diffendaffer unleashed

I spent last weekend reading Grant Diffendaffer’s new book, “Polymer Clay Beads: Techniques, Projects, Inspiration”, which is due to hit bookstores any day now and worth the investment. Diffendaffer doesn’t hold anything back, with instructions for his signature beads: textured tubes, lathe-turned, recursive molded, molded hollow-form, mica clay and mandrel-formed pillow beads.

A few years ago, intrigued by Diffendaffer’s textured beads, I attended one of his East Coast workshops and came away with a new appreciation for artists who develop and nurture a technique from concept to reality. A labor of love, passion and devotion reserved for the ever curious, the bold, and the determined among us. When an artist takes the next step and releases a technique to the larger world it is a leap of faith. Diffendaffer made the right choice and this roster of techniques is sure to produce a bevy of beautiful beads around the world.

The directions are easy to follow and the author offers tips and variations throughout the book. Heavily influenced by the wonders of the natural world, Diffendaffer has a distinct preference for the mica present in pearlescent clay and it is easy to see the attraction – the metallic clay is quite the showoff for this array of bead forms and styles.

This book won’t sit on your bookshelf for long. It begs to be opened, creased, studied and in full view as you learn techniques that push the clay in an exciting new direction. “Polymer Clay Beads: Techniques, Projects, Inspiration” made my head spin and my heart sing. It doesn’t get better than that!

You can order the book directly from the author or purchase it here.