Ceramics Books and Magazines

This book is a compendium of so many techniques that it's difficult to know where to start. It's not a project-based book, so if you're looking for something to follow by the numbers, look elsewhere. But if you're looking for a lot of good, sound instruction on clay techniques, this is the book for you. Bring your own ideas and let Donna help you make them reality.

I can vouch for the fact that she knows her stuff; I saw her creating many of these objects, teaching herself the strengths and weaknesses of polymer clay and learning how to push the boundaries of what could be done in the medium. She has the chops, and she's sharing them. Learn from her! You won't regret investing in this book.


The Perfect Blend of Instruction and Inspiration   December 20, 2000
 22 out of 22 found this review helpful

As a relative newcomer to the world of polymer clays, I found 'The Art of Polymer Clay' by Donna Kato both very helpful and very exciting. She opens this neatly-arranged book with a discussion of the many aspects of working with polymer clay, including reviews of the different makes of clay and how to condition them (though some of the clays discussed are harder to find or no longer on the market), tools and supplies, color mixing, curing, finishing, safety and cleanup. The author then proceeds to illustrate a great deal of techniques, from simple to complicated. Beadmaking, millefiore, and imitative techniques (achieving the look of semi-precious stones and other materials) are covered in detail. Jewelry-making is discussed extensively, and vessel construction (making things like boxes and vases)is thoroughly explained. There is a nice chapter on floral forms -- her polymer flowers are quite convincing! Figurine-making and sculpture are discussed and illustrated, though not in as great a degree of detail.

Technique and inspiration are key in 'The Art of Polymer Clay'. The projects that Kato illustrate don't limit the artist. She gives the reader the methods for building any box, not just the box she's built, for example. Her instructions are very detailed, and are often accompanied by full-color photographs. Note, however, that the reader should have some background in or a knack for design -- this is a technique book, not a project book.

I recommend this book to those who have a particular interest in making jewelry and/or constructing home decor items. It will first inspire you by illustrating the potential of the medium, then double as a handy reference book (there's a very detailed index at the end for finding the info you need quickly). There is even a directory of manufacturers -- complete with address and telephone numbers -- should you have trouble finding a certain item.

Donna Kato's 'The Art of Polymer Clay' was the first polymer clay craft book I purchased, and I saw a dramatic improvement in the quality and range of my work. Some of the projects were too complicated at first, but they kept the learning process interesting and exciting, never discouraging.

What can I say? It's simply a must-have.


A Classic Technique-Based Book   August 21, 2000
 85 out of 87 found this review helpful

Donna Kato is known throughout the polymer clay world for her tools, her techniques, and her art. This book is an excellent distillation of all she's learned and invented about polymer clay work.

Unlike many of the PC books on the market, Kato doesn't spend any time on projects. There are many, many techniques - Ballinese Filligree, the Clichy Rose Cane, several different types of faux materials, just as examples - but she doesn't tell you how to apply them or use them. This is fabulous for those who can use the techniques as springboards, and makes the book far more useful than any project-based book could be.

However, the technique-based approach is a little intimidating for the novice clayer; I bought this book a month after I cracked open my first packet of Sculpey III, and there wasn't much in The Art of Polymer Clay that was useful to me. Four months later, I started to get into it, and now this is one of my favorite PC books.

The basic information is extensive, but some of it, like the types of clay section, is out-dated. However, as I've said, this isn't the most helpful book for the beginning clayer - The Polymer Clay Techniques Book is probably that - so the front material is a bit beside the point. (However, everyone should read the whole book, as there is fabulous information in all the chapters.)

If I had to (horrors!) reduce my collection of PC books to just five, The Art of Polymer Clay would be one of them. It is a great book for any clayer at any level - one of the classics of the PC library.