Metal Clay Beads: Techniques, Projects, Inspiration (Lark Jewelry Book) [Hardcover]

Barbara Becker Simon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 7, 2009 | Series: Lark Jewelry Book

When you combine two bestselling topics like metal clay and beading, and then add one of the most talented and respected artists in the business, you’ve got a winning combination. In this unique, comprehensive reference, Barbara Becker Simon treats readers to 22 outstanding metal clay bead projects. An introductory section guides them through all the fundamentals, from forming and joining the clay to firing and finishing. Learn how to add gemstones, glass, and other objects; use molded and carved texture plates; etch photos into a surface; develop rich patinas; and more. From the Porcupine Pearl Bead to a Polygon Box Bead, the projects are both timely and sophisticated.

 

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Barbara Becker has been a jeweller for over 35 years and lampwork/bead artist since 1996. She has a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Metalwork from the University of Wisconsin and has taught at several universities.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Lark Books (April 7, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 160059025X
• ISBN-13: 978-1600590252
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #389,644 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I have been a jeweler for over forty years and a lampwork/bead artist since 1996. I received a Master of Fine Arts Degree in metalwork and jewelry from the University of Wisconsin.

I have taught at the University of Wisconsin, Menomonie, and Iowa State University and was professor of Fine Arts at Edison Community College, Ft Myers, Florida. Locally I teach at the Cape Coral Art Studio here in Cape Coral, Florida.

I teach PMC and glass beadmaking workshops all over the US at such venues as Penland School of Crafts and Arrowmont School of Crafts. For the past 8 years, I have traveled the country as a Senior Instructor for the Rio Rewards Precious Metal Clay Certification Classes. In 2004 I went to Japan to teach PMC workshops in the land of its origin. I went to Australia in 2008 at the invitation of the PMC Guild of Australia and taught the wonderful Aussies in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide. This January 2010 I will be in Switzerland, Austria and the UK teaching both PMC and glass beadmaking.

In addition to my metalwork I have gained an international reputation for my Lampworked glass beads and jewelry. The third edition of Contemporary Lampworking by Bandhu Dunham features my hollow core vessels on the cover. Formed of Fire by Bandhu Dunham and Cindy Jenkins' book, Beads of Glass, contain examples of my work and a how-to on hollow core vessels.

You can see my metalwork and glass work in such publications as Lapidary Journal and such venues as the Corcoran Gallery in Washington, D.C..

"I have been an artist all my life. I can't remember when I wasn't drawing or making something. I distinctly recall drawing ballerinas in kindergarten.

Within the first week of jewelry class in college, I knew that this was where I wanted to be: designing and creating art to wear.

And when introduced to the world of lampworking, I was gleefully consumed with the drive to create small, intimate objects in glass. Manipulating hot glass is, for me, an exciting, joyful process. When I can combine my glass with my metalwork, I feel that the best of both worlds has been achieved.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Metal Clay Beads, March 28, 2009

By 

bfangela - See all my reviews

This review is from: Metal Clay Beads: Techniques, Projects, Inspiration (Lark Jewelry Book) (Hardcover)

It's nice to have more books for PMC fans coming out. The focus, as indicated by the title, is mainly beads. Even if you use PMC for other things, this book has a ton a valuable tips for working with, texturizing, and structuring metal clay. It's a beautiful book. Five stars.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book, July 8, 2009

By 

Barbara Butcher "Barb's Beads" (Santa Fe, NM) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Metal Clay Beads: Techniques, Projects, Inspiration (Lark Jewelry Book) (Hardcover)

This book has some of the most innovative and beautiful projects I have seen in books about Precious Metal Clay. I believe I have the majority of books which have been published on the subject and this one had an amazing variety of techniques and treatments.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Metal Clay Beads: Techniquies, June 17, 2009

By 

Monte Nikkel "ribette" (Hampton, NH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Metal Clay Beads: Techniques, Projects, Inspiration (Lark Jewelry Book) (Hardcover)

Excellent advanced book in metal clay. A must have for the library of a metal clay artist.
Easy to follow directions. Great usable projects.