The Art of Polymer Clay: Designs and Techniques for Creating Jewelry, Pottery, and Decorative Artwork

by Donna Kato

When The Art of Polymer Clay first appeared in 1997, polymer clay was undergoing a revival in the U.S., but its full creative potential had yet to be explored. With this book, author and artist Donna Kato helped change all that by introducing crafters to the vast range of polymer clay techniques, from millefiori to imitative to sculpture. Today millions of people enjoy creating with exciting, easy-to-use polymer clay. This season, Watson-Guptill is pleased to present the book that helped start the craze, in a new format at an affordable new price. Updates on clays, tools and supplies, conditioning, and safety make this the definitive book in the field—and one that everyone can afford to buy
and enjoy.

Genres: Crafts, Art, Reference, Nonfiction

144 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1997

Reviews

[Shayshkers · Rating 3 out of 5]

I agree with another reviewer that this book's primary focus is on jewelry, but it's still informative. You can take a lot of these techniques and apply them to other forms of clay art. Still a good read and educational.

[ZUICY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Donna Kato, the guru of polymer clays. She can make this stuff look like semiprecious stone. Once upon a time I was doing a lot of polymer clay - hmmm may have to revisit it again. : )

[madeline · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little outdated but a good reference. Nice book.

[Kim B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

(The edition of this that I read is a newer one than this, but it's not listed on here. Oh well.)

This book is more geared towards those who make jewelry with their polymer clay, and if you (like me) are the sort who makes figurines, the resources here might not be the best toolkit for you. That being said, if you're a newbie to working with the stuff (I'm not by any means, but a refresher course is always good) or who wants to learn more about some techniques commonly used in bead-making, this might be up your alley.

(I'm also inclined to grumble about the general anti-Sculpey sentiment in the book. I've been using Sculpey since the age of 9 and have had few problems with it compared to other clays. But to each their own I suppose.)

[Snail in Danger (Sid) Nicolaides · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good millefiori primer. Also a good introduction to various polymer clay products, beyond FIMO and Sculpey, though I'm not sure that all the products mentioned are still manufactured. Good examples of various surface treatments, and how to make clay look like other things, like semi-precious stones. Stronger on techniques than projects.