Book Description
Polymer clay has grown and grown and grown in popularity since the publication of Donna Kato’s best-selling The Art of Polymer Clay in 1997. And there have been so many technical advances, too. Now poly-diva Donna Kato presents an all-new look at one of crafters’ all-time favorite mediums. Donna Kato’s Polymer Clay Innovations begins with the essentials of polymer clay, including its working properties, plus tools, curing, safety recommendations, and color blending (with full information on the now-indispensable Skinner Blend). Photo-packed chapters focus on exciting projects—beads, bracelets, pins, pendants, and boxes--and showcase new techniques, including image transfers, surface treatments such as stencils, stamps, paints, and inks, sculpting, inclusions, special effects, and finishing. Finished pieces by some of the biggest names in polymer clay, including Kathleen Dustin, Pier Voulkos, and Nan Roche, plus Donna Kato herself, offer ideas and inspiration.
Customer Reviews:
Nice book.......2007-09-03
You get to know how to, to all the things the title of this page says but most of the projects are to make pendants, if you looking to make a lot of beads projects get " Making Polymer Clay Beads: Step-by-Step Techniques for Creating Beautiful Ornamental Beads by Carol Blackburn " as complement to this book, I think you gonna learn a lot out of this two books to start making polymer clay jewelry or whatever.
Any library strong in clay crafts needs this........2007-09-03
Ten years ago clay artist Donna Kato's first book ART OF POLYMER CLAY established her as an early authority on the topic: she's become a teacher and product designer since then, and her latest title The Art of Polymer Clay: Creative Surface Effects: Techniques and Projects Featuring Transfers, Stamps, Stencils, Inks, Paints, Mediums, and More expands the topic to the next level, featuring dozens of techniques for exciting surface effects and art options. Chapters cover everything from inkjet transfers onto clay surfaces to texturing and toner transfers. Any library strong in clay crafts needs this.
Wouah!.......2007-08-31
Superb book, to be recommended to whom wants to make with polymer clay something really special. Clear explanations, beautiful projects. It requires some material; but the results are the reward.
A must for any craft library.......2007-08-26
I just started working with polymer clay a few weeks ago and wanted a book that logically explains techniques as well as offering good photography. Being a librarian and fiber artist, I HAVE to have my own library of art/craft books for reference and inspiration. Kato's is one of the best I have for any media. It's well written and organized and the photos are inspiring. I highly recommend this book for any polymer clay artist or library wanting to add a high quality book to a crafts collection.
High marks for Donna Kato's new book.......2007-08-26
This book is so well done with instructions that are easily followed. It opens the creative channels and encourages you to explore and take things to the next step. Donna Kato is so sharing and giving and an inspiring artist. This is a valuable addition to your library.
Book Description
• Exciting medium, new formulations: perfect for crafters at all skill levels
• Award-winning, best-selling author with great crafts credentials
• First book on resin that provides detailed techniques and varied super-appealing projects
Resin jewelry is made from liquid plastic that magically turns solid when a hardener is added. Pretty cool! The popularity of these resins for jewelry making has soared with the introduction of easy-to-mix, low-odor products, ideal for crafters. Now best-selling author Sherri Haab shows how to put the miracle of modern technology to work making necklaces, bangles, bracelets, pins, earrings, and rings. Projects range from simple to sophisticated, from Bakelite-style heart pins to faux amber earrings to glitter gem bracelets, from scrimshaw bracelets to cloisonné pins to transparent resin necklaces backed with gold leaf. Packed with tips on tools, supplies, finishing, and creating special effects, including ideas on combining resins with polymer clay, The Art of Resin Jewelry is a beautiful and practical introduction to an exciting craft.
Customer Reviews:
Safety first.......2007-09-21
You must use protective gear when using resin products but the precautions are worth the results. Sherri shows you how to use epoxy, polyurethane and polyester resins to imbed candy, flowers and found objects to make jewelry elements. You can make imitation amber by including bugs and vegetable matter in resins and make amber's "sun spangles" by mixing in gold or bronze leaf. It's pretty exciting to see how Sherri uses a combination of black polymer clay, very fine glitter, Pearl Ex(tm) powdered pigments and Envirotex Lite® epoxy to make a light-weight cabochon that looks just like dichroic glass.
When using resins, use NIOSH-approved protective gear (respirator and nitrile or butyl gloves) and keep away from food preparation areas. Always read the resin product's Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) prior to using it. When drilling or sanding resin pieces, you must wear a dust mask. Other than standard beading tools and findings, an embossing gun will come in handy to get rid of air bubbles during the resin's drying process. You can use ready-made rubber molds or use Sherri's techniques to make your own molds from an existing piece or your original polymer clay sculpture.
If you already enjoy working with polymer clay, working with resins will expand your creativity and this book will help to get you (safely) started.
Choice of art pieces.......2007-09-09
This book is a wonderful resource for anyone interested in making resin jewlery. Its in depth and as always Sherri Haab explains in detail just "how to" do it. My disappointment is with the pieces of jewlery she chose to create. There are only a few that I would duplicate. That said if you are wanting to learn this medium then buy the book.
Great all-round resin jewellery book.......2007-02-10
I am really happy with this book. It has a great selection of projects and lots of different types of resin jewellery. Lots of pictures. I haven't made anything yet but it seems really easy to follow.
this book is great.......2007-01-10
Sherri Haab can always be relied to to produce great books with funky projects that you actually want to make. Can't fault this one at all - fantastic!
Great Book For Inspiring Artists.......2007-01-10
I am speaking on behalf of my company (Fibreglass & Resin Sales), we sell this book to many customers, although some of my staff have also purchased the book. It has great, handy ideas for those who love their crafts, and even those who are new in the craft world! If you interested in Resin Art, I would recommend this book to get you going!!!
Customer Reviews:
Amazing Discoveries.......2007-09-10
This book seems to have it all. There seems to be an endless supply of information and how to apply it (Which it strongly implies in the first few pages). There is even a section at the end that shows you how to make a vacuum-forming machine in good detail and for the least amount of cost and bulk. If you are even remotely interested in making props or want to duplicate items in your own pad, buy this book.
Save money,build yerself.......2007-08-14
Real good.His teaching skills shine thru on every page.Very thorough coverage of everything from simple paper mache to building a vaccuum form machine and creating artificial biulding parts,breakaway glass,recycling old props and reusing polymerss time and time again.Excellent.
Much Ado about Molding and Casting...........2007-05-21
I wanted to review this book as I was recommended to buy it from outside of the Amazon.com usual circles. Understand I am a model builder (sorry according to some of my peer group an "assembler") and have always been interested in building my own custom "props" for sentimental and self-gratifying purposes only.....
I recommend this handbook on the foundation of it's knowledge. The handbook packs years of property making experience onto easy to read and photo specific pages and say's "NOW CREATE"....
I felt some things were lacking:
#1 New plastics that should be included or addendumed (New such as Wonderflex, Fun Foam, PVC etc. - For strengthening, vacum-forming, etc.)
#2 The "How to make a Vacum-Form Machine" is not as complete as it should be...- The article believes the reader to understand how to plan and design electrical circuitry...I wonder how many kids out there finished their oven....Hooked it up to an electrical wire with a plug in the end and get a surprise! Is electrical insulation or shrink tubing needed? (Are transformers or circuit breakers needed?) What is used for the electrical system (a car battery?) or wall plug? Why such a big space under the oven? (Then a simple 12 volt car battery, on/off switch and some wire may be all you need to make the oven....I really don't know but I will ask some experts.)
#3 Sections showing use of different materials tended to be very short and unclear....I really would love to have seen more examples in the use of "Fiber Glass" and "Paper-Maiche"....
All in all, the handbook is very helpful to me at my stage of beginning a new hobbie or building upon an old skill...after all I did make a wooden Star Trek Communicator and Phaser from scratch when I was 14 !
What a fantastic book.......2007-02-16
I've read many different books on the subject of molding and casting, and by far this is the most complete. Almost every practical approach is covered including plaster, paper mache, fiber glass and even vacuum molding with thermo plastic. Each step is clearly detailed and explained along with the appropriate warnings and cautions for hazardous material.
Not only does the author describe how to do each step, he takes the time to explain why you would use one technique over another. It is very obvious he has years of experience in the field.
If I had to criticize the book at all, it would be the strange two column layout. Instead of always reading down the column, it jumps across columns when there is a picture in the text.
You can buy this book with confidence and know that you will find the information you need inside.
A good book with an awkward layout.......2007-01-10
This book is pretty decent. It falls short in just one area:
The text layout is awkward. Multiple sections on many pages are oddly split using the bi-columnar format. I frequently found myself inadvertently jumping from one section to the next.
The sources for materials and supplies found in this book makes it worth the price in my opinion.
Book Description
New in Paper
The colors, textures, and versatility of polymer clay make it a perfect medium for creating faux surfaces--and these 30 recipes for special finishing, shaping, baking, and molding techniques will transform polymer's appearance. Craft gorgeous faux gemstones; fool the eye with imitation metals, including Balinese silver and verdigris copper; and copy must-have naturals, from bone to leather. Or make simulated agate, slate, and marble. You'll find information on all the types of polymer clay, from translucent ones to some with mica powder, and see how to enhance their surface with paints, inks, wax compounds, and confetti. The unusual include a handsome makeup set, lapis lazuli drawer pulls, and Opal Earrings.
"[A] well designed craft book...the end results dazzle."--Publishers Weekly Annex
Customer Reviews:
Simplest of Instructions. .......2007-07-26
Very Easy to Follow Directions for Making Faux Stones!!! Why Pay Big Bucks to use Turquoise, Tiger Eye, Marble, etc., in your Jewelry Making when you can make it?
Easy to follow, even for a newbie.......2007-06-06
I'm brand-new to the wonders of polymer clay and I found this book to be really easy to follow. I've spent a lot of time looking at projects and ideas online, and I was happy to discover that this book covered a lot of things I haven't seen already. I made the agate slices from this book and they turned out amazingly realistic looking! VERY cool stuff in here, and every project has great instructions that anybody should be able to follow and get great results. (You will need a pasta roller for most of the projects.)
Great faux techniques in clay.......2007-05-16
A great book for ilustrations of different faux techniques to be obtained with polymer clay. I appreciated the full color photographs and instructions. If you've gotten hooked on polymer clay, and exploring the possibilities, this is one book to have.
Very good.......2007-05-09
This book gives you simple instructions to follow. I highly recommend this book for those wanting to learn how to make faux stone.
Great Recipe book for Polymer Clay.......2007-04-13
This book was even better than expected. Great step by step "recipes" on how to do the faux applications and make polymer clay look like other things such as Onyx and other semi precious stones. There are many to chose from and they explain both the technique and the project shown clearly. Great photo's and easy to follow directions. What more could you ask for? :) A good buy for the money.
Customer Reviews:
Every Media, Every Skill Level.......2000-06-02
This book offers a great variety of options for 3D projects with all the information to get your started, over what ever fear you might have and into the creative fun that can be had! The author starts with essentials, paper mache, styrofoam and brown paper that anyone can use and shows some wonderful projects for beginners. They include excellent masks, wonderful creapy creatures. Some of the urethane foam work is completely unexpected and not such a common starting point for most people. The author includes wire framing, puppets - just an incredible assortment. I purchased this book for myself and love it, but it would have been great to have when I had children around looking for things to do. Truly a book for all ages
Book Description
Here are 19 ways to take polymer clay a step further, into the realm of home decor, with projects for adorning living rooms, kitchens, dining rooms, holiday parties, bedrooms and more. Projects include: * Tassel curtain tiebacks * An Art Nouveau picture frame * Lampshades and trinket boxes * Candleholders and pearl veneer cutlery * Refrigerator magnets and switch plate covers * Snowflake and icicle holiday decorations Each project provides a supply list, a list of colors and clays needed, full-color photos and easy-to-follow instructions. There are also tips for varying color schemes and designs to suit individual decorating schemes.
Customer Reviews:
Interesting!.......2005-12-21
I thought this book showed some very interesting projects to make using polymer clay -- ideas that I have never seen done before. Well illustrated and easy to follow, I recommend this book to anyone who is looking to make some truly unique clay items.
Exciting projects that make you want to redecorate your home.......2002-12-03
I really liked this book -- I have about 12 books on Polymer clay and this is one of the best. Does a good job going over all the basics, but the projects are what make the book really great. Too many poly clay books focus on cute little figures that really have no use -- Sue Heaser's book shows you how to make things that you can USE. The directions are clear, and the ideas excellent. I am currently trolling for old lamp to turn into my own clay lampshade! I liked this book so much that I have ordered her other book, Polymer Clay Techniques.
Creative new ideas with polymer clay.......2001-12-24
This is my ninth book on polymer clay. I purchased it to get ideas to expand on what I already knew and it did just that. This book is full of new ideas I haven't been introduced to in any other book to date. The projects are well thought out and easy to follow.
I wouldn't necessarily recommend this book to be your first if you have not yet worked with this medium. However, if you are even the slightest bit experienced with polymer clay and want to find new ideas and get a new perspective, I highly recommend it!
Customer Reviews:
Disjointed.......2003-08-05
A valiant effort, but I found this book hard to follow...many of the essential steps seem to be missing...perhaps the book is geered towards only the advanced. I was dissapointed by the characterish results of the approach and was hoping for more of an attempt at "fine" art.
good likeness.......2000-12-27
The author gives a step by step approach for modeling a likeness in clay. Very helpful and good at using calapers to get the correct demensions to start with. I would recommend Bruno Lucchesi's books also as he is a modern day master.
A must-have for aspiring sculptor portraitists........1999-01-23
Mrs Grubbs has lots of talent, being a pedagogue is not the least of them. As she shares her technique with the reader, every step is thoroughly illustrated and commented. Numerous examples of specific situations are shown in detail along with the sculptor's comments.
The first sections establishes the general principles governing the achievement of a likeness, going step by step through the measurements and accurate mass and volume placement, with practical demonstration.
Further sections detail the progress of the work, and the end sections are practical examples of different portrait renditions of models which vary in age, sex, ethnic features, all being taken from actual work carried out by the artist.
As Mrs Grubbs favors kiln-firing of her clay portraits, readers interested in this technique will also find very valuable information, and will learn how to properly prepare a portrait for this purpose.
Book Description
Polymer clay is the most versatile and inclusive artistic medium there is, in that so many skills and tools can be utilized from other craft areas such as sewing, jewelry making, rubber stamping, and home décor.
This book explores a wide variety of polymer clay applications that are not limited to any one format and which are useful for both the beginning and advanced polymer clay crafter. Twenty creative and intriguing projects such as miniatures, jewelry, sewing notions, home décor and gifts are all featured in this photography-filled guide.
-Learn how to mimic a wide variety of techniques with polymer clay, such as carving, scrimshaw on faux ivory, metallic finishes and other fool-the-eye effects
-Comprehensive listing of supply sources
-Detailed instructions along with plenty of helpful tips and techniques
Customer Reviews:
Just a Beginner.......2006-08-20
I am just a beginner with polymer clay and this book gave me some excellent information. It was easy to read and understand and not only did it give me good basic information, but it also gave me an idea of just how far you can go with polymer clay creatively.
Inspiring Creativity.......2003-04-25
Sarajane Helm's book was a wonderful jump start to my amateur polymer clay artistic creations. Not only is it well written with easy to follow examples, but the pictures are aesthetically pleasing. I hate books where the examples shown are simply not visually appealing enough for me to try. This is not the case with this book. Kudos to the photographer Bobby Grieser.
Each example is created in a way that inspires the reader to use the techniques and to change them to fit the reader's needs. Sarajane really inspires creativity with this book. Also, I found there are some fairly new techniques and methods to try that I have not seen in other polymer clay books.
Simply put, Creating a Polymer Clay Impression is a book that is inspiring for beginners and advanced artists alike. It is well thought out with visually inspiring examples and techniques. It also offers original ideas that I have not seen elsewhere. I recommend this book to anyone.
Create a Polyclay Impression - a year later........2002-10-01
I'm pretty sure I own every polymer clay book published save those dealing with sculpture, miniatures and doll making. I have read them cover to cover. For years,there were only a scant handful of books dealing with polymer clay,but the last couple of years has seen a near "boom" in new polymer clay books. I have preorder-ed all of them and eagerly awaited their publications.
I intended to write a review of Sarajane Helm's book, "Create a Polymer Clay Impression" when it was initially released and for various reasons didn't get it done. Since then, 6 or 7 new polymer clay books have been released and it seemed like a review in light of all of them would be timely.
I liked SaraJane Helm's book on first reading. It does not follow what has become sort of the formulaic approach of polymer clay books by beginning with a general discussion of polymer clay tools and techniques and following with step-by-step projects. It does indeed have very nice projects with instructions to complete them as well as the standard general information about working with polymer clay. What sets this book apart is that the text is loaded with specific information about materials and techniques polymer clay artists have experimented with, tried and tested since the late 80's or early 90's and have proven good.
The exploration of texturing clay and the use of rubber stamps with clay is especially worth mention - it virtually kicks open doors of creativity to a dimension of polymer clay that other books give scant mention. It switched on a little light bulb in my brain - aha! I can combine texture and other techniues and it doesn't have to be either - or.
There are three or four books in my "polymer clay library" that I find I go back to over and over for both specific information and creative inspiration and "Create a Polymer Clay Impression" is one of those well used books. I endorse it whole-heartedly.
A New Spin (For Me) On a Familiar Medium.......2002-01-31
Isn't it exciting when a new idea comes along, when something different pops up?
Texture is an incredible aspect of art because it can be manipulated in so many different ways. It can add all the detail you need to an entire form or add interest to a single component or a piece.
I never really explored texture until I picked up this book. Sarajane Helm shows how any object can be incorporated into a work via an impression. The reader will learn how to create and use molds, different ways to use stamps, and see how texture can make for some truly unique pieces of art.
Other subjects covered are: your clay basics, caning, and using your textured pieces in various applications such as covering boxes and switchplates, assembling jewelry and mosaics (including polymer tile-covered musical instruments).
This is a great book for anyone interested in polymer clay and is looking for truly unique inspiration.
Best Polymer Clay Book So Far!.......2002-01-28
I have many books on the subject and, although they all have added to my knowledge on the subject, this one goes far beyond! Not only did I learn many new things, but I never get tired of looking at the beautiful pictures of the magnificent work she and her husband have created!
Book Description
Whether you’re a beginning or an expert clay worker, here’s all the info you need to create plaster molds, then use them to produce multiples of your favorite mugs or best-selling pieces. Every aspect is covered, from selecting and working with clay, slip, and plaster to a series of fascinating projects for all levels. A color gallery of mold-made work offers encouragement and inspiration.
Customer Reviews:
better than nothing.......2003-01-27
I was excited to see this book when it first came out. Read it the same day and had mixed thoughts. It is useful if you have never made a mold... but helpless if you have moderate to high experience. It is visually layed out better than anything else out there... and I keep it on the shelf for student reference. If you teach ceramics, keep it around. If you are seeking to learn mold making...it is just one of many books that you will need to peice together the real information that you will need to be a confident mold maker.
Michael Joy
chicagomoldschool.com
A Great Guide.......2001-01-22
This well thought out guide gets right to work explaining in clear, concise steps how to construct various types of clay molds. From basic one-piece molds to complex multi-piece molds, Clayton describes their design, construction, and infinite utility. The book is loaded with excellent color and black and white photographs. Some depict the tools and process. Others show a magnificent sampling of finished products. This guide can take the average pot-throwers hobby to the next level. Makes a pretty decent coffee table book too. --Christopher Bonn Jonnes, author of Wake Up Dead.
Answered all my questions!.......2000-04-23
Author Pierce Clayton and Editor Chris Rich have assembled instructions, guidelines and black/white assembly illustrations to make both plaster and rubber molds. Eye appeal in the form of dashingly colorful photos of ceramics of many accomplished artists is also included. His easy-to-follow instructions and pictures have answered every question I had about making plaster molds. I do have one suggestion: trying to keep your copy clean with a plastic book cover might be a good idea!
Answered all my questions!.......2000-04-23
Clayton has assembled instructions, guidelines and black/white assembly illustrations to make both plaster and rubber molds. Eye appeal in the form of dashingly colorful photos of ceramics of many accomplished artists is also included. His easy-to-follow instructions and pictures have answered every question I had about making plaster molds. I do have one suggestion: trying to keep your copy clean with a plastic book cover might be a good idea!
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Books Index
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General
| Sculpture
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Making Polymer Clay Beads: Step-by-Step Techniques for Creating Beautiful Ornamental Beads
Faux Surfaces in Polymer Clay: 30 Techniques & Projects That Imitate Stones, Metals, Wood & More
Polymer Pizzazz: 27 Great Polymer Clay Jewelry Pro (Best of Bead & Button Magazine)
Polymer Clay Surface Design Recipes: 100 Mixed-Media Techniques Plus Project Ideas
Mixed Media Mosaics: Techniques & Projects Using Polymer Clay Tiles, Beads & Other Embellishments
