Inspired Remnants, Curious Dreams: Mixed Media Projects in Epoxy Clay [Paperback]

Kerin Gale (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 16, 2010

It's all about creating the curious. Inside this book, you will be introduced to 26 very unique and unusual stepped-out projects, each offering new techniques using epoxy clay. Two-part epoxy clay can be sculpted and manipulated in a variety of ways and is extremely durable when cured, resulting in amazing effects that are easy to achieve with no sculpting experience necessary! You will learn the basics of working with this new craft medium and then dive into the projects, which feature sculpted and molded epoxy clay inspired by and often combined with altered remnants. Projects include mixed-media pieces such as a small totem, curio cabinet, fish tank and lighting along with personal style and jewelry items fashioned in a curious, Victorian Gothic style.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Kerin is part mad scientist, rogue artist, goddess of software quality, teacher, writer and explorer of all things curious.  When not in the studio or garage sailing, she can be found frolicking about deserted beaches seeking out windswept treasures and watching inspiring tales wafting by in a remote area of the southern Oregon coast.

Kerin loves to work with many art materials including resins, found objects, clays of all sorts and metals. 

Another great love is sharing with other artists.  To that end she has launched an online mixed media art site with their own etsy team, a huge collection of art images, online workshops, featured artists, book reviews and artistic challenges.

She, along with her gifted husband, Charley Slaughter, create mechanical art (automata), sculpture and jewelry and are represented in several galleries. They also teach at national art retreats as well as local venues.  Kerin's work can be found in Somerset Studio magazine, Altered Bits Zine, 1,000 Steampunk Creations (Quarry Books July 2011) and 500 Pendants and Lockets (Lark Books May 2008).

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: North Light Books; 1 edition (December 16, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1600619444
• ISBN-13: 978-1600619441
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 0.4 x 11 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #358,663 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #62 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Antiques & Collectibles > Pottery & Ceramics

More About the Author

I love to play in my studio and make many types of art . . . mechanical toys, found object assemblage, sculpture and unusual jewelry (OK I admit it-- everything is pretty unusual not just the jewelry!!!) I work with resins, clays, acrylic media and just about everything else.

I wrote a book about epoxy clay because it helped me immensely to grow as an artist and I wanted so much to share that with others. My dream is that the light bulb moment when realizing that I could make anything I could imagine will be experienced by many. It has happened in our workshops and now I want to see it on a grand scale!!! What seems nearly impossible but is actually true is such an empowering realization. I envision what amazing new creations will emerge when others are set free of limitations in what they can do.

I teach local workshops and at art retreats here and there. My rather curious creations are in galleries and in my online shop at http://remnants.etsy.com You may be interested to know that I'll be offering additional projects as a supplement to the book and beginner kits to get started using epoxy clay in my etsy shop.

My ning site is a mixed media destination with well over 1,000 artists sharing artistic passions and dreams. All artists are welcome and it is free to join. Come see! www.MixedMediaArt.ning.com

I'd love you to stop by my blog to say hello! http://RemnantsOfOlde.com/posts.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book February 4, 2011

By Shala Kerrigan TOP 50 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Inspired Remnants, Curious Dreams is a book about how to use epoxy clays in mixed media and altered art.
If you haven't used epoxy clays, they are two part clays that you mix together then form in a mold or by hand. Then it cures into a hard plastic that can be sanded, drilled, polished and painted.
The introduction of the book covers in a lot more detail what epoxy clay is,how to use it and how to create molds using silicone to cast the clay.
Then it gets into the projects and versatility of the fun medium. Using this clay to create mosaics and other decorating pieces, but also using it to create jewelry.
The jewelry projects are just absolutely inspiring and gorgeous. With a vintage effect out of a fairly new material, they incorporate words, images, wire and other things and are finished in ways that create a very artistic and dramatic look to the pieces.
The effects in this book remind me a lot of the feeling and look of steampunk. However you could use the same techniques to create brighter and more modern pieces very easily. It's a gorgeous and inspiring book. Some of the bigger projects are very involved using a wide variety of media. The smaller ones can be completed in a weekend, including curing time and time for paints and finishes to dry, only a few hours actual working time. Recommended for people who want to try something new and easy to make custom focal pieces for their jewelry, people who love steampunk jewelry and for art doll makers. Actually, for any crafty artist who wants to learn more epoxy clay.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspired Projects, Curious Mediums! January 12, 2011

By Michelle Bernard

Format:Paperback

Everything you ever wanted to know about epoxy clays and silicone putties. With these two mediums, it is amazing what you can make!

I've taken a class with Kerin and was really excited when I found out she was writing a book. The nurturing spirit she embodies really comes through in this book. Her conversational tone and lighthearted humor make you feel like she's right there with you. And her amazingly clever projects will excite your creativity and spark your imagination. Before you can say, why didn't I think of that?.... you've come up with 3 more projects using the techniques in this book. You just can't help yourself!

The book begins with an elaborate look at how to mix and use multiple types of epoxy clays and mold-making putties. There are no complicated formulas or fancy terms, and with so many tips and tricks... you really can't make a mistake! You'll learn to adhere, sculpt, mold, duplicate, assemble, faux finish and much more. Kerin really covers everything! I learned so much from this book.

Each of the over 20 projects includes color step-by-step photos and detailed instructions for all kinds of items from assemblage to jewelry to home décor items and more! Sprinkled throughout the book are additional gallery projects from all your favorite mixed media artists. There is definitely something for everyone. You won't be disappointed.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Art Is...Kerin Gale and her Curious Dreams February 9, 2011

By Sallianne McClelland

Format:Paperback

Through poetry and stories, Kerin captures your heart and inspiration in her new book Inspired Remnants, Curious Dreams.

This is a project book for all - Beginners to Advance. From someone who is new to working in epoxy clay right through to someone who has worked with the materials and wants a little more inspiration, a little more encouragement and some new challenges.

I do not profess to be an artist in the true form. As an event manager my "art" is in creating and arranging opportunities for artists such as Kerin Gale, to teach, to share, to enliven, and to encourage other artists to step outside their comfort zone. She wants you to know that outside our "box" there is a world to discover and with simple steps and very very very clear instructions, she will take you through this world of Epoxy Clay and enable you to see that you too are capable of producing special, memorable and artistically clever designs and creations.

What I loved most:
Amazing summary of the various materials and how to prepare them, work with them and create with them
Concise instructions
Step by Step photos
Full, accurate and detailed materials lists
The range of projects, from jewelry to lamps, from big to small
Several galleries of work by artists and friends of Kerin
Resource List!! No hiding the details of what she uses or where she gets it

Mostly I loved the stories, the poetry and the quotations.

Whether the masterpiece is a work of art or of your life, it matters not as long as you see it for what it is. It's all the same in the end. (Kerin Gale)

I am ready to step out of my comfort zone Kerin.

Sallianne