Polymer Clay Techniques Book (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "Polymer clay ¡s a fabulous material and it is only relatively recently that the art world has become fully aware of its potential..." (more)
Key Phrases: leaf green clay, brush protector, thick tapestry needle (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

It's hard to imagine a material more versatile than polymer clay. What other medium yields perfectly convincing simulations of everything from marble, wood, ivory, and jade to metal, porcelain, mosaic, enamel, and semiprecious stones--not to mention flowers, food, and sculptural forms? With a thoroughness rarely found in other books on the subject, Sue Heaser explains all of these methods and more, supplementing her excellent instructions with good, clear photos. Although she includes a number of full step-by-step projects, this is primarily a techniques-driven presentation. Beginning with the preliminaries of materials, preparation, color mixing, baking, and other basics, Heaser then moves on to clay manipulation (beads, millefiori, molds, vessels, frames, flowers), sculpting (simple animals, faces, armatured figures), embellished treatments (stamping, painting, metallic effects, image transfers), and simulations (stones, antique effects, wood, miniatures). Chapter-opening spreads showcase exquisite works by a variety of polymer clay artists, and a helpful appendix compares the handling properties of all the leading polymer clay brands. Beginners will most likely be more comfortable with a more project-oriented approach, but anyone already bitten by the polymer clay bug will find this an essential idea book. --Amy Handy --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From Library Journal

The variety of colorful creations that can be made with polymer clay seems endless, and successful results can be had with any level of expertise. These two books explore advanced techniques and artistic design. Well illustrated with works by polymer clay artists, they include projects for intricately pieced and shaped jewelry and art objects. The Polymer Clay Technique Book, in particular, has detailed step-by-step instructions for many techniques such as marbling, cutting, and making millefiori canes. Both are good additions to arts and crafts collections.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Apple Press (October 29, 1999)
• ISBN-10: 1840922338
• ISBN-13: 978-1840922332
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #874,089 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

77 of 78 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have - from beginner to serious polyclayers, January 26, 2000

By	Pörrö Sahlberg "porro" (Helsinki Finland) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Polymer Clay Techniques Book (Paperback)

Polymer clay is not only very versatile medium but also it is a medium where people that did not know having any artistic skills can achieve great results if getting good instructions. Sue Heasers book is excellent example of how all craft books should be written: There are hundreds of inspiring photographs in the book that give plenty of ideas. There are dozens of projects that really are unique and not only variations of previous projects. All the instructions are so well written than even a beginner without any prior knowledge about polyclay could easily do the projects.

I would recommend this book for anyone who is new with polyclay or has not even heard about polyclay before because I feel that after reading this book a person would know so much about different techniques with polyclay. It also should be in any serious clayers bookshelf just because it is the only book so far that has such a good overall look to most of the new and different tehniques and ideas that have kept the polyclaying community busy.

82 of 84 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A techniques book to stand next to Roche's and Kato's works, September 1, 2000

By	Ivy (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Polymer Clay Techniques Book (Paperback)

Sue Heaser's Polymer Clay Techniques Book is the third, and most inclusive, in a line of great technique-based PC books. (The first two were Nan Roche's The New Clay and Donna Kato's The Art of Polymer Clay.) Unlike most project-based books, technique books are treasure troves of information, hints, methods, and practice in the art of polymer clay, and while the movice clayer may find more of use in a project book, all other clayers will find technique books more useful.

The PCTB has a lively, interesting format, and covers topics not previously discussed in any detail in technique books - like miniature making (foods, etc.), which is a frequent use of polymer clay. Sue Heaser herself is a skilled and versatile PC worker, and she's managed, in this book, to be as inclusive and informative as a single PC author ever will be. (I do continue to hope for a technique book that has one editor and many authors, one for each are of PC use.) There is simply no way to go into detail on the nature of the info in this book; there's too much of it. Suffice to say that very few clayers could read this book cover to cover and learn nothing new or useful.

PC workers of all levels will find this an invaluable, useful addition to the PC library. Definitely one of the top five books currently available on the subject, and a suitable gift for any clayer who doesn't have it yet.

45 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The A to Z of Polymer Clay or the A-Z of P.C., February 4, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Polymer Clay Techniques Book (Paperback)

I have just finished the new polymer book by Sue Heaser. It is a veritable feast of polymer clay techniques! This wonderful book starts with a section of basic information; color mixing, carving, cutting, drilling, gluing and varnishing, just a taste of what's covered. The second section,"Manipulating the Clay", includes information on millefiori techniques, mosaics, peitre dure, molding, gold clay effects and much more, presented in project format and lavishly illustrated. Additionally, there are sections on "Sculpting", "Decoration & Embellishment", and "Clay Simulations and Inclusions". Illustrated with many photographs, materials lists & step by step instructions, it's great for novice, intermediate, or advanced polymer clay artisans. To wet the appetite of inspiration, there are lots of pictures of the creations of polymer artists. All in all, it's a book worth adding to your polymer clay library. It could just as well be called "Polymer Clay from Soup to Nuts" very Tasty!