Friendly Plastic 101 Book Review

Book Review: Friendly Plastic 101

Reprinted by permission, Copyright 2008, Craftrends E-News, CK Media

Reviewed by Maria Nerius

Author: Jana Ewy
Design Originals
ISBN 157421808-5
817-877-0067

Friendly Plastic 101
by Jana Ewy

Wow, Friendly Plastic is a blast from the past for me. I loved this stuff! I had a friend who made the best jewelry ever with it. I'm not sure what happened or why we stopped playing with Friendly Plastic, but this book brought back happy memories. This is not Ewy's first book on Friendly Plastic and she is a genius with the material with clever, fresh designs. Ewy stays on top of what's happening in trends especially in color, fashion, motif, and jewelry.

The book's cover sells the book and reveals that the book has a new method using a griddle. In case you didn't go crazy for Friendly Plastic years ago, we worked either by warming and melting it in a toaster oven or warming it to a pliable state with hot water in a skillet. The griddle method is really much easier with more control. The book includes using rubber stamps, heat gun, multiple needle tool, cutting blade, permanent markers, metallic pens, Rub 'n Buff, wire, mesh, glass paint, and my favorite the mini cookie cutters. I know it might be corny, but I loved the flower jewelry made from a mini cookie cutter and large hole punch. The blending technique with the multiple needle tool is a trademark of Ewy and is just awesome.

The projects are varied, including jewelry, frames, decorative boxes, hair bobbles, bottles, bookmarks, journals, and round beads. Yes, round beads! I was very impressed. Even more impressed that I could do it. The step-by-step photographs were a big help and I was a little nervous about the drilling (even though I shouldn't have been, it was easy and safe). The other beads and the cuff bracelets are really eye catching and with a little practice and patience very fun to do. Bring on the Friendly Plastic!

Friendly Plastic 101 as well as other Friendly Plastic products are available from AMACO.com or by calling 800-374-1600.