Magical Metal Clay Jewellery: Amazingly Simple No-Kiln Techniques for Making Beautiful Jewellery Paperback – 29 Aug. 2008

This book is interesting, lots of photos and instruction. Great price, arrived quickly.

I bought some metal clay so that I could take an impression of my cats paw. The (normal) clay kits were either really expensive or a bit crappy. I also found that it would work out cheaper for me to make a silver impression myself. So far, I have made a necklace with a silver bee pendant based on an ancient Egyptian design and the impressions are currently drying.I have read this book cover-to-cover twice already and I can't wait to try some of the designs. I really want to make a ring and the Landscape Pendant with the lily pond and bulrushes. The designs by professionals are also very inspiring.A couple of reviewers have criticised that this book has a chapter on kiln-firing but I really can't see how they can view that as a negative! The author does say in the introduction that kiln-firing is introduced so that all readers can see what can be achieved with a kiln via the use of dichoric glass and sheet clay. It also gives beginners, such as myself, a view of how far we can go if we really enjoy silver-smithing and want to invest in some serious equipment.The designs do look advanced but when they are broken down, you realise that actually you are capable of making them and making them well. I read on another website that if you can take an impression of something with play-doh, then you can make that impression with metal clay. I have used this method and also use the play-doh to make a maquette so that I can try different techniques and play around with the design before using the silver clay - something I found useful for raising my confidence.I fully recommend this book if you are new or experience with metal clay - the designs are beautiful and within reach. Enjoy!

Metal clay is a new world to me, I've done a lot of jewellery but always with ready-made components. This book is an excellent guide for even the most basic beginner on making a wide variety of jewellery components. The introductory section is well laid out, the instructions are clear and concise, with good images. It takes what seems like a difficult and technically-demanding style of work and gives the beginner both confidence to do the work as well as inspiring them to take the basic pieces and make their own style of piece.It's a great book, with only one flaw. Now I have to buy the other books by Heaser. And metal clay. Where will it end?

I looked at several books before choosing this one because I wanted to learn some new techniques. I have made and sold a few metal clay pieces myself mainly to people I know (baby's finger, hand and foot prints, pendants etc) and amongst other things wanted to add some colour to my work and also to take the complexity of my pieces to the next level (making them look at little more professional).This book covers the use of colour including enamels and resin, simple gilding, syringe work (filligree), simple rings, making hollow beads, moulds and even using sheet metal clay. I especially appreciated the section on how to reconstitute dried out clay!Some of the projects might not be to everyone's taste, but they certainly give you an insight into how to take the technique and use it on your own designs.I would certainly recommend it.JWD

Before I opened my first packet of metal clay, I brought this book and read it first. I'm pleased I did as it not only provides you with great photos and step-by-step instructions, but there is also a whole section which explains what tools you need and how to use them.I found this book to be very helpful, as I was completely new to this craft. I always have it next to me when I'm making my jewellery as I find it a very good quick reference if I get stuck or need reminding of how to do something. It's also got projects you can do - I have yet to do these. But there are some very lovely designs in this book.

This book provides a great deal of information on equipment and basic techniques with good accompanying photographs on what each piece should look like as it is progressing.The projects are clearly explained and cover a wide variety of techniques, some of which incorporate other types of media with the suilver clay, thus producing a range of challenges not just for the beginner but also for the more advanced solver clay artist.The photographs throughout the book are truly inspirational and encourage the reader to want to get started. This book is wel written, beautifully illustrated and excellent value.

This guide to using Silver Clays seems to have plenty of information and photos to get you started. I've never dared venture into the world of using Silver Clays, but this book has provided me with enough information to consider taking the plunge! Combined with her other book, The Metal Clay Techniques Book - a lavishly illustrated "how-to", there is enough information and inspiration for anyone looking at this alternative to traditional jewellery construction. Sue's books not only showcase her own designs, but generously showcase the work of others in her field. For me, a worthwhile purchase.

this book has everything you need to make everything you can dream of and more. With concise detailing and intructions that can be easily addapted to do what you want with them. Sue is a genius and i got so enthusiastic about metal clay again !!She has a list of everything you need for each project and each instruction is followed with a picture so there can be no miss-understanding of what is meant and what it should look like at each stage!Brillient and i would highly recommend it !

great to learn some technics

Es hat lange gedauert bis es endlich kam, aber es lohnt sich total. Alles ist gut erklärt, die einzelnen Schritte sind zusätzlich in Bildern dargestellt. Absolut empfehlenswert, auch für Anfänger!

A good “beginners” bookTechniques are basic

L'ouvrage correspond exactement à ce que je souhaitais. Je le recherchais et je suis très heureuse de l(avoir obtenu. Merci.

I own an absurd amount of metal clay books, since it is my latest addiction. Magical Metal Clay Jewelry is my favorite, hands down, although there are several close seconds.Like almost every other metal clay book, Heaser begins with the basics - tools needed, how-to's, etc. (I think we're ready now for books that forego this altogether and just focus on projects). Nevertheless, Heaser was kind enough to devote only 9 pages to the mundane basics- materials and equipment. Next is an excellent chapter on basic techniques, which varied enough from most books to be worth reading, even for the advanced PMC artist.The basic projects are simple enough for beginners, but visually interesting and unique. Her directions for painting slip on leaves are more thorough than most. As the book continues, the projects get more involved, of course, and Heaser throws in little tidbits to keep your work looking handcrafted, rather than just handmade. Such as - how to make a wire loop, sizing rings correctly, finishing, and proper handling of syringe clay. And you will learn how to incorporate your metal clay pieces into larger works of art.Toward the end of the book, Heaser teaches you how to do some wonderful things, some of which are worth the price of the book several times over! The section on glass fusing will blow you away. You will also learn how to use the paper clay in several ways, including origami, quilling, and embellishing. Ways to add color are covered - paints and resin, gold (keum boo and paste) and liver of sulfur. She covers so much in just this one book - it's like taking the Level I and II certification courses!The directions are very well written and easy to follow. The pictures are colorful, numerous and helpful. And the projects themselves are just dazzling -really beautiful designs. I've had trouble letting go of some of my pieces, they're too gorgeous to sell or give away, I want to keep them for myself!At the end of the book are what I think are essentials in any how-to book: a gallery (for inspiration), resources (for shopping!) and she's kind enough to give us some templates to work from.This is one well put-together book, a must for any metal clay artist. Go ahead and get it, you will absolutely love it!