Polymer Clay for Everyone: A Creative Guide for Working with Polymer [Paperback]

Suzann Thompson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2001

This guide to the best tools to use for a clay project, and how to effectively use them, includes more than 30 illustrated projects presented with step-by-step instructions and techniques for modeling, decorating, sculpting, and more. 250 color photos.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Learning to model with polymer clay can be a source of endless pleasure and satisfaction. This fine book teaches you how to get started and how to achieve excellent results. Suzann Thompson, an acknowledged polymer clay expert, has created a collection of more than 30 unique projects, grouped together in five of the books chapters, Miniature World, Jewelry, Gifts, Home Accessories, and Special Occasions.

A wide variety of designs and ideas are included, ranging from drapery finials, and customized cutlery for the home, to a grandfather clock and Victorian fireplace for a dollhouse. The step-by-step instructions are accompanied by full color photographs illustrating important techniques and details of the work, together with beautiful pictures of finished items. Templates are provided where appropriate.

About the Author

Suzann Thompson is a graduate of the University of Texas, Austin. She teaches and writes about color, knitting, crochet, jewelry, and other crafts. A gift of Fimo from her husband launched Suzann’s polymer clay design career in 1992. She is an advisory member of the British Polymer Clay Guild, and currently lives in Sheffield, England with her husband and daughter.

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Rockport Publishers; First Edition edition (April 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1564966372
• ISBN-13: 978-1564966377
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,435,143 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Projects, Lots of Varitey, Great instruction, March 17, 2001

By 

Angel Lee "Liocorno Amethyst Moonstone" (Cleveland, OH United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Polymer Clay for Everyone: A Creative Guide for Working with Polymer (Paperback)

This book is full of a wide variety of fresh projects for beginning to more advanced polymer clay artists. Each project includes step-by-step instructions accompanied by illustrations and finished project photos.

The book starts out by thoroughly covering the basics, including a discussion of several tools that will make working with polymer clay easier. Over 25 projects follow in 5 sections including miniatures, jewelry, gifts, home accents, and special occasions.

Miniature world is my favorite section. You learn to make impressive projects such as a grandfather clock, Victorian fireplace and Christmas tree. The jewelry section is also a treat. Along with a necklace, bracelet and earrings, it shows you how to make a bunch of different of beads and buttons.

My favorite project was the sun & sea clock. Though it is time consuming it is surprisingly easy to create. I have seen similar items in craft stores sell for over $50. The special occasion projects are little less sophisticated, but great for doing with kids during the holidays. I personally loved making the simple, but beautiful decorated eggs.

Conveniently, a list of suppliers is included in the back and templates are provided with instructions when needed. This makes a great gift for anyone wanting to learn all about polymer clay and try a medley of great projects.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Make beautiful things with Polymer clay, March 16, 2001

By 

C. Miller (Warsaw, MO 65355) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Polymer Clay for Everyone: A Creative Guide for Working with Polymer (Paperback)

Polymer Clay for Everyone, 112 pages, over-size ppb.: If you enjoy the handmade beads and jewelry that surely only the most creative of people can make, take heart - Polymer Clay for Everyone will bring out the creativity in you. There are over 30 delightful, colorful projects to make including jewelry, buttons, beads, quirky magnets and miniatures, holiday decor and cards, gifts, household accouterments and more. This book is careful in detail, instruction, and provides dozens of photographs of completed works, works in progress, even photos of tools needed.

Standard equipment needed is easy to come by, some you'll have on hand, some you'll need to visit a hobby shop for. The cost of equipment is up to you. For instance, a pasta roller is suggested for achieving desired thicknesses quickly, however the author explains, the same results can be had by laying sheets of wood (available at hobby or model shops) of the thickness desired on your rolling surface and rolling the clay out to the thickness of the wood. There are options listed for many items called for, so whatever your budget, the book will help you stay within its bounds.

I've seen a couple other books with sections on using polymer clays. What they lack is here. For the first time I read that when you use anything with uncured polymer clay, you must never use it again for food prep. or serving. This book covers the bases.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Creating wonderful things with polymer clayl, March 16, 2001

By 

C. Miller (Warsaw, MO 65355) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Polymer Clay for Everyone: A Creative Guide for Working with Polymer (Paperback)

Polymer Clay for Everyone, 112 pages, over-size ppb.: If you enjoy the handmade beads and jewelry that surely only the most creative of people can make, take heart - Polymer Clay for Everyone will bring out the creativity in you. There are over 30 delightful, colorful projects to make including jewelry, buttons, beads, quirky magnets and miniatures, holiday decor and cards, gifts, household accouterments and more. This book is careful in detail, instruction, and provides dozens of photographs of completed works, works in progress, even photos of tools needed.

Standard equipment needed is easy to come by, some you'll have on hand, some you'll need to visit a hobby shop for. The cost of equipment is up to you. For instance, a pasta roller is suggested for achieving desired thicknesses quickly, however the author explains, the same results can be had by laying sheets of wood (available at hobby or model shops) of the thickness desired on your rolling surface and rolling the clay out to the thickness of the wood. There are options listed for many items called for, so whatever your budget, the book will help you stay within its bounds.

I've seen a couple other books with sections on using polymer clays. What they lack is here. For the first time I read that when you use anything with uncured polymer clay, you must never use it again for food prep. or serving. This book covers the bases.