Someone recently asked me my opinion on the best polymer clay books, so here is my list in no order of preference. 🙂
(FYI: I prefer books that are more technique based or reference style. I’d rather know how to do the techniques than how they were used by another artist.)
Sorry I haven’t posted in a while. Life…… you know how it can be. Flu bug, hard drive crashed, making stamps. Keeping me busy. Too busy sometimes. Feeling better, computer fixed, stamps made……….at least the orders that are due to ship today are made.
News on the street:
The new Premo colors are now available in several online shops and Munro’s Craft locally. Hopefully more of the brick and mortar stores will have them soon, too. Look out Michael’s ! First 4/$5 sale you have with the new colors in stock will have me hopping like a one legged man in a butt kicking contest. LOL For now, I am lucky enough to have clay pals that live near Munro’s in Detroit that can go there and pick it up for me 🙂 Thank you Claudia and Kimba !!! You’re the best !
Just read on Facebook that the Kato Polyclay line may be getting expanded. New colors are being looked at and they want your opinions. What new colors would you like to see most? Tony, the wiz behinds the scenes at Kato Polyclay, has shared some fabulous color mix recipes for metallic clay you can find on Facebook, too.
Christi Friesen’s new book Woodland Creatures is available for sale on her website or Polka Dot Creations. I got my copy a few days ago. 🙂 In the back of the book it says that the next book in the lineup is Dogs. 🙂 Can’t wait to get it.
I have a cute a Valentine’s Magnet tutorial I saw that I’d like to share. Fun project to do with your kids, student or just for yourself.
Sarajane Helm’s new book A Collection Of Polymer Clay Masks is also available. It’s a coffee table book, no projects, but what a great example of masks. All kinds of masks. And I have 7 in there 🙂 I am so honored that Sarajane felt they were worthy. Purchase your autographed copy from Sarajane directly or you can find it at Amazon.com and get free shipping.
She is so inspirational. I haven’t clayed in ages, because of all my stamp business stuff, but I got Christi’s monthly newsletter “blather & fun stuff” yesterday and it made me really want to clay 🙂 If you haven’t signed up for it yet, you really should ! Snooze, ya lose folks 😛 Sign up right here.
There is a link to the video showing us how to make her Screwed Heart, but I’ll add it here so you don’t have to leave my blog <G>
You will also find a great tutorial on making the “I love your cupcake” monster topper. Here is a sneak peak. If you want the direction you have to get the newsletter. 🙂
Christi’s web site has several free projects you can download. But better than all that……………. the announcement that her newest book Woodland Creatures is here !!!!!!!!!!! Because Christi’s been so busy, she extended the Pre-Order date to Feb. 11. Only $9 + $2.50 shipping ! Plus get a free limited edition Woodland Creatures Collector Card. Like I said before. Snooze ya lose 🙂 It will cost you $12 + shipping later.
I finally received my copy of Enchanted Adornments by Cynthia Thornton. What a wonderfully inspiring book 🙂 The projects are fun, whimsical and I want to try them all. LOL I sure wish I still worked with silver clay. There are several projects that really caught my eye. Especially Mirabelle’s Locket which is on the cover of the book.
Don’t fret my polymer clay loving pals 🙂 There are many projects for you too. My favorites are The Window of the Heart pendant and the Sculptural Scrimshaw Collar.
I know a lot of you are getting into using resin in your jewelry designs. The book has some fun projects to cover that addiction, too. Take a look at these adorable Woodland Wings !!
I finally got my copy of Lisa Pavelka’s new book – The Complete Book of Polymer Clay.
I’m pretty picky about what books I keep in my personal library. When I buy a book, I look it over and decide if it has anything I haven’t already learned and if it’s something I want to learn. If it meets that criteria I keep it.
Lisa Pavelka’s new book “The Complete Book of Polymer Clay” is a keeper. Yes, it does have beginner info, (what else would you expect with the word COMPLETE in the title) but it also has some advanced projects that even this clayer of 12 years like me hasn’t tried yet and is longing to give a go.
The book is well written, the pictures are very helpful and the projects are fun. There is also a small gallery of pictures featuring other clay artists that will give you some inspiration. Sounds like a complete book to me 🙂
Check out Lisa’s web site www.lisapavelka.com where you can shop, see her amazing work, get some tips on working with polymer clay or watch an instructional video.
Polkadot Creations is hoping to get enough pre-orders of Bettina Welker’s new book, Edle Schmuck-Unikate & Accessoires aus Polymer-Clay, to make it worth importing to the US. The book is in German, but it will come with an English translation of the project section. There are also translations in French and Spanish available.
I’m saving my pennies to get my pre-order in. How about you? 🙂
Now that I have souped up my extruder, I am thinking there are more ways I can use it other than extruding bracelet cores. These other techniques include making quilt canes, retro canes and filigree work.
I have never tried to make a quilt cane, so I was very interested when I came across this YouTube video.
You can buy these cool shape disks from Quilted In Clay to extrude all the perfect shapes to make your quilt canes.
I am having my first giveaway. 🙂 I have a copy of Ancient Modern: Polymer Clay and Wire Jewelry by Ronna Sarvas Weltman as the prize. Add it to your library by doing one of the following:
1) Leave a comment on this post and earn 1 entry. Be sure to include your email address.
2) Add a link in your comment showing you posted about this give away in your blog, FaceBook, or any networking outlet and get 2 more entries.
3) Every dollar you spend in my Etsy Store or in my Blog Store gets you an entry. (IE: spend $10 and get 10 entries) You need to mention the give away in the comment area of your PayPal payment to get entry credits.
I found a great Q&A conducted by Woody Rudin over at Polymer Art Archive. He asked Lindly a few pointed questions the book and getting it published. Check it out 🙂
Silkscreens By Tonja's Treasures 