Ceramics and Pottery Books

Love Living With Limoges complete marks section, complete descriptions and complete price guide. Wonderful photographs of antique pieces of Limoges. Love this book but I prefer Debby DuBay's Antique Limoges at Home - my book of choice.

Living With Limoges is beautiful and I love this book. The pieces are outstanding, the descriptions complete and text is informing and intertaining. Highly recommend Living With Limoges!

I'm very excited about finding DuBay's book through her web site limogesantiques.com - her books are wonderful. I have inhereited many pieces of Limoges and her books helped me identify the factory, the marks, and to date each piece. I highly recommend LIVING WITH LIMOGES it is the best book on the market - except for DuBay's ANTIQUE LIMOGES AT HOME and COllecting Hand Painted Limoges Porcelain Boxes to Vases.

Living With Limoges is just wonderful. Fantastic photos of the most beautiful pieces of antique Limoges I have ever seen. I could not find this book at my local book stores, shopped the net and found www limogesantiques com and www collectinglimoges com and found Debby DuBay's fantastic reference books on Limoges. It had all of the marks and I found the back stamp I was looking for. This book is a must.

I have all of the books on Limoges but I love Living With Limoges! As a college professor I really enjoy the way author Debby DuBay relates to the reader, her enthusiasm, and subject knowledge. HIGHLY RECOMMEND Debby DuBay's trilogy on "collecting Limoges" and a visit to www.limogesantiques.com

This would be the first book I would purchase if you are a beginner or
long time collector of Limoges. It is excellent

I own all three of Debby DuBay's books on Limoges along with all of the other reference books available on the market today. I have to admit - it is hard finding this book unless you purchase it on line - but it is well worth the effort. Out of all of the Limoges reference books this book Antique Limoges at Home is the absolutely best. It covers French factory listed artists, amature artists, American Decorating Studios, American listed artists, every back stamp and mark out there, reproductions and a complete section of American Limoges marks. Antique Limoges at Home is the best and a must for the Limoges collector.

Antique Limoges at Home is a great resource book with the marks & beautiful photos of unique pieces. Highly recommend this book. I have the book by Gaston & those by Waterbrook/Clyde and I can not recommend them. If you need a book on Limoges porcelain purchase one of DuBay's: Antique Limoges at Home, Living With Limoges & Collecting Hand Painted Limoges Porcelain.

I love Schiffer, but I prefer Keith and Thomas Waterbrook-Clyde books on Limoge! I think that their 4 books, and especially the most recently published, contains more insight into the world of limoge.

Numerous color photographs of limoges' pieces or sets in different rooms of a home--foyer, livingroom, bedrooms, etc.--illustrate how this highly desirable porcelain can enhance any setting. Individual pieces and sets are highlighted in middle chapters on different types of limoges such as plates, ewers, platters, chalices, dresser sets, punch bowls, teapots, vases, and others. With these pieces with price ranges conveniently noted following brief descriptions, one can study the details of illustrations, design of the edges, ornamentation, shape, and coloring. There's a shorter section for limoges pieces "you can wear"--i. e., brooches, pins, buttons. Owner of the Limoges Antique Shop in Andover, MA, and author and contributor to other books on limoges who is also a retired Air Force officer, Debbie DuBay has long been a recognized leader in spreading the word about the special beauty, diversity, and value of limoges. This book is so attractive, a reader might miss the general information and reference material DuBay provides of use to collectors and investors at all levels. Opening chapters introduce beginning collectors to limoges porcelain, noting distinctions between French and American limoges and the matter of reproductions. The references on artists, markings, and evaluating a piece or set more of interest to advanced collectors and dealers comes toward the end. Here there are close-ups of the many artist signatures and factory marks signifying the finest limoges.

This book is remarkably thorough - I would love it if all art resource books out there were structured like this one. There is a comprehensive section on materials and the instructional parts are for specific techniques, not projects that have a narrow focus. There are plenty of project ideas illustrated, but this book really gives you the tools to create a vast number of beads and then use them creatively from there. For those who have never beaded before, there is also a great section on the materials and basic techniques necessary to turn polymer clay beads into wearable jewelry.

This was a wonderful book! The pictures are colorful as well as informative and the instructions are pretty easy to follow. I am looking forward to making a lot of beads with this book!

First off - yes, there are LOTS of books available showing all sorts of different projects using polymer clay and no, you won't become an expert overnight with this one or any other one. HOWEVER, Blackburn has provided a book with updated information and the guidelines to get you on your way to make the beads of your dreams - referring to the first section entitled "Materials and Techniques:" espcially, blending-Skinner Tech., Combing, Caning, Molding, Shapes, Drilling, Polishing (very important), Varnishing, Foils, Extrusions, Textures, Transfers Stamping, Mokume Gane, Mica Shift and more. Just remember, she and others making beautiful polymer products do this all the time and so practice, practice, practice. That being said, I have to say that I truly enjoy this book as so many others have mentioned - that being the focus on bead making. My own efforts over many months of work were so so at best. Once I followed her steps, which are given with photos & written info for each step, I am much more pleased with my own beads.

My main interest in this book has been section two "Faux Techniques" - wood, marble, ivory/bone, leather, amber, coral bronze, abalone, jade, mother-of-pearl (amazing), silver, malachite, turquoise, lapis, onyx, agate. For the most part, I have been extremely pleased at the outcomes of my efforts, but some of Blackburn's representations of imitating certain things could be better. Lapis - get the book "Polymer-The Chameleon Clay" by V. Hughes in order to get a more realistic lapis stone appeal, same as for jade - but this 2nd book is horrible when it comes to Turquoise (also described in Blackburn's book but still not as realistic as I would like...a difficult stone to mimic). So I use the Hughes book for some faux items. Blackburn does have some outstanding examples (IMHO) of Wood (not the ultimate best, but close); Veined Marble - compared to the real thing, I was amazed; Coral bead work was admirable and worth practicing to get it just right; Abalone - love it - very realistic; Jade was comparable to Hughes work; Mother-of-Pearl - truly striking, especially when making the colored pearls; Malachite - close but before YOU make it examine natural malachite in order to develop a more realistic color pattern but still closely following Blackburn in the color production end; Onyx - MY FAVORITE - actually it is more like a natural agate stone as typically when you think of onyx, it is black. Blackburn's Onyx is highly layered using products that I wish I would have thought of...but now I know...in order to get a REALLY natural looking agate stone bead. Blackburn's section on "Agate" in the "Faux Techniques" applies more to a cut stone of agate and she has produced some interesting pendant type pieces. But again, get an Agate book and try to mimic some of the patterns of real agates following Blackburn's technique. You won't be sorry.

Sections to use other books or to keep trying to find better ways to mimic these items are: silver, turquoise, lapis, bronze (this could go either way for some of Blackburn's pieces are admirable - same with her amber pieces), ugh on the leather look, and noooo on the ivory and bone beads. Books with more realistic bone are "The Polymer Clay Techniques Book" by S. Heaser - and pay attention to the antiquing section for bone or "Faux Surfaces in Polymer Clay" by I.S. Dean where the best looking bone look is shown. However, both these books lack the more detailed descriptions and images that Blackburn provides in her book. Yet, Blackburn's work/descriptions are a great way to start from in getting the look you may want using products she recommends.

In the 3rd section of the book called "Bringing It All Together" - she does a great job of pulling the necessary items needed to really make the beads - from various jewelry findings, cording, attaching, designing...thus flowing smoothly into the final section "The Gallery." Many of the great polymer bead artists' work is shown here and definitely grab your attention. Yet this section is small as Blackburn focuses upon the other areas mentioned above and thus earning more stars from me as that is the reason I wanted the book...not for the gallery but for the great guidelines and examples to help ME develop my own pieces.

With all this being said...or rather written...by me, I guess I have to say there is not just one book for all things in polymer clay. However, I feel the layout, descriptions, images and all around clarity by Blackburn makes her book stand out in my library. I am glad to have the NUMEROUS other books, magazines, etc. on polymer clay plus seeing some of the extraordinary work by many artists focused on this medium - all of which increases my drive to improve my own work with polymer clay...and hopefully your own work as well. This medium is amazing and so available - use Blackburn's book as a great stepping stone and you definitely will not be disappointed.

Adorei, muito didático, conteúdo bem explicado, com ótimas sugestões e idéias, bom gosto. Altamente recomendado.

If I could give one polymer clay book 10 stars this book would be IT.

The best book I have ever read about polymer clay.

Super projects and tips and everything is so well written and pictured.

I'm interested in learning how to make beads and several lamp workers suggested this book to me before taking the plunge (before buying all of the supplies). I think after reading and re-reading this book I'll be confident enough to give it a try! The book shows how to make simple starter beads and progresses to the more involved, difficult beads. I feel it's a great starter book and may even give the pros some tips to improve their technique. I'd recommend it to anyone who's thinking about giving glass bead making a try!

Photos are beautiful; simple beads are photographed for a newbie's sake, and more challenging beads are shown on every page to show what can eventually be done with practice. Plus the "hot tips" are wonderful!

Excellent book for beginning "beaders" like me! Step by step instructions and great photos.....you won't be dissapointed

I bought this book without ever having touched a torch in my life and with this book and "The Complete Book of Glass Beadmaking" by Kimberley Adams I've been able to make cute little beads right from the start.
I recommend buying two different books to learn lampwork beadmaking because I found that the two I bought used slightly different techniques to form beads. I was able to achieve more success with one technique over then other in many cases.

This book is good and has lots of info and useful tips. My only problem is that the images of the projects are quite small. I like to see big, clear images so I can follow them easily. But other than that, a really good book which I am glad I purchased.

This book explains in details on how to make beads and just the basics of setting up your own torch, etc.

I was told by a friend about the book and bought it so I could have a keepsake for the glass I collect.

This is a lovely coffee table book that is amazingly beautiful as well as informative. I have recently started collecting beach glass and I learned so much about the various colors, how rare each is and where the glass might have come from. I highly recommend this book to any beach glass collector.

I have recently became interested in sea glass after finding a few beautiful peices when I ordered this book. I was not dissappointed! This book is very informational and beautifully illustrated. I found a match for a peice I had found in the book, allowing me to date the peice.

I love this book and will keep in on my coffee table along with my display of my precious finds! It's a joy just to flip through and just look at the pictures.

Everything you would ever need to know about seaglass is in this book! VERY interesting!!! I love it & could read my copy over & over!

Nice book with nice pictures. Haven't had time to actually sit and read thru it.

I have a few books on polymer clay but this book teaches everything from simple beads to how to make figures. I wish this was the first book I bought . Very inspiring

This book is an excellent reference for the beginner in polymer modeling. Just keep it at hand, you'll find in it all the help you'll need!

highly recommended. For every beginner this is a very good choice, it covers ALL of the basics.

The book is wonderful for a beginner. It tells you the tools you need, talks about how to make beads, miniture furniture and many other projects. It is a very basic book that hits on pretty much everything to help you make beads.

This book has more information in it than any book I've found so far on Polymer Clay.

There is enough information on the basics to get a beginner started. How to handle clay, storage, baking, and differences in products.

There is such a variety of techniques and projects that you're sure to find some you're not interested in as well as a LOT that you love.

Most of the other books I've found on Polymer clay specialize on specific uses. This one shows the range of things that are possible, and how to do them.

This will get a beginner started and give you ideas to get started in your own direction.

I am not a mosaics type of person but I actually wanted this after I saw my mom's copy that she brought on her visit....I do recommend it!

I absolutely love this artist and her book - the photos and instructions are beautiful and clearly detailed - I am embarking on a new journey into the art of making clay tile and assemblages, and the ideas presented in this book have been fantastic - I have already started ordering supplies from the recommended vendors and am so excited about incorporating these ideas and techniques into my own creations!

This is one of the few inspiring and how-to books I've come across in a while. Many have claims and teasers on the outside but this one actually gives the reader the complete background and foundation with which to springboard the techniques for use in the artist's work. Highly recommended!

I purchased this book to make a mirror for a 6th grade class project. I've never worked with polymer clay before so I was a little nervous. The directions were easy to follow and the end result was amazing. Our family plans on doing a mirror at our next family reunion for the grandparents. It was fun, easy and once you start you'll want to keep making more and trying different techniques.

I was very pleased with this book and so was my husband. Very interesting to read, lots of helpful information, and not cutesy girly stuff either. My husband took up mosaics and was really disgusted with the painfully cheap designs and projects in most of the mosaic books, much less the obscure directions. You could put this book in the category of home remodeling or fine arts, and it would stand well - the technical information was that good. We both really appreciated the format and the quality. Great pictures, too.

This book is absolutely fabulous! It describes a lot of stunning techniques and provides many high-quality photos in the Gallery section which you would never see otherwise. The book has a charming language and will definitely push your inspiration further.
Whatever books may you have on polymer cay, this one is a must-have and a great value for money!

She knows all the ins and outs of using polymer clay. She can make it gorgeous and, with easy directions, she can show you how to as well. I have followed the signs and, in the end, unlike many others, my pieces look just as good as hers!! Miracle!

At first I was not interested in "creative traditions". After a friend showed me a copy I decided this was a must have. The photography is excellent and step-by-step instructions are clear. I was surprised and pleased by how Judy Belcher's techniques could enhance my most contemporary work and with the wide variety of "traditions" she presents.

Very Helpful Book about making Pretty Polymer Clay Stuff! I really like this book alot. :0)

This is the perfect and complete polymer clay book. Step by step are so clear and Judy Belcher is a talented and generous clay artist. Must buy.

I am truly amazed at the current price for this book BUT considering the quality and the knowledge I gained over the past few years, I have to say this is the BEST book for producing life-like figures, not only in polymer clay, in many different art media. Luckily I purchased this book about two years ago and should have reviewed it right away due to the high quality of the images and information provided. Artist Dewey has an excellent understanding of the human figure (in many different shapes and sizes) and fully shares her knowledge through her techniques within the pages of this book. Practicing these techniques has given my own type of figures a more solid and natural appearance than other books providing information on developing clay figures. I prefer the natural, not the puffy, wildly artistic interpretations of the human figure or even the fantasy art seen with some polymer clay figures. Obviously Dewey's work clearly shows she prefers the natural form, too. This book demonstrates her skill to the fullest and should be in every sculpturers' studio library (not just for polymer clay artists). A definite must-have book for all who appreciate the human form, in all varieties, in a scuplted format...or even if you pursue figure art using paint/pencil/other media.

This book is just great for beginners and experienced sculptures alike. Very informative with step by step instructions including measurements and patterns. Inspires me to create and sculpt life like beautiful sculptures. Love the Book. "M"

I received this book and have been using it ever since. This is an amazing book! The condition that I received it in was great, which is important, because its totally necessary to be able to view all of the details in the pictures. Thanks for the great and timely service!

I find this book very helpful and full of interesting and wonderful pictures of works, as well as the process one goes through to make little clay beings come alive. Anyone interested in making clay dolls would be interested in the process, and this is extremely helpful in that regard.

this is an amazing book, if you were afraid before to try life like figures before this book will get you going. there are step by step information for even the worse scary cat. this has to be one of the very best books on the market today. love it .

My daughter loves polymer clay and my wife saw this book so she told my daughter about it. My daughter got so excited she couldn't wait to order it. When we got the book, it was in excellent shape. Maureen Carlson is a awesome sculptor and my daughter said she does not know how Maureen created those realistic faces even though there are steps for it!

Maureen is such an amazing artist. If you are wanting to make figures in clay, then her books are a great place to start. I have several of her books now, and I love them all. Each one teaches you something more. Also this book came in great condition for a used book. Really good seller.

I have four of Maureen Carlson's books. They are all fantastic.
This one is my favorite. Very clear instruction. Gets you started and wanting to sculpt all the time. I love it!

Indeed a marvellous book you should have as one of your clay-book collections. Maureen has good eyes and different angles when seeing new things, and new thoughts to convert them into brilliant figurines. I love her ideas of how making the snakes and the dragons, and her tricks to get new color mixtures are awesome.

I almost bought her books entirely, and have no regrets so far. Thanks to Amazon for superb service, even though I must bear waiting for a month and so for my orders.

My advice, you always can give your book collections to your kids when you no longer need them.

How to make clay characters by Maureen Carlson is not available to buy in Australia. I had it on loan from my local library but only for limited periods and it was never long enough. I am happy to say that although it may have been printed initially a long time ago I am delighted to have obtained it as it has such excellent instructions and lots of handy hints for the polymer clay first timer onwards.To anyone reading this revue who wants another hobby to try (even in Australia) buy this book and you will be hooked.

The mere fact that it is still in print is a sign of how good it is for any age. Easy to follow and great fun all you need is polymer clay your imagination and this book.