Book Review: Clay Art for All Seasons

If you are interested in making flowers with air-dry clay, Clay Art for All Seasons: A Guide to Soft Clay Art by Yukiko Miyai is a 'must have' for your library.

Note:    I first reviewed this book in February, 2010 but it is currently unavailable except for 3rd party sellers.  It's a great book and I've seen it listed at over $100.   That inflated price says it's in high demand....but I wouldn't pay more than $30 for it.   It's an attractive, but small book (74 pages, about 9"x9").   Search Amazon and other book sites for sellers with a more realistic price!

It's a small book (only 74 pages) but beautifully photographed and nicely spiral bound (hardcover) so pages lay flat when open. It's also a very popular book and Amazon is sold out of copies quite often. When you see a copy available, grab it!

Publisher's description:   This elegant craft book’s stunning clay creations were inspired by the flowers of Hawaii and beyond.

Using its easy-to-follow instructions, readers will learn how to create realistic orchids, plumeria, hibiscus, gerbera daisies, and other flowers as well as charming themed pieces for special occasions.  With gorgeous color photos and informative illustraions throughout, Clay Art for All Seasons guides readers step-by-step through the creative process, enabling them to enjoy the everlasting beauty of this delicate and highly decorative art form.

Chapter One begins with a description of tools and materials.  ClayCraft by Deco is the air-dry clay used in all demonstrations.   This clay is available in basic colors and a small color chart is included in the book for mixing additional colors.   A short , one page, introduction to working with air-dry clay is provided.  (Note: Many other brands of soft air-dry clay are suitable for the projects in this book.  Homemade cold porcelain could be used, as well.)

In the next chapter you'll find instructions for making 12 different kinds of flowers....Rose, Plumeria, Daffodil, Gerbera Daisy, Lilac, Hibiscus, Peony, Orchid, Stephanotis, Pakalana, Calla Lily and Poinsettia.   Each flower is demonstrated with beautiful step-by-step photos, however, the instructions are brief.  Two pages, for the most part, are devoted to each flower.  No instructions are included for arranging flowers, but gorgeous arrangements are shown throughout the book.

The remaining 30+ pages include project demonstrations with holiday and special occasion themes (mostly non-floral).   There's a Valentine Gift Box (shown above), a Decorated Egg, a Chick and Bunny, 2 Lei (Haku Lei shown here), a Shadow Box with Wedding Dress, a Pumpkin arrangement, a Wreath, a Santa Ornament and a few more projects.    These gift and decorative items are nice, but not the reason to buy the book.   The beautiful flowers are the reason you'll want this book!

If you already have the book....or just find it's sold out everywhere....you might want to pick up the author's second book titled Clay Art for Special Occasions.   Just released in Nov. 2009, I haven't got my hands on this one yet!   It sounds like it may be an update of the information already covered in Clay Art for All Seasons.   The publisher's description says it contains instructions for: "a wide range of gorgeous flowers from plumeria to hibiscus, floral arrangements, leis and decorations for gift boxes, seasonal ornaments".    To me, this sounds very similar to description of the first book.

If anyone has a copy of either of these books, we'd all appreciate it if you would comment here and give us your opinion!