Polymer clay 101 A workshop in a book : look, learn & create

The list of possible techniques for polymer clay, say Mabray and Otterbein, are almost endless, from rolling and carving to sanding and crocheting. After that bit of promotion, they proceed to discuss history and brands such as Fimo and Sculpey as part of their quick-start course on tools and techniques. The upfront chapter, wisely, is also filled with fundamentals to master. Conditioning the clay, since it can be hard and stiff, comes first, followed by shaping (into balls and beans, snakes and cabochons), sanding, and polishing. More than 20 projects comprise most of the book, each focused not only on creating a specific item but also on learning a particular advanced technique. So the Skinner blend bead necklace concentrates on the fashioning of thin sheets of graduated color, the crafting of a toggle as a clasp, and (finally!) the stringing of beads. A few projects (like name tags) are more artist-oriented. Most will prompt crafters to stretch their capabilities and, yes, wallets (these clays can be expensive). We predict renewed popularity for polymer pieces, thanks to this very approachable how-to-with-DVD.--Jacobs, Barbara Copyright 2010 Booklist

Polymer clay work is one of the rare crafts with potential to appeal to serious artists as well as casual crafters, and the costs of getting started with a polymer clay hobby are relatively low. With the guidance of polymer clay artists Mabray and Otterbein, crafters can get a handle on all of the basics of working with this distinctive medium. The projects are the highlight here-the authors expect readers to learn by doing, and a variety of techniques, including Skinner blends, canes, snakes, mold making, and stamping, are outlined. The DVD features further step-by-step directions for many techniques. (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.