Sculptural Metal Clay Jewelry: Techniques + Explorations (Interweave Press $26.95 US) by Kate McKinnon includes an instructional DVD (which is 60 minutes long). The book and DVD show how to use structural techniques to form unusual and artistic metal clay jewelry designs. Kate McKinnon is well-known in the jewelry world. She is one of the first artists to work with metal clay and in 2003 won the Rio Grande Saul Bell award. She teaches metal clay classes internationally, so this book and DVD are a way to virtually take one of her workshops.
Elements of the Book
Like most jewelry books, the basics of tools, materials, and techniques are covered, but additionally there are other items included in the first two sections of the book. Therefore, the title of "Elements" is a good choice for the second section of the book, which includes 19 how-to's. It covers more than just basic metal clay techniques, even going so far as to include a number of component projects such as head pins, bead caps, and clasps.
One point I noticed right away, and this was confirmed when I watched the DVD, is that this book is not just about metal clay. Yes, it covers metal clay, but it also infuses a lot of metal methodology such as fusing, fabricating, and riveting. The author explains that she has combined these traditional metal forming techniques with metal clay techniques to allow her to create her signature sculptural designs.
Projects
There are 10 projects included in the "Projects" section, all of which connect to the ideas presented in the "Elements" section. Though most of these are fairly accessible, and the full-color photos are useful for explaining how to make them, I'm not sure if I would call any of them beginning level projects. More so these looked like intermediate (such as "Knobby Chain") to advanced (like "Skyscraper Rings").
McKinnon has an obvious eye for detail and this comes through in her jewelry designs. While I couldn't necessarily see myself wearing all of these designs, some of them (like the "Owl Peeking Pendant") I think are wearable as well as beautiful.
The DVD
In the 60 minute DVD, the author demonstrates techniques and provides an additional project, the "Wave Ring" pictured on the front of the book. She comes off relaxed and professional on screen and easily demonstrates that she not only knows her stuff when it comes to metal clay and metalsmithg, but she also knows how to teach, something you don't always find with artists.
Final Thoughts
Sculptural Metal Clay Jewelry: Techniques + Explorations is not for someone who knows nothing about metal clay and may also be intimidated by the idea of picking up a riveting hammer or torch. However, it is for the numerous jewelry designers who have some metal clay experience and would love to gain more expertise with this medium but are not able travel in order to take classes at some of the large bead and jewelry shows or art schools. By combining the book and DVD, Kate McKinnon offers one of her workshops in a kind of "to-go" package for you.
Disclosure: A review copy was provided by the publisher. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.
