27 videos, step by step, beginner cane workshop
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.
A funny thing happened. I was so happy that the shop I stopped in while I was in Tampa wanted to buy some of my pieces. So happy I shared it with you. Now I have to tell you that I emailed the shop and haven’t heard a word since.
Because of that shop, I realized that there were so many other possibilities out there that I wasn’t looking at. So It’s okay!
I began to look at dress boutiques and other speciality shops. I found quite a few and have emailed several. I’ve heard back from one, but she only carries local artists. she still was a bit interested and asked for some time to think about it.
As you can see, I am still stuck on Zentangle canes. I really have had fun with them.
I did my emailing on Friday and this week end was Halloween, so I’m not discouraged yet. Besides, I still have the whole United States and Canada left….and I’ve started receiving commission checks from Julia’s Art Gallery on Pine Island. I told you about that trip in September.
So all of these items are now listed in my Etsy Shop with more to come. Life is sweet.
When I went to Tampa to visit The Creative Native and take some of my work for Pam, the owner, to feature.
Earlier in the day, I had lunch with my son, and we stopped by The Red Herring, a delightful shop with “curious goods for your home.” I thought I would ask inside if they knew of any art galleries or funky crafty gift shops that might be interested in my work.
I showed the woman behind the desk the bracelet I was wearing and told her what I was looking for, she asked me to wait while she found the owner. She thought the owner might be interested in my pieces.
And she was. She would have bought all my wine stoppers I think, but I had promised to take them to The Creative Native. I told her I would make her more and send her a picture of them once they where complete. She also showed an interest in the business card holders and the bracelets.
So the picture above is of the new work that I did for her. I emailed her the picture and a price list. I’ll let you now how things turn out.
My point is, you shouldn’t limit yourself to just galleries or “craft” gift shops. I really didn’t realize that this shop might be interested in my pieces.
I knew that they had wonderful things and I loved just walking in the shop, but it didn’t cross my mind to put the two things together…”Curious goods for your home” with my wine stoppers, but I should have at least considered it. Her shop is full of well used and loved items that, once placed in your home will feel like it’s been there for years and belongs.
So I learned something very valuable and I will have to widen my circle when looking for more outlets.
Getting ready to take tons of artwork to a gallery. Been working to get my stock up. I’m taking bracelets and bottle stoppers, perfume pens and face pins. Salt and pepper shakers, letter openers, and card cases. I am trying some different things, I show you when I get them finished.
I also made smaller tags for my items. 1″ x 1 1/2″, half the size of the ones I use for direct sales to customers. They really look better on most items for galleries. I can’t use my information anyway, so I don’t need as much room.
Tina Holden’s just posted this tutorial on how to make bezels with polymer clay. Take a look at these easy to understand instructions on her blog, Polymer Clay Bytes
I was loading my baking pan the other day and thought that there may be some fairly new clayers out there that might be helped by seeing how I bake my clay. The following video involves a standard oven and a toaster oven. I have never baked my clay in a convection oven, but I know many clayers do. If you want information about convection ovens, you’ll have to do a search. Don’t worry there is lots of information out there.
In the film I mention several colors of clay that tend to burn and what I do to prevent that happening. I failed to mention translucent clay, so mentally add that to the list while you are watching.
Just to remind you, don’t forget to use your timer, you do not, seriously do not, want to burn the clay. Trust me, I know from experience. Don’t forget to use a tile, it helps to distribute the heat.
Still having fun after all these years! I’m still amazed that there are so many people that don’t know anything about polymer clay. Have never even heard of it. But I guess there are hundreds of things I know nothing about. Okay thousands……Millions? But polymer clay is such apart of my life and has been for the last 15 years, with it the main focus for at least 10, that it’s hard to imagine that there are people that haven’t heard of it.
Even when I wasn’t “into” pc, I had tried my hand at it. In the ’80 I made fruit ring candle holders. I know I have them somewhere and I’m going to look for them and see if they are anything like I remember them.
Anyway, I’m always so happy to hear from people who have found my blog and say they want to find out more about pc. The more interest we have the more related product there will be. Besides, it’s such a satisfying art form. Anyone can do just about anything with pc. So if you’re new to pc, go get yourself a few ounces and just play. Find a class near you or online. Do a search online and you’ll find hundreds of free tutorials for you to try.
The bracelet in the photo is a Skinner blend, roller into a plug flatten out and cut into two equal parts and formed into a cane. I cut this cane into four equal part to form the final cane (shown below). I covered a bracelet with a thin layer of black clay, then cut and place slices of the finished cane on top of the black, covering the whole bracelet.
Skinner Blend Cane
Okay, cheerleading over. Go forth and have fun! Christmas is coming, gifts to be made. But if you want, I have bracelets for sale on my Etsy site. Just in case you run out of time…….
I’ve been really busy making bracelets and pins like this one. enjoying myself. My mother has been here this week and I’ve enjoyed spending time with her. Worked on more black and white bracelets and pins. Just having a good time. The weather has turned and it’s cool today. What a relief.
I spent part of an evening last week searching out and emailing galleries that are close by. I emailed three and have an appointment to visit one with my work. Another road trip, that’s good news. I just wanted you to know that I am actually doing what I suggested you do in my post Selling Your Polymer Clay Artwork. I need to sell my artwork, so I’m taking my own advice. I’ll let you know how it turns out.
Have you contacted any galleries or shops? Tell me about it in the comment section so others can here how you have succeeded. they’re out there just waiting for your work!
Oh, and I sold two bracelets last night during our downtown artwalk. Sold them right off my wrist. That felt good for sure.
Another girl bracelet going to AliceStroppel.etsy.com. I’ve been spending too much time away from my clay table. But it’s all good. Coming up . . . . . birthdays and visits and kids coming home, my mother coming to visit. Nothing could be sweeter.
I’m working on my tutorial for the profile face cane, but it takes quiet and large blocks of time. I haven’t had much of either lately, but I’m not complaining. Okay, one complaint! I have all these other ideas in my head and I haven’t finished with what I’ve already started. Anyone else other there like me? Come on I know you’re there.
New listing in my Etsy Shop. Got my head down and working hard on several projects.
I love working with Skinner blends. If you are new to PC and think you might want to make canes, learn how to make a skinner blend. Unlimited things are waiting for you and hours of fun and imagination wanderings.
A funny thing happened. I was so happy that the shop I stopped in while I was in Tampa wanted to buy some of my pieces. So happy I shared it with you. Now I have to tell you that I emailed the shop and haven’t heard a word since.
So all of these items are now listed in my Etsy Shop with more to come. Life is sweet.
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