New polymer clay books on the horizon!

And they're beckoning to me. ;o)

The idea of a new book is usually somewhat nicer than the reality-- but not always so. And anyway, that's how it is with most things. Anticipation is the best part-- or the worst, dependent on what you're anticipating.

I haven't been active on any (polymer clay-related) message boards or e-mail lists for a while, now, so perhaps everyone else in the pc universe already knows about these new books, but this is the first I've heard of them.

I was looking forward to Donna Kato's latest, which is due to come out this month: The Art of Polymer Clay: Creative Surface Effects. The library system "next door" already has a copy on reserve, and I was hoping to get a peek at it before too terribly long. (And if it was simply too wonderful to pass by, then I'd consider buying it.)

With visions of "creative surface effects" dancing through my head, I never gave a thought to the other clay books that might be in the works. But I just found two (and I'm sure there are more, but two is all I can handle at once (g))!

First--
The Encyclopedia of Polymer Clay Techniques: A Comprehensive Directory of Polymer Clay Techniques Covering a Panoramic Range of Exciting Applications, by Sue Heaser. 160 pages, hardcover, $18.45 from Amazon, and due out October 2007! Let the countdown begin. ;o) I've yet to see a photo of even the cover, but I've so enjoyed some of Heaser's other books that I have high hopes for this one. It does sound like it might be more useful for a beginner-- or someone who doesn't already own a few good clay books-- but you never know. There's not even the standard description you usually get from the publisher, but based on the title, I'd expect it to be "comprehensive", with a little bit of this and a little bit of that. Pretty tantalizing, actually!



Second--
Polymer Clay Beads: Techniques, Projects, Inspiration, by Grant Diffendaffer. 144 pages, hardcover, $16.47 from Amazon, and due out January 2008. (Just a bit too late for Christmas, more's the pity. But I guess one could always ask for money or an advance order placed in one's name. (g)) I don't know much about Diffendaffer, but the little I've seen of his work has been impressive, and I like the beads in the cover photo. I'd like to at least see this book, so I hope the trusty library will get this one, too. ;o) This book does have a description in the "editorial reviews" section:

Twenty different crafting methods—countless breathtaking beads, all made from easy to work with polymer clay! The varied techniques in this comprehensive skill-building book—many of which have never before been published—range from hand-formed tubes, spheres, wedges, teardrops, and baguettes to traditional mokume gane with fantastic layered effects. Add mica clay to create iridescent “ghost image” beads. Construct veneered pillow beads. Carve beads, press-mold them, or even use a cookie-cutter to get an array of fabulous shapes. Turn and form the bead on an extremely affordable craft lathe. Close-up photos show every step in the process, as well as the completed beads; some also appear as part of a finished piece of jewelry for inspiration.

Some of it is familiar and even potentially "over-done" (mokume gane, "ghost image")-- but there's no way to know what twist he might have put on it-- and there are also things that he "specializes" in-- such as the use of the lathe-- which you probably aren't going to find in another book. I'm definitely interested in this one, too.



Books, beautiful books! ;o)

P.S. *gasp* I almost lost this post! (Not that it would have been some great loss to humanity, but I still would've been annoyed.) Thank goodness for Blogger's handy-dandy new "auto-save" feature! (Because I didn't think about copying the poste until immediately after hitting "publish". Isn't that always the way it works?) Blogger Autosave, you're my hero!! ;o) (Now, where do I go to type a glowing testimonial? (g))