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]

Meisha Barbee, Julie Eakes, Laurie Prophater and friends at Studio 215 and Beyond

Julie, Meisha, Laurie at Alice's home studio

I’ve been looking forward to this week for about six months. The four of us, Julie Eakes, Meisha Barbee, and Laurie Prophater planned to meet at my home studio and just sit and clay for a week. Then Studio 215 happened and the timing was right for one of this talented group of artists to teach a class at my new studio. Polyform Products provided Premo clay and we were set. Thank you Iris Weiss and Polyform Products 

Meisha said yes and taught a full house this past week-end and Julie and Laurie have agreed to teach in the future. Happily that means another trip to Florida.

In the photo above you see us in my studio at home claying away. We didn’t leave the house that day.

But it was on to Studio 215 the next day to get ready for Meisha’s workshop.

Meisha Barbee's workshop samples fro Studio 215

These were just some of the beautiful samples Meisha had on display, forgive the photography, I’m responsible.

Below are the finished piece created by a very talented group of students.

Meisha Barbee's student work Studio 215

Meisha Barbee's student work Studio 215

Everyone had a great time, learned a lot and went home ready to explore these skills a bit more. Just take a look at these happy faces. Meisha is an excellent teacher, everyone agreed.

Meisha Barbee's workshop at Alice Stroppel's Studio 215

Can you tell that we laughed quite a bit? I just loved having everyone here.

I’m happy to say that I now have work for purchase at Studio 215 from Meisha, Julie, and Laurie.  Here are just a few samples. I don’t think they’ll last long.

Meisha Barbee

Meisha Barbee

 

Laurie Prophater

Laurie Prophater

Julie Eakes

Julie Eakes

 

The next day found Julie, Meisha and me at the Ringling Museum of Art. We toured Ca’d’Zan the mansion and the museum and then jumped over to St. Armands Key to put our feet in the sand. Laurie had left us by then and we missed her smiling face.

Julie, Meisha and Alice at St. Armands Key

We had a great time but we weren’t very popular on Facebook when Julie posted this picture.  (notice the people in bathing suits in the back ground) Cold times up north…sorry guys.

Thanks to everyone for making this a happy week at Studio 215 and beyond.

Randy M. Ketzel Teaching Beachcomber Bracelets at Studio 215

beachcomber bracelet - FL workshop- Randee Ketzel

Texas artist Randee M. Ketzel is  Studio 215 on June 13th and 14th and bringing with her a ton of fun  with this Beachcomber bracelet. I can’t wait for this workshop and to spend some time with Randee. I haven’t meet her in person yet, but I know I’m in for a treat. I’ve heard rumors that she’s kind of fun to be around. Okay not just kind of!

Plus I know for a fact she’s extremely  generous. She sent me almost the first bracelets she made using Stroppel canes. See my post about it here.  Thanks again Randee, they are still so special.

Randee will be incorporating a wealth of faux techniques in this beachcomber workshop. Students will learn how to create realistic driftwood twigs with fungal embellishments, fossil limestone with opal inclusions in a variety of styles, including miniature cycladic goddess figures, faux sea glass, and jade artifacts–scarabs and cicadas.

Students will create at least one bracelet, and have an abundance of elements left over for more projects..necklaces, pendants. earrings and more!

Lessons on seamless stringing and use of a power drill will be included. All materials and tools provided.

Join us for a trunk show featuring Randee work on Friday evening June 12th 5-8 pm. Also for sale will be autographed copies of Randee’s recent book Polymer Clay Gemstones: The Art of Deception.

Randee Ketzel beachcomber bracelet FL workshop-2

Randee M. Ketzel came to polymer clay by way of a youthful career as a bench jeweler; when impending motherhood frowned upon such diversions, she turned to alternative materials, and in decent middle age, discovered–or was discovered by–polymer clay. She has happily immersed herself in its wonders ever since. She currently lives, breathes, and teaches the exquisite art of polymer clay in Austin TX with her beautiful children, wonderful husband and an impossibly fluffy little dog.

Her work may be viewed on Flickr , and on Etsy, at RMKdesign. Her work has been featured on Polymer Clay Daily, in national magazines, and art museum stores.

Download the Beachcomber Bracelet workshop application, and save your spot for this workshop.

beachcomber bracelet - FL workshop- Randee Ketzel

 

syndee holt at Studio 215 in April

syndee holt

Terrific Transfers

Monday April 27, 2015 

 5:30pm – 9:30PM

Mokume Gane

Tuesday April 28, 2015 

 5:30pm – 9:30PM

download applications here

Terrific Transfers

Mokume Gane

 I’m very happy to tell you that syndee holt will be here for two evening classes in April.

When I was busy with other careers but wishing I was polymer claying full-time, I would watch craft television shows that featured  polymer clay artists and read whatever I could about polymer clay. I came to know (even though they didn’t have a clue who I was) Barbara McGuire, Maureen Carlson, Donna Kato, Marie Segal and syndee holt pretty well.  I remember many articles by syndee and I admired her inventiveness and imagination.

I’m delighted to say I’ve met and become friends with Barbara and Maureen and Marie, such talented and generous people. A couple of years ago I was happy to meet syndee at Orlando Fandango retreat and then again at Sandy Camp in California. This time I was lucky to spend more time with syndee and am pleased that she has added me to her list of friends. Isn’t the polymer clay community fabulous?

syndee will once again be attending fandango in May, but I’ve asked her to come visit me before she heads to Fandango. Happily she said yes and as a bonus she is going to teach two evening classes at Studio 215.  

Terrific Transfers Monday April 27, 2015 5:30pm – 9:30pm                   download application  Terrific Transfers

syndee was recently featured on Polymer Clay Daily with her transfer portrait of her son. I just love this.

syndee holt transfer

syndee holt

syndee says these bracelets are easily the most commented pieces of jewelry that she’s ever worn. I can see why, they are made with laser transfers onto the sheet of clay. They’re quick, tons of fun and a great introduction to transfers.

syndee-holt5syndee-holt3

 Everything you need will be provided. Clay, transfers, tools, etc. You can bring their own transfers as well, as long as they are laser prints (and they have to be reversed left to right so that they transfer correctly). syndee will be available via email and text to help students with their transfers and would be delighted to help you “clean up” the transfers in Photoshop.

So what else can you do with transfers? How about transferring Dover clip art? Your kids’ art? Your black and white photos? Your own photo line drawings?

 

syndee holt2

Mokume Gane Tuesday April 28, 2015  5:30pm – 9:30PM              download application Mokume Gane

Mokume Gane really has no limits – there are so many different techniques for this style and then so many color combinations. syndee’s technique uses the larger ball stylus to create craters of color. Souffle clay particularly lends itself to this technique with vibrant colors and crisp patterns.

syndee-holt7

 Use some more organic colors and create an elegant faux turquoise.

syndee-holt6

How about if you don’t even slice the surface, but dig through it with the ball stylus?

syndee-holt8

Students will learn sydee’s basic technique and then create rounded pendants on hollow bead molds. They will also learn how to put the slices into cabochon molds and backfill them with contrasting colors. syndee will show them how to fashion organically shaped cutters and how to use the cutters to make rounded edge to their shapes.

This class has successfully been taught to beginners as well as intermediate students with everyone having an absolute blast. All clay and tools provided.

syndee holt been an independent designer for Sculpey (Polyform Products) for over 18 years and she currently serves as the Polyform Brand Ambassador. cyndee is a founding member and former President of the infamous San Diego Polymer Clay Guild. She’s written over 100 articles for crafting magazines both national and internationally.  In addition, she wrote Polymer Clay for the First Time, which is still available through amazon.com.  syndee has also made about 33 television appearances on HGTV, Discovery, DIY, and more.

Want to see more of syndee’s work and see what a treat you’re in for? Just follow these links.

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Stay tune for more about the exciting artist that will be here in June, Randee M Ketzel