4 out of 5 stars
I would like to thank Quarto Publishing Group – Walter Foster for providing me with a free – temporary – electronic ARC of this book, via Netgalley. Although I’m auto-approved with this publisher, the decision to read this book is entirely my choice and any reviews given are obligation free.
Okay, I have to start by saying that the majority of this rating comes from the amazing talent of Ms Chen when it comes to polymer clay creations. The amount of time and detail that she puts into colour blending the clays for things like strawberries – wow! It might be polymer clay to some, but that is amazing and talented art to me.
This was a great book. Some step by step project ideas that are, for the most part, very basic. And the stuff that isn’t as basic is still doable for the beginner wanting to try something a little trickier – see the colour blending.
It has everything you need to know to get
started. From the types of clay and their baking times, the tools needed, and the
finishing ideas, etc. It is a great little, all-round helpful book.
The projects suggest are cute, something I think most people would want to try
and in the same way so creative that it is something that lovers of polymer
clay would then love to wear. It’s not as if you’re about to be shown how to
make something you’d never wear. I would… but I am a tad eccentric. 😉
I will say I did have an issue trying to review ‘Art Makers Polymer Clay for Beginners’ though and that was the layout and formatting. I am going to assume that the final edit created for print/ paperback book will look fine. But it was obviously not formatted to be easily read as an ASCM of PDF document. The formatting was clunky and all over the place, I had to try both my laptop and tablet to try and read it and, if it wasn’t for my love of polymer clay critters, I might have just given up trying to review it as the copy was just so hard to read. So if there are bad reviews for this book, based merely on Netgalley electronic ARC, I wouldn’t be surprised. I simply tried to look past the bad formatting for electronic viewing and am just going to assume the paper versions is a lot better. Due to this I did not let the poor formatting lower my rating.
Would I recommend this book to others?
Yes I would. It is, as it clearly states, a book for beginners. And I think something those aged 10 and over would enjoy. I could easily see myself and my 12 year old artist in residence enjoying this book together. I would warn people about the formatting though, and strongly recommend they only buy it in paper format and only after being able to see inside to ensure it’s all clear and easy to follow.
Would I buy this book for myself?
Yes I could. See my above comment about my child and I spending an afternoon making polymer clay creations. I mean, I am not a fan of cutesy unicorns, but could still see myself trying the ones in the book just to get a feel for that level of work. That says a lot, if I want to make a cutesy unicorn! 😀
In summary: A great little beginners book on how to make some simply and fun polymer clay creations.
Until next time,
Janis.
Janis's Journal 