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

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

Cat Cane Mapping

Cat - Cane Mapped - Alice Stroppel

 

I’ve made so many fish with my cane mapping technique that I decided that it was time to do another cat. The first one I made into a bracelet. This one is in a frame and ready to be sent to the fun folks at the Orlando Area Polymer Clay Guild to be auctioned off at Orlando Clay Fandango.

I’m hoping that this picture is clear. I’ve been holding off posting anything much because I’m in the middle of cataract surgery, one eye down and one to go. It it truly a miracle I think. I was having so much trouble seeing and can’t wait for the end results. But right now things are a bit blurry.

But as soon as my new lens at set, watch out. Who knows what I’ll be able to see now. hehe.

 

The Cheshire Cat’s Cousin in Polymer Clay

“We’re all mad here.”
― Lewis Carroll (The Cheshire Cat), Alice in Wonderland

I feel like I followed the White Rabbit into a hole and don’t know when I’ll get out again. I began the long put off task of cleaning out my spare room. I won’t go into details, it’s just too scary. I didn’t need halloween, I had my own frightening adventure in my house.

But I’ve taken a day to play with clay and get something out of my head and into a design. It’s my contour cat bracelet. I think he is related to the other Alice’s Cheshire Cat, don’t you?

Here’s the other side.

And here it is on my wrist. I can tell you from experience that I always get compliments and comments when I wear my boldest contour bracelets, mainly because they’re so crazy.

I have lots more work to do on “the room” but I can’t stay away from clay for long. I agree with the Cheshire Cat, I am a bit crazy when it comes to clay. See you next time.

I’ve Strayed – Cats, Red Hood and Pen and Ink

Red Hood

This morning I started to do samples of what we are going to be doing in class on Saturday but I ended up drawing a grown up Red Ridding Hood. Grown up you might ask, well the story goes that the wolf died and she lived to grow up right? So here she is, with a silver frame ready for the eye pin and a chain.

Okay so the truth is the hood just showed up by itself and I colored it red. I use photos or pictures as my guides, but I don’t sketch out my work ahead of time. I just dive right in and begin and correct as I go letting the piece create itself.

That’s why I like working with polymer clay as a base and my pen and ink technique, I can easily correct most lines and sometimes colors. I do most of the black work first and add color at the end, then reapply black here and there.

I probably would benefit from more planning including sketching the ideas in my head instead of just making notes, but then I’m not so sure how things like the red hood would ever happen. But it’s something to consider.

International Polymer Clay Association’s Polymergence editor Suzanne Ivester wrote a wonderful article in this month’s newsletter entitled All About Sketching! It’s an interesting read, you’ll enjoy it.

Cat polymer clay, pen and ink

This cat just called to me, no explanations, no excuses. I’m going to post this and get back to my original plan..samples…step by step samples.

Cat and Cat Polymer Clay Buddies

Cat and Cat - polymer clay

Cat and Cat - polymer clay

A friend saw my Catbleu she wanted a couple for her sister. So I made these guys and they’re ready for the oven. Cats have always been a popular subject, people love their cats. I couldn’t resist caning these two guys. Very Alice in Wonderlandy.

I want to play around with this technique some more, combining canes with figures. 2d with 3d marry to create interesting possibilities.

Have a happy Sunday and just think Christmas with be over by this time next week. Are you ready?

Catbleu

Catblu

Catbleu

Just for fun, this little guy was fun and easy. Canes and shapes combined to make this 3D figure. I think I’m going to attach a loop in the top of his head so he can be an ornament, hang from a rearview mirror, become a fan pull or whatever comes to mind.