The Absolute Beginners Guide: Working With Polymer Clay

Following the successful format of the Absolute Beginners Guide series, Working with Polymer Clay is a new option for beginners who want to expand their jewelry-making skills. Budding artists will learn how to make and shape beads, add texture, develop faux techniques, and more. Each project builds on the techniques learned in the previous lesson.

• Encourages experimentation with 24 exciting projects
• Features helpful tips and expert instruction on the basics, tools, and color
• Includes cane making for creative patterns

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Author: Lori Wilkes
Softcover; 8 1/4 x 10 3/4; 96 pages; 300 color photos; ISBN: 9780871164537

Lori Wilkes is an artist, author, and instructor living in the midwest. She’s originally from New England, and many of her designs are inspired by her coastal childhood. Lori’s work has been featured in many books and magazines.

Introduction
Basics
-Materials
-Tools
-Safety
-Color
-Workspace

PROJECTS
1. Assorted bead shapes
2. Sand beads
3. Texture earrings
4. Sandpaper beads and necklace
5. Faux lapis
6. Faux turquoise
7. Faux bone
8. Faux jade
9. Bollywood beads
10. Marbleized clay stretch bracelet
11. All about stripes
12. Transparent jelly roll cane earrings
13. Mokume gane technique
14. Zinnia pin
15. Sculptural extruded clay pin
16. Extruded cane pendant
17. Checkerboard cane beads
18. Extruded cane
19. Millefiore flower beads
20. Modified brain cane
21. Textured beads
22. Carved beads
23. Stamped and inkwashed pendant
24. Shamrock pin

Glossary
From the Author

I have seen a lot of books on working with polymer clay, and I've even been asked to create a few beginner projects myself (scary thought!), so you'll have to pardon me for telling you about yet another polymer clay guide. THIS IS THE ONE YOU NEED! Lori Wilkes has written Working With Polymer Clay as an entry into the popular The Absolute Beginners Guide series by Kalmbach Books. Yes, folks, it is a winner.
So many of the polymer clay books look alike. You'll see pretty much the same techniques, advice, and even styles. Not so with this book. Plus, what you almost never get are projects of this quality. If you need to be convinced, just spend some time looking through Lori's websites: Millori and Lori Wilkes on Etsy.
Oh yeah...this is definitely someone that I want to learn clay from. Just because the techniques are for beginners doesn't have to mean that the projects are same old same old. Trust me, I know about that, because basic and same old is all I can do! I'm so happy to find a polymer clay book that has such beautiful beginner projects that I might just be persuaded to dig out my clay and try again!
One of my favorite styles, which Lori was kind enough to send me pictures of, is the transparent jelly roll cane earrings. I don't want to make earrings...I want a whole batch of cabochons for my bead embroidery!
-Beading-Arts.com

This book is designed and written for absolute beginners. I wish I had had it when I first started using polymer clay. It includes all the basics from useful tools, shaping, colour, faux finishes and patterned canes and much more. Polymer clay is one of my favourite 'play' things. It's so versatile - the kids can even use it - make sure you supervise the 'baking' process. Yet it can also be used at a very high end jewellery level too.
Before you can do that, you need to know the basics and this book shows you everything you need to know from the beginning. It has clear instructions and very clear photos and is very easy to use. Within a few minutes you can be shaping your own beads or producing your own unique earrings or necklace - polymer clay is that easy. I absolutely adore the Faux Bone birds. This is an excellent book for beginners with lots of projects that will appeal.
-Karen Platt, www.yarnsandfabrics.co.uk/crafts