Artful Polymer Clay

Create anything from stylish jewelry to beautiful home decor with Artful Polymer Clay. Detailed instructions and photography explain 10 different techniques thoroughly, including shaping, molding, punching, and more, helping you create elegant cameos, pendants, frames, containers, and other attractive items.

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Author: Gail Ritchey
Softcover; 8 1/4 x 10 3/4; 96 pages; 220 color photos; ISBN: 9780871162823

Gail Ritchey is known for her innovative uses of polymer clay in home décor items, jewelry, miniatures, and more. She teaches her techniques, demonstrates at national trade shows, and tests new polymer clay products for manufacturers. Her first book, Making Miniature Villages in Polymer Clay, was published in 2000, and her designs have appeared in many leading craft magazines. Gail has been featured on The Carol Duvall Show and Hands On Crafts for Kids. She is a member of the International Polymer Clay Association and the Craft & Hobby Association.

Introduction 4

Basics
About Polymer Clay 5
Conditioning Polymer Clay 6
Basic Clay Tools 8
Baking Polymer Clay 9
Finishing 9
Jewelry Tools Techniques 10

Shaped and Molded Clay
Circle Necklace & Earrings 12
Heart Fan Pull 14
Enhanced Heart Necklace 16
Molded Drawer Pull 18
Exquisite Flower Vase 20
Molded Cameo 22
Molded Mother and Child 24
More Inspirational Ideas 27

Cutters, Punches, Stamps, and Liquid Clay
Cut Flower Pin 30
Punched Flower Tin 32
Delicate Flowers Pendant 34
Stamped Vase 36
Liquid Clay Heart Pendant & Earrings 39
More Inspirational Ideas 42

Extrusion, Chatoyant, and Mosaic Effects
Lavender Recycled Container 45
Tube Bead Necklace 47
Metallic Tube Bead Necklace 49
Magic Square Beads 52
Magic Square Beads Set 55
Plum Necklace & Earrings 57
Chatoyant Switch Plate 59
Covered Mint Tins 62
Mosaic Flower Coasters 64
Mosaic Votive Holder 66
More Inspirational Ideas 69

Mokume Gane and Combined Techniques
Heart Pendant, Earrings, & Bracelet 74
Covered Pen & Notebook 78
Colorful Coasters 82
Leafy Tablet Cover 84
Extruded Beads and Mokume Gane 87
Framed Mother and Child 90
More Inspirational Ideas 93

About the Author 95

Those of you familiar with Gail Ritchey's 2000 book, Making Villages in Polymer Clay, will be surprised at the breadth of her latest offering, Artful Polymer Clay: Techniques for Stylish Jewelry and Decor (Kalmbach, 2009).
This is my favorite kind of beginners' book, a collection of projects organized by techniques. The back cover proclaims, "Easy Techniques, Elegant Results," and this is an accurate description.
The Introduction explains the usual necessary skills of conditioning clay and using a clay machine, but it also
describes a variety of useful clay tools and provides a one-page guide to tools and techniques for assembling jewelry. This is especially helpful for newbies eager to transform their first projects into wearable art.
Gail introduces the reader to ten different basic techniques, arranged from the easiest ("Shaped and Molded Clay") to more-challenging processes, like mokume gane and mosaic effects. There are stops along the way to experiment with cutters, punches, extruders, and mica-shift techniques. The instructions for the twenty projects are clearly written and illustrated with step-by-step photographs.
I shared my copy of the book recently with two first-time clayers at the Mammoth Cave Retreat. They enjoyed the eye candy and said they were most excited about attempting a mokume gane heart pendant in one of the later chapters. (Some, obviously, like to wade in slowly; others like to jump into deep water!)
While the book is most appropriate for beginners, more-experienced clayers will find some useful tips here as well. I found instructions for a crackle technique I'm anxious to try!
Thanks and congratulations to Gail and to Kalmbach for an inspiring book for new clayers!
-Suzanne Ivester
Internation Polymer Clay Association News

Gail Ritchey's "Artful Polymer Clay: Techniques for Stylish Jewelry and Decor" (9780871162823, $19.95) is a fine survey for home clay crafters and profiles over twenty projects for beginners and experienced clay crafters alike. Colorful, detailed photos and step-by-step instructions make this an easily-followed guide with chapters divided by technique and packed with projects and insights. General crafts libraries will find this a fine pick.
-The Midwest Book Review