Review: Clay Play! 24 Whimsical Projects by Terry Taylor

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

Transform simple balls and coils of modeling clay into an awesome alligator, laughing lizard, magic trinket box, and other sculptures, signs, and ornaments! These full-color illustrations and clear directions explain basic techniques as well as every step of the crafting process for 24 projects, including a happy heart, snazzy snail, dancing polar bear, and other treasures.
Each project is graded according to level of difficulty and includes a list of materials consisting of colored clay and ordinary household items. The step-by-step instructions feature numerals corresponding to color photos that provide easy-to-follow examples. Crafters of all ages will adore these fun-filled projects and their products, which make charming keepsakes and unique gifts.

MY TAKE:
If you're looking for activities you can do with your kids, you might want to give this book a try.

In Clay Play! 24 Whimsical Projects, readers are introduced to the basics of working with polymer clay, in addition to the different projects made of clay.

First of all, I'd like to thank Dover Publications for sending me a physical ARC after I couldn't get my e-ARC to work properly on Blufire Reader. It means a lot to me that they would send an ARC outside the US just so I could review it. Now, on to the rest of the review.

I've worked with modeling clay before but never with polymer clay. Including the techniques was a good idea since it helps make doing the projects easier and faster. For each project, the materials needed are listed and the amount of clay is included, so you don't have to guess how much clay you need to use. The pictures are high-resolution and from what I can see, not only does everything look beautiful, it also looks doable.

The projects range from decorative things like a pizza deluxe to actual useful creations like a trinket box. It's nice that there are actual useful things included, because as much fun as decorative ornaments are to make, eventually you'll run out of space and it'll just add to the clutter in your house.

I liked that most of the projects included are gender-neutral and there are at least a couple of projects that work well for boys. I already spotted a few projects I'm interested in doing, namely: snowman ornament, trinket box, and dancing polar bear.

If you're going to buy the book, I suggest that you buy a hard copy instead of an electronic copy. The book is obviously image-heavy so if your device tends to lag, you might get frustrated. The book is about the size and thickness of a standard magazine, but with thicker paper, so it doesn't take up much space. Having a physical copy also allows you to keep it handy for easy reference and quick projects when you have nothing else to do.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dover Publications for the ARC.

THE GOOD:

1. The directions and pictures seem easy enough to follow.
2. Techniques and tutorials are included.
3. The projects include things that can act as something other than a decoration. 

THE BAD:

1. I would have preferred a couple more practical projects.

READ IT IF:

1. Your kid likes arts and crafts.
2. You are looking for something to do with your child.
3. Your child likes playing with clay. 

RATING:


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