Metal Clay 101 for Beaders: Create Custom Findings, Beads, Embellishments & Charms Paperback – October 1, 2013

Reading this book was like having a friend walk you through the process of making your own components from metal clay. Clear, easy to understand writing and lots of excellent photos have gotten me past my initial insecurity. Introducing me to bronze and copper clay has allowed me to relax my pocket book and make toggles. Like training wheels for when I open the silver clay! Pages of inspiring examples from other artists as well as Kristal Wick's own exuberant designs to get those creative juices flowing. Perhaps even more important are the tips like creative armatures to make your precious clay go farther.

Filled with great information

Metal Clay 101 for Beaders, Create Custom Findings, Beads, Embellishments & Charms, by the fun and brilliant Kristal Wick, is a great addition to anyone's beading library!I enjoy Ms. Wick's style immensely. She has a special quality when she writes. This quality consistently conveys great charm and a degree of trendiness but always in the best of ways. Because of this, every project is brimming with energy and style.If you are looking for a good starter book to get to know metal clay, you have found your book.Furthermore, if you want to try out something even cooler than just "Metal Clay 101"--guess what! This great book has you covered that way, as well.You won't believe it until you see it (and get it)for yourself!It isn't just the old metal clay. You know what I mean if you were into Precious Metal Clay ten years ago. That was a great time to be exploring but this is a whole new ball game! Start over and learn anew! I am doing just that with this book!Indeed, it truly is a brand new game for metal clay. Therefore, even if you are an old pro, check this book out. You have so much to enjoy here! Take it from me! I was dazzled when I opened this book!You will be thrilled to see that all the clays are worked with, to start. Copper, silver and bronze clays of all sorts are covered. Additionally, you will learn to apply patina to color the clays. You will learn to condition and sculpt the clay. You will, ready for this???--it is a must!!! Learn to properly fire your clay. All of this taught to you by an expert whose intention is to take you beyond all those basics, even if you are totally new to this, in order to employ what you make incorporated into her (and your!) fantastic designs.The author begins her introduction like this: "Beaders & Jewelry Makers, meet your new BFF (Best Friend Forever)--Metal Clay!"That is hard to say no to, don't you agree? Especially when you see the projects, which are wonderfully varied and have a myriad of design factors to appeal to all sorts of jewelry makers.Just as Ms. Wick assures you, you will be inspired.There is diversity, integrity in design, and particularly a delightfully instructive way color is worked with which is very worth your while.In the section called The Basics, the reader gets an introduction to metal clay and even the author's favorite ones. The Basics is also where you will find the Tools and Materials associated with clay, and what else is needed when working with it. There is a handy list called "The Metal Clay Toolbox". That will later be referred to in various projects. I have noticed lists like this cropping up in a number of jewelry design books and think they are really useful and sensible. The person who thought of it first gets a GOLD star !There are very clear and excellent photos in this section as well. Metal Clay Fundamentals follows, including "Creating a Clay Solarium" which has some useful tips. Firing Metal Clay comes up next. After that you have creating Patinas, and then Embellishments. Following that comes Jewelry Components and Tools, Bead Stringing and Stitches, Basic Wire Techniques, and you are all set! Ta Da! Ready to rock the projects!Now, thanks to the great section I just discussed, leave any expectations of struggles at the doorstep. You are going to learn to incorporate metal clay, as well as "conquer" it. Along with that you are going to have a ball making pretty, pretty jewelry!I cannot stress that enough! The author knows how to guide you right smack into the middle of a situation where you cannot help but enjoy yourself!For example, the first project is called "birdhouse necklace".This project enables the reader to string a necklace in the traditional manner, with lots of crystals. Then he or she can concentrate on working on new skills with metal clay. There is a lot of room left for fun, creating playful dangles and embedding crystals after firing. Finally, the very first project comes out looking terrific!And so this book, Metal Clay 101 for Beaders, Create Custom Findings, Beads, Embellishments & Charms, proceeds along, offering earrings, necklaces, lariats, and bracelets of all sorts, for all kinds of designers.You can go from a "puzzle bracelet", very cool and hip, which uses copper clay and Turquoise chips, to peyote seed beading. The component is the focus here and of course it is made of clay. The piece to which I am referring is the "peyote stitch buckle bracelet", and it can also be made into a BELT!I also love the author's fabric beads. You will be able to incorporate these into some lovely and eye catching colorful designs. They are so chic.Patina and guilder's paste are used in a masterful manner to add appeal when clay calls for it.This reviewer really enjoyed the love of metals as an additions to fabric and jewelry design which anyone can learn tons from, if employing this fine new offering in metal clay and jewelry design books. It is effectively a one of a kind book, just like the author herself. Nobody does this sort of comprehensive teaching with a kick, like wonderful Kristal Wick!

I've only dabbled in metal clay at a CHA show but have never tried it at my own work desk. I love to learn new things, so I enjoyed reading through this particular book. "Kristal will show you how to: select the metal clay, materials, and tools you need to get started, condition, sculpt, form, fire, and finish metal clay, create your own custom findings, beads, and components from metal clay, make 23 fabulous beading projects combining metal clay and beads and much more!" I must say that I am intrigued by the idea of making my own findings and components. I think that I'd really enjoy trying this sometime. I love that this book includes a lot of pictures so that you can clearly see what is happening the project. I definitely learn through pictures better than text. If you know a more advanced jewelry maker who is looking for a new technique with a different material, this book is right up their alley.

Great book! I've always wanted to try more metal clay projects and this book certainly covers all the bases. A beginner would have no trouble picking us the basics of metal clay from the author’s thorough instructions. And I love that the projects include stitched, strung, and wire-worked pieces. As a bonus, Kristal Wick’s personality comes through in every project - without sacrificing clarity. Reading “Metal Clay 101” is like getting together to make jewelry with a friend.

I am a huge fan of Kristal Wick. Her teaching gets better with every book, always a challenge and inspiration to me, so I appreciate the clear instructions and photos. Metal Clay for Beaders is her best yet, because the jewelry comes out looking like it's from Barney's NYC, at a fraction of the cost.

Loved this book gives those starting out in PMC confidence. Thank you.

Some excellent ideas and really good information