Metal Clay Beads: Techniques, Projects, Inspiration

I'm an advanced metalsmith and glass beadmaker, but I have no metal clay experience. I purchased this book wanting to know enough metal clay basics to be able to get started on my own, but also hoping for sufficient technical information about fabricating more complex forms.This book is the very best of what an instructional book should be. It is well organized, well written and superbly illustrated. There are many variations on the central bead theme, and an abundance of photo examples of other artists' work, not just the author's. The bead designs are such that any reader could easily find a jumping-off place for ones own ideas. There is sufficient information to allow a metal clay beginner to get started, but enough problem solving information that would also be of benefit to the more advanced artist. The steps are presented in a way that's easy to understand, with adequate photos and illustrations. There are none of the "gaps" of the kind that leave you scratching your head. There is a wealth of information about creating texture plates, and even though photoetching is my specialty I still learned new things. The design of the book is sumptuous, beautiful, and inspirational.The author has managed to create an instructional book using a very limited jewelry form - the bead - and yet she still offers a wealth of information about metal clay fabrication in general. In this sense it is useful in a very broad way. Kudos! This is exactly what I was looking for. Very highly recommended.

I have to agree wholeheartedly with all the other 5-star ratings here! This book is not just about creating beads; it's got lots of info on many aspects of working with metal clay, from tools, to forming and texturing, as well as combining metal clay with other materials. There is extensive information on how to create your own original texture plates using a variety of methods and media. I've never been fortunate enough to take a class with Barbara Becker Simon, but the fact that she is not only an artist but a teacher comes through loud and clear in this book. Techniques and processes are described --both verbally and visually--in such a way that they make perfect sense. (I'm a teacher and I know what it takes to write clear, step-by-step instructions on a specific process; Simon does it extremely well!) Well written with lots of beautiful photos!

Ms Simon's book is a great addition to a metal clay library. I probably would not recommend it to someone just starting out. But for someone who has already worked with metal clay, it is a must have book. This is another one of my books that I return to over and over again. The projects are unique, well photographed and for the most part easy to understand. There are a few places where the directions may be a little confusing, but Ms Simon is always ready to answer any questions through email. I have many, many, many metal clay books and this is one that I feel was definitely worth the money.

This is one of the best PMC books on the market. I am a certified PMC teacher, and have tried several of the projects in this book and recommend it to my more advanced students. While the basic technical info in this book is first rate, it is the projects that set it apart. They are not easy projects, and definitely not for beginners, but if you master them, the skills you use are extremely varied. Ms. Simon is a superb PMC and glass artist, and the examples shown in this book are stunning- and well photographed. Highly recommended for PMC artists who are past the beginning stage and want to really challenge themselves.

While I'm still a beginner at metal clay, I have at least intro exposure. my instructor had this book and I had to have a copy. The author is truly a jewelry artist and this book's projects are not crafty. She teaches you how to make a few different kinds of more complex beads and they are quite stunning. Many helpful techniques are explained along the way so you learn useful skills. If you have some beginning experience or books and your ready for something more this is a very worthwhile book.

This book is full of great designs, however- I would not recommend this book for any self taught student. One can be self taught and not have to spend $300+ on a teacher telling you what you can learn on your own. Metal clay is NOT a hard product to learn. There are too many books on the market that read the same and have the same information on metal clay. My advise, free tutorials on the net are the best way to learn. Not only are the books on the market the same on metal clay, but do all of the authors have to word their instructions on every single move that their hands make? In conclusion, this book is good for the basics of metal clay and to make the designs in the book only. You can incorporta your own ideas after learning the way to execute a design. Purchase one or two great books on metal clay and leave it at that.

Reading it now and loving it. For someone who has been doing metal clay for a while, there is a review of working with metal clay rather than basic how to. Having learned from another instructor, I am learning techniques that I was not familiar with. I have not tried any of the projects I am looking forward to it.

It's nice to see a book that has some ideas beyond the beginner. Hollow form beads are great and these are wonderful ideas. The projects are fresh, exciting, and DIFFERENT! The book is well written. All of the projects have directions that are easy to follow. Everything is well illustrated and the photos are fantastic.

This book has excellent tips, techniques and examples of work by the wonderful Barbera Becker Simon. 3D techniques from quite straight forward to challenging are covered in depth with helpful diagrams and photos to help you achieve your own amazing beads.

I do not agree that this book is for the more experienced metal clay artist. I stumbled upon metal clay late in 2010, but did not have the courage to make any jewellery piece until April this year. I've only had one day of beginner's metal clay class, and I must say the tutorials in this book is very easy to follow.The projects look daunting, but they are amazing once you've tried them; and I love the fact that the author not only demonstrates a particular project, but also gives several modifications, with pictures to give you ideas. Even though the projects look complicated, I think the key is to practice with something like bronzclay which is what I've done with the projects I've tried from the book. So far, I've been very successful with the lentil beads with one other variation and I've also used the author's technique to make a tube beads for a pair of earrings.Where a kiln is not available, then it's nice to practice with artclay copper which can be torch fired. I do not know about copper clay as I've never used it before, but I find fastfire bronzclay very tolerant in terms of drying time unlike silver clay. I also find it easier to bring back to its original pliable condition.I also learnt how to make my own textures from reading this book; that, I find invaluable so as to be able to make unique pieces which is not possible using the commercial textures available for sale.In all, I think it's a great book if you want to make jewellery pieces that stand out.

very good