Mark Meckes
23rd November 2001, 04:55 AM
The Craft and Art of Bamboo - by Carol Stangler
`30 Elegant Projects to make for Home and Garden'
Over 200 photographs and 25 sets of illustrations, 159 Pages
ISBN 1-57990-191-3
Publisher: Lark Books, A division of Sterling Publishing Co., NY
This book is available from many book suppliers, or you can purchase a signed copy from the author, and provide direct support to the work of a bamboo artist.
Send $27.95 + $4 shipping, to:
Carol Stangler
54 Westover Dr.
Ashville, NC 28801 USA
************************************
Chapter 1 - Introduction
This chapter introduces the reader to the beauty and potential of bamboo in the landscape and it's uses in the arts and crafts. The author then explains what led to her "love affair with bamboo", and the subsequent writing of this book.
Chapter 2 - East Meets West, North Meets South
Provides a background of information on the history and importance of bamboo in the lives of many throughout the world, this chapter explains how it was introduced into the US. Locations to view bamboo are also profiled.
Chapter 3 - The Botanical Wonders of Bamboo
Chapter 4 - Harvesting, Purchasing, and Preparing Bamboo
Chapter 5 - Tools, Materials, and Techniques
Chapter 6-9
This section of the book is beautifully illustrated and clearly presented with color photos and line drawings. Each project is provided with step by step instructions, and has a sidebar outlining required Materials, Tools and Supplies, a `Cutting List' and Metric Equivalents.
Kudos to everyone who contributed these projects! This is the heart and soul of this book.
Chapter 6 - Bamboo in the Garden
Chapter 7 - Furnishings and Accessories
Chapter 8 - Fences and Screens
Chapter 9 Gates and Railings
--------------------------------------
Review by Mark Meckes - Nov 23, 2001
This book is made up of contributions from numerous artists/crafters and provides an excellant basic introduction to working with bamboo. This book is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to work with bamboo, and an inspiration for working bamboo artists, providing a wealth of ideas, with projects from others in this field.
It really is exciting to finally see a new book on this subject.
There are so very few bamboo arts and crafts books currently available.
A tremendous amount of thought and effort goes into preparing a book of this scope. What issues and topics should be of greatest focus? For many, this might serve as a first introduction to bamboo. Many readers may not have a horticultural interest, but are viewing bamboo, for the first time, solely interested in its' potential uses. Others may be attracted to the idea of growing their own craft supplies.
A book that is about using bamboo will be used as a reference for decades to come, and for this reason, we, who are deeply involved in the arts and crafts, have a tendency to look very closely at the details of any book of this nature.
We are bound to notice any topics or details that may not have been included, or thoroughly explained, or it may just come down to having different interpretations, or wishing for more information concerning a specialized topic.
This book was certainly not intended to be all encompassing, but rather to be an introduction on the many issues that relate to working with bamboo, and with the limitations of available space, the author has done very well to present so much information.
Fortunately we can provide assistance to book authors here at the Bamboo Forums by providing critic, and list possible corrections or further references.
Following is a list of my own personal notations, which will hopefully add to the usefulness of this book.
They may be further edited or corrected, based on comments and feedback from our readership.
For whatever reasons, discussions on books of this nature should be considered as a positive step.
***************
Side notes ...
Chapter 3 - The Botanical Wonders of Bamboo
Page 20/21: The illustration showing the large culms shooting from just below the soil surface should be shown deeper or they would soon topple over.
Page 22: "Clumping bamboo grows in tropical, equatorial zones'...
Actually there are also many clumpers that will grow in sub-tropical and temperate regions.
Chapter 4 - Harvesting, Purchasing and Preparing Bamboo
Page 25/26:
Selecting Older Culms - "Much of the sugar in the walls has converted to starch, making them less attractive to boring insects."
This may have been better phrased... When a bamboo culm matures, the sugar/starch content of older culms is considerably reduced, making them less attractive to borer attacks.
Powder post beetles (Lyctid borer larvae), are attracted to the high starch content of improperly harvested bamboo...
Some bamboo species however, naturally contain a higher amount of starches that make them more prone to borer attack, so choosing the right species or post harvest treatment process is important.
Page 27:
** Grove Etiquette -"More often than not, the branching top third of the culms will not be used in your project. What to do with all that brush?"
Actually, there are many excellent uses specifically suited to the top third of a bamboo culm and their branches. It's a real pity that so many who harvest bamboo, discard this valuable part. There is little mentioned about how to use these parts in the book projects, and with the accompanying suggestion to dispose of this material, this is unfortunate.
Page 32-33:
Eleven species of bamboo are listed for use.
... More varieties could have been listed.
** Phyllostachys aurea - mentions "some culms may zig-zag at the base".
This is not a trait of Phyllostachys aurea, and should be in reference to Phyllostachys aureosulcata, (which was not listed).
** For wood quality, the author states: "Phyllostachys aurea is not superior quality, but good for general purposes".
This is a more appropriate description for Phyllostachys aureosulcata
Phyllostachys aurea however is perfectly suited for many uses and could easily qualify as being of high quality material. Many beautiful products are made from P. aurea - Golden Bamboo.
Chapter 5 - Tools, Materials, and Techniques for Working with Bamboo
Page 34:
Though well written, a number of very useful hand tools were not mentioned.
Also, recommendations on the types of power tools that work well with bamboo would have been very helpful, as these tools can make a tremendous difference, improving the capabilities and scope of a project.
Page 40:
The picture of splitting a sliver of bamboo looks kind of scary.
Directing a knife towards the body should NOT be recommended to the uninitiated.
Page 54:
Lightning Trellis listed as made from Phyllostachys aurea - should be Phyllostachys aureosulcata
Page 156-157:
Suppliers, Sources and Sites
A VERY important resource section, which could perhaps have been more adequately represented.
Index (back page):
One of the most important reference sections, the index listing, is lacking details. It is tacked on to the last page... after the book was printed.
Obviously, publishers deadlines didn't allow for enough time for a final detailed review, before printing.
Nonetheless, this book should be near the workbench of anyone who is interested in the craft and art of bamboo.
It is beautifully presented and encourages a hands on approach to living and working with bamboo.
Thank you Carol Stangler!
`30 Elegant Projects to make for Home and Garden'
Over 200 photographs and 25 sets of illustrations, 159 Pages
ISBN 1-57990-191-3
Publisher: Lark Books, A division of Sterling Publishing Co., NY
This book is available from many book suppliers, or you can purchase a signed copy from the author, and provide direct support to the work of a bamboo artist.
Send $27.95 + $4 shipping, to:
Carol Stangler
54 Westover Dr.
Ashville, NC 28801 USA
************************************
Chapter 1 - Introduction
This chapter introduces the reader to the beauty and potential of bamboo in the landscape and it's uses in the arts and crafts. The author then explains what led to her "love affair with bamboo", and the subsequent writing of this book.
Chapter 2 - East Meets West, North Meets South
Provides a background of information on the history and importance of bamboo in the lives of many throughout the world, this chapter explains how it was introduced into the US. Locations to view bamboo are also profiled.
Chapter 3 - The Botanical Wonders of Bamboo
Chapter 4 - Harvesting, Purchasing, and Preparing Bamboo
Chapter 5 - Tools, Materials, and Techniques
Chapter 6-9
This section of the book is beautifully illustrated and clearly presented with color photos and line drawings. Each project is provided with step by step instructions, and has a sidebar outlining required Materials, Tools and Supplies, a `Cutting List' and Metric Equivalents.
Kudos to everyone who contributed these projects! This is the heart and soul of this book.
Chapter 6 - Bamboo in the Garden
Chapter 7 - Furnishings and Accessories
Chapter 8 - Fences and Screens
Chapter 9 Gates and Railings
--------------------------------------
Review by Mark Meckes - Nov 23, 2001
This book is made up of contributions from numerous artists/crafters and provides an excellant basic introduction to working with bamboo. This book is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to work with bamboo, and an inspiration for working bamboo artists, providing a wealth of ideas, with projects from others in this field.
It really is exciting to finally see a new book on this subject.
There are so very few bamboo arts and crafts books currently available.
A tremendous amount of thought and effort goes into preparing a book of this scope. What issues and topics should be of greatest focus? For many, this might serve as a first introduction to bamboo. Many readers may not have a horticultural interest, but are viewing bamboo, for the first time, solely interested in its' potential uses. Others may be attracted to the idea of growing their own craft supplies.
A book that is about using bamboo will be used as a reference for decades to come, and for this reason, we, who are deeply involved in the arts and crafts, have a tendency to look very closely at the details of any book of this nature.
We are bound to notice any topics or details that may not have been included, or thoroughly explained, or it may just come down to having different interpretations, or wishing for more information concerning a specialized topic.
This book was certainly not intended to be all encompassing, but rather to be an introduction on the many issues that relate to working with bamboo, and with the limitations of available space, the author has done very well to present so much information.
Fortunately we can provide assistance to book authors here at the Bamboo Forums by providing critic, and list possible corrections or further references.
Following is a list of my own personal notations, which will hopefully add to the usefulness of this book.
They may be further edited or corrected, based on comments and feedback from our readership.
For whatever reasons, discussions on books of this nature should be considered as a positive step.
***************
Side notes ...
Chapter 3 - The Botanical Wonders of Bamboo
Page 20/21: The illustration showing the large culms shooting from just below the soil surface should be shown deeper or they would soon topple over.
Page 22: "Clumping bamboo grows in tropical, equatorial zones'...
Actually there are also many clumpers that will grow in sub-tropical and temperate regions.
Chapter 4 - Harvesting, Purchasing and Preparing Bamboo
Page 25/26:
Selecting Older Culms - "Much of the sugar in the walls has converted to starch, making them less attractive to boring insects."
This may have been better phrased... When a bamboo culm matures, the sugar/starch content of older culms is considerably reduced, making them less attractive to borer attacks.
Powder post beetles (Lyctid borer larvae), are attracted to the high starch content of improperly harvested bamboo...
Some bamboo species however, naturally contain a higher amount of starches that make them more prone to borer attack, so choosing the right species or post harvest treatment process is important.
Page 27:
** Grove Etiquette -"More often than not, the branching top third of the culms will not be used in your project. What to do with all that brush?"
Actually, there are many excellent uses specifically suited to the top third of a bamboo culm and their branches. It's a real pity that so many who harvest bamboo, discard this valuable part. There is little mentioned about how to use these parts in the book projects, and with the accompanying suggestion to dispose of this material, this is unfortunate.
Page 32-33:
Eleven species of bamboo are listed for use.
... More varieties could have been listed.
** Phyllostachys aurea - mentions "some culms may zig-zag at the base".
This is not a trait of Phyllostachys aurea, and should be in reference to Phyllostachys aureosulcata, (which was not listed).
** For wood quality, the author states: "Phyllostachys aurea is not superior quality, but good for general purposes".
This is a more appropriate description for Phyllostachys aureosulcata
Phyllostachys aurea however is perfectly suited for many uses and could easily qualify as being of high quality material. Many beautiful products are made from P. aurea - Golden Bamboo.
Chapter 5 - Tools, Materials, and Techniques for Working with Bamboo
Page 34:
Though well written, a number of very useful hand tools were not mentioned.
Also, recommendations on the types of power tools that work well with bamboo would have been very helpful, as these tools can make a tremendous difference, improving the capabilities and scope of a project.
Page 40:
The picture of splitting a sliver of bamboo looks kind of scary.
Directing a knife towards the body should NOT be recommended to the uninitiated.
Page 54:
Lightning Trellis listed as made from Phyllostachys aurea - should be Phyllostachys aureosulcata
Page 156-157:
Suppliers, Sources and Sites
A VERY important resource section, which could perhaps have been more adequately represented.
Index (back page):
One of the most important reference sections, the index listing, is lacking details. It is tacked on to the last page... after the book was printed.
Obviously, publishers deadlines didn't allow for enough time for a final detailed review, before printing.
Nonetheless, this book should be near the workbench of anyone who is interested in the craft and art of bamboo.
It is beautifully presented and encourages a hands on approach to living and working with bamboo.
Thank you Carol Stangler!