Polymer - The Chameleon Clay: ArtRanch Techniques for Re-creating the Look of Ivory, Jade, Turquoise, and Other Natural Materials [Paperback]

Victoria Hughes (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 10, 2002

This book presents, in detail, how polymer clay can imitate various materials including ivory, jade, coral, shell, onyx, and turquoise through assorted finishing, shaping, baking, and moulding techniques. Eighteen unique and stunning projects, including an ivory pendant and an accordion-style jade book, are featured and illustrated by 250 beautiful, step-by-step photographs and detailed line drawings. A gallery of finished pieces by the author and more than 10 other skilled artists offers inspiration for readers to go beyond what is presented to make their own unique creations. Features: New, inventive, and amazing techniques to make polymer clay imitate more than ten different materials; Gorgeous photographs of completed pieces to inspire creativity; Complete information and step-by-step instructions for creating each look.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Krause Publications (October 10, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873493737
• ISBN-13: 978-0873493734
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #259,279 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #71 in Books > Arts & Photography > Other Media > Ceramics

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

65 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'd give it ten stars if I could!, November 30, 2002

By 

ArtWay (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Polymer - The Chameleon Clay: ArtRanch Techniques for Re-creating the Look of Ivory, Jade, Turquoise, and Other Natural Materials (Paperback)

I've got quite a little library of polymer clay books, but as soon as this book crossed my threshold, it immediately became one of my favorite three books of the bunch.

Firstly, maybe because of Tory's expression of her gentle and encouraging philosophy about making art - and her personality seems to come through on every page. Then, too, I love trying to mimic natural things and of course, she's a master. The agate technique is complicated, but the finished results certainly appear to be worth every step. Incredibly beautiful and convincing imitatives for a variety of natural materials. And all along the way, she's telling you little things about the material that you're making - such as how ancient peoples would further decorate a precious cracked amber bead by filling the crack with pitch and embedding pieces of turquoise or other stone in the pitch. Very cool stuff.

Very clear photos and the finished jewelry objects are shown on a beautiful model. Lots of variations and options are sprinkled throughout the instructions. Everything is well illustrated with tons of pictures and Tory's hand-drawn diagrams.

The finished items displayed in the book all have an antique, usually ethnic look, even if the theme of the ethnicity for a piece might seem to be "urban relic modern." Everything fits beautifully into a cohesive gallery that's distributed from the first page to the last.

The instructions are very clear and detailed and there is sufficient basic information at the beginning of the book that a new polymer artist or crafter could feel successful with the projects provided here.

In my opinion, a beginner would be able to work with this book and I would certainly recommend it to *anyone* who loves the medium, but I think the people that this will most appeal to are those with some experience with the clay, as the projects are a little more advanced than what you normally see in an instructional book.

I like most all of the polymer instruction books, but this one is a real standout!

53 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Technique Illustration, May 13, 2003

By 

Rebecca Bergfield - See all my reviews

This review is from: Polymer - The Chameleon Clay: ArtRanch Techniques for Re-creating the Look of Ivory, Jade, Turquoise, and Other Natural Materials (Paperback)

I have gotten frustrated by books that only show a person how to make product "X". This book teaches the reader several techniques and how to apply them. From the beginning of the book the reader is encouraged to consider the creative process and experiment with their own techniques and designs. While you are learning specific techniques, Tori Hughes also points out that changes in color and style will also work well. Through this she is teaching the reader, not just showing them how to do a project. That alone makes this book a valuable asset to a book shelf. I highly recommend this book.

59 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Book Humbles Polymer into Natural Basics, January 9, 2003

By 

p.diane - See all my reviews

This review is from: Polymer - The Chameleon Clay: ArtRanch Techniques for Re-creating the Look of Ivory, Jade, Turquoise, and Other Natural Materials (Paperback)

I am new to polymer clay and have never taken classes, or even heard of this author prior to the purchase of this book. May be on my way to an addict. I have gotten a pasta maker. So provided you are into things that far, I think even beginners with a reasonable amount of intelligence can deal with this book. The author is very specific in explaining how to imitate different natural mediums with polymer clays (some premo, some fimo, some combinations of the 2). I don't have a great deal of inventory of clay, but was able to emulate most of the techniques, represented with what I had - even if the colors were off a bit. I have gotten a couple other books, and polymer can really get outrageous, complicated, time consuming,and just plain dissapointing when the end result is not perfect enough. This book seems to take things slow and specifically enough to follow and enjoy. And, the nice thing about simulating stones, and natural things is that they are inherently defective, cracked, uneven, and irregular. Even when you mess something up a bit, it can look like it was done on purpose. For the price, I considered this book a good buy for my money.