Book Review: Terrarium Craft: Create 50 Magical, Miniature Worlds

Terrariums. Teeny, tiny worlds filled with pretty stones, soft sand and tiny living plants. A beach scene might include some found driftwood and seashells, while twigs and moss will be more prominent in a forest scene. They’re beautiful to look at and gratifying to create. They’re amazing conversation pieces and guests in your home can’t help but smile as they peer through the glass into the tiny world inside.

Crafters and non-crafters alike will love the sense of accomplishment that comes with building one of these tiny worlds. If you haven’t made a terrarium yet, the book Terrarium Craft: Create 50 Magical, Miniature Worlds is an ideal starting point. Within its pages are stunning photographs of micro scenes, explanations of supplies needed, and plenty of step by step instructions that are easy to follow.

The book is sectioned into three main parts: supplies, themes and resources. The chapter titled Practical Matters takes you through the various supplies you can use to build your terrarium. From sand and dirt to succulent plants and every seashell, pebble and piece of moss in between. The explanations and wide array of supply options, along with their photos, are fabulous. Many of the supplies you’ll use are items you can find in nature.

The themes I refer to are the four chapters titled Forest, Beach, Desert, and Fantasy Terrariums. Each section is packed with beautiful photos depicting tiny worlds, some with miniature creatures like deer or birds, others with sparkling gem stones or minuscule houses. Each theme has several tutorials with a total of 50 projects.

The book doesn’t leave you ready to get started but without resources. At the end of the chapters you’ll find a listing of websites and stores where terrarium supplies can be purchased. As mentioned earlier, many of your supplies can be found in nature and in thrift stores and consignment shops. However, there are store keepers that cater to the terrarium lover and are ready to supply you to the nines.

Even if you open this book, gawk at the photos and never actually build a terrarium, it’s good enough eye candy that it will make a lovely coffee table book. However, if you’re ready to try your hand at building a tiny world, this is a great place to start.

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Terrarium Craft: Create 50 Magical, Miniature Worlds is written by Amy Bryant Aiello, Kate Bryant, photographed by Kate Baldwin, and was published through Timber Press, Inc. All photos in this post are copyright Timber Press, Inc. and were used with permission.