I was recently lucky enough to get a sneak peek at the new book  Ancient Modern; Polymer Clay and Wire Jewelry by Ronna Sarvas Weltman, being published by Interweave press. The book can be pre-ordered here.

Featuring artistic, bold, and organic jewelry, the book is a joy for sheer eye-candy value.  Ronna gives an excellent overview of the basic techniques for working with both polymer clay and wire,  and she also gently reminds the reader  that practice is the only true way to build the skills required for working with both materials.  I found the section on designing jewelry while keeping in mind the physics of how it would hang on the body especially useful.

After the technique sections, there follows fifteen projects and a gallery of lovely work.  A couple of instructions are repeated throughout the book, for example several projects require a zebra cane and the instructions are reprinted each time.  This may be useful if you are following the projects exactly,  as you will not need to go back and find the instructions in another section, but not really necessary if like me, you tend to look for techniques to add to your arsenal,  and not projects.   Ronna paid attention to the little details like filing wire ends and tucking them in so that even the very dramatic and bold jewelry would remain comfortable and wearable.

Overall, I found the book to be a delight, there were several texturing and antiquing ideas that I am excited to try in my own projects,  as well as some new (to me) bead shapes with which I am planning to experiment.  It has also reminded me what a great compliment to clay wire makes, and inspired me to pull out my wire once again!

P.S.:  Stay tuned to the blog for the next week for two giveaways!

[tags]interweave press, Ancient Modern, Polymer Clay and Wire Jewelry, Ronna Sarvas Weltman, polymer clay book, book review[/tags]