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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Covered Dish – Polymer Clay Cane Swap 2001

City-o-Clay Swap 2001

City-o-Clay Swap 2001

All the canes on this dish are from a cane swap in 2001 in what was then know as the MSAT clayart yahoo group.

This post is for luny (Mickie McClain).  She let me know that the face cane I used for my Santa ornament was made by Melanie Taylor .

luny also said she made several canes for this swap and I’m posting this covered dish that I covered with slices of all the canes except the face. I can tell you some of the people that made some of the canes, but not all. I’m hoping that luny will tell me if one of these is hers.

The animal skin canes are from Nora Jean, leader of the group. The Egyptian canes are from Donna Worth, who I was fortunate to meet in Montana. The blue rose is from Jeanette Roberts who I exchanged lots of emails with and I don’t know who made the rest.

I thought I was so clever to save the canes in this way, I just wasn’t clever enough to write down who made what. But I thought this was fun and I keep it on my desk filled with paper clips.

Today was back to work a little for me. I have a project I’m working on for a publication. Nothing giant, just a small part, but fun and flattering. More about it later.

Here’s the other side, if you know who any of these canes belong to, or if they are yours, let me know. I’d love to add your name to the list.

The other side

Santa, HO HO HO!

Santa Ornament

Santa Ornament

I haven’t been doing very much clay work in the last week, I’ve been painting gift bags, cooking and getting ready for Christmas.

I didn’t want Christmas to be over before I wished you all a very merry one. I hope all your wishes come true and I hope that the Christmas spirit is with you each day of the coming year.

Since I didn’t have anything recent to share, I thought I’d share an ornament I made about 8 years ago maybe. The face is not mine, it is from a member of City-O-Clay cane swap, City-O-Clay is a yahoo group full of very helpful people and a great place to get help with questions about anything polymer clay.

When I saw this face cane, I was so amazed by the detail, that I knew I had to make face canes. The sad part is that I can’t remember who made the face cane. I was so excited to receive it as one of my swap items.  If it looks familiar, I’d love it if you’d leave me comment.

He was just a face, beard and those so funny teeth. I started to laugh the minute I saw him and I still laugh each time I see him.  I added the santa hat, hair and suit. I added holly and large Ho Ho Ho letters on the back. I love him, he’s so funny and not your typical santa. I enjoy getting him out each year.

See you again before the New Year.

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?

Raggedy Ann From Christmas Past

My kids are way grown and gone and I don’t decorate like I use to. I have a smaller tree and don’t have all the “things” sitting around everywhere.

One year about 6 or 7 years ago, I bought a bunch of large plastic “under the bed” boxes and separated all my Christmas things. I made different boxes of Santas, Angels, etc.  I gave the boys all their ornaments and still I have hundreds and hundreds. I know, I know, “what was I thinking”.

But the happy thing is, each year I just get out a couple of boxes and that’s it. No fuss no muss. It really has worked out so well and each year I get to look at something different.

This year, I decided to get out a couple of boxes that I haven’t had out in awhile, boxes full of some of the oldest things I have. Mostly kiddie things, teddy bears and all the ornaments that the boys made. It was great fun and I know the kids will love looking at them this year.

There were also tons of things I’d made as well, some that really should never have been made in the first place…yikes, and some things that brought a smile to my face. Like this Raggedy Ann made with polymer clay.

Raggedy Ann - 1980 Something

Raggedy Ann - 1980 Something - Polymer Clay

In 1980 something, I found polymer clay. I was dying to try it out, so one Christmas as I was decorating the tree I was hanging a Raggedy Ann and Andy  from 1975 made by Hallmark. I wanted to try my hand at something in polymer so I picked Raggedy Ann.

I had made so many things out of dough art with the kids and this was a step up for sure. All the dough figures are long gone but Ann is still here.

Here’s a picture of the Hallmark Raggedy Ann, she was a great model wasn’t she?  The Hallmark Raggedy is in another box that I take out more often because Ann and Andy are favorite ornaments of mine, they were some of the first that I bought when the boys were little, actually my oldest wasn’t born yet. So They really take me back to a magical wonderful time.

Hallmark Raggedy Ann - 1975

Hallmark Raggedy Ann - 1975

Thanks for taking the walk in the past with me, I sure enjoyed it.

Roosters in Pen and Ink – Polymer Clay Too

I must have lost my mind, I’m doing Roosters now, at least this one time.  This bracelet is one of two that I made the other day and they are both listed in my Etsy Shop.  This is the only rooster bracelet though.

I had fun I must say. But I truly don’t know where the rooster thing came from. I’ve been doing faces, lips and eyes, then Bam! chickens and rooster jump in my head.

Plus I still haven’t finished the necklace I started the other day. But I love that about what I’m doing, I get to do what and when I want. Can’t ask for more than that I guess.

I don’t now about where you are, but I know it’s getting colder here. Needs a hot beverage asap.

Etsy Treasury Features My Tropical Leaves Tutorial

My Tropical Leaves Tutorial was featured in this Etsy Treasury. Jackie from The Pleasant Pheasant is curator of this treasury, thanks Jackie.

New Pen and Ink and Zentangle Cane Bracelet

Pen and Ink Zentangle

Pen and Ink Zentangle

I got sidetracked last night, I was working on the orange necklace from the day before and put the beads in the oven. I had to wait anyway and started working on some bracelets that were waiting for me to draw on them with ink.

I finished this one and one with chickens, yes chickens, go figure. Once I got started I just couldn’t stop. I’ve listed this one in my Etsy shop and will list the chickens soon.

I’ll show you the chickens tomorrow and by then I should be finish with the orange necklace.

New Necklace with Fishing Swivels In Progress

I started another necklace with fishing Swivels. I had a hard time finding them in my local stores. They were all out of stock. There must be some serious fishin’ going on in this little town.

This is a cane I made several months ago. It was like the cane I made in burgundies and olive greens for my bud or pod necklace. I wasn’t crazy about the orange for another buds necklace, so it has just been sitting waiting to become something.

I decided to use it for another cluster necklace, I think the color will be just right for a dark blouse. Black maybe or brown.

So this is the first step, slicing the cane and baking. I hoped to get more done today, but it was one of those days. But I did make some pretty great southwest chicken in my crockpot. So it was a good day.

If you want to make this perfect for a cold day crock pot dish here’s what you do.

Throw in

one can of Rotel’s (diced tomatoes and chili peppers)
one can of black beans
8 oz frozen corn
chopped green onions

add some to taste
cilantro
cumin
salt
garlic

cayenne pepper

Lay some chicken on top and cook on high for 6 or 7 hours.

Bone the chicken and shred.

Serve in a beautiful bowl over yellow rice. Yum!

Necklace to be continued, supper all gone.

A Bracelet to Match – Polymer Clay

I made this bracelet and another, to match the necklace in yesterday’s post. I wore them both last night and got quite a few compliments. but the necklace was really the star. It hangs in this wonderful large cluster and you can’t miss it.

I made the canes, baked, put together the necklace and two bracelets in one day and baked them and wore them that night. I LOVE that about polymer clay. The instant gratification.

You know the famous line, “oh this old thing” when someone compliments someone about what they are wearing? Well that’s what I feel like when they ask, “where did you get that?” and I say “Oh this, I made it today”

Play with clay, that’s what I say!

Three Way Fishing Swivel into Polymer Clay Necklace

Fish Lures to Fashion

Fishing Swivel Necklace

I bought some three way fishing swivels a long time ago while I was searching a local store for things to use with my clay work. I thought maybe some day I could use these swivels and today was the day.

I can’t show you  a picture of the swivel because everything is already attached. I want to buy more and when I do I’ll take pictures before I use them. But they’re cool because they have three loops and by attaching polymer clay to each loop, then to a cord, you end up with an easy to do cluster of  color. I can’t wait to try some other designs this way.

Swivel Necklace

Swivel Necklace

More work to be done on this technique, but I’m wearing this necklace tonight to the  3rd annual Wine Tasting. I have sausage and mushrooms on the stove now, my donation to the Italy table. I also donated some of my work and hope they bring a nice price in the silent auction.