Metal Clay Fusion: Diverse Clays, Detailed Techniques, Artful Projects by Gordon K. Uyehara
One of the first things I thought of when I saw this book was that the cover piece looked like some prehistoric animal, but not in a bad way. The shape looks very organic in a prehistoric sense. That was the beginning of realizing that the author, Gordon K. Uyehara uses many, many shapes and designs from nature, or which were informed by nature, in his work. This gives the hard edge of metal smoothness and positivity.
The things I like about this book are:
- lots and lots of excellent, detailed photos
- index
- attention to the details of the works.
I also like these words from the author, which can be found in the introduction, “The near obsessive compulsion to create with silver clay in the face of a dwindling savings account and the feeling of spending way too many hours on something that might just lead to nothing go beyond logic.” I think we have all felt that way about some creative endeavor.
As with many of the Lark Craft books, this one is full of information about metal clays. It goes into detail about the properties of different types (bronze vs. copper, for example) and how to use them. This book also has tips inset on the pages. The detail photos show how to achieve the minute design details shown on some of the finished pieces. Included are sections called, for example, “Paintbrush Skills” and “Carving,” which help the reader with those details.
I liked the few pages on Design (pg.49-50). I don’t think anyone can get enough design training and hearing it from different voices is valuable.
This technique requires firing, so there are many pages included that discuss firing – temperatures, what to do when combining the metal with other materials. The books includes a section called “What happens during firing” and also a section on Mental Theatrics. We all go through some kind of drama when preparing to do something major to a piece. This section talks about ideas. I don’t see this type of writing in many books, so I was glad it was included and hope Lark makes it a regular feature of their quilt books as well.
The photos are predominantly of Mr. Uyehara’s work, but there are also pieces from other artists. Barbara Becker Simon’s Jester Jar is one of my favorites. It combines glass and metal. I also like the Bubbles Belt Buckle by Liz Hall (pg.38).
The projects are interesting. They range from earrings, bangles and beads to Hashi Oki (chopstick rests), condiment spoons and hairpins. I was very glad to see some new and different projects in this book.
As I have mentioned numerous time, I do not make jewelry, so this book will be donated to the Library, but, if nothing else, this books is a wealth of inspiration in shape, detail and design. There are plenty of curves to offset the hard edge of the metal. Spirals, ovals and circles permeate Uyehara’s work. There is a lot of eye candy in this book and would be an excellent book for inspiration, even if you are not a jewelry maker.
