[.ca] Creating Your Own Antique Jewelry: Taking Inspiration ... (ISBN 0810990512)

An Inspirational How-To Book!:
I just completed two projects in this book and the pieces turned out beautifully! This is my first foray into the polymer clay medium and I can't wait to create more pieces. I do not understand some of the previous reviewers' comments about the pieces being unsophisticated etc.... these are reproductions of ANTIQUE pieces which, by definition, didn't use modern "sleeker" methods of metallurgy etc... One reviewer also mentioned that painting with the model paints is a problem. Not so! My only conclusion is that the author of that review didn't try the techniques or didn't follow the directions for painting. The "Testor" brand paints I used worked great. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in recreating antique pieces. The projects are easy, fun, and a springboard to use one's own creativity.

inspirational, but poor technique:
The projects in this book are good sources of inspiration, but the techniques the author uses are not very sophisticated. There are other books by polymer clay artists, as well as videos, that would allow even a beginner to create more professional and realistic looking pieces than the ones presented in this book. I would recommend that anyone considering buying this book check out other offerings by Sue Heaser (Polymer Clay Techniques Book), Donna Kato, Syndee Holt, or Steven Ford & Leslie Dierks instead of or in addition to this book.

No longer a beginner but still a fan:
I wrote an initial review of this book when I had never worked with polymer clay before. In the few months that have passed, I have gotten pretty excited about the medium and have a few varied projects under my belt. Which means this book is worthless, right? Wrong! This book is still quite an inspiration to me. I love the way the author blends stones and clay for an affect all her own. While such stones and jade and rose quartz can be simulated to near perfection with clay but rubies and emeralds and such must still be replicated with glass and semi precious stones since even the transparent clay is relatively opaque. This is most certainly a book for people who enjoy and can pull of chunkier, ancient looking jewelry and if you fit into this category I am certain this book will appeal. If you taste runs toward cute jewelry or more delicate stuff, there are plenty of polymer clay books that will fill your needs. This book is also ideal for rennaissance fair junkies, and people who need specialized ancient looking jewelry. One element I really enjoy about this book is the collection of pictures that show where the author got her inspiration. (many are paintings from the Louvre) So, you're really getting two books in one, a light art book and an instruction book. As to painting, the way I like to add a metallic look to black clay (after comapring many different instructions) is to dust it with powder and then add highlights with metallic wax. Both items are easily available. If you fit the profile of someone who would read this book, give it a try. If it isn't to your taste, shop around for another book and enjoy the wonderful medium of polymer clay.

Good for inspiration, but lacking in honor:
As a beginning jeweler who has worked with polymer clay in the past, I was quite excited to read this book. Though it inspired me to create some new pieces, I found the projects offered to be a complete disgrace to the original artists.

Classy, Inspirational and Fun!:
From start to finish this book is inspiratonal in concept, content, application and continental style. The photography and presentation is sublime. I have worked with polymer clay for 12 years, have art training and work in the art field. This book is both a classical feast for the eyes and very informative. The clay techniques are straight forward, easy and fun. The arthur lives in Paris, France, and so the book has a very continental classy appeal. The book is very different than the polymer clay books here in the US. It opens the door for thought and creativity. The close-ups of the classical jewelry pieces are breathtaking, and the special sketches are wonderful and easy to understand. The photography is from around the world. The book is simply a feast for the eyes. If you are into costume, portraiture, jewelry, paintings of the great masters,jewelry crafting in whatever medium, this book would be a lovely asset to your libray.