Polymer Clay Gemstones: The Art of Deception

by Kim Schlinke, Randee M. Ketzel

This is not your ordinary how-to book! Austin TX based authors and polymer clay artists Kim Schlinke and Randee M. Ketzel artfully mix a clever mystery with 20 how-to projects that show step-by step photographs and instructions to create your own "ancient artifacts." These polymer clay masterpieces are beautiful enough to grace a museum collection-or yours! At 206 pages, this lavishly photographed book is stuffed with a multitude of projects that can be done just as presented with highly detailed step-by-step instruction, or used as starting points to make faux gems for use in all sorts of designs. Priced retail at $30, the hefty book's how-to projects weigh in at the mere cost of $1.50 each. Animal lovers will be pleased to note that our authors also give us the secrets of making replicas of ivory and tiger claw that involve no cruelty towards elephants or wild cats whatsoever! Projects featured in this compendium include: Celtic Bronze Fibula Navajo Silver Pendant Art Nouveau Golden Gingko Brooch Carnelian Choker of Ancient Rome Amethyst Cabochons and Nugget Beads Amethyst Silver Art Nouveau Pendant Black Opal Cabochons, Barbarian Bracelet Chrysoprase Cabochons (A and B Grade), Hammered Cuff Bracelet Ancient Limestone Fossil Pebbles, Cycladic Goddess Leopardskin Jasper, Primitive Pebble Bracelet Faux Twigs, Fantastical Forgeries Bracelet Blue Lace Agate Tile Bracelet Copper & Rhodochrosite Tiered Necklace Snowflake Jades Qin Dynasty Bangles Amber Caravan Necklace Primeval Coral Rock Hound Necklace Ammolite Cabochons, Gothic Revival Pendant Victorian Mourning Brooch Faux Tiger Claw Victorian Raj Brooch Faux Tiffany Glass Scarabs Faux Ivory Cuff Bracelet Find out how it is all done-and "who done it"-along with our intrepid protagonists, Parker and Peele. "What is this stuff?" wondered Parker, and her companion pointed her umbrella to the drawings that plastered the walls. "The raw materials for the best forgeries ever seen" replied her friend. "This is where they were created." Together they examined the drawings, exclaiming softly as they recognized several objects from the Museum. Parker picked up one of the colorful lumps and frowned. "What is this, Peele? It's soft like clay, but I've never seen these colors before." "No," said her friend, "nor have I-at least in this form. I suspect it requires a catalyst of some type to render it into the false gems-ah, here!" Peele uncovered an array of electric ovens. "Heat-how charming. This must be some type of polymer, which, when brought to the proper temperature, then hardens. I have heard rumors. Could become just about anything, in skilled hands."

Genres: Crafts

208 pages, Paperback

First published October 16, 2013

Reviews

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVED the idea of this book -- an instructional polymer clay book with a mysterious twist. The detectives have to figure out who is replacing ancient jewelry with polymer clay forgeries. However, after starting to read it three times and getting stuck at about the same place, it dawned on me that the combination of the two genres doesn't work for me. My mind got set to read a novel, something I was excited to devour quickly, then I got stuck looking for clues in a non-fiction book. It got to the point where I would finish a chapter, then find myself disappointed to turn the page and see that there was yet another project, instead of a conclusion. And I felt like I was cheating if I just skipped to the end. So the premise that I was initially excited about didn't actually work for me.

Once I realized that and kept plowing through, though, I found some nice projects. It has a similar subject matter to Chris Dupouy's Creating Your Own Jewelry: Taking Inspiration from Museum Masterpieces - 35 Surprisingly Simple Projects, a book I enjoyed but wished had included more variety of techniques and instructions for making polymer clay fauxs. The Art of Deception has both. Faux stones include: carnelian, amethyst, black opal, chrysoprase, blue lace agate, rhodochrosite, jade, amber, Denovian coral, ammonites, bog oak, tiger clay, and ivory, plus fossil pebbles and twigs. The techniques are varied (as a fan of alcohol inks, I loved that several of the projects use them), including lots of different tools, supplies, and techniques. I look forward to trying some that are new to me. The styles are varied -- some projects didn't appeal to me at all, but out of 20 projects, I marked 8 I would like to try.

Items of note:
- I found it difficult to read the "handwritten" titles of the chapters.
- The two-column layout, with its offset photos, was sometimes confusing to me. When I turned the page, I wondered if I was supposed to read column 1 first, even if it started lower than column 2.
- It could have used a good edit. I found a few typos, some confusing narrative, and some missing instructions.
- I liked the detectives' commentary as they work through the projects. It often included tips that beginning clayers would find useful.
- The "dots" are a nice way of indicating small amounts of a polymer clay color to add. I struggled with how to do this in my own instructions, and feel like the authors found a good solution.

[Sherilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! The instructions for each project are clear and easy to follow. I also loved the back story of the two detective ladies uncovering the fakes at the museum and replicating them to discover the culprit. It tickled my funny bone and explained the inclusion of so many different styles of art. I liked the opportunity to explore things I might have been put off by in the past. Schlinke and Ketzel's style and humor pervade the book, along with lovely designs that prompt the reader to explore the possibilities of polymer clay.

The ornate script used for headings throughout the book led to my only complaint. I found it hard to read. The font for the body of the text was fine, though.

If you are interested in exploring some of the many ways polymer clay can be used to create beautiful, stylish jewelry, I can't recommend this book highly enough.

[Alie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book~!!!!!! A must for anyone who wants to make jewelry out of polymer clay! Great pictures and easy instructions, also has the best faux amethyst I have seen.

[Linda]

Fabulous ideas for using polymer clay to make ancient-looking jewelry. I also plan to make some interesting textures for mosaics.