PMC Technic: A Collection of Techniques for Precious Metal Clay Kindle Edition

In this book, Tim McCreight has brought together ten different artists, each of whom contributes a chapter on a specific, specialized PMC technique. Although this is not a beginners' how-to book, the writing is so exceptionally clear that even someone with no experience in working with PMC will be able to understand how each technique works, and will probably be inspired to put at least some of this instruction into practice right away. Experienced users of PMC will surely find new information here to expand their repertoire of techniques.Since PMC is relatively new, artists have had to spend countless hours discovering the limits and capabilities of the material. Having worked so hard to successfully execute a new and complicated technique, an artist might be forgiven for hoarding that hard-won knowledge. Fortunately, that is not the spirit of this book. Each contributor has generously distilled his or her painstaking experimentation into a concise, immeasurably helpful lesson that will enable others to bypass many of the missteps that come with charting new territory.For me, the most fascinating and helpful chapters were those that dealt with combining PMC with other materials in a way that resolves incompatibility issues. For example, one chapter tells how to prepare sterling silver (through a process known as depletion gilding) to accept PMC additions. Another chapter describes how to include PMC in flameworked beads, explaining along the way how to knead enamels (essentially powdered glass) into PMC to produce a hybrid metal/glass material. Another chapter provides instructions for making delicate bezels from PMC paper, so that even stones unable to be fired along with the PMC can be included in PMC pieces. Yet another chapter shows how to add PMC to glazed or unglazed ceramic pieces, and even includes information on using raku glazes with PMC.In addition to these mixed-media chapters, there are chapters on making delicate yet functional hinges out of PMC; building up form with PMC slip; making brass or Mylar stencils and using them with PMC; mastering the use of PMC syringe; and water etching PMC (that is, using a resist and washing away portions of the design that are not covered by the resist). There's also a chapter on a clever way to make hollow PMC beads by removing the bead core before firing.Each topic is illustrated with plenty of gorgeous color photographs of pieces that use the technique in question. Equally valuable are Tim McCreight's detailed, easy-to-understand black and white sketches, which serve to clear up any mystery about the more technical operations. This book is worth its weight in PMC gold.

As a miniaturist, I've worked with sculpting clay for many years, and PMC is a newly discovered joy for me! Being uneducated in the formal jewelry-making field of expertise, it's all a big play-pen for me, and I have been desperately searching for artist-quality inspirations, and that is what I found in this Luscious book on metal clay artisan styles! Not only am I able to learn techniques, but there are masterful photographs and detailed directions on subject matter that I have never seen before....such as HINGES! Kudos to the Author, and to all of the extraordinarily talented artists who share their tricks of the trade! Perhaps this wouldn't be the best book for a beginning artisan, but even for me, with very limited experience with PMC and metal clays, I have found a TREASURE of KNOWLEDGE in this book! Blessed & Inspired! Deanne

A "fairly good" book. Each of 10 or more chapters addresses a particular technique.The writing is very clear and easy to comprehend. However, the value of the techniques are limited by the relative lack of specific examples, photos, or applications. This makes the book more valuable to an advanced PMC student than a beginner or intermediate. Also somewhat dated.

enjoyed the book very much

PMC Techniques edited by Tim McCreight is an excellent reference book for metal clay artisans at the intermediate or advanced level. The technique chapters are written by metal clay experts well known in the field, and are presented in a stimulating manner. The illustrations are excellent and the format is very inviting and easy to read. It inspires the reader to move outside the box and incorporate new techniques and experiment. I love it, and hope McCreight will work on a second book incorporating more techniques as this medium is in a state of constant evolution.

Just received this book , it is the absolute best for anyone wanting to explore the best in pmc creations. The artists featured are awesome ,their explanations are understandable even by novices.Their work is so inspiring. I have been a fan of Celie Fago,(who wouldn't be?),so it is great to get her instuctions.I know I will just look at it for a while,relishing every word and picture!

I am a beginner with PMC. This book has almost everything you need to produce unique jewelry items. It is explained plainly, detailed and easy to make with the instructions in this book. It is also an excellent reference book for everything beginner, intermediate or experienced. I recommend this book for everyone.

I read about this book when I was searching for information on metal clay. It sounded really good, and I was not disappointed. Each contributor told about his subject in depth, not holding back as far as I could tell. The illustrations were clear and showed steps clearly. I wish all books could be as useful as this one is.