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]

Helen Breil – Shapes – 25 Inspirational Jewellery Designs in Polymer Clay

I was asked by Helen Breil to contribute to her new book Shapes and I knew it was something that I wanted very much to do for several reasons. Most importantly was that I knew it would be a well thought out and beautifully executed publication. I was so right.

Helen’s work is always beautiful and in this book she leaves nothing out. You’ll learn 5 surface designs techniques and 25 shapes to lend your voice to. Plus there are samples of each shape and surface design from Helen herself and over 29 artist from around the world.

Needless to say I’m honored to have been asked. Thank you Helen.

In her introduction, Helen writes about how she “stumbled” across the idea for Shapes. She was working on 22 pendants for a swap to be held at a retreat. It is the same retreat that I attended and came away from deciding to share my Stroppel Cane. Her “shapes” for the pendant swap came from scraps, but the results can hardly be called that. Here’s Helen’s swap pendant that I was lucky enough to come home with. Simple, elegant, brillant.

Helen Breil - 2011 swap

Here are the two pieces of mine that were included in Shapes.  Fish……go figure.

Needless to say I’m honored to have been asked. Thank you Helen.

Alice Stroppel gallery item Helen Breil's Shapes

Alice Stroppel gallery item Helen Breil's Shapes

You can order your online issue of Shapes today on Helen’s website. And if you haven’t already, you should really check out her fabulous texture sheets too. You’ll want some when you make your first “shape” pendant.

PolymerCAFÉ Feb. 2013

I’m thrilled to be the featured artist and on the cover of PolymerCAFÉ for February 2013. The Stroppel Cane has truly been an amazing adventure for me and an exciting highlight in my life.

Many thanks to Trina Williams for choosing me to interview for this issue and to the editor of PolymerCAFÉ, Anne Huizenga.

 

Pretty in Peacock

 

A grand peacock came to live in my studio today. I’m telling you I really like the way this process is working for me. Making bracelets this way is a blast.

This peacock is quite  big and showy. I haven’t wore him out yet, he wasn’t finished when I went to dinner last night. I did wear the toucan though and everyone noticed it. It makes me happy to be able to share my polymer clay creations with people. They are always so amazed at what polymer clay can do, if they even know what it is to begin with. I feel like an ambassador for PC.

It allows for so many interesting shapes and spur of the moment design decisions that result in some pretty amazing results.The peacock just asked to be wrapped around onto itself. It is an interesting design that doesn’t really have an uninteresting side. I took many more pictures of it just because you can’t fully see it from just a couple of shots.

On this side, you can’t really tell what it might be, just a colorful something.

Still having fun here! Today, I think I’ll try a fish using this method.  Just can’t stay away from them.

“Curiouser and Curiouser” Said Alice. Bangles – A Flamingo and A Toucan

I’ve been working with Ultralight a lot lately, using it as a core for many of my larger bracelets and beads. I used it as a core for my Woman in the Moon and she’s easy to wear.

I didn’t use it as a core for this flamingo, I was experimenting with Super Sculpey as the core as it’s a bit easier to sculpt with than the very soft Ultralight.  It’s heavier for sure and I won’t use it again as the core for bracelets this thick.

 

I’ve started a series of bangles using this method and I’m really jazzed about them. Right now I’m working on streamlining the process and learning the tricks of working successfully with the softer clay. It’s so much fun and I want to be able to teach others how to create their own characters. There is no limit to what we can come up with, here’s a toucan.