Creative Techniques for Polymer Clay Jewelry

If you wonder how polymer artists create all those incredible, minute details and delicate shading read this book. Ms. Bananto's designs may or may not be to your taste, but (hey, we're all different) the secret of HOW she achieves them is relevant for anyone who wants to develop such skills. Basics and general information are well written too. Good work, lady.

Basics were covered well and her basic canework instructions (18 canes) were perfectly photograhed and explained. Considering I'm the visual, put things together by the diagram alone kind of person, I'm picky about photo demonstrations in clay books. There never seems to be enough. I think I could make up every cane solely instructed by photos in this book. The projects include typical sliced beads, rolled beads, image transfers, a really cool fidget pendant and much more. She also includes the jewelry making steps as well as the clay making. I especially enjoyed the color palette section (inspirational fabric samples) and the color palettes supplied at each project. That's a tip I will use regularly.

Iam rather new to polymer clay but have a bachelor of fine arts degree and have done many arts and crafts, most recently being a stitchery designer for consumer craft magazines. I also have a Master's in Education in art and have taught in the public schools. Having said all that, let me tell you why I found this book above the average, even books by other polymer clay masters. First, this book is very well-organized. It gives basic cane making techniques and then puts those specific lessons to use in the projects shown in later chapters. I found the projects to be gorgeous for the most part, and the artist uses fibers, beads and other media with the clay. The projects make direct use of what is explained in earlier chapters. Whereas some early polymer clay books showed very weak projects such as light switch covers or other tacky decorations, this book actually shows items I would be proud to make and wear. They have a high level of craftsmanship. What I particularly like is how the author names different color combinations of clay and shows how to use them in projects to great effect. Many artists who are self-taught have a lot of trouble with color and their choices sometimes make a reader wonder, "What were they thinking??" This author chooses a color palette for each project from among about ten or twelve shown in the front of the book and uses one of those palettes in each project. So the projects are created out of techniques shown in earlier chapters and also out of a specific palette. The end of the book has outlines of handy shapes for the projects shown, and even a page of clip art one can photocopy to make transfers. I read about fifteen polymer clay books so far and this is one of the better ones. It is not real wordy with baking tips and all, but it gives the basics. The book design is visually exciting, nicely laid out and colorful too.

I recently began using polymer clay specifically to make jewelry and beads, and I loved the projects in this book. NOT because I'll be copying her patterns and colors and graphics on my own jewelry as is. I personally don't like some of the transfers Nanetta uses. But the directions are easy enough to understand that you can add your own graphics or use different colors or patterns for your own projects. Also, I picked up several other polymer clay books recently. I find that each book builds upon ideas that I've learned in other books. So this book shouldn't be viewed as an encyclopedia. It does offer some great creative sparks for a beginner like me.

If you have been looking for help with color palettes and style,here's the right book for you! Once we have learned the basic techniques of polymer clay, the next step (which is a big one) is color and design. Here Nanetta helps you see, the colors and blends of clay that will produce certain effects. She has examples of the colors one would use in a Jewel Palette, or Noir, or Cloisonne'! What Nan Roche was for technique, Nanetta Bananto is for color and style! Thank You Nanetta!