Polymer Clay tutorial e-book

[zed]

Just in case anyone missed my post the other day, time for some shameless self-promotion

I finally finished my Polymer Clay e-book. It was meant to be a kind of tutorial, but kept getting bigger.

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There's 81 pages and 200 photos. The intro shows the 'tools' I use. I don't have the money to buy fancy gadgets and stuff, the most expensive thing I've bought is Pearl Ex, and I've barely used much of that in the 5 years I've had it. so nearly everything I use is something you find around the house or in your craft supplies. I don't even use a pasta machine.

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There's 7 other parts, showing how to get flat, smooth clay with no air bubbles, shape clay without cutters, inlaying, paint and colouring techniques, using beads and metal as embellishments. There's instructions for 10 different techniques.

I did finally manage to upload it to etsy www.etsy.com/uk/listing/156604010/polymer-clay-simply-made-tutorial-e-book

or it's available through my blog: feltbyzed.blogspot.co.uk/p/polymer-clay_12.html

There's more info there.

I had a really nice review from the first person who bought it, Crafty Madre

"Amazing book. I just got it and can’t wait to try something! You broke down everything into such clear steps (I’m a total beginner) and the pictures are fantastic (I’m a complete visual learner). I love that you used every day items for “tools”. I have all of that stuff around the house- and most of it right in my little craft corner. I really can’t wait. Best $12 I’ve ever spent!"

[lyn]

That testimonial is a good summing up - you've obviously got it right!

It's a book that will appeal to a wide range of crafters. Without thinking too hard, I can see the use in so many other crafts: felting, sewing, knitting, crochet, card making, jewellery making.....

[zed]

When I was going through some old pieces to photograph, I found some really thin pieces I'd made for embellishing and thought they'd look great on greetings cards. I'd forgotten too about a photo frame I made for my neighbour using the art deco girl on thin tiles. I still have about 50 Ikea frames, maybe I'll do a few more if I ever do craft fairs

[MTRuth]

I agree, you could use your method for hundreds of different applications. It's a great book.

[Shepherdess]

It looks great Zed I hope it is a good seller for you.

[zed]

Thanks Ruth and Ann I hope I sell loads too!

[lyn]

Have you ever bought a bag (purse) with a metal or plastic tag with the maker's name on it? It's sometimes used as a zip-pull and sometimes like a charm.
Well....a thin tag made of polymer would be kinda posh wouldn't it?

Just an idea for the bag makers amongst us.

[jufergu]

That is an interesting idea, Lyn. Maybe for mixed media art quilts and also for those little collage pieces that we make for charity donations. I am always trying to figure out how to put my name on them.

[zed]

I was talking to Marilyn who comments on the studio site about rubber stamps, I was googling to see if I could find cheap unmounted sheets and came across a site where you can order your own
www.onestopstamps.co.uk/shop/unmounted-craft-stamps-9/

This is just the first one I came across and there might be cheaper ones. I was thinking fairly recently that I might get a rubber stamp with 'felt by zed' on it, for doing hand made tags and labels, so when I saw this I thought I could get felt by zed and some left over for some designs. Doing polymer tags would be even better

[jufergu]

I have a stamp with Artfelt Wishes by Judith Ferguson. I am going to see how it works with clay. But the letters will be recessed, so that doesn't always look good.

[MTRuth]

You could put the microbeads in the recesses as Zed shows in her book. Hope I'm not giving all your secrets away Zed

[zed]

Nah, maybe anyone stumbling across it will have to buy the book to work it out

I like the way recessed lettering looks, I bought an alphabet stamp just to make tags like 'love' 'hope' 'dream' 'art' etc and names.

[Shepherdess]

I have a stamp too. I have never used it, I should.

[Shepherdess]

Zed have you ever tried embedding something like felt string or hand spun into the clay to make a little hang tag like Lyn was suggesting. I know you could put a whole to put a thread through but my stamp doesn't have a space for that.

[zed]

No, I've not tried that, Ann. Do you have a photo of your stamp or could you scan it?