Polymer Clay Canes for Beginners

27 videos, step by step, beginner cane workshop beginner Cane Tutorial What people are saying about this tutorial. jennifer rose Just finished this first workshop on how to make canes, and I must say I learned so much. This is exactly what I have been looking for, someone who could explain cane making in a step by step that process that I could replicate. I watched the videos, went into my studio and began to create all of the canes Alice showed. I finally have results I can be proud of, and I say thank you so much for doing this workshop. My only question now is when do we get more workshops. If you are only going to take one online class let it be this workshop. Thank you Alice for your hard work, and your dedication to helping others learn the joys of polymer clay.

Online Workshops with Alice Stroppel

Catagories

[caption id="attachment_102" align="aligncenter" width="100" caption="Member IPCA"]Member IPCA[/caption]

Tons of New Listings Mean Great Gifts for Christmas

It was a busy day yesterday as I uploaded item after item to my Etsy Shop.  This Flame Necklace is an interesting piece with large unusual beads.

It will prove to be the same tomorrow I believe.  Most of the items I’ve made in the last few months and just haven’t taken the time to do all the legwork needed to get them ready for Etsy.

Another crazy girlfriend bracelet. She’s a single lady.

This is one bracelet in a series of 13. I really want to make more of these interesting face canes. Maybe after Christmas.

Pet Rocks? Nah…Rocker Girls Paperweights

Rocker Girls

Rocker Girls

Okay, here’s the last of my creative streak this week. Actually these paperweight rocker girls are the start. I had this idea to cover rocks with clay and my face cane slices, I made the black haired girl and smiled the whole time. (that’s when I know I have an idea that at least I think is fun)

These are rocks out of my French Drain behind my porch. The blonde is about 3″ x 2″, black haired girl is 2″ 1/2″ x 2″ and the brunette is 2′ x 1 1/2″ . All perfect sizes for a funky addition to your desk as a paper weight or just sitting around on a shelf or counter. They make me laugh.

It was hard to make the clay stick to the rock. (the next girls I made I covered with craft glue and let dry, then it was fine, I was just too much in a hurry for the first girl)

Because the clay wasn’t sticking, it made me think of using my old clay as the core, so I made a girl with clay instead of the rock. Half way through I had the idea to make this business card holder. So I made the slit for cards to fit and there you go.

I had a plastic business card holder on my desk and I had this idea to make something that used less clay. After all, not everyone has tons of scrap clay.

Business Card Holder - Polymer Clay

Business Card Holder

So there you have a peek inside my strange mind. Not that anyone really wanted to look…:) Thanks for stopping in today.

P.S. All of these would make great projects for kids.

Business Card Holders Rule the Day

Business Card Holders

Business Card Holders

Two more crazy girlfriends join in the fun. I used the same new face cane that I used on the business card holder in this post from the other day. Just goes to show you that each slice will look a little different.

I like these in black and white and I’m happy with this new face cane. I have some really cool new things in the oven right now. Can’t wait to see how the turn out and share them with you.

Going to list one of these girls in my Etsy Shop right now. Hmmmmm just can’t decide which one.

Ornaments Galore for Friends Galore!

I’ve been on a roll, covering these ornaments and creating these girlfriend ornaments. By using different skinner blends for backgrounds I’m not using traditional Christmas colors for a reason. I want these ornaments to be able to be viewed and displayed at other times of the year too.

We all have one of those ornament stands that will display one special ornament. Well why not add one of those to a polymer clay ornament that has a special message for the recipient. I did a google search and found them for 2.50 and up.

Order an ornament from my Etsy Shop (adding a couple by the end of the day today) or create one yourself. But get started, Christmas is just around the corner.

More of American Allie – Polymer Clay

These guys are headed to The Creative Native, who by the way is having a reception and exhibit tonight from 5 to 9pm. Titled Go Figure! and featuring artists: Kelly Savery – paper, Margaret Conte – mixed media, Ricklene Wren – acrylics, Susan O’Hara – clay.

If you are in the area, you really should stop in this wonderful gallery. The range of work is wide and the talent represented is outstanding.

I’ve covered a card holder, a pill box and made a pin with an articulated tail. they are in the oven now.

Making this cat was easy and I used several canes that I already had. The eyes are from the face I made with Barbara McGuire and the rest of the older canes were put together using freshly blended Skinner blends. It’s amazing to watch the cat come to life as each element is added.

Here’s a way to use some of those older canes you have way too much of. If you want, draw a picture to go by or use clip art or a picture from a card or coloring book.

Here’s a clip art cat I got from the internet. Clker.com. I just googled free clip art cat and this one was on the front page. You could make the lighter part a skinner blend and each darker section a different colored and patterned cane. An easy project, even the eyes are just black snakes with a highlight of white. Remember, you can just use this picture as a guide, let your cat decide for itself what it wants to look like in the end………it’s only fair.

Santa Made From Polymer Clay Cane Swap

Mel's Man Turned into a Santa

Mel's Man Turned into a Santa

I was decorating my tree today, I know I’m late getting started, but I came across this ornament I made and had to share it with you. I didn’t date this one, I always date things, so I’m unhappy that I didn’t.

Years ago I was in a cane swap and I was very new to polymer clay. I can’t even remember what canes I sent, I’m sure they weren’t anywhere near as cool as the ones I recieved. But I do remember is was with Nora Jean Gatine’s group. Thanks Nora Jean, your animal skin canes that came with the rest were great.

I received some other wonderful, inspirational canes, one of which was the guy above. It was just the face, no hair no hat. but the teeth and the beard just sent me over the edge. I thought, wow, I can’t believe you can do that with clay. I think the artist’s name is Mel, I can’t remember which Mel, I know there are a couple in Nora Jean’s Yahoo group CITY-o-Clay. So if you’re out there Mel, and recognized this guy, please leave a comment. If it wasn’t Mel that made this crazy cane, well, I’d love to hear from you to set the record straight.

I know he looks like a “bad” santa, but I just think of him as needing some teeth work. Each time I take him out to hang him up, I laugh and remember the fun I had because of this group. Thanks to all of you from back then.
BackThe back side says, “HO HO HO”

Bottle Stoppers, Business Card Cases, Perfume Pens, Christmas is Coming

Perfume Pen

Perfume Pen

Three more items going to AliceStroppel.Etsy.com. Perfume pen, bottle stopper and card case. All great gifts for the holidays.

Queen Bee

Queen Bee

I had a special request for a wine stopper for a friends mother. She was “The Queen Bee” to her family and loved a good glass of wine. Perfect! I made two so she could have her choice. This is the second one. I wanted you to see the piece of costume jewelry that I used for her crown. Another way to use found objects to make your pieces unique. There are little bees flying around and flowers on the back of this fun and crazy piece.

Business Card Case

Business Card Case

I’ve sold quite a few business card holder and continue to hear from my customers that they gets tons of compliments on their unusual case. I buy my blanks for all these great things at Boston Craft Works.