of glass by Myrna Gray, an outdoor cupboard by Kristy Wyatt-Smith and mosaic figures by Cleo Mussi. Every project is explained step by step with detailed instructions and a list of materials and equipment required. A glossary of suppliers and other useful addresses is included.

This book blends innovative ideas with a pragmatic approach, and with photographs by Jacqui Hurst, it has a glossy-magazine appeal that cannot fail to inspire. --Karen Homer

Edition details

• Publisher: Conran Octopus Ltd
• Publication date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1840910542
• ISBN 13: 9781840910544
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 144