Patterns in Polymer: Imprint and Accent Bead Techniques

I could not wait to receive this book - and I was not disappointed. It is one of the very best polymer clay books I own - and I own many. As soon as I received it, I read it cover to cover. I have read it twice since. And, while I have a tendency to scan the text rather than "read" the text (I am a visual kind of learner), I found that the text in this book was clear, and offered some great tips. This book focuses on the mokume gane (or impress/distress and slice off) style of polymer clay design. If you like the pattern/design style shown on the front cover items, you will not be disappointed.Having had a class with Julie Picarello at Clay Carnival Las Vegas in 2010 (an annual event that I HIGHLY recommend), I wanted more. And this book fulfilled that need. I consider myself an intermediate-to-advanced PC artist and this book gave another direction/design style to the mokume gane work that I have already mastered. I would consider this a "technique" book more than a "projects" book. Some books start with a project (pendant, earrings, etc) and hope you get the idea of the technique. In this book, each adaptation of the mokume gane technique is taken to a project end, but the focus is on the technique and how that technique can be modified, or incorporated into, a variety of projects.I would not recommend this book as a first choice for a new polymer clay artist. While it does cover some of the basics, there are other books more suitable to someone just getting started or in the early stages of proficiency. However, this book also offers great suggestions on out-of-the ordinary imprint/distressing tools as well as color mixing. Not a color theory book, just some great information on mixing color and the importance of high contrast for attractive design. A polymer clay newbie would do well to own this book considering it a design style to which one aspires, not for basics on conditioning, baking, and pasta machine selection.Julie's design sense is wonderful, reminding us that blank space is not a bad thing. Her combinations of color, texture, and accents makes her work stand out from the others. I could go on and on, but let me mention 2 things that made the purchase of this book well worthwhile: 1. the polymer clay "rivet", and 2. the use of "drop outs" and leaving open space in the mokume gane slices.This book offers a lot of information as well as inspiration and I am definitely glad I purchased it. I rank it equally as informative, as creative, and as helpful as the books that I own by Donna Kato and Judy Belcher; books which I refer to over and over again. Thank you, Julie.

I took one look at this book and knew it would be one of my favorites. It is extremely well written and user friendly. The illustrations are great. Her jewelry creations are stunning and the instructions for making each piece are clear and thoughtfully laid out step by step. I think this is a useful book for those who are just beginning to work with polymer clay, but the information is rich enough to satisfy more advanced clay artists. This is one book I will come back to over and over. Things I especially liked were: (1) her discussion on mixing and blending colors; (2) her ideas about creating textural effects on jewelry; (3) her very practical discussions of how to layer colors when making patterns (one is mokume gane, one of my favorites!), and, finally (4) her examples of how to use metal washers and other items found in every home when creating mixed media jewelry. Her examples and instructions are so good that it is quite easy to apply them to polymer clay work other than jewelry making.

Very pleased with the condition of the book I purchased.

Full disclosure, I have met Julie and my delight with her work is heavily influenced by her extraordinarily likable personality; that aside, this is one of my favorite polymer clay books--I consider myself proficient in the polymer arts, and I still discover new ideas when I refer back to this work.Julie's style is so unmistakable that the projects themselves are not (for me) the main appeal, but the ways in which which she gets there--very often I find that it's the smalestl details that are the most valuable--those,' why didn't I think of that!' moments that make all the difference. Like Julie, I share a great fascination with using commonplace hardware tools to create impressions--but her color theory was a serious revelation. Frankly, I struggle with color--agonizing over getting them right--and her simple accessible method was like a light bulb going on. Her suggestion for using ordinary candy paper to store and smooth has been a tool I have gratefully used ever since-- and her method for creating tiny accent 'jewels' from resin has been a life saver on occasion, as has been the tip for making absolutely perfect matching cuts in thick slabs of clay.If your guild ever has the opportunity to bring her in as an instructor, don't hesitate--watching this woman work will leave you with more ideas and inspirations than you'll know what to do with.

Living way out in the boonies with no access to a guild and not having funds to fly around the country to attend classes I depend on books and the internet to self-teach. And even if you have those available to you Julie's book is still a must have for your PC reference bookshelf. It's truly "creme de la creme". This is not a surface treatment book! The unique patterns/colors are 100% clay which can also incorporate metal foil and/or alcohol inks. My impression is that Julie has taken the technique of mokume gane to a whole new and exciting level. Each technique/project chapter is logically laid out. Starts with complete material list and color recipes. Step-by-step instructions are provided accompanied with clear photos. The only thing better would be the opportunity to attend one of her classes. It's seems she holds little if any "artistic secrets" back from the reader. The sharing of her trademark custom color blended clay that she uses in 75% of all her custom blends bowled me over. Not to mention the additional recipes for some of her favorite color blends. The material reference list in the back is also invaluable. I've purchased MANY polymer clay books over the last three years. Julie's book is one of the few I haven't donated to Goodwill. It has rightfully earned a prominent spot on my studio shelf.

Excellent book, with many tips to create patterns with basic objects or tools. Very good advices about color mixing.Useful and easy for beginners, interesting and inspirational for more advanced clayers.This book is about mokume gane technique.

I feel like a kid in a candy store when I look at this book. The pictures of the creations are so mouth watering. The instructions for the individual projects go into just the right amount of detail. The author seems to want to share her passion as well as her knowledge and this book it seems has been as much of a joy for her to write as it was for me to read. Really glad I purchased.

A newcomer to work with clay, this book explains and inspires.

Love this book. The technique is quite simple and it makes gorgeous beads. It is well explained and you also have all the supplier's name for all you need to realize these beads.Also all the color mixtures are explained which is very handy.I just love my book.Thanks to Julie

Excellent