My first face cane - Alice Stroppel
I know…you’re wondering why on earth I would post this vase with these kind of scary looking faces on it. Well to tell the truth, they’ve grown on me and I wouldn’t trade them for the world. They remind me of the journey.
I made this first face cane over ten years ago. I didn’t put a date on this vase so I’m guessing. This vase still makes me laugh, in fact the better I get at making face canes, the more I laugh when I see these girls.
I thought they were wonderful. They didn’t turn out anything like I wanted. I wanted this cane to be beautiful, painterly, with gradual color change, but as you can see…………….but it didn’t matter, I actually took colored clay messed around with it and made this face that when I sliced through the cane, I got face after face. I was so excited. Are you kidding me? It was the coolest thing, I was hooked. Even though I was working somewhere else, I continued to work on my face canes.
My friends had to put up with me giving them things with very strange faces on them. My mother who loves beautiful angels was shocked I know, when I gave her a bracelet made of face beads. They were not beautiful angels, but yet another test face cane. But bless her, she smiled and said thank you. So that’s why I made this first “pretty” faced angel for her. I think she’ll like this better and forgive me for giving her the others.
I also didn’t know very much about the clay. The eyes are made with translucent clay and the rest of the face with regular. Today I know it’s better to try to use the same type of clay or a mixture of both.
As you can see by my post from the other day, I’ve been working on another face. Even though I’m very happy with the way I finally figured out to make faces, and I really enjoy sharing the process in my Profile Face Cane Tutorial, I still want to make a face that is painterly, with more color. So I’m experimenting. I haven’t got it right yet, but when I do I’ll post pictures.
I’ll work on it for an hour or two, mixing colors and trying to figure out an easy way to do it so I can make another tutorial, then walk away for awhile.
In the middle of the night I woke up and started thinking about how I could accomplish the look I was trying to achieve and another idea hit me for something not even related to the face. So yesterday I spent time playing with that idea before I forgot it. geez…….
But it’s all good, I’m where I’m suppose to be, doing what I’m suppose to be doing, taking as long as I need, it’s all fun and a great adventure. I ask you, what more could I ask for.
This week is my birthday week, there are parties planned and things to do. I’m thankful! Thank you for stopping by today!
To hear from someone who has been working with clay for so long and who still says – I don’t care – it’s fun! And – I’m learning! that is truly marvelous.
It makes my scary journey not so scary. I will take some thoughts from you and go and wrestle with my horrible need for perfectionism and say – let go! Just do it!
Thanks – and even if I’ve already said it – Happy Birthday my friend.
Hi Alice,
Thanks for the laugh and for sharing your thoughts on your own journey. Your teaser photo of your new cane is very intriguing – can hardly wait to see what you’re up to there.
Kate
Aimee, I think we all need to remember why we pick up an art material in the first place. If not to simply express ourselves, then what? If we are doing it with the idea that we need someone’s approval other than our own, then I think we miss the point. On the other hand, it’s very very nice to have validation from your peers. Thanks for the birthday wishes.
You’re welcome Kate, that’s my job, to bring a smile.
Alice, Your work is SO awesome! BRAVA!
I wanted to let you know about a thread at Polymer Clay Central on the Delphi Forums. People are experiencing trouble getting to your site and I thought you’d like to know. Don’t know if your comment form will take URL’s or think it’s spam, but the thread with your name on it is http://forums.delphiforums.com/polymerclay/messages?msg=64282.1
If you comment form rejects the URL, I can send it to you via email.
Best Wishes,
Anita
Melody O’Beau Designs
Oh no! thanks for letting me know Anita. I’ll try to figure out what the problem is. If anyone else has a thought about it, I can always use a hand.
Going to the forum now. thanks again for the compliment.
I’ve always said “it’s not the destination but the journey that is important” and I get a feeling that you may feel the same way. Taking the time to smell the roses … if the road forks, take it, lol!
You said …”I’m where I’m supposed to be, and doing what I’m supposed to be doing.” … I love that. To be happy to be where you are and who you are is a wonderful gift to yourself. It’s something we should all be more thankful for.
Wishing you a wonderful birthday week, Alice, and many, many more years of marvelous creative journeys!!
hugs,
luny
Hey Luny,
I should have said it was an old post……my birthday was months ago, but thanks. And thank you for your nice message. You are one of those fabulously positive people that just bring people up to where you live whether they want to get happy or not. You’re my kind of person..thanks…… Alice
Ah … um… er, well shucks …thank you. That’s a really, really nice thing to say…and, takes one to know one!
Old post or not, the ‘wishing’ still counts! ;>
hugs,
luny
Thanks again, luny