Cover Image: The Gardening in Miniature Prop Shop

The Gardening in Miniature Prop Shop

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Member Reviews

A good read if you like making dolls houses and want to carry that through to actual real miniature gardens. Will probably have niche appeal.

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Thanks to NetGalley and Timber Press for the opportunity to read and review Gardening in Miniature: Create Your Own Tiny Living World by Janit Calvo! New, imaginative and creative ideas for fairy and tiny gardens. This book covers supplies needed for a miniature garden workshop and basic materials and tools required for most projects. The projects cover holidays, special occasions, world travel, storybook ideas and more! For the beginning miniature gardening and for the novice, the detailed instructions and photographs will inspire and get the creative juices flowing. 5 stars for a completely fun craft book!

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Beautifully illustrated with detailed photographs and clear well written descriptions make this How-To book both lovely to look at and easy to follow.

A detailed introduction featuring lists and descriptions of tools & materials, and an welcome to the art of miniature gardening set the scene for the many themed examples.

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I thought the overall idea was delightful and reading through the varied gardens and type of props filled with ideas which transfer onto other crafts. I do think that some of the items were harder to find in the UK but it didn't detract from the overall whimsy. It was also quite suitable for both beginners and experienced gardeners who want to try something different.

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I always was a big fan of fairy gardens and miniatures.
While reading this book I was wowed by beautiful pictures and simple yet creative ideas. While this book might not be the best for experienced owner of miniature garden, I think everyone can find some ideas to try. The introduction to the book is very informative and easy to understand. All book is full of close-up photos makes it even easier to follow the instructions.
I personally adored Fairy Haven and Gnome Garden. I will definitely keep an eye on any miniatures on eBay for upcycling!

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If you are a fan of fairy gardens or miniature garden pots then this is the book for you. The Gardening in Miniature Prop Shop (Handmade Accessories for Your Tiny Living World) by Janit Calvo has a wealth of ideas with clear instructions on how to make it happen. The introduction is especially nice if you are new to this kind of gardening. The explanation and close-up photos of the tools used is extremely useful. For each individual project a detailed list of needed materials is given, making this a wonderful DIY resources.

The book is organized by theme with several that do not look too complicated. Others use tile work that increases the complexity. Two of my favorites are the Zen Sand Garden and the Wardian Case. The Gardening in Miniature Prop Shop is great especially for the whimsical child that stays within us as adults.

The publisher through Net Galley provided a copy.

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A few years ago I was given a box of miniatures and packed them away not really knowing what to do with them. After getting my hands on this book I cannot wait to get started making beautiful miniature gardens out of the things in the box.

This book is filled with wonderful ideas, tips, and more. The awesome color pictures are amazing. each piece can be personalized to your tastes as well. This book has really opened my creativity. No every miniature I see can be turned into a wonderful part of a garden.

I also loved the section on tools needed. I ever thought about using my nail polish to paint small items. I know the craft shop is going to love seeing me come and my porches and several places in my house are going to be wonderful with all the miniature gardens I am envisioning in my minds eye thanks to this book.

I received this book from the Author or Publisher via Netgalley.com to read and review.

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This book has come to me at the right time for sure.

I have grown up with crafty fingers and a carpenter dad so always have seen tools and tricks used to make something from nothing.

However, last year I started to get really into what a horticulturalist does after finding a beautiful garden open locally. My mum also has a friend with a unique garden, full of gnomes and even a miniature garden.

Which brings me back to this rather amazing book.
Not only does it tell us about all you need in terms of tools, paints etc to have a DIY approach to making some aspects yourself and not just using shop bought products to display in your garden.

It includes rather simple ideas by utilizing free products to you from your garden as well as reusing things such as weathered wood.
Each idea is generally inspired by a country, holiday theme such as Halloween or Christmas as so on, enlisting us in a journey as we read on through what inspired each part and we can admire the detail in each garden through the high quality photography used throughout to illustrate the book.

I think people of all ages will enjoy the book, have a go and create a little beauty of a garden for themselves!

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

Follow Janit's blog and shop:

http://www.twogreenthumbs.com/index_087B.html

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What a wonderful and inspiring book.

I am new to the world of miniature gardening. I have seen bonsai and marvelled at their exquisite beauty, but didn't realise that there is a whole new world out there.

This book takes you through the world of miniature props for your miniature garden, suggesting themes, setting and accessories. There are clear instructions on materials used, and how to get your accessory to look just right, whether that is aging, weathering or looking mossy.

I have already been out and bought the author's miniature garden book as a result or reviewing this one, and I can't wait to get started. I think the fairy garden was my favourite, but there really is something for everyone here. It is just a delight.- I can't recommend it highly enough. A great idea for the poorly or elderly who could have a whole garden in a pot that they can enjoy when the can't get outside so often.

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Excellent. Beautiful pictures, the right amount of text to balance. Ideas that are fun projects not unachievable professional designs. I LOVED this and will be giving this as a Christmas gift to my Aunt Patty for sure!

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The Gardening in Miniature Prop Shop by Janit Calvo is a book of 35 design ideas for miniature and/or fairy gardens. I thought it was really cute, though a bit extensive for most of the gardeners that I know. Some of the pieces looked either hard to find or hard to make. Very cute book, though, and I know readers will be able to take some cute ideas from this book.

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What a beautiful, book full of creative ideas! The only drawback; I read it at 2 AM and can't rush to the garden store! From how to make a miniture planter out of a snail shell for a hanging accent to how to make a log fence to breaking the pot for a broken pot garden, step by step illustrated instructions guide you. They use containers, candy dishes, cache pots, vases and actual garden decoration. Follow one of the how-to or take your favorite ideas from each!

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There is absolutely no reason that anyone can't have a garden. This book has an amazing array of miniature gardens that can be constructed in pots or a small patch of dirt. The instructions are very easy to follow with all safety, equipment and plants covered. They take awhile to complete but, like me you can become hooked on this.
A wonderful activity for children as well as adults, I believe a wonderful meeting of minds between a child and a grandparent - I can just see it. I really love this book and I really recommend it for anyone who loves gardens and creating pictures.

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What an absolute delight this book is!

If you've been in any Michael's store lately, you've likely noticed that miniature gardens are really taking off now, with almost an entire aisle devoted to the little figures and furniture you'll need to get started. My own city of Atlanta has a non-profit group dedicated to installing tiny fairy doors throughout the city, and since I first spotted one of those doors a couple of years ago, I've been enamored with making little miniature tableaus myself. Not being much of a green thumb, the small amount of work required for these mini gardens is right up my alley!

I expected this book to be more of an "inspiration" book than anything, but it truly guides you step-by-step in creating each scene. The photography is excellent. I just love this book! I plan to buy a copy to give to my mom, who enjoys both gardening and whimsy. Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in miniatures who thinks that dollhouses are a bit too old-fashioned.

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