The Craft and Art of Bamboo

By Carol Stangler

This book is a must have for the bamboo lover! If you're fascinated by bamboo crafts and want to learn more, pick up a copy of The Craft and Art of Bamboo. Inside you'll not only find step by step instructions to make your own bamboo crafts for your home and garden, but you'll also learn about the bamboo plant itself. The author starts off by giving you some history of bamboo in the West. Then she spends some time on what makes bamboo so special. It's a fast growing grass that becomes incredibly hard as it matures. And it matures fast. Unlike hardwoods that are common in the West, bamboo can be ready for harvest in about 5 years.

And speaking of harvesting, if you're interested in taking on a bamboo project, and want to start it from scratch, this book is perfect for you. You'll read tips on harvesting bamboo like knowing how to tell a mature clum from one thats just a couple seasons old. You'll also pick up hints based on years of experience picking out and transporting bamboo. If you don't want to go to the trouble of harvesting your own bamboo, you'll find all the information you need to select and perchance your bamboo.

After these introductory sections, the author begins to get down to work showing you how to make your own bamboo artwork. But first, she knows you need to know a couple more things. She takes the time to write about the types of tools you need to work with bamboo and the techniques you'll use throughout the rest of the book as you make your projects.

And that's where the bulk of the book comes in. You'll find plenty of instructions for making bamboo fences, gates, garden fountains, furniture, tea cups, and so much more. If you're just starting to experiment with bamboo or just have a love of bamboo, this book is well worth a read.