Customer Reviews

Precious Metal Clay : Creative Projects for the Beginner

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

 

 

This book was helpful in getting me started with PMC. The projects were quite creative and motivating.

Unfortunately, at the time this book was written there was only PMC standard and plus. Many new products have since been released and so aren't covered.

I would purchase this book for easy, fun, creative projects, but would purchase an additional book for info on the newest materials.

I was disappointed with this book. As stated in one of the other reviews, some of the projects were too craftsy. At $32 an ounce, I'm not going to waste the clay by making little charms that hang off a lamp shade. Also, all the pictures are in black and white which I consider a major drawback. Creating with precious metal is a very visual and tactile medium. The book would be higher quality with color photos.

This book provides a VERY general look at this new medium. Very briefly discusses differences between PMC standard and PMC+ without mentioning PMC3. No good information about kiln parameters, the various forms of the clay (syringe, sheet, block etc) or any extensive discussion of tips/techniques. Actually, I found MUCH more infomation in 'Polymer Clay Explorations: Exploring New Techniques, New Materials' by Georgia Sargeant et al. If I'd flipped through this book in person at a store, I would have left it on the shelf.

Not everyone is an expert. The name of the book is "Creative Projects for the BEGINNER". For those people who are curious about PMC and want to get a better feel for the product this is a great book to start with. It is true that the book works primarily with PMC original and PMC+, but beginners should keep in mind that the PMC Original is perfect for beginners. It is so much more forgiving, meaning that is more plastic and malable making it easier to work with and fix any mistakes made. It also allows you to create in a larger form that will shrink down to a more delicate size, still showing all the details. One of the differences between PMC+ and the newer product PMC3, is that PMC3 is stronger after being fired. When your working with it it will feel very similiar to PMC+, so if and when you want to change to PMC3, the projects in this book can easily be used with PMC3 as well. As a cetified Instructor I always start my beginner classes with PMC Original and PMC+. This book is designed for beginners. Not professional jewelers, it's for anyone who wants to have fun creating their own jewelry for themselves or friends without having to invest a large amount of money. This was written to encourage you and to help you "Tap into your Creative Spirit" (the name of the second chapter). After you do a few of the basic projects a beginner will have a better feel for how the clay works and will be able to incoperate their own ideas and creations, making their own piece of art. And just for the record, this book was only published in 2001. Enjoy and have FUN!

Having only used PMC once before I purchased this book, I found Precious Metal Clay: Creative Projects for the Beginner to be a good starting point. Most of the projects are simple, and, therefore, helped me build confidence in my creative skills. The book suggested many ideas from everyday life that could be translated into jewelry design--everything from nature to hardware can serve as inspiration when working with PMC. While this book may not be ideal for jewelry and clay artisans, it is certainly practical for casual artists/hobbyists who are just beginning to experiment with this medium.

There is only ideas on how to make pendants and things of that nature. PMC looks like it would be better for rings and chains than what they used it for. I got more detailed information from free sites online. Had I been able to see the table of contents online I would have passed it by.