Polymer Clay; Creative Traditions by Judy Belcher

Polymer Clay; Creative Traditions; Techniques and Projects Inspired by the Fine and Decorative Arts

By Judy Belcher
Published by Watson Guptill, 2006

• Cleverly shows how polymer clay can mimic traditional art techniques
• Wonderful images of work by the best contemporary polymer clay artists
• Instructive and inspiring

Yes, they call it “The Clever Clay” for good reason. Polymer clay is highly versatile and this book shows us how artists have used it to imitate everything from glass lampwork beads, to ikat fabric  to wood parquetry. There is even a section showing how the clay can create pictures inspired by Georgia O’Keefe, Gustav Klimt and Jackson Pollock!

Contents are broken down into these categories: Glass, Metal, Fiber, Painting and Drawing, Stone, Bone and Wood, Sculpture and Ceramics.

There are wonderful tutorials here, well illustrated with step by step photographs so you can look forward to learning new and interesting techniques. But the unique selling feature of this book is the way it showcases so many contemporary polymer clay artists whose work is truly innovative and inspirational. This book shows off polymer clay as an art form, not simply a craft.