27 videos, step by step, beginner cane workshop
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.
I had a fantastic time at this year’s Orlando Clay Fandango! Here are all the instructors, the morning we are leaving after having such a wonder time teaching and demonstrating. Be sure to start saving for next year… save the date…May 1-5, 2014
I wanted to mention that I will be teaching my Pen and Ink one day workshop at the Orlando Area Polymer Clay Guild on Saturday June 29th. They meet in Winter Garden, FL . If you are interested in this workshop contact the guild for more information.
We were lucky to have Iris Weiss from Polyform attending and supplying clay for our classes. Thank you Polyform and Iris.
Then there was Penny Jo Couch, Syndee Holt, LInda Hess, Suzanne Ivester, and me, Alice Stroppel.
Here are some of of the wonderful suns made this weekend.
In yesterday’s post I talked about how I don’t plan what to hang my pendants on or from. After thinking about it overnight, I decided that statement wasn’t actually true.
I’m always trying to come up with different ways to add a bail, invent a bail or create a different closure. The project I will be teaching at Fandango this year is a prime example.
The stars are the closure. It’s an easy solution and adds a 3D element to the piece, that and the sculpted face. This cat uses the same idea with the tail and the head as closures.
You can use this type of closure on almost any design and I’ll show you how at Fandango in a couple of weeks. And there is exciting news from Iris Weiss the Education Manager from Polyform Products, Polyform will be donating some blocks of Premo for my student to use in my class. Thanks Iris and Polyform.
This piece that I posted a couple of days ago is another easy bail alternative. Creating something different and new is something I really enjoy.
I love the creative process of working with polymer clay. However the jewelry making part, findings, stringing, etc, are not on my love list and barely makes my like list. And my usual joy comes from colorful, fun, jewelry. It’s when I decide to create something more sophisticated that I lack the materials on hand to be able to spontaneously finish the piece.
In contrast, I always make sure I have plenty of canes on hand when I begin creating, it’s something I preach to my students. If you have a wide selection of finished canes on hand when you sit down to create, things just flow more smoothly. Not having to stop and make all the canes that need to go into a piece make it possible to create without having to stop the flow.
That’s not to say I don’t start a piece by constructing a couple of new cane, it’s just that I know I have lots of fillers to choose from already made and waiting for me.
So you see, I do plan ahead more than I realize, just not when it involves stringing and findings. So I’m still going to take a look at why I have a block with planning when making something more than a colorful, fun pendant (other than the obvious reason of needing more tools, supplies, etc. ). I’ve accomplished it before and think I just need to get out of my own way. Sound familiar?
So in the mean time, I’ll just keep doing what I love, making fun and funky things to wear and work toward improving my major jewelry construction.
I think these Stroppel Sweater Girls look kind of like Barbara and Cher with red hair. Okay, did that make you smile? Yes? Then my job is finished for today.
I’m glowing (no pun intended ) to be teaching at OAPCG’s Fandango this year, May 2 – 6th. I’ve so enjoyed attending and demonstrating at this event in past years, so being able to teach is just delightful.
I’m going to be combining a little bit of fun to make canes, adding a bit of sculpting and then throwing in a cool closure technique. I’ll also be showing you how I contour the design to finish the edges nicely, it’s a technique I use in many of my pieces. So bring your favorite canes and your smile, we’re going to have some fun.
I’ve been holding this closure technique since last year. This project was designed for Fandango and I haven’t shared it anywhere else. You can use this closure in so many other ways, I made this cat using the closure to create an articulated head and tail. It’s simple and easy to do.
My fellow instructors are Suzanne Ivester and Syndee Holt. Plus this year they’ve added pre-classes on Thursday with Penni Jo Couch and Linda Hess, so I hope you come on down to beautiful Lake Yale and join us for a fun filled four days.
I can’t believe I’ve been home from Fandango for a week already. I have lots to share with you.
First I want to thank all the volunteers that help make Orlando Clay Fandango the success that it always is. Eva, Charlene, Nancy, Mary, Kem, Linda, Rose Anne, Nita and Tanya. I know I’ve left out dozens and I apologize. Please let me know and I’ll add to the list.
I know I’ve met some wonderful people because of Fandango and experienced some ah ha moments in clay.
Sherry McKinney and I hit the road and arrived at Lake Yale on Thursday and from then on it was nonstop until we headed home on Monday. Sherry and I are the only constant polymer clayers we know in Sebring.
I set up my display in the Boutique and everyone had a good laugh about my redheaded friend. But I think the hands got more comments.
I was one of the demonstrators this year and I was busy showing how I use pen and ink on polymer clay. The bracelet below is a sample of what I shared and was my donation for the raffle. I’m thrilled that Linda Easton won.
Here are some of the results of the three full day of classes with some incredible instructors. Because I don’t know the names of all the clayers that created the pieces below, I took the easy way out and didn’t name anyone. If you see your work, please add your name in the comments section. There is a method to it, I’ll get you to comment maybe. hehe.
Susan Clark was also demonstrating this year but had to leave early and missed our video.
And last but not least, this video I made featuring the Instructors and Demonstrators for 2012.
[youtube]http://youtu.be/eJzXPmoKLdQ[/youtube]
Thanks again to everyone at Orlando Clay Fandango 2012 I have it from the source that you can still save $25.00 if you sign up for next year’s Fandango by the end of May and they will be announcing who the instructors will be in the next few days. So keep checking their website for updates.
I have been home from Georgia and Creative Journey Studios a little over a week and it truly seems like only a day or two. I am busy getting ready for Orlando Clay Fandango this week and decide to try pen and ink on ecru clay and boy do I really like it. I love the black and white, but this is new and different.
I’ll be demo-ing pen and ink on polymer clay, my Stroppel Cane, and how to cover a bracelet blank.
I’ll be posting more about my trip to GA when I get back and I know I’ll have great things to share about Fandango too. I have a wonderful interview with Ellen Prophater from Creative Journey Studios to share with you, plus lots of wonderful pictures of the Gallery and my classes.
This year I won’t forget my camera when I go to Fandango. Last year I left it by the back door. and was so dissappointed that I didn’t get to film the instructors and the Fandango Committee. The exciting thing is this year I don’t need a giant camera bag, cords, charger etc. because I have a new little video camera with a USB connection built in. It fits in my pocket. Amazing!
Hope to see you at Fandango in 3…2….1…days.
Speaking of The Stroppel Cane…………
Sage Bray from The Polymer Arts asked me to write an article about the Stroppel Cane for the spring issue. I did and I was excited to see my name on the front cover along with the gorgeous photo of a Heather Campbell creation.
Here’s a pile of colorful fun Stroppel Pins I’ve made for the pin exchange at Orlando Area Polymer Clay Guild’s Fandango. I’m about half way there, even though we don’t have to make pins to exchange with everyone, I don’t want to miss any very cool pins by running out of mine.
I’ve been having a great time with these and might just keep these as something I do all the time. There are so many possibilities with each little canvas.
Now back to making some face canes for my class at Creative Journey Studios on the 21st and 22nd of this month.
Both places still have room for more students, so pick up the phone and reserve your space.
I’ll be hopping a plane in a few weeks to fly to Atlanta and get to spend some time with friends at Creative Journey Studios and a couple of days with a good friend from forever in another little Georgia town
First stop is in Buford, Ga and two classes at Creative Journey Studios. I can’t wait to get back there to see how the gallery has grown. When I was there last year it was just beginning and not everyone had sent their work for display and sale, mine wasn’t even there. So I’m excited to have the chance to spend some time there with Ellen Prophater, Sue Sutherland, and Patricia DiBona.
If you need to jump into spring, you might want to seriously consider a trip to this charming little Georgia town. If you want to be inspired by polymer clay artists’ work all in one place, Creative Journey Studios is the ticket. Just take a look at the list of artists that have work that you will see up close and personal and possibly own. What a treat it’s going to be.
Judy Belcher, Jana Roberts Benzon, Leslie Blackford, Carol Blackburn, Kim Cavender, Louise Fischer Cozzi, Heather Cobb, Patricia DiBona, Ann Dillon, Lisa Dunn, Julie Eakes, Christi Friesen, Natalia Garcia de Leaniz, Sue Gentry, Linda Gilcher, Lindly Haunani, Ginny Henley, Stacy Hogue, Lou A. Huppke, Susan Hyde, Debbie Jackson. Jeanette Kandray, Kim Korringa, Judy Kuskin, Sharon Kyser, Loretta Lam, Ron Lehocky, Peggy Martin, Sandra McCaw, Barbara McGuire, Laurie Mika, Ann & Karen Mitchelll, Harvey Moriarty, Mari O’Dell, Mary Pratt, Ellen Prophater, Laurie Prophater, LaTrecia Raffety, Ponsawan Sila, Jan Stephens, Meta Strick, Debra Svitil, Alice Stroppel, Bettina Welker, Melanie West, Lori Wilkes, Elise Winters, Karen Woods
Today, I’m working on some bracelets like the one above, because I need a donation for the fabulous auction they have each year. Speaking of seeing some of your favorite artists’ from around the country and the world. President Charlene and others from OAPCG have a long list of donated work that attendees can truely buy sometimes for a song. Okay maybe you have to pay, but it’s tons of fun and just getting to see the work is a treat.
Take a look at last year’s auction bounty. I think there is still time to register, but hurry!
Tomorrow morning bright and early I’m leaving my husband home with the dog and cat and I’ll be on my way to Orlando Area Polymer Clay Guild’s Fandango. I can only manage to get away for one day, but I just couldn’t miss all the fun with the Saturday night auction. Plus I could stand knowing all those clayers were only 2+ hours away and I wasn’t going to see them again this year.
My plan is to see if a can’t get the instructors and demo artists together again like last year for a short video. I have to laugh when I think about last year and how hard it was to get everyone in one place long enough to film. You can watch it here.
I’ve left Barbara McGuire for last because I had a chance to get to know her better than the other artists at Fandango. I’ve already posted about the incredible face class I had the opportunity to take with her and how much fun it was.
One of the demos Barbara McGuire gave was placing one of her faces on a base to make a large focal bead like the one in the photo above. I purchased this one from Barbara that night. She used her new stamp on this one and demonstrated those as well.
But before that, I was truly excited to watch her demonstrate her color mixing techniques. This demo had Barbara with her pasta machine and an array of colored clay. After watching Sarah Shiver and Julie Picarello mix their colors using the skinner blend method, I was finally driven TO the edge by watching Barbara. It actually took attending that small face class to send me OVER the edge and soaring into a world that I have been just sticking one tiny finger in. I haven’t been this excited since I made my first face cane almost 10 years ago. The combination of all of the artist’s techniques came together for me and I was gobsmacked.
I loved learning how to make a face the way Barbara does, but I have my own voice that I am still training. I may never produce anything but jingles, but I will continue to strive for a symphony. Just this last few days I feel like I’ve been set free. Mixing colors will never be the same again.
It was such a pleasure to get to know Barbara and I appreciate all that she shares with us.
I feel that finding our own creative voice and a way to use it is what we are all striving for and I know Barbara has started a new publication to help us do just that. She was kind enough to share a bit about her Woman Creative postcards in the following video. Enjoy.
To find out more about Barbara, her products, where she’s teaching next visit her website. Be sure to take a minute to check out Woman Creative.
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