Cf Originals, Polymer Clay

Christi Friesen of cforiginals.net sent me a nice package of her Polymer Clay tools, a Steampunkery book and steampunk gears.  I will have reviews of the tools and gears in upcoming posts.  The book however was a real surprise and gives ton of how-tos and ideas.

If you haven't worked with Polymer Clay before, the stuff is pretty cool.  You're not going to use it to sculpt figures, but it works great for bases and other terrain effects.

The Steampunkery book retails for $14.95.

We all know what Steampunk is, a sort of Victorian-era mad scientist-adventurer look- all clockwork gears and brassy bits, leathery straps, and even the occasional bit of lacey filigree.   Now apply that look to polymer clay creativity and you have 'steampunkery'! a wonderful way to combine polymer clay sculpting tricks (like making a miniature leather strap complete with wire buckle and tiny little fake stiching) with embellishments of vintage pieces (like watch parts), found objects (like old pen nibs), and stuff you've got in your craft stash (like beads and paper scraps).  Doesn't that sound like fun?!

There is a lot to enjoy in this book- a hinged heart pendant that opens to reveal it's inner workings, cute little steampunk critters (complete with goggles of course) and other fun stuff-- pendants, sculptures, wall pieces, even thing you can add to costumes, if you're into that sort of thing. 

All the projects are presented step-by-step with lots of pictures and thorough explanations (with some silliness thrown in, just for fun). It doesn't matter what your skill level, the projects are challenging without being stressful, and structured without being confining. Plus there are lots of hints and creative nudgings to help keep your creative gears turning.