Lifestyle Book Reviews

Book Review: Sculptural Metal Clay Jewelry: Techniques and Explorations

By Sandy Amazeen May 11, 2010, 2:28 GMT

Beginning with an overview of the properties of metal clay, including safety information and metalsmithing terms, this thorough resource offers detailed procedures for creating a variety of components, settings, findings, attachments, 3-D forms, and textured effects. Each technique is shown with step-by-step photography to make it easy for jewelry makers at the advanced beginner to intermediate levels to learn the art of metal clay, while the enclosed DVD offers the ...more

Beginning with proper clay handling; paying particular attention to proper safety precautions, McKinnon then reviews the simple tools and techniques she uses to create original textured settings, rings, jewelry making components, boxes and more. As demonstrated by the lovely, organic Circlet of Flowers Necklace inspired Saguaro cactus blossoms, just a few easily formed shapes can be cleverly linked into a stunning design. Close-up color photography augments the clear, step-by-step instructions while the enclosed DVD with sixty minutes of run time is as close as you can get to having a private tutorial session.

Moving parts, the use of embedded parts like rivet posts and deceptively simple boxes encourage PMC artists to incorporate a range of metalsmithing techniques that open up a new range of possibilities. Although there are a few helpful tips of interest to the more experienced, with its sound introduction to the basics along with some innovative ideas, this book best serves the needs of the beginner and intermediate PMC artist.