Clay Characters for Kids [Paperback]

Maureen Carlson (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Create a world of fun and enchantment with polymer clay!

You can transform a batch of colorful polymer clay into a fantasy world right out of your imagination. You'll find basic techniques for sculpting 10 easy shapes that can be used to create dozens of different creatures, plus details for faces, eyes, noses, ears, mouths, hands, paws and feet.

You'll learn how to shape 30 detailed and colorful fantasy characters in all, including:

• Dragons and sea serpents
• Goblins and fairies
• Pigs and rabbits
• Birds and horses
• Ghosts, snakes, teddy bears and more!

Bring your imagination to life today!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3 Up-This attractive book shows how to create 30 characters out of polymer clay. A "Note to Grown-Ups" gives tips and reminders, including the fact that adult supervision is needed. Although this supervision is most important in the baking step that hardens the clay, many of the projects will require patience and detailed work that may be beyond younger sculptors. Several pages give helpful hints for working with the medium and list supplies. The color wheel and basic shapes are treated with the same whimsy as the projects. The figures all stem from the basics taught at the beginning, and range from a simple pig made from several balls squished together to a complex dragon with multicolored scales. Each step is explained and captured in a clear, color photograph. The amount of clay needed and finished sizes are not given, but the pictures should be enough for most modelers to figure it out. An appealing how-to.
Genevieve Gallagher, Orange County Public Library, VA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Maureen Carlson is the author of two books, How to Make Clay Characters and Family and Friends in Polymer Clay. She has written for numerous craft magazines and has produced a series of instructional videotapes about polymer clay. Her moulds and figurines are found in craft and gift stores nationwide.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: North Light Books (January 6, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581802862
• ISBN-13: 978-1581802863
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #62,849 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #88 in Books > Children's Books > Arts, Crafts & Music > Crafts & Hobbies

More About the Author

Maureen Carlson has written for numerous craft magazines and has produced a series of instructional videotapes about polymer clay. Her moulds and figurines are found in craft and gift stores nationwide.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just for kids, January 22, 2003

By 

ArtWay (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Clay Characters for Kids (Paperback)

Kids are going to love this book - so many wonderful ideas for making their own gifts for family and friends. I think a lot of adults are going to like this book, too. Every project begins with simple steps, but the results are polished and beautiful.

Thirty projects, lots of great basic info about colors, color mixing, making shapes, combining shapes, changing expressions, etc.

Everything is illustrated in imaginative ways - even the basic color wheel is a whimsical thing.

The elves are adorable and the dragon beautiful - a huge range of critters and creatures in between - all appear to be quite do-able.

I think this would be a great book even for an adult who wants to try sculpting/modelling - you'll get some great inspiration from this! Plus, the "story-process" in the second half of the book is terrific and all the pictures are just gorgeous! :)

Elizabeth

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars suitable for all ages, November 30, 2004

By 

Becky sharp "Becky" (Ballyward N. I. middle of nowhere!) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Clay Characters for Kids (Paperback)

This was my first ever polymer clay book I was very pleased with it. It is suitable for the young or the young at heart. (Especially mothers with toddlers/young children, something to do on a rainy afternoon!)

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational pc book for kids, August 15, 2005

By 

Cute mom (Hong Kong) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Clay Characters for Kids (Paperback)

Definitely a book to own for kids pc artist. You may not be able to recplicate 100%, but this book surely gives ideas to kids.

Let me describe this way. My 7 year old native Chinese boy does not read English (yet), but he manages to create his versions of characters out of the book - just by looking at the pictures.

We're going to build our story scenario out of our creations soon. I'm happy with my purchase.