Polymer: The Chameleon Clay

Polymer: The Chameleon Clay was the first polymer clay book I bought. It's not really geared toward beginners, but I've never been afraid to jump in with both feet. I'm glad I did! Victoria Hughes is a pioneer in making polymer clay look like just about anything. While I've since seen alternate techniques that make creating faux bone or stones simpler, I've never seen an technique that does it more realistically than hers. I regret I've never had a chance to take one of her classes. In addition to the wonderful techniques for mimicking other materials, this book is inspirational. It showcases wonderful art or Hughes and a number of other talented artists. Exciting techniques, a wide variety of projects and beautiful photography combine to make this book remain one of my favorite books on polymer clay--and I now have quite a library of them!

I have gotten frustrated by books that only show a person how to make product "X". This book teaches the reader several techniques and how to apply them. From the beginning of the book the reader is encouraged to consider the creative process and experiment with their own techniques and designs. While you are learning specific techniques, Tori Hughes also points out that changes in color and style will also work well. Through this she is teaching the reader, not just showing them how to do a project. That alone makes this book a valuable asset to a book shelf. I highly recommend this book.

I am new to polymer clay and have never taken classes, or even heard of this author prior to the purchase of this book. May be on my way to an addict. I have gotten a pasta maker. So provided you are into things that far, I think even beginners with a reasonable amount of intelligence can deal with this book. The author is very specific in explaining how to imitate different natural mediums with polymer clays (some premo, some fimo, some combinations of the 2). I don't have a great deal of inventory of clay, but was able to emulate most of the techniques, represented with what I had - even if the colors were off a bit. I have gotten a couple other books, and polymer can really get outrageous, complicated, time consuming,and just plain dissapointing when the end result is not perfect enough. This book seems to take things slow and specifically enough to follow and enjoy. And, the nice thing about simulating stones, and natural things is that they are inherently defective, cracked, uneven, and irregular. Even when you mess something up a bit, it can look like it was done on purpose. For the price, I considered this book a good buy for my money.

I just received this today, and have read quite a bit ofit. I'm thrilled to see that the author has elaborated herapproach to art as well as provided "projects" to practicewith. I have taken her live classes and used alot of hervideos and appreciate her whole life attitude to art. Besidessharing the tiniest details of what makes simulation sowonderful, she expounds on the thought process and role yourmind and body plays in art. There are no errors, just waysto collect information. Well done, great photos, nice collection of work in the gallery portion of the book.

I've got quite a little library of polymer clay books, but as soon as this book crossed my threshold, it immediately became one of my favorite three books of the bunch. Firstly, maybe because of Tory's expression of her gentle and encouraging philosophy about making art - and her personality seems to come through on every page. Then, too, I love trying to mimic natural things and of course, she's a master. The agate technique is complicated, but the finished results certainly appear to be worth every step. Incredibly beautiful and convincing imitatives for a variety of natural materials. And all along the way, she's telling you little things about the material that you're making - such as how ancient peoples would further decorate a precious cracked amber bead by filling the crack with pitch and embedding pieces of turquoise or other stone in the pitch. Very cool stuff. Very clear photos and the finished jewelry objects are shown on a beautiful model. Lots of variations and options are sprinkled throughout the instructions. Everything is well illustrated with tons of pictures and Tory's hand-drawn diagrams. The finished items displayed in the book all have an antique, usually ethnic look, even if the theme of the ethnicity for a piece might seem to be "urban relic modern." Everything fits beautifully into a cohesive gallery that's distributed from the first page to the last. The instructions are very clear and detailed and there is sufficient basic information at the beginning of the book that a new polymer artist or crafter could feel successful with the projects provided here. In my opinion, a beginner would be able to work with this book and I would certainly recommend it to *anyone* who loves the medium, but I think the people that this will most appeal to are those with some experience with the clay, as the projects are a little more advanced than what you normally see in an instructional book.I like most all of the polymer instruction books, but this one is a real standout!