Metal Clay 101 for Beaders: Create Custom Findings, Beads, Embellishments & Charms

by Kristal Wick

Beaders eager to add metal clay to their arsenal of crafting techniques will find this second entry in the 101 for Beaders series perfectly designed to meet their needs. Kristal Wick, one of the best names in craft jewelry, explains how to use copper, silver, and bronze metal clay to create simple customized embellishments, findings that match their beads, and a variety of spacers, bead caps, dangles, and links. In addition to the basics of forming, firing, and finishing the clay, more than 20 inspiring projects combine metal clay components with gorgeous beads.

Genres: Crafts, Nonfiction

128 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2013

Reviews

[JayeL]

The earrings at the beginning of the book have a design stamped, I assumed without reading any further, that could be a free motion quilting design. This book is about upcycling and eventhis purple earring projects sets that intention from the very beginning.

Again, Kristal Wick's book has an illustrated table of contents, which gives the reader an overview of what to expect. The thumbnails set out an ambitious and appealing agenda.

Ms. Wick has a 2 page introduction, which extolls the virtues of beads and metal clay. She gives a taste of what the book will include with a sense of competence and enthusiasm.

The 'Basics' section (pg.10-37), includes pictures of her favorite materials as well as a description of different things. Or so I thought. I leafed through the pages, looking for the end and found an unbelievably complete 'Basics' section. Kristal's 'Basic' section includes the above as well as metal clay tools and materials, a Metal Clay Toolbox, metal clay fundamentals, firing the metal clay, how to create patinas, embellishments, jewelry components and tools, a section on bead strings and stitches and basic wire techniques.

After 30+ pages of detailed instructions, the projects start. I am pretty sure I wouldn't wear most of these pieces, but I would pick them apart and put them on some of my art quilts! I really liked the textures and shapes of the different designs.

I have to say that an appealing part of these patterns is the variety of textures included int he same design. In the first project, the Birdhouse Necklace (pg.38), there is metal clay, charms, crystal and metal beads and everything works well as a cohesive whole.

Throughout the book, the author shows very clearly how to put the bits and beads together to make the various projects. Quiltmakers could easily apply components of these projects to a quilt project in the same manner and achieve a great look. This book can also be used as a good source of inspiration as it has detailed images of different textures used.

Each project has a good description of the supplies required along with the nice photos. Variations are mostly shown, though not always described. The reader can get a brief idea of what the project looks like in slightly different colors.

The end of the book has a gallery of projects, by different artists, as well as a short index.

Enjoy the colors and textures as inspiration from this book. Thanks to Lark Books for sending it to me.

[Ligaya · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is ok for beginners but there are plenty of better Metal Clay books out there, beaders or not. The finished metal clay pieces veer toward a homemade look and most all of them feature a stamped texture. There are lots of photos to help along the step-by-step and there is a decent introduction to materials and techniques. The best part is the "Idea Book" chapter that shows the work of other jewelry artists.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've only dabbled in metal clay at a CHA show but have never tried it at my own work desk. I love to learn new things, so I enjoyed reading through this particular book. "Kristal will show you how to: select the metal clay, materials, and tools you need to get started, condition, sculpt, form, fire, and finish metal clay, create your own custom findings, beads, and components from metal clay, make 23 fabulous beading projects combining metal clay and beads and much more!" I must say that I am intrigued by the idea of making my own findings and components. I think that I'd really enjoy trying this sometime. I love that this book includes a lot of pictures so that you can clearly see what is happening the project. I definitely learn through pictures better than text. If you know a more advanced jewelry maker who is looking for a new technique with a different material, this book is right up their alley.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's nothing really innovative here, and it only covers a few selective techniques, but the layout and images are nice. It's mostly focused on making a few types of components out of metal clay for use in beading (especially seed beading) projects. It's not the best book for someone who wants to get seriously into metal clay; its more geared towards dabblers. (But what dabbler would fork over the money for a kiln and all the other required tools, I wonder?)