Fit to Print Review: Metal Clay & Mixed Media Jewelry

Metal Clay and Mixed Media Jewelry by Sherri Haab is a gorgeous exploration of more advanced techniques for working metal clay and combining it with other materials. This book is a visual feast of beautiful jewelry and interesting, complex projects shown and described in incredible detail. Much of the book’s examples use art beads either in the metal clay projects themselves (like the ceramic cab project) or use various art beads in the construction of the jewelry. The beginning of the book briefly covers the basics of metal clay, the types, the working methods, and the firing. But the heart of this book is the innovative techniques that showcase metal clay at its best. Bezel making and firing the clay around ceramic and glass stones is covered in several step by step pages, full of photographs. Also, methods of bezel making and filling after firing is covered, using concrete, resin, and cement as filling materials. Adding color to metal in the forms of polymer clay, resins, and collage materials is another focus of the book. Finally, various styles of clasp projects and ideas are shown, making this book a fully rounded exploration of metal clay uses in jewelry. If you are coming to metal clay from another material, are looking for ways to expand your techniques, or just want an appreciation for the beauty and process of the art beads you have seen made of metal clay, I highly recommend this book.