The Complete Book of Polymer Clay: Techniques, Projects, and Expert Instruction for Jewelry, Home Décor, and Mixed-Media Crafts

This book is very good. Lots of basic as well as advanced knowledge. Beautiful pictures. Well written.

If I had started with this book several years ago, I have no doubt my claying experience would have moved forward much faster - and been much more enjoyable. Lisa Pavelka - already considered by many to be the "Polymer Clay Goddess" - digs in, gets dirty, teaches a new technique, and moves onto the next lesson. I love her style of teaching! Every material is laid out, as is the thought process and any history that stands behind the medium or method. There are many techniques covered between the covers of this fantastic guide. Reading the instructions for the various techniques is interesting and meaningful. She has a knack for breaking down many complicated steps into a short series of instructions. If you are interested in learning about the Skinner Blend, Millefiori canes, image transfers, Mokume Gane, mica shift, leaf & foiling, faux effects, stamping, assembly/formation/structure, and a multitude of other surface treatments, THIS is the book for you!Although it sounds like the book is full, I haven't included all she writes about. Each of the subjects I mentioned are her chapter headings - she delves into each technique thoroughly and quickly. You definitely have enough information to repeat the techniques - and Lisa encourages you to be true to yourself by doing your own thing. The eye candy she's included in the book (both hers and work from other artists) is worth the price of the book on its own. This book is heaven for the clay enthusiast - whether new to polymer clay or an experienced artist. The pictures are perfect at filling in the how-to details - and there are lots of great pictures.I have several polymer clay books, but this is the best BY FAR. There aren't any complicated projects with only half the instructions. There aren't any weird projects that no one will ever use or wear. There are tons of inspiring techniques, projects, and information - all conveyed to you (the reader) by the expert teachings of the Polymer Clay Goddess (Lisa Pavelka).

This book would be for those who have worked with Polymer clay and needed new insights. It is not a beginner book. I am a beginner!

When I first saw this book in my recommended list, I was skeptical. A good deal of people have been churning out books lately that are 90% old techniques and 10% new ways to do said old techniques. I don't think this is entirely their fault, as coming up with new processes can be quite an undertaking. My opinion on the subject, though it is but one person's opinion, is that one should restrain from writing a book before one has commited ample time to research prior from re-writing the same thing over and over again.This is not the case with  The Complete Book of Polymer Clay This is a wonderful book and a nice addition to my artist's toolbelt. The pictures are clear and professional, the instruction is as well (another how-to-book annoyance...), and the projects are - dare I say - FRESH. There is of course certain things repeated, but they are mostly touched on as either key processes that all clay artists need to know (IE the Skinner Blend) or processes that need to be understood before a particular project can be executed. There is seemingly something for everyone.This is a must have for any polymer clay artist/anyone who is interested in integrating polyclay into their life or art. This is especially true of those who are part of the jewelry trade like myself. I also recommend that those who like this book look into Lisa Pavelka's line of polyclay products; she offers everything from waterslip images to foils to metal roll plates.I hope this review was useful - and happy claying!

The book is like new. I was anticipating a "used" book, and this is a far cry better than anticipated.

Since being introduced to polymer clay almost a year ago, I have realized that there are a few artists who are successfully raising this medium from hobby craft to fine art, both at the technical level and at the artistic design level. This book goes against this effort 100%. As other reviewers have commented, there is nothing sophisticated nor unique about the techniques introduced in this book; just mere iteration of what has been published many times before. It is not complete either, there are so many techniquess that are special to polymer clay medium that are not covered here.At the artistic level, this book does not teach you anything about design elements or even color choices. However, the worst thing about this book is the bad editorial job. Many step by step instructions or pictures are missing. In some instances, you would have to imagine what the finished item should look like from the instruction step because there is not a picture of the finished project. The worst example is the instruction for the "swirly whirly faux art glass bracelet" on page 168-171. The instruction in step 8 allows you to produce a flat oval shape. In step 9, you are asked to glaze the top with resin, however the shape in her picture is no longer flat. It is now plum as if the flat disc was used to veneer an oval bead (no instruction provided). After the glass glaze cures, she tells you to glue the findings on and the instruction ends at that. You are supposed to end up with a bracelet made up of five of these oval shapes connected together with findings. No instruction is given for how the findings are suppose to be glued on or where. The findling are not even listed as needed material. Looking at the final picture of this project, there is no way those findings have been glued on. They must have been inserted into drilled wholes, otherwise the bracelet would fall apart from the first five minutes of wear. This and other examples of incomplete instructions tell me that this book was pulled together hastily.In summary, this book is glaringly below mediocre and I think whom ever gave it above one star must have either not read the book, or perhaps is a friend of the author.

Not as good as I thought it was going to be

Lots of advice and ideas in this book I will be looking at doing more projects with polymer clay now because I have been inspired, I would recommend this book

more than happy with the book. Extremely informative.

Very usefull book for a beginner to polymer clay. Tells you how to make all the differing types of bands of colour. Good value for your money

Great book, prompt delivery.Thank you.