June 09
Polymer clay has been around for many years now, and is always a fun way of making jewelry components. Originally published in France, you can add a bit of French chic to complement your wardrobe as you learn several techniques and make a selection of attractive and unusual pieces. There are 35 projects in here, mostly in matching sets which is something I always like in a jewelry making book. The book uses several types of polymer clays, fortunately the most common varieties. There is a brief but very useful description of how to prepare and work with the material (although don't forget that it varies from one brand to another) and a short illustrated list of some basic items for both clay working and jewelry making. Then it is on with the projects, where you can learn how to mix colors to make swirly beads, print the clay with rubber stamps, use metallic powders and varnishes, use shaped craft punches, tiny holeless beads, texture sheets and glitters and have a go at the famous candy cane technique. The pieces vary from hair ornaments to necklaces, rings and earrings and there are some unusual and fun ideas for making up the jewelry such as stringing on fancy yarns and ribbons. Each project has a good number of small photographs illustrating the stages, and everything is gone into in some detail.
* Myshelf.com *
Sept 09
Polymer Clay Beaded Jewellery by Isabelle Cheramy-Debray, is a 48 page book containing 35 projects. The projects include earrings, necklaces, bracelets and other items of jewelry. Each project is accompanied by illustrated step-by-step instructions, making the book ideal for beginners as well as more experienced crafters. The projects in Polymer Clay Beaded Jewellery use many different techniques including rubber stamping and are broken down into 11 sections. Each section explores a technique which is accompanied by one or more projects. This is an ideal way to learn a technique and put it into practice. The techniques include mokume gane (although the technique is the same as mokume gane, Isabelle Cheramy-Debray does not refer to it this way in the book), creating surface texture using rubber stamps, using paper punches to decorate polymer clay and a basic cane project. Although details are given explaining how to make polymer clay elements into different types of jewelry, these can be easily adapted and varied. Necklaces, for instance, can be adapted to make bracelets. This means that there is plenty of opportunity to build on and extend the projects listed. I very much enjoyed reading Polymer Clay Beaded Jewellery by Isabelle Cheramy-Debray. I felt that there were plenty of ideas for techniques and projects that I would like to explore further. I particularly enjoyed the 'Primrose' projects that use rubber stamps to create a textured image that is then highlighted with gold powder and alcohol inks. This technique would adapt in many ways, and in addition to making pretty items of jewelry, they could be used to create cards toppers, ornaments or as embellishments for a wide variety of other projects. While Polymer Clay Beaded Jewellery may not be as glossy or as large as other books on the market, it does pack a lot into the pages. My one complaint would be that I would like to read more about each project with a more detailed explanation at the start. However, that is a personal preference and I know others would differ. I would recommend Polymer Clay Beaded Jewellery to people looking to explore polymer clay in more detail and learn new techniques. The book covers small projects that are accessible to even complete beginners. If you are new to polymer clay, you may find that a more general polymer clay book that offers more information about different brands of polymer clay, how to condition and cure the clay and other basics, may also be useful.
* About.com *
Feb 10
Beautiful illustrations and simple techniques display the wonderful versatility of polymer clay, turning it into a stunning array of beads in a variety of shapes, styles and colours. Isabelle shows how to make gorgeous necklaces, earrings, bracelets, keyrings and brooches in a range of innovatice styles, from funky and fun to elegant evening wear. Suitable for absolute beinners as well as more experienced jewellery and bead makers, the clear, step-by-step instructions are well illustrated and materials and equipment needed are described in detail. Fun, colourful and creative, resulting in truly individual pieces.
* Sew Today *
