Most Helpful Customer Reviews
74 of 75 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic Metal-Clay Book, Innovative & Creative Projects!, September 12, 2006
This review is from: Metal Clay Jewelry: Projects. Techniques. Inspirations. (Paperback)
Precious Metal Clay and Art Clay Silver are just about the hottest new craft materials of this decade, and for good reason! Imagine a material that you can sculpt and mold just like other clay, but the end result, when baked properly in a kiln, is pure silver! New worlds of creative possibilities have been opened up to jewelry artists with the creation of this product, but finding a good book that not only introduces readers to the basics but also challenges intermediate to advanced artists is not easy. Louise Duhamel's new book, Metal Clay Jewelry, does just that.
The introductory chapters do a good job of preparing newbies for working with metal clays, covering the tools and materials needed, finishing techniques, all the metal clay options from low-fire silver clay to gold clay, paper clays, syringe and paste clays, and much more. A nice firing chart for the various types of clay make this book a worthy reference. The author thoroughly explains your firing options, too, including kilns, torches, and other alternatives. A complete chapter on the basics is very comprehensive; I especially appreciated the section on the syringe clay basics.
But one of my favorite chapters is "Let's Play with Clay," which details a wonderful variety of creative ideas including using hollow forms, setting gemstones, prong setting, working with bezel wire, adding findings, and finishing techniques including patination. Fabulous! A brief chapter on wire techniques is very helpful, too,.
But the best part is yet to come: The Projects!
Louise Duhamel is a popular workshop instructor who has taught her award-winning designs and techniques across the country, so she knows all the top artists working with metal clay. She lined up a very impressive list of contributing artists to share their special techniques in the projects section, starting with Jane Levy's Creative Chaos Bead (following the author's own Nestled Pearl Ring featured on the cover). Maria Martinez contributed a fabulous pair of Lantern Earrings made by origami-folding paper clay, while artist Anne Reiss submitted a gorgeous Village Ring. Other artists you may recognize are Barbara Becker Simon, Robert Dancik, Louis Kappel, Gordon Uyehara, Shahasp Valentine, and Patricia Walton, who all contributed fabulous projects to this book featuring brand-new ideas and techniques. There are 20 jewelry pieces to choose from, from pendants to earrings, to rings and more, plus an inspirational gallery of metal clay art, a Resources section, and helpful index.
Why give this book five stars? There are many reasons--this is just simply a fantastic book, full of great new techniques and creative ideas--but for me the main reason is the projects themselves, which are highly creative, artistic, a little bit challenging, but nevertheless approachable due to the step-by-step photos with excellent instructions provided. I'm very happy with this new book from Louise Duhamel, and I know you will be, too!
Sharilyn Miller, author of Bead on a Wire
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
48 of 49 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Masterful use of Techniques and Projects without forgetting the Basics. A Keeper for all Metal Clay Artists and wanna-bees!, November 6, 2006
This review is from: Metal Clay Jewelry: Projects. Techniques. Inspirations. (Paperback)
Metal Clay, sounds like an oxymoron. How can two elements so different be associated? For anyone that hasn't tried Precious Metal Clay and Art Clay Silver--clays that change into Silver or Gold--Louise Duhamel created the one book the reader will ever need. When I purchased "Metal Clay Jewelry," I read all of the projects after glancing through techniques I was not completely familiar with. For me, this was higly unusual. I buy many books that peak my interest, usually glance through them, then place them on the shelf for reference.
"Metal Clay Jewelry" was so well put together that it did not jump onto my bookshelf. I have most of the major Metal Clay books. "Metal Clay Jewelry" is the best book on the subject.
First, the topics covered under the section "The Magic Of Metal Clay" were complete--covering making texture, making molds, creating hollow forms, adding gemstones and findings, and discussing all types of metal clays and their uses--so anyone, from beginner to expert can create their own masterpiece. Many types of art clay products that were covered, I have never seen in any other metal clay book published.
Secondly, the section "Making the Projects" is so unique, using objects I would never imagine using--cement, chandelier crystals, colored pencils, and floral foam to name a few.
Some of these projects were made just by Louise Duhamel, but that was another wonderful aspect.
Most craft books cover projects only by the writer. Louise decided to share the wealth and show the metal clay community some of the fabulous, talented people out there--Barbara Becker Simon, Robert Dancik, Louis Kappel, Jane Levy, Maria Martinez, Anne Reiss, Gordon K. Uyehara, Shahasp Valentine, and Patricia Walton. Some of these contributing artists I was unaware of.
The popular artists displayed unique pieces of art that no other step-by-step book offered. The enamel butterfly technique made me want to push myself to reach a higher level of ability, I am sure that this insect will require my complete attention, but it will be well worth it.
Third, the end of the book covered the artistic background and contact information for these talented people. Most authors mention other contributors in passing. Louise Duhamel made it possible to reach these people and view additional work of theirs on the internet.
An extra tidbit Ms. Duhamel added throughout the book is her "Silver Nugget" small paragraphs on something she discovered and shares that will make work easier, such as the use of a toothpick and Badger Balm to pick up a gem. Each of these "Nuggets" make the reader say, "a-ha I wish I thought of that."
Lastly, the resource section, a part often omitted or tossed in as an afterthought, covered internet addresses for quality materials and further information, if needed. Since the projects pages are so complete and easy to follow, I can't image a need to pick up another book, until new techniques or materials are developed, and at that time I expect to find those in Ms. Duhamel's "next book," I hope! Thank you for being a one-of-a-kind artist, author, and sharing person.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A most helpful book for both beginners and experienced artists, February 17, 2007
This review is from: Metal Clay Jewelry: Projects. Techniques. Inspirations. (Paperback)
Great book! A must for those interested in working with metal clay. From the extremely clear explanations to the detailed step by step photos it is hard to imagine how one could go wrong with this "personal and private lessons" kind of illustrated text.
As someone who works with jewelry I found this book to be a most up to date source of both information and resources. I sincerely hope this is not the only book Ms. Duhamel writes, as I for one would be waiting for the next. If you are interested in technique as well as design, this is a must next to your bench.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
