Perfectly Paired: Designing Jewelry with Polymer and Metal Clays

Patricia Kimle opens up a world of creativity in Perfectly Paired: Designing Jewelry with Polymer and Metal Clays. As an award-winning polymer and metal clay artist, she brings these elements together to create striking jewelry designs. Now, Patricia shares her insider’s secrets for combining the two in a variety of projects full of texture and color. Patricia’s encouraging teaching style will persuade readers to try pairing these two artistic media.

• Projects range from natural to whimsical

•Gives a complete overview of techniques for each medium

•Hundreds of photos take readers through each step of the projects

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Author: Patricia Kimle
Softcover; 8 1/4 x 10 3/4; 112 pages; 350 color photos; ISBN: 9780871162946

An award-winning polymer and metal clay artist and designer, Patricia’s contributed more than 30 project articles to magazines. Her first book, Polymer Clay Inspirations, was published by North Light Books in 2005. She is a member of the International Polymer Clay Association and is a designer member of the Craft and Hobby Association. She holds a Ph.D. degree in Textiles and Clothing.

Introduction 6

Chapter 1: Begin with Whimsy
Raspberry earrings 10
Pencil pin 13
Ice cream cone bracelet 17
Nested lentils bracelet 20

Chapter 2: Keep it Natural
Layered leaf earrings 26
Leaf-embedded faux ivory pendant 29
Bearded iris pendant 34
Leaf and frame pendant 38
Transfer image on half lentil 42

Chapter 3: Go around and around
Filled tube necklace 48
Jointed stretch bracelet 51
Revolving parts necklace 54

Chapter 4: Make a match
Layered pattern pendant necklace 60
Button pendant 64
Floral pendant 67

Chapter 5: Bound by tradition
Floral pendant with riveted tube collar 72
Faux turquoise and hollow bead pendant 76
Cutaway frame and pearl necklace 80
Bezel pendant 84
Leaf pendant with partial bezel and rivets 88

Chapter 6: Materials, tools, and basic techniques
Metal clay basics 94
Metal clay tool kit 96
Polymer clay basics 98
Molds and texture places 100
Polymer clay tool kit 102
Jewelry making and metalworking basics 104
Jewelry making and metalworking tool kits 108

Acknowledgments 110
About the author 111

If you’ve been meaning to try some projects combining metal clay and polymer clay, this gorgeous book, Perfectly Paired, by Patricia Kimle, will get you motivated to do it.
Projects go far beyond the obvious “make a metal clay frame for some polymer.” The construction methods are sophisticated and polished. Doing these projects may get you to stretch, and do a technique you haven’t done yet.
The pictures are clear and helpful, and labeled with letters that refer specifically to spots in the text. I appreciate that, so that I can quickly find exactly the information I need.
Who can use this book? There’s something here for everyone, even beginners will find something to do, but intermediate and advanced artisans will find a challenge as well.
Another benefit to this book is that you might find it very helpful as hands-on how to design lessons. Doing these projects could help you get out of a rut, if you’re in one, or just help you think in a new way about how to construct a project.
If you’re not an advanced poly clay artisan, that’s okay too, there are some simple poly clay projects to make.
-http://creativetexturetools.com/news/

Patricia amply explores blending together two different mediums in a sympathetic way – polymer and metal clays. She gives an overview of techniques including soldering – yes this is stated as being part of the book – not an hidden extra. It offers another side to using these exciting materials. The twenty projects are of a very high standard in terms of design. Instructions are clear and photographs are very good. Includes great techniques and effects. I really admire Patricia’s work and there is enough inspiration here for everyone. She understands her materials and exploits each to its best advantage. This is an excellent book all round and one I would recommend.
-Karen Platt, www.karenplatt.co.uk

Patricia Kimle's Perfectly Paired: Designing Jewelry with Polymer and Metal Clays comes from an artist who offers a range of tips, from drawing color from polymer clay to working with metal clay, soldering, and making jewelry. Tool kits recommended for use in each medium accompany twenty projects that range from pendants and necklaces to bracelets and pins.
-The Midwest Book Review