DVD production by Matthew Nix covering the use of photo transfer paper with polymer clay to create custom polymer clay beads and cabochons, plus an introduction to wire wrapping your polymer clay beads and cabochons.
Photo Transfer and Wire Wrapping in One DVD
I am not an experienced polymer clay artist, and have not done a lot with the clay itself, let alone trying more advanced techniques such as photo transfers. So when I received this DVD on Photo Transfer and Wire Wrapping, I was ready to learn all about photo transfers and polymer clay, and to pick up a few new hints about wire wrapping.To say I was a bit let down is an understatement. Nowhere on the Create A Pendant Web site, and nowhere on the DVD does it say that this is intended for a more knowledgeable polymer clay user, nor is it made clear that the wire techniques are designed for a beginner, but that experience with wire and basic wire handling techniques are a must.
The first segment of this DVD covers the photo transfer technique. Unfortunately, there seems to have been little or no post-production editing of this part of the DVD, as there are long, completely unnecessary scenes left in, while the rest of the tutorial feels rushed and rather crammed together.
The technique for transferring images from paper to polymer clay is shown, however, if you are not already a veteran of other methods of photo transfer onto polymer clay, this is not the DVD lesson for you. There is no background on photo transfer techniques, nothing about other types of paper or transfer product, and nothing about how to get the graphic from it's location and on to the transfer paper. You will need to know graphics software and image manipulation before you attempt this process, and certainly before you try it with the rather expensive transfer product recommended.
Photo Transfer Polymer Clay Beads and Cabochons DVD - Wire Wrapping
The wire wrapping section was better that the first section on the photo transfers, unfortunately, though, not by much.Again, it appeared that the footage had not been edited, and the sound seemed to cut in and out in places. The camera showed images of the wood on the table, instead of the work, and the shots were out of focus more than a few times.Because I have a little more experience in wire wrapping than I do with polymer clay, I thought I would get more out of this section, and I did. However, I was only able to follow what was happening after the first of the three lessons had been shown, as there was no advance image of the finished pieces. It was like watching a balloon animal being made, fascinating, but I would have preferred to have known what the finished project goal was before the lesson began. And again, the pacing is too fast; this DVD would be very difficult to follow along with your own work.
My biggest complaint about this section, though, has less to do with the wire wrapping than with the lack of preparation before hand. No discussion of wire in general, of gauge, proper tools, and absolutely no discussion of the importance of eye protection was done prior to launching into the lesson. Perhaps it is assumed that the viewer is a seasoned wire wrapper, however, the lesson is geared towards a beginner, so those would not be safe assumptions.
Photo Transfer Polymer Clay Beads and Cabochons DVD - Conclusion
There is some valuable information on this DVD, and for someone with the knowledge of photo transfer in general, including the products on the market, how it is done, what it is, and how it has been created using other methods, this would be worthwhile information.And for someone with at least a bit of wire wrapping knowledge, this would be helpful, as there are a few hints to make it a little easier for the newer wire wrapper.
Unfortunately, even for someone looking for both the basic photo transfer information and the wire wrapping coverage, the combination in this DVD production just don't add up to justify the cost. Perhaps at a lower price, yes, this would be of value to a certain polymer clay and wire wrapping audience, but at the current list price of $24.99, I cannot recommend this to the average polymer clay and/or wire wrapping enthusiast.
