Rating: 
Summary: I must admit to some bias
Review: I am somewhat biased on this topic, because I helped with a few of the projects in this book. Irene and Valerie (the editor) were absolutely fabulous to work for and I enjoyed the whole process, immensely! I'm not usually one to submit projects for books and magazines, but they made it easy - they asked me to do specific things and set a deadline for each step - that made it easier for me (not very well self-directed ;) to get things done. It was a very long process - over a year from the first contact, and interesting to observe. The day that the book came in the mail, there were a few wild minutes of jumping-up-and-down noisy hooplah, and then I settled down with a cup of coffee to read it like a calm and rational human being, instead of like a screeching jumping bean. ;) I was already excited just to be part of this project, but I was doubly proud to be associated with it after I saw the beauty and the originality and the finely-executed craftsmanship shown throughout the book. Beautiful paper and text, well-organized and laid out, it's just a gorgeous book. Thirty faux substances and thirty different projects. I was intrigued by this idea from the start, but I wasn't sure how it would show up. Turns out that it works very well - the recipe for the faux surface flows right into the project that goes with it or right into some other project. The photographs are rich and beautiful and the array of different faux surfaces is amazingly wide. The book has basic information about the clays and materials in the beginning, and the instructions for the projects and recipes are clear and easy to follow. I love the rusted steel and copper verdigris by Alison Ingham - what a novel approach! Luann Udell, who got me started with the addicting hobby of carving my own rubber stamps with her book has a gorgeous rendition of bone project for buttons. Gerry Newfry's celadon pottery and Lynn Krucke's raku faux's are innovative and exciting, too. Dawn Schiller's "bronze" green man would be a beautiful outside wall decoration. Diane Villano provided one of the most original applications of faux Balinese filigree silver that I've ever seen! Julia Sober's Baisse-Taille book is on my "must do" list. In fact, I loved all of the projects in this book, even though I can't remember them all at the moment. I plan to try as many of them as I can... the level of realism demonstrated is just incredible. If you're as fascinated with the possibilities of this wonderful medium as I am, you will love this book. It's aimed at people who have some experience with the clay, but even if you're a beginner, try a couple of the projects and practice and I'll bet you can do these things, too. Another of my favorite books is Tory Hughes' "Chameleon Clay," and I'd recommend buying that one, too - these are two completely different books with very little overlap in the processes by which we arrive at the different faux looks. They complement each other very nicely. zig
Rating:
Summary: Wow fantastic and detailed
Review: I find this book to be one of the best ones I have purchased pertaining to faux techniques, the directions are precise and complete as well as give you food for thought for other projects using these techniques. For anyone wanting a complete and easy book to follow I highly recommend adding this fantastic book to your permanent resource library.
Rating:
Summary: Delightfully Surprised!
Review: I now have quite a collection of Polymer Clay books that I have aquired over the years. I decided on a whim to purchase this one hoping to learn a few new tricks to add to my repetoire. I won't list all the surfaces one learns to imitate in this book...previous reviewers have already done this. What I will say is that I am very pleased with this purchase. The photos are clear and easy to understand. Each technique is explained fairly well. What I like most of all is that for each surface/stone/substance that is taught, an example project describing how to utilize your newly made substance is included. For example, the malachite section shows how to make a make-up compact and powder brush cover. It offers a launchpad from which to create your own ideas. Summary:
If you are brand new to polymer clay, I still recommend The New Clay by Nan Roche. A better book or more bang for the buck does not exist...trust me, I've looked! If you're somewhat experienced and are looking to broaden your polymer clay horizons, this is a great place to start.
Rating: 
Summary: Finally a PC Recipe Book!
Review: I own nearly every polymer clay book that has been written but this one is going right up there with the new AnKara book! If you like to experiment and create your own treatments and techniques, this book is an excellent resource guide. Easy step by step instructions make it simple for anyone to have success with the included projects. What brings the most value to this book however, in my opinion, is the "recipe" format Irene has used. Every project lists out like a gourmet meal, with all the ingredients prefacing each project. Pictures are helpful but doesn't go far enough ... recipes are foolproof! I am sure this book will be dog-earred very soon as it has become my PC Bible of late. Thanks to Irene and all her co-conspirators :)
Rating:
Summary: A must have for all polymer clay enthusiasts!
Review: Put this on the top of your list if you do not already own it. It is not only filled with polymer clay faux "recipes" but shows projects and ideas for using the recipes. A beautiful book as well as useful!
Rating:
Summary: A Wealth of Information
Review: This book is wonderful because it has a number of faux techniques that any polymer clay artist will find useful. I enjoy looking at other people's creations and always wonder..."How did they do that?" Irene Semanchuk Dean tell you how in a simple, easy to use format. She also organizes the techniques well. Natural looking material are organized together, metal effects are in another chapter, and so on. The instructions are well written and easy to follow. I also appreciate that this book is not just highlighting one artist's work. Irene pulls several artists together to present a well rounded, informative reference. She brought the experts together to present the best product available. This is a book you will return to again and again. It will become a staple in any polymer clay artist's library.
Rating:
Summary: A Wealth of Information
Review: This book is wonderful because it has a number of faux techniques that any polymer clay artist will find useful. I enjoy looking at other people's creations and always wonder..."How did they do that?" Irene Semanchuk Dean tell you how in a simple, easy to use format. She also organizes the techniques well. Natural looking material are organized together, metal effects are in another chapter, and so on. The instructions are well written and easy to follow. I also appreciate that this book is not just highlighting one artist's work. Irene pulls several artists together to present a well rounded, informative reference. She brought the experts together to present the best product available. This is a book you will return to again and again. It will become a staple in any polymer clay artist's library.
Rating:
Summary: A Wealth of Information
Review: This book is wonderful because it has a number of faux techniques that any polymer clay artist will find useful. I enjoy looking at other people's creations and always wonder..."How did they do that?" Irene Semanchuk Dean tell you how in a simple, easy to use format. She also organizes the techniques well. Natural looking material are organized together, metal effects are in another chapter, and so on. The instructions are well written and easy to follow. I also appreciate that this book is not just highlighting one artist's work. Irene pulls several artists together to present a well rounded, informative reference. She brought the experts together to present the best product available. This is a book you will return to again and again. It will become a staple in any polymer clay artist's library.
Rating:
Summary: You Want The Newest & Best FauxTechniques? Look No Further.
Review: This book is wonderful. When it arrived, I poured myself a cup of hot coffee, put my feet up and drifted off to happy, happy land.
The books begins by covering basics~ yes, this may seem boring to some, but I've learned a little something each time I've taken to time to read what I thought I already knew. For instance: tiger eye mutation, leaching, plaquing, carving, to making your own texture sheet. And this is still in the Basic "Materials, Tools & Techniques" part of the book. Yikes.
She also includes Recipes & Projects for:
Malachite
Lapis Lazuli
Tiger-Eye
Turquoise
Opal
Jade
Balinese Silver
Bronze
Rusted Steel
Pewter
Copper Verdigris
Bone
Abalone
Cork
Mother-of-Pearl
Leather
Burled Red Maple
Cinnabar
Jasper
Slate
Marble
Agate
River Rock
Celadon
Dichroic Glass
Faience
Cloisonne
Raku
Scrimshaw on Faux Ivory
and last, but not least
Basse-Taille Enamel (which is a totally new technique derivation that is wonderful)
Oh my . . . what a great book. She includes work from Elizabeth Campbell, Alison Ingham, Lynn Krucke, Chryse Laukkonen, Pat Laukkonen, Gerri Newfry, Pat Pettyjohn, Heather Roselli, Dawn Schiller, Julia Sober, Luann Udell, Diane Villano and, of course, her own wonderful art as well.
Check out Irene's website for even more Eye Candy:
http://www.good-night-irene.com/
My recommendation: Run, don't walk, to get this book. It's fabulous.
Babette
<*})))))><
Mystic Mermaid
Rating:
Summary: You Want The Newest & Best FauxTechniques? Look No Further.
Review: This book is wonderful. When it arrived, I poured myself a cup of hot coffee, put my feet up and drifted off to happy, happy land.
The books begins by covering basics~ yes, this may seem boring to some, but I've learned a little something each time I've taken to time to read what I thought I already knew. For instance: tiger eye mutation, leaching, plaquing, carving, to making your own texture sheet. And this is still in the Basic "Materials, Tools & Techniques" part of the book. Yikes.
She also includes Recipes & Projects for:
Malachite
Lapis Lazuli
Tiger-Eye
Turquoise
Opal
Jade
Balinese Silver
Bronze
Rusted Steel
Pewter
Copper Verdigris
Bone
Abalone
Cork
Mother-of-Pearl
Leather
Burled Red Maple
Cinnabar
Jasper
Slate
Marble
Agate
River Rock
Celadon
Dichroic Glass
Faience
Cloisonne
Raku
Scrimshaw on Faux Ivory
and last, but not least
Basse-Taille Enamel (which is a totally new technique derivation that is wonderful)
Oh my . . . what a great book. She includes work from Elizabeth Campbell, Alison Ingham, Lynn Krucke, Chryse Laukkonen, Pat Laukkonen, Gerri Newfry, Pat Pettyjohn, Heather Roselli, Dawn Schiller, Julia Sober, Luann Udell, Diane Villano and, of course, her own wonderful art as well.
Check out Irene's website for even more Eye Candy:
http://www.good-night-irene.com/
My recommendation: Run, don't walk, to get this book. It's fabulous.
Babette
<*})))))><
Mystic Mermaid
| 
