New to working with clay

[Nicole]

Shelley,

Welcome to the world of Polymer Clay. I think the things you can make with it are limitless.  There is alot of information out there, so I've just come up with a few resources.  For starters, we carry some books, they are on page 202 of our print catalog or you can see the titles on our shopping cart at this link (cut & paste it into your browser):

http://www.rings-things.com/cgi-bin/hazel/hazel.cgi

Also, check your local library, bead store, or craft store for books.  Jewelry Crafts magazine usually has a polymer clay article in each issue.

If you have a local college, art school, or  bead store, ask if they offer polymer clay classes.  I took a one day class offered by my local parks & recreation department.  It wasn't very expensive and in just an afternoon I learned a lot of new tips and techniques.

Here is the website for the Northwest Polymer Clay Guild:

http://www.nwpcg.org/

The National Polymer Clay Guild:

http://www.npcg.org/

And a FAQ with lots of great info on working with polymer clay:

http://www.jaedworks.com/clayspot/polyclay-faq/

I hope this gives you a good start!

[Heidi]

Hi Shelley!<p>Do we have a book for you!  Written by Suzanne McNeill, this should tell you everything you need to know about making polymer clay beads.  The stock number is #62-370 [Discontinued 2007].  <p>Heidi
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[shelley]

I am desperately trying to learn as much as I can regarding methods of creating unique jewelry and decorative items. I need to supplement a meager disability pension and I've always loved beads. Now, though, I live in a very artsy town and the competition is fierce. I need an edge, but mostly I need to know everything I can about using polymers and regular clay to make beads, components, decorative items, etc. Please help. Any suggestions for websites, books, or just your own experience would be greatly appreciated.

[Metalman]

As you get started with the polymer clays, check out the new metal clays.  These may be for you a little down the road but they have that edge you might be looking for. Good luck with your new venture.

[joysan]

I got a great book called "Polymer Clay-exploring new techniques and new materials" by Georgia Sargeant and Celie Fago with Livia McRee.  

It shows so many techniques and the tools needed to do them.  It also has a section on the PCM clays!!

It was ร.99 at the craft store, but I caught it during a 1/2 off sale!!  I was thrilled with the savings and loved the book.  I'm on disability, too, so we need to compare notes sometime.  Extra income would be welcome here, also.  I live in Kentucky.

(edited to correct abominable spelling!)

(Edited by joysan at 11:09 am on July 28, 2003)

[lexs_creations]

My absolute favorite book for polymer clay techniques, etc, is "The Polymer Clay Techniques Book" by Sue Heaser.  Granted, I'm not really into making beads; but this book is for anyone who wants to do anything with polymer clay.  It is chock full of info (and good pictures!) for making all sorts of things.  If I had known about it earlier, I would've saved money spent on other books.  :'>

Best of luck in your endeavors!

Lex

[Luann Udell]

An encyclopedic site about polymer clay: Glass Attic

and check Abba Dabba Productions for excellent videos on polymer clay techniques.  I think there was an outfit years ago called Art Ranch that did all the original Tory (now Victoria) Hughes techniques.  A google search should pull these up.
hope this helps,
Luann

[Russ Nobbs]

Thanks for posting that Glass Attic site, Luann!