above photos of the Terrarium Craft launch party by anja louise verdugo, used with permission

Ever since I planted my tiny succulent garden I've been thinking about other ways to add low maintenance plants to my house, and I've been finding more and more daydreamy images of incredible terrariums. The whole idea of setting up a miniature self contained world to take care of and experiment with is so endearing and Victorian that I can't help but love it. The Victorians used an early terrarium style called Wardian Cases, which sounds so proper and starched that it makes them even more perfect, don't you think? As much as I like the heavy glass domes that look so stately and traditional, the new style of terrariums that's light, minimalist and airy is decidedly my favourite.

I was excited to be contacted by Timber Press about their new book Terrarium Craft, that not only shows off some incredibly beautiful examples of creative terrariums, but walks you through the materials and steps needed to create each of their unique designs.

With this book, not only could you have a beautifully photographed world to escape into, but you could then hide the book and intimidate your friends and family with your alarming micro gardening slash interior decorating skills! Doesn't that seem like a reason in its self to have more people over? ;)

images below by Kate Baldwin from Terrarium Craft

The publishers are hosting a giveaway that runs until June 30th, and by entering your e-mail address on the contest page you can win a signed copy of the book along with a complete kit to make your first terrarium and a personalized video tutorial from the authors.

You can enter the contest here or learn more about the book here

Special thanks to Anja, who writes Clever Nettle which is one of my favourite blogs. She attended the book launch at Artemisia in Portland earlier this month, and I'm grateful that she's sweet enough to let me share the photographs here so we could peek behind the scenes into this world through her lens.