Customer Reviews

Metal Clay Magic: Making Silver Jewelry the Easy Way

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

First let me tell you I'm not a metal clay artist, but I do pretend sometimes. Metal Clay Magic has joined a heavy hitting line up of books on metal clay. I like the techniques in this book and the explanations of different types of heat applied to metal clay and the results you get from that. The tools and materials section is really good, because it shows the little `hot pot' techniques up to the most wonderful of kilns. I also like the division of projects, meaning the one chapter is for beginners and then next chapter is intermediate and goes on to using more advanced techniques. There is a section for inspiration, resources and suppliers and suggested reading that I find not really long, very well presented. I also liked the idea of using sheet metal clay in what seemed to me unique ways, and of combing metal clay with glass and gemstones. I'd never thought of making a metal clay ring and that was fascinating also. This seems like a good book for the metal clay enthusiasts.
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If you love unique silver and gold jewelry but don't want to become a metalsmith, read Metal Clay Magic. With the development of metal clay, only your imagination limits what you can create in quality silver and gold.

Metal clay consists primarily of pure silver (or gold) in tiny particles smaller than 20 microns (less than half the diameter of a human hair). These particles are mixed in an organic binder and water formula. During firing, the binder burns away and the precious metal particles sinter leaving just the precious metal, which can be hallmarked as .999 silver or 24K gold.

The price for the clay may vary with gold and silver prices or suppliers however, the day I checked online, I found: Art Clay--gold was $149.56 per 5g pkg; Art Clay--silver, the standard was $26.88 per 20g pkg. (this amount will yield 10 or so, small, simple earrings)

You have minimal waste, because you recycle your mistakes, reducing the cost risk compared to the rewards.

If you enjoy working with polymer clay, this is probably your next step in the creative evolution. Make one-of-a-kind heirloom jewelry and more, with tools you probably already have in your home. (You will need either a small inexpensive butane kiln for small projects like earrings to a more expensive programmable electric kiln to fire certain projects needing longer firing times.)

The instructions are easy to follow and the large color pictures inspire. If you follow the step-by-step lessons, you should have a finished piece within the day. (I would agree as long as you have sculpted clay before.)

Good news: The metal clay is non-toxic (it conforms to ASTM D4236) and it doesn't go bad. Polymer clay has to be conditioned; metal clay does not.

With 25 easy projects, including beads, earrings, pendants, and unique origami items, it should be easy to find one for your skill level. There is also a handy guide for resources and suppliers, a

Armchair Interview says: Metal Clay Magic will inspire you to create your own signature pieces of gold and silver jewelry.

Nana V. Mizushima's Metal Clay Magic: Making Silver Jewelry The Easy Way provides a solid introduction to metal clay, showing beginners how to create beads, brooches, and more from this new Japanese material. Lesson plans are based on over twenty easy projects and provide everything from shaping and use tips to hints on how to fire metal clay with a butane torch, use an electric kiln, and more. The inclusion of Internet resources and a bibliography round out the how-to facts, which are packed with step-by-step color photos for easy demonstration of technique.

This book did not only offer a 'plesant read' but I also found the illustrations stimulating and the text easy to follow. I enjoyed the paragraphs about playing with metal clay,glass and ceramics,the Hollow Bead Bracelet and the Origami chapter. But in the final pages I somehow lost interest as the 'Inspiration' pages were not very inspiring for me.
All in all, I am pleased I bought the book. It certainly inspired me to find my own inspiration!

This book has easy to follow directions and lots of ideas for a new-to-jewelry maker like myself. I am self-taught and books like this one are great! Thanks!

The book has many pretty pictures, and if all you want to do is make metal jewelry without added stones, it is probably adequate. But the thing I wanted to know most was how to set gemstones in finished metal clay jewelry, and the one paragraph devoted to that topic was singularly uninformative.

For me, buying this book means having to buy another on the same topic - and hope for the best!

Love this book. It goes into more detail about paper clay and shows more projects. I use this book as my main reference.

The author was so detailed in her instructions that I feel I can successfully complete the project with great results! I am a beginner at PMC, but she made me comfortable with her explanations, pictures, and suggestions.

very in formative and great illustrations. lots of detail on the process of metal clay jewelry making with out a kiln. It show how creative metal clay could be. Has a lot of interesting projects that seem to be very flexible.

Very good. Very useful. Lovely. Glad to have it in the library for reference and
inspiration.