Customer Reviews

Introduction to Precious Metal Clay

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This was a nice book, but it did not live up to my expectations. The first chapters and the appendix are the best part of the book. I felt that there were too many chapters relating to projects and not much on the actual process and firing of PMC Also many of the pictures were duplicated from chapter to chapter. I do not think the editing and the publisher were very top rate. All in all it was an ok book, but I wish I had purchased Tim's Mc's book or another artists book. Sorry Maryann..........

Wonderful step-by-step book for beginners. It exposes you to various design elements of PMC and really helps the beginner understand how everything fits together without going too in depth. From a beginner's standpoint, I would have liked to have seen a better picture of what the finished product should have looked like at the end of each project, but that would not stop me from buying the book.

This book is an excellent reference for anyone who works with PMC. It is clearly written so a novice can follow, as well as provide backup to an expert looking for firing temp, time or options for glass, gold, etc. I looked at several books before deciding on this one - it has a good mix of expert advice and project inspiration.

I love this book, it gives a lot of ideas, not only using clay, but also money saver ideas. It offers ideas for making a home made clay dryers and others. It also gives a complete list of needed items, some of which most people already have rather than going out and buying un-needed things.

Lots of interesting designs, and ideas to create..

Whether you are a novice or a long time PMC'er, this book is a must. I am constantly going through it for references to a technique. LOVE IT!

I ordered this Book to see if I really wanted to invest in going to a craft Camp for a week and taking this new medium. It has convinced me to go.

Also it has convinced me that I can do this at home with very little outlay of expenses for tools. Most of us have quite a bit to the things we need right at home.

The big thing is ordering the PMC itself.

I started out buying Polymer Clay to play with first, then have gone on to the more expensive PMC. Now I am to the point of wnating to invest in a special PMC oven. It does have a digital heat regulator. so be sure you can afford to get into this medium.. and This Book will help you decide.

[Note: My copy of this book (which I bought two years ago) has a different cover design, so maybe the one now being sold (2008) is an improved version of the one I have and am reviewing here.]

This is an OK introduction to metal clay. It contains quite a bit of useful information about materials and methods and has lots of helpful illustrations. However, one thing about the book detracts a great deal from its quality: the pieces shown being made and as finished products are, with very few exceptions, poorly designed and sloppily and apparently hastily made, more like what a rank beginner with too little time, and no instruction, design sense, or artistic talent might make. The Orchid Pendant (project 6) and the Free Form Paper Brooch (project 9) are good examples of this. They are a mess. Even in the photos of the finished items polished up to wear, the sloppy workmanship and lack of design are clearly evident. Pieces of silver clay and embellishments seem to be crowded together randomly and whatever results is considered acceptable by the author. One wonders what her rejects look like, or indeed if she ever does reject a piece. She may be trying to show how easy it is to work with metal clay, but if this was the only book you had on the subject, you wouldn't be very inspired to try it. A little more meticulousness in creating the pieces would have made the book much better. Any beginner who took the time to plan a piece, work carefully, and pay attention to overall design could produce pieces that look more professional and attractive than what is shown in this book.

I loved the basics that the author gives and step by step instructions but the best part is her encouraging pointers and great attitude that kept me going through my first mistakes. The pictures are a huge help as well and I find myself referring back to this book often.

This book is great for those who want to make jewelry with PMC. Mary Ann Devos has made a name for herself as a great PMC instructor and has been playing with PMC since 1996. She studied under Tim Mc Creight and has taught all over the world. This was my first PMC book and allowed me to feel comfortable enough to dip my toes in the wonderful world of PMC five years ago. Now, hundreds of pieces later, I know this book helped tremendously.