Category: Product Reviews

Embossing Die Company

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Embossing Die Company Product Review by KatersAcres

Introducing the Embossing Die Company

Embossing Die Company Stamps Review by KatersAcres

I’d like to introduce you to Steve from the Embossing Die Company. Steve was very generous in sending me samples of his product to review, play with, and share the results with all of you! Although the Embossing Die Company was gracious enough to provide me with samples of their product, the review that follows is my 100% honest thought & critique.

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Sculpting Santa Book Review

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Sculpting Santa Polymer Clay Book Review by KatersAcres

By Michele Barrow-Bélisle

The Promotional Front-Matter

It’s the promotional front-matter that sells books for the most part, right? Right. Here’s what Amazon has to say about it:

Create a beautiful one of a kind life-like Santa figure with the this inspiring book. Filled with easy to follow instructions, tips and techniques by professional artist and sculptor Michele Barrow-Belisle, this book will guide you to create your own polymer clay sculptures.

Here’s What I Say

Sculpting Santa Polymer Clay Book Review by KatersAcres

First … there’s literally nothing to compare to a new polymer clay book in your hands. I love the excitement when I order it, the surprise when I get it, and devouring it like I haven’t had a new book in forever (which is not the truth because I am an avid reader). This being said …

I truly loved this book. I have several books on sculpting human-like figures, but this one is probably one of the best I have. Michele has an easy going writing style, her instructions are easy to explain, and she (like other authors) makes it look so easy. I will say that compared to the other books on sculpting that I have, Michele uses some techniques that are a little different … and that I actually like.

She spends plenty of time showing good photos and explaining in details what the pictures are trying to show you. This book does not spend a lot of time on choosing clay, tools, etc. And … I like that about it. I like it because you can read that in so many polymer clay books that at times it feels like wasted ink. Michele gets straight to the point and dives into the sculpting aspect.

Sculpting portions include: Santa’s face, teeth, ears, neck, and hands with meticulous details to make a realistic hand. There are even some good details on adding washes of color to your baked Santa parts. Including a brief discussion on why the author uses Genesis heat set paints.

Purchase the book through Amazon here

Additional Thoughts

For a full sculpting book on the human figure (in particular Santa Claus) it is relatively short at only 52 pages. These 52 pages include a “Notes” section for the reader to write in, as well as the reference & links pages.

Probably my least favorite part is that this is a very short book with a very high price tag at $28.60. However, it’s Christmas … and buying yourself a ‘how to sculpt Santa’ book is merry.

Do You Have Something You’d Like Reviewed?

Is there a product you’ve been wondering about? Do you want to know if you should buy it? Do you want to know if it’s worth the hype? Are you a company that wants your product reviewed? Leave your comments below or contact me here.

Sculpting Blessings,

KatieSignature

Polymer Clay Books On My Bookshelf

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Top Shelf Polymer Clay Books by KatersAcres | My complete list of highly recommended "must have" books for every polymer clay studio

I Collect Books

For those who know me, I mean really know me, they know that for years I’ve had my head in books. Whether for college, grad school, theology, fun, or crafting. I love them! There’s just something about books that makes me happy. There’s something about reading that makes me happy too. In fact, not only do I have more than enough real books, I have over 200 on my Kindle right now as we speak. I generally read up to 4 books at a time: mostly sci-fi, fantasy, mystery, or period fiction. Over the 3 years or so that I’ve had my Kindle, it has become my best friend. And the fact that I can read from my app anywhere too … well, let’s just say I read a lot. It’s a hobby. It’s a pastime. And often it’s a compulsion. Continue reading Polymer Clay Books On My Bookshelf

Polymer Clay Book Review: Fantasy Creatures in Clay

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Polymer Clay Book Review Fantast Creatures in Clay by Emily Coleman, Reviewed by KatersAcres

Polymer Clay Book Review

One of the things that I love most in this world are books. Whether big or small, short or tall, it matters not. I love books and I tend to read and devour them very quickly. With this love for real books, comes a love for polymer clay books. I must have 100 polymer clay books, likely almost every book ever written! This being said, finding a polymer book that stands out from the crowd can often be daunting. This book Fantasy Creatures in Clay by Emily Coleman is a different type of a book. It is not a project book or a tutorial book. Rather, this book is detail driven.

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Christi Friesen Glitter Balm Review

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Polymer Clay Glitter Balm Review by KatersAcres

Polymer Clay Product Review

Christi Friesen’s Glitter Balms

It’s been a very long time since I did a product review for a polymer clay item. Many of you (my darling readers) know that I only review products that I love. There are a of really great products on the market, a lot of really bad products on the market, and some okay products on the market. I happened to pick up several jars of this product on my Christi Friesen Weekend and fell in love with it immediately, came home & purchased the rest of the collection. So, in terms of products, where does this one rank: Love, Meh, or Blech? It’s pure love baby! Christi Friesen Glitter Balms are one of those really awesome products!

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B’Sue Boutiques

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B'sue Boutiques Review by KatersAcres

B'sue Boutiques Review by KatersAcres

B’Sue Boutiques Review

Brenda Lansdowne & Christi FriesenSo what does B’Sue Boutiques have to do with Christi Friesen week you might ask? Well … Brenda Lansdowne, owner of B’Sue Boutiques was our host and sponsor for the Christi Friesen Weekend this past week. Not only is Brenda a wonderful person, but she is kind, warm, funny, & caring too. You can see the video that Brenda & Christi did together on YouTube. Brenda & Christi have some great things coming up in store for you in the future as well, so be sure not to miss it.

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Tutorial Review: Holo Effects by Ginger Davis Allman of The Blue Bottle Tree

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Get the Details, See Some of My Results, & Get a Special Bonus for a Limited Time

Ginger Davis Allman

Ginger Davis Allman of the Blue Bottle Tree

I love introducing new people to you here on my blog. Please know that I am very selective in who gets a showcase opportunity on my blog. For the most part, the artists who are featured here I have developed relationships with over the course of several weeks or months. Ginger is no exception … but yet she is. In a previous post today, I spoke to you about how wonderful Ginger is and gushed over her a little bit. I try not to do this often, as some of my guests find it a tad embarrassing. However, what I want each of my readers to understand is that Ginger truly is a very special person.

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