Old, broken objects can become more beautiful than ever! The thought of throwing away a cherished dish or mug can be heartbreaking. If you've ever wanted to repair a treasured piece rather than tossing it in the trash--but didn't know how--the traditional Japanese art of Kintsugi ("gold repair") offers the perfect solution! A Beginner's Guide to Kintsugi teaches you the traditional Japanese techniques of pottery and glass repair based on the ancient Wabi Sabi idea that imperfections are beautiful, and visible repairs are part of the "life story" of an object. Author Michihiro Hori provides simple, safe, and inexpensive methods that you can do at home using tools and materials that are readily available online. Hori guides you through the entire process--from assembling and mixing the materials to reconstructing replacements for hopelessly shattered shards. With this book, you'll learn how to: Reinforce cracks, rebuild shattered areas, and apply the time-honored staple technique Fix broken handles so they are fully functional again Safely work with lacquer and metallic powders to achieve beautiful, visible repairs Work with a variety of repair materials from gold leaf to washi paper Repair pottery and glass using traditional techniques for stunning results As you take the time to prepare your materials and work closely with the pieces, you'll find yourself becoming attuned to the mindful philosophy at the heart of Kintsugi and the Wabi Sabi principle of appreciating old and imperfect objects. Most of all, the meditative process of Kintsugi will help you look at broken objects in a new way.

A broken pot is made whole again, and within its golden repair we see a world of meaning. Kintsugi is the art of embracing imperfection. In Western cultures, the aim of repair has been to make the broken item 'as good as new'. Kintsugi on the other hand, is a Japanese art that leaves an obvious repair – one that may appear fragile, but which actually makes the restored ceramic piece stronger, more beautiful, and more valuable than before. Leaving clear, bold, visible lines with the appearance of solid gold, it never hides the story of the object's damage. Kintsugi traces memory, bringing together the moment of destruction and the gold seams of repair through finely-honed skills and painstaking, time-consuming labour in the creation of a new pot from the old. There is a story to be told with every crack, every chip. This story inevitably leads to kintsugi's greatest strength. an intimate metaphoric narrative of loss and recovery, breakage and restoration, tragedy and the ability to overcome it. A kintsugi repair speaks of individuality and uniqueness, fortitude and resilience, and the beauty to be found in survival. Kintsugi leads us to a respectful and appreciative acceptance of hardship and ageing. Author Bonnie Kemske explores kintsugi's metaphorical power as well as exploring the technical and practical aspects of the art, meeting with artists and ceramists in Japan and the US to discuss their personal connection to this intricate technique. With the inclusion of diary entries, personal stories, and in-depth exploration of its origin and symbolism, this book shows kintsugi's metaphoric strength as well as its striking aesthetic, making it a unique and powerful art form that can touch our lives.

An award-winning self help guide to healing emotional wounds and building resiliency, inspired by the Japanese art of kintsugi—includes photos. Kintsugi is the ancient Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with powdered gold. Day after day, week after week, stage by stage, the object is cleaned, groomed, treated, healed, and finally enhanced. Nowadays it has also become a well-known therapy metaphor for how to build resilience. Winner of the 2019 Golden Nautilus Book Award, Kintsugi offers practical advice to help you overcome rough times, heal your deepest wounds, and become whole again through the numerous stages, writing exercises, and testimonies.

"Beauty in imperfection! Learn the ancient Japanese art of kintsugi and understand why, in the way of kintsugi artists, broken is better than new. This is your guide to putting the pieces back together to restore broken plates, vases, and other ceramics and glass items to be even better than before. Starting with repairing a simple dent or crack, you'll gain the skills to reconstruct goblets, vases, plates, spherical objects, and statues. Transform your broken pieces and heirlooms or create new works of art and wearable art with this method. Explore kintsugi's fascinating origins in 1400s Japan, its history, and its philosophy, along with ways to push the boundaries for your creations today. As you repair ceramic and glass objects--kintsugi works both for precious and thrift-store-level items--you'll learn the traditional methods as well as modern methods not taught elsewhere. You'll soon appreciate why kintsugi is the only Japanese art form that has taken a spiritual philosophy as its very purpose."--Provided by publisher.

Create dozens of beautiful paper wildflowers that look just like the real thing! In this book, paper artist Emiko Yamamoto presents her secrets for making realistic blossoms, leaves and stems from inexpensive colored paper sheets. Her flexible cut, curl and paste method makes it easy to create an amazing variety of different flowers and to tailor your creations to specific settings, occasions and color palettes. This how-to guide has all the information you need: Descriptions of the necessary materials and tools Templates Step-by-step instructions for cutting out the petals and leaves, giving the paper realistic curls and creases, and putting all the pieces together with simple dabs of glue With just scissors, a few sheets of colorful Tant origami paper and craft glue, you can create breathtaking, inexpensive paper flowers. The chapters are divided into Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, so your paper bouquet will always be in season! A Beginner's Guide to Paper Wildflowers features more than 40 distinct flowers, including: Grape Hyacinth Bluebell Wild Tulip Climbing Rose Lavender Poppy Forget-Me-Not Wheat Snowdrop Primrose And more! Show off the finished pieces in a shadow box, make special handmade cards, fill vases full of flowers that will never wilt, or decorate things like place settings and gift toppers.

Discover how to embrace the imperfect with Kintsugi. Apply this ancient principle to your life and you will learn how to repair yourself, rebuild your life and love your flaws. Japanese Kintsugi masters delicately patch up broken ceramics with gold adhesive, leaving the restoration clearly visible to others. Psychologist Tomás Navarro believes that we should approach our lives with the same philosophy. Everyone faces suffering, but it is the way in which we overcome our troubles, and heal our emotional wounds, that is key. We shouldn't conceal our repairs, they are proof of our strength. Navarro presents real solutions to genuine problems that he has seen in his professional practice. His anecdotes demonstrate that it is possible to transform adversity or setbacks into a strength. His psychological understanding and perspective will leave you feeling courageous and prepared, should you experience misfortune, be it heartbreak, a job loss or bereavement. Often practised alongside Ikigai (or the art of finding one's life purpose), Kintsugi shows you how happiness can be found again, often against all odds. A painful experience can in fact make you a more determined individual, ready to face the world with optimism. 'Kintsugi, which translates as "golden joinery", is the latest lifestyle trend promising to transform our lives.' - The Telegraph

Add a touch of green to your office, bookshelf, coffee table or dorm room with these adorable mini ecosystems! A Beginner's Guide to Terrariums shows you how to create your own glass container gardens with easy-to-understand instructions and over 230 inspiring lifestyle photos. With this guide you'll learn all the basics, including how to: Decorate using a variety of plants Combine plants, rocks and other objects to achieve just the right look Choose the right container for your plants Care for a variety of plants, including low-maintenance ones like succulents, air plants and mosses This book includes 52 projects that teach you how to create a wide variety of terrariums--from open-air containers, like bowls, to jars and hanging decorations. No matter how you choose to display them, terrariums are a whimsical, easy and inexpensive addition to your home.