Metal Clay 101 for Beaders: Create Custom Findings, Beads, Embellishments & Charms by Kristal Wick
The earrings at the beginning of the book have a design stamped, I assumed without reading any further, that could be a free motion quilting design. This book is about upcycling and eventhis purple earring projects sets that intention from the very beginning.
Again, Kristal Wick‘s book has an illustrated table of contents, which gives the reader an overview of what to expect. The thumbnails set out an ambitious and appealing agenda.
Ms. Wick has a 2 page introduction, which extolls the virtues of beads and metal clay. She gives a taste of what the book will include with a sense of competence and enthusiasm.
The ‘Basics’ section (pg.10-37), includes pictures of her favorite materials as well as a description of different things. Or so I thought. I leafed through the pages, looking for the end and found an unbelievably complete ‘Basics’ section. Kristal’s ‘Basic’ section includes the above as well as metal clay tools and materials, a Metal Clay Toolbox, metal clay fundamentals, firing the metal clay, how to create patinas, embellishments, jewelry components and tools, a section on bead strings and stitches and basic wire techniques.
After 30+ pages of detailed instructions, the projects start. I am pretty sure I wouldn’t wear most of these pieces, but I would pick them apart and put them on some of my art quilts! I really liked the textures and shapes of the different designs.
I have to say that an appealing part of these patterns is the variety of textures included int he same design. In the first project, the Birdhouse Necklace (pg.38), there is metal clay, charms, crystal and metal beads and everything works well as a cohesive whole.
Throughout the book, the author shows very clearly how to put the bits and beads together to make the various projects. Quiltmakers could easily apply components of these projects to a quilt project in the same manner and achieve a great look. This book can also be used as a good source of inspiration as it has detailed images of different textures used.
Each project has a good description of the supplies required along with the nice photos. Variations are mostly shown, though not always described. The reader can get a brief idea of what the project looks like in slightly different colors.
The end of the book has a gallery of projects, by different artists, as well as a short index.
Enjoy the colors and textures as inspiration from this book. Thanks to Lark Books for sending it to me.
