Resources for PC Books

When book-shopping, it pays to consider all your options.

Maybe you're new to clay and want a basic-knowledge book to guide you through the ins and outs. Perhaps you're more experienced and want something new and inspirational to pore over. Or possibly you have a specific project in mind and seek a book that meets your immediate needs.

Whatever has you on the hunt for your next polymer clay-related book, you'll find that there are numerous options available to you-- much more than the local bookshop-- more even than the mega-bookstores on the Internet. Explore the possibilities detailed below to find your best fit.

• Your local library
  • Use whatever catalog system is available (most are computerized, these days) to search for clay-related books. In many places, you can run a county-wide search, reserve a book, and it will automatically be delivered to your local branch for pick-up.
  • Clay-related books may be shelved in multiple sections, depending on their area of emphasis. Some of the sections to consider are those for crafts, jewelry, miniatures, and stamping.
• Interlibrary loans
  • Ask your librarian about interlibrary loans, which allow you to request specific titles for loan from libraries outside your local system. There may be a small fee for this service.
• Guild libraries
  • Polymer clay guilds often maintain their own libraries of clay-related books (and videos). There is a membership fee for most guilds, and sometimes an additional fee for borrowing items from their libraries, but in certain circumstances, you may find this a valuable investment. Even if a guild is too far away for you to attend meetings regularly, you may still be able to join and have use of its library. Contact the guild’s representative for particulars.

• Bookstores

• Local shops
  • For those who prefer to shop “in person”, there’s nothing like holding the book in your hands before deciding whether or not to purchase it. If the book you want isn’t in stock, it can’t hurt to ask about the store’s special order policies.
  • Some stores (such as chain craft and hobby stores) frequently have valuable coupons. If you’re fortunate enough to find the book you want in the store, you can save 40% or more off the cover price.
• On-line shops
  • There are a number of popular booksellers on-line, such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Borders, and Chapters. The larger of these may offer special discounts, such as free shipping on purchases over a set limit (usually US$25). These are good sources for relatively new books, but they may not stock older publications.
  • There are also smaller shops that specialize in polymer clay publications, such as Polka Dot Creations and The Clay Store. These may not have the benefit of free shipping, but they are reliable resources for hard-to-find books and magazines.

• On-line
  • When you search for a book at Amazon.com, you can also see prices for new and used copies listed by others. Buying from these sellers isn’t the same as buying directly from Amazon. Some sellers may not be completely reliable, and you’ll probably have to pay for shipping. But if you get a very good price on the book and go with a seller with high ratings, you can save some money.
  • You can bid on new or used books at eBay. It’s also a good idea to check out eBay’s sister site, Half.com, which is not an “auction-style” marketplace. There, titles are categorized by condition and listed for a specific price, and sellers have feedback scores and ratings to ensure you of reliability.
  • Some on-line groups of polymer clay enthusiasts have sections in their message boards for people interested in selling or trading clay-related goods, including books. There are also “flea market”-style groups specifically designed for advertising new or used craft products.
• Used book stores / thrift stores
  • Any shop that carries used books is a potential source for clay-related books. Most of the time, in the smaller shops, you probably won’t find anything beyond the usual crop of tattered paperbacks and diet cookbooks from the 80s, but you never know when you might luck up.
• Library book sales
  • Many library systems have annual book sales. These can be excellent places to pick up normally pricey nonfiction hardcovers for a dollar or less per book. The books available will vary widely from sale to sale, and they will probably not include that great new book that everyone’s still talking about, but the sale is always great fun for a book-lover. See your local librarian for details about possible up-coming sales.