Creative Ways with Polymer Clay [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Dotty McMillan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 2001

Highly versatile and exhilarating to work with, polymer clay has set the art world afire with its infinite potential for diversity. Appliqué, stamp, carve, saw, and buff it; the clay can even capture the look of jade, turquoise, ivory, wood, and metal. Plus, it comes in an array of marvelous colors and effortlessly shapes into lamps, bowls, buttons, beads, and beautiful baubles. Find out about the latest and greatest in the craft-from the different clay types (including translucent and glow in the dark) to the variety of helpful tools to the limitless array of techniques (photo transfers, crackling, extruding and more). Novices will love being able to plunge right into projects like a Chinese Good Luck Lantern with translucent clay that resembles frosted glass; Chunky Art Deco Bracelet that looks as if it came right out of the 20s or 30s; pretty Miniature Bowls; and an adorable Tiny Jointed Teddy Bear.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

It's hard to believe that polymer clay--a bake-in-the-oven plasticized clay--is only 10 years old. Artists around the world almost immediately capitalized on its easy-to-fashion, malleable properties. At first, most products were jewelry--beads usually created to resemble Italian glass millefiori. After early experimentation, items morphed into decorative accessories as well. McMillan straddles both sides and has the added advantage of tapping into the different expertise and styles of a variety of practitioners. Techniques, too, have expanded, using older methods such as gilding and glazing and newly invented how-tos such as the Skinner blend (melded colors) and image transfers. Even better, crafters can pick from among 31 projects, ranging from traditional (Chinese good-luck lantern) to extraordinarily modern (tiny jointed teddy bear). Directions are adequate but would benefit from more illustrations. A gallery of artists at the end adds insight and inspiration. Barbara Jacobs
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

Dotty has been working with polymer clay for many years and is passionately in love with the medium. She is a member of the National Polymer Clay Guild of America and lives in Orange County, California. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Sterling; illustrated edition edition (December 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806917458
• ISBN-13: 978-0806917450
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #654,880 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Creative techniques beyond Polymer Clay 101, December 15, 2001

By 

MADbookshelf "dodgema" (Port Saint Lucie, FL USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Creative Ways with Polymer Clay (Hardcover)

This is a wonderful helpful book for anyone wanting to take a step forward in using this versatile medium. It is heavy on artistic applications, and the projects are richly elegant. She has shared some hints for working with some of the more intriguing methods of handling the clay.

The best part for me was the compared methods of doing various techniques, i.e. monkume gane.

While it gives a good description of what polymer clay is and lists the items one may use to work with it, it probably is not a good choice for a first PC book, as a lot of the basics are not detailed nor illustrated. However, for those who want to polish their techniques or need a kickstart for a new ideas, it is a real winner.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic!, October 3, 2001

By 

ArtWay (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Creative Ways with Polymer Clay (Hardcover)

A long-awaited polymer clay book is finally here, and it was worth the wait! The author has done a great job of pulling together a huge variety of techniques and including a solid grounding in the basic knowledge that someone would need to get started with this fascinating medium. She's written about the things that clayers want to learn, and I think that following the step by step pictures will be easy, even for an inexperienced clayer. The projects range from jewelry techniqes and projects to making tiny books to home decor items like lamps. The gallery section is inspiring and incredibly varied in the items that it presents. Major eye candy! I would recommend this book to any polymer clay fan!

Elizabeth

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitely a 5 STAR book!, October 1, 2001

By 

Cheryl annie Casper "annie_casper" (Southern Illinois) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Creative Ways with Polymer Clay (Hardcover)

To begin it's a beautifully done hardcover book! It's jammed packed with techniques/information and DO-ABLE projects for polymer clay aquainted beginners to those that have worked with polymer clay for years. The range in projects is VERY exciting! I loved every one, and I have no doubts that everyone will find that they too will enjoy and be tempted to try almost every, if not all, of the projects. It also includes a wonderful *Gallery* of some of the most beautiful polymer clay artwork by many polyclay artist.
Very well written, easy to follow and beautifully photographed! In my humble opinion, this is a *gotta have* book for any & all interested in creating with polymer clay.