The Weekend Crafter: Polymer Clay: 20 Weekend Projects Using New & Exciting Techniques [Paperback]

Irene Semanchuk Dean (Author)

Book Description

Series: Weekend Crafter (Rankin Street Press) | Publication Date: December 2000

It’s the most interesting craft material to appear in the last 30 years—and here are the newest, most innovative techniques around, all needing minimal materials and skill. “Has tips and an interesting variety of projects for beginners...good addition to crafts collections.”—Library Journal. “There’s something in here for every polyclay enthusiast.”—Somerset Studio.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Polymer clay lends itself to an astonishing array of applications. Its ready adaptability means that different techniques can give it radically different looks, from jade, slate, or inlaid wood to ceramic, pewter, bronze, or fantasy materials. The 20 projects in this well-presented book embody all these effects and more, featured in clear, step-by-step directions and good how-to photos. The bold designs--by the author and contributing artists--include the usual categories (jewelry, buttons, a bowl, a box, and a frame) as well as the less expected (salt and pepper shakers, ceiling fan pulls, cabinet knobs, a clock, a light switch plate, bookmarks). Novices should be able to handle most of these, while more experienced polymer clay crafters may enjoy adapting the techniques to their own project designs. --Amy Handy

From Library Journal

The library of interesting and colorful sources available for polymer clay enthusiasts continues to increase. Dean's book has tips and an interesting variety of projects for beginners, although techniques are not as detailed as in Syndee Holt's Polymer Clay for the First Time (LJ 6/15/00). Italian artist Resta emphasizes decorated tableware and household objects. A marbled egg project using real eggshells is particularly attractive. Both of these books are good additions to crafts collections needing more of this material.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Lark Books (December 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579901689
• ISBN-13: 978-1579901684
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,024,504 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fun project-oriented book, August 20, 2000

By 

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

This review is from: The Weekend Crafter: Polymer Clay: 20 Weekend Projects Using New & Exciting Techniques (Paperback)

Irene Dean's book is a welcome addition to the polymer clay library. The book teaches through projects, by incorporating different techniques in each, and that makes it more valuable than a random selection of 20 projects would be. I found that although I did not want to do every project in the book, I am exploring the techniques and ideas presented in my own designs.

The projects are easy to medium difficulty, and most require little to no sculpting or drawing talent, which is a blessing for those of us without artistic skill. Most of the projects do require extra tools, embellishments, or finishers in addition to the basic polymer clay supplies - among the "extras" you'll need are acryllic paints, metallic leafing, mica or embossing powders, and glitter. It's a nice way to demonstrate the use of these frequent additions to the polymer clay workshop, but it can be expensive or difficult for beginners in the medium.

The lessons in The Weekend Crafter span a range of uses - there are jewelry projects, but also home decorations, notebooks, mugs, and other items. This sometimes necessitates more bases or findings than just beads alone might, but it really helps to expand claying horizons. Unlike many of the other PC books out right now, there's very little in The Weekend Crafter about caning, so this is not the book for the strictly millefiori-lover or caner.

The book is a softcover, but the binding is a lot sturdier than some of the other PC books available. There are many full-color pictures; the lessons are graphic-intensive, and there's a small but fun gallery section as well.

Overall, this is a fun book, and it's especially nice to see such a reasonably-priced PC book on the market. I think most PC workers would be happy to have this.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Polymer clay book by Irene Semanchuk Dean, August 20, 2000

By 

Randi Spiegel (NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Weekend Crafter: Polymer Clay: 20 Weekend Projects Using New & Exciting Techniques (Paperback)

I've been using polymer clay for around 7 years, and this book thrills me. I know that this Lark series is geared towards beginning and intermediate level clayers, but I think it can be inspirational to anyone, because of the range of techniques and projects. The book has a generous amount of beautiful work by many skilled craftspersons, in addition to Irene's own work. The "how-to" projects are worthwhile, but the book stands on its own even if someone isn't interested in these projects.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Project Filled Book With Inspiration!, August 25, 2000

By 

Marty Woosley (Garland, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Weekend Crafter: Polymer Clay: 20 Weekend Projects Using New & Exciting Techniques (Paperback)

I enjoyed this book because it offered some fresh new concepts and interesting projects. I feel anyone from the beginning clayer to the accomplished artist would enjoy this book. Photography was very good. Easy to follow directions make 20 Weekend Projects with Polymer Clay a great book for all clayers. We need more like it and hopefully the author will have another one for us soon.