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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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

 

Kissing the Right Frog

     And when the princess opened the door the frog came in, and slept upon her pillow as before, till the morning broke. And the third night he did the same. But when the princess awoke on the following morning she was astonished to see, instead of the frog, a handsome prince, gazing on her with the most beautiful eyes she had ever seen and standing at the head of her bed.

     He told her that he had been enchanted by a spiteful fairy, who had changed him into a frog; and that he had been fated so to abide till some princess should take him out of the spring, and let him eat from her plate, and sleep upon her bed for three nights.

‘You,’ said the prince, ‘have broken his cruel charm, and now I have nothing to wish for but that you should go with me into my father’s kingdom, where I will marry you, and love you as long as you live.’

Brothers Grimm
The Frog Prince

My Prince - Alice Stroppel

 

With Valentines Day coming up, I couldn’t resist making a frog prince to sell at Studio 215. He’s just waiting for his princess to take him home.

There are still spaces available in Meisha Barbee’s workshop. It’s going to be so much fun, leave me a message here in the comment section if you want to secure your place and I’ll get back to you .

Workshops for 2015 at 215

 

I was pleasantly surprised on New Years day to realize that 215 is going to be lucky numbers for me… 2015… Studio 215. I’m thinking good things are going to happen. I wish us all a happy, successful and productive 2015.

Just look at my class space set up with pasta machines, glass tiles, blades and tons of Polyform tools just waiting for you to come and play and learn. Kind of “leave your baggage at home”. Bring just what you need for that workshop and maybe your favorite blade.

Classroom at Studio 215

 

Classroom at Studio 215

Here are the workshops I’ve scheduled to teach at Studio 215 in January and February.  Studio 215 – 215 North Ridgewood Dr. – Sebring, FL

The exciting news for those beginning in polymer, my Studio is fully stocked with pasta machines, glass cutting boards, blades, and all kinds of great Sculpey tools. I have all  kinds of things for you experiment with so you can decide if polymer clay is for you before you invest. Or you may just want to come and make a project or two without having to own all the equipment. I’m also reserving one night a week as open Studio night with a small fee for those of you that have no place to work at home or just want to come clay with other enthused polymer people. no need to bring tools or equipment, just bring your project. Mondays will be open studio night beginning in April.  

New! Introduction to Polymer Clay

Instructor Alice Stroppel

full day $75     

Sat. Jan. 17               9am – 4pm 

Sat. Jan 31                9am – 4pm

two evening – 3 1/2 hrs. $45 each class

Mon. & Tues.  Jan. 19  & 20           6pm-9:30pm

Mon. & Tues.  March 2 & 3            6pm-9:30pm

     In this beginner’s workshop you’ll be able to work with polymer clay without the expense of buying all the tools and equipment needed for a successful experience. You’ll learn how to condition, cane, create and cure.

I’ll teach you how to make a Skinner blend and fill you in on some of the rich history of this incredibly versatile medium.

We’ll make a few basic beads and you’ll wear your new necklace home.

 

Building an Essential Cane Inventory      

Instructor Alice Stroppel 

 one day  $75 

Sat. Jan. 24          9am – 4pm 

Sat. March 14     9am – 4pm     

    Have you put off learning to cane because you believe it’s too hard, complicated, time consuming, precise, uses too much clay _______ fill in the blank? You not alone, but I can help.

If you like my style of work, I want to assure you that my canes are easy, fun and not at all precise. I don’t make large canes and I use every little bit of clay to make some interesting accent canes to use in all sorts of projects.

I firmly believe that you will be delighted at how much more creative and productive you’ll become if you have your cane inventory waiting for you when an idea hits. If you have to stop and make each component cane before you can begin, most times you won’t even start.

This class is for all levels of expertise, the only requirement is that you know how to make a Skinner blend and that you come to class with your Skinner blends and plugs already made. I’ll provide you with instructions ahead of time.

If you are a beginner, you should begin with my Introduction to Polymer Clay workshop or class before attending this workshop. Or teach yourself the basics online with the many free tutorials available.

 

 

Meisha Barbee Mica Shift Workshop

Master Class

Instructor – Meisha Barbee 

Mica Shift with Appliqué’ Pendant

Meisha Barbee is coming to Studio 215 in Sebring, FL and will be teaching surface design. You won’t want to miss this workshop. 

In her own words, “On the first day, students will make an array of small canes in a pleasing color palette to be used in creating a finished pendant. This will include my Signature “Fractured” mica cane. 

Students will be encouraged to bring their own personality to the work by applying their unique color and design sensibility. I will provide color consultation to those students who need it. 

The second day of the class will be for constructing the pendant. I’m a firm believer that Good Design doesn’t have to be labored. I will share my simple construction and finishing techniques, so every student should go home with finished work they can be proud of.”

 No Refunds given after two weeks before class date. Balance due two weeks before  workshop begins.  

To reserve your seat, contact me at alicestroppel@gmail.com 

As a winner of the Niche Award in 2008 and finalist in 2011, Barbee has been recognized as a leader in her field. A member of the International Polymer Clay Association, as well as her local San Diego Guild,

    “I’m inspired by good design. I spend my life seeing and responding to good design all around me. It’s just something I do naturally, so I think I’m tuned in to current trends without really trying. Color and design are my passion. I respond to the color and patterns of textiles, textures in nature and architecture, the harmonious balance of interior spaces, and so on. Good design is everywhere. I also appreciate and respect good craftsmanship. It speaks to the integrity of good design, and I always try to execute my designs with that in mind.” Meisha Barbee

 

$175

 Sat. & Sun. –  Feb. 21 & 22,  2015

9am – 4:30pm

PLUS – Syndee Holt in May and Randee Ketzel in June! Maureen Carlson in 2016! Amazing amount of fun coming. Stay tune for more information on these Workshops

 

Alice Stroppel’s Studio 215

Alice Stroppel's Studio 215 2014

Alice Stroppel’s
Studio 215
215 Ridgewood Dr.
Sebring, FL 33870

What a whirlwind! One month ago I purchased this wonderful building in Historic downtown Sebring, FL. It’s two blocks from where I grew up and so special to me because it belonged to my great friend Janet King and I hung out there loads of times in recent years.

I renovated  the building inside and out. I’ve enjoyed having my studio at home and I will still be working there, but I wanted to spend more time teaching and sharing what I’ve learned about this incredible medium, polymer clay.

I will be featuring works by  two of my favorite people, watercolor artists and  Florida Watercolor Society Signature Members, Janet F. King and Alice Hansen.

I have a permanent fully stocked workshop space for 8 students and room to hold larger workshops for up to 16. Pasta Machines, tools, tiles, etc. I’ll be starting classes for both beginners and experienced polymer clayers in January. I will have everything you need to create your first pieces.

And more exciting news is that I will be hosting workshops with some of the talented polymer and multimedia artists in the country. Meisha Barbee and Laurie Prophater will be here teaching in February and Julie Eakes, master caner,  will be here hanging out with us.

Meisha was my partner and made the first collaborative pendant with my Stroppel Cane that was featured on Polymer Clay Daily. An incredibly talented artist and colorist, you won’t want to miss this workshop.

Laurie has promised me an exciting class as well. Laurie is the owner of Ornamental Elements .com  and has been featured in numerous magazines including Belle Armoire and Polymer Clay Cafe.

Two artists that inspired me in the early days of polymer are coming to Studio 215. Syndee Holt has promised to come teach a couple of workshops in May of this year. Syndee is a representative for Sculpey and has been featured in more articles and publications than I can mention here. She is the author of Polymer for the First Time.

Maureen Carlson will be here in 2016. Maureen is owner of Maureen Carlson’s Center for Creative Arts in Jordan, MN and has a long list of credits from TV to published books. Maureen has her own page on Amazon.

As you can see, I have great plans for Studio 215 and some surprises so stay tuned.

My posted hours will be Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 11:00am to 3:00pm. But that doesn’t mean I won’t be there most of the time teaching or working on my next big project.

I’ll be posting classes sometime next week but I can tell you now that I will be having open studio night every Monday from 6pm until 9:30pm, prices to be posted later. This will be a time for you to come and play and share and enjoy the company of other enthusiastic clayers.

Grand opening news to come.

Thanks so much everyone for your encouragement and kind words.

 

 

 

Black and White

Black and white stool -Alice Stroppel

I drew this woman on canvas last June with the idea that I was going to frame her, she has been patiently wanting to become something. I found this perfect wooden stool at a garage sale this week-end, painted it black and now my girl has a home. I have several other pieces I’ve been working on and will be sharing soon.

She is going to be for sale and I’ll be telling you more about that by the end of the week. I have some exciting news to share and can’t wait for it to happen. See you a a day or two or three.

Alice and the Caterpillar

*********************

‘One side will make you grow taller, and the other side will make you grow shorter.’

‘One side of what? The other side of what?’ thought Alice to herself.

‘Of the mushroom,’ said the Caterpillar, just as if she had asked it aloud; and in another moment it was out of sight.

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, by Lewis Carroll

 

caterpillar2w

I’ve finally had time to working a bit more on my Alice in Wonderland tea set and I’ve added the caterpillar with his hookah. There are so many more characters I want to add to the set so I need to get busy. Alice in Wonderland Caterpillar


The reason I’ve been too busy to work on Alice and her friends is that I took a trip to SanDiego to attend Sandy Camp (a well established polymer clay retreat) and to visit my friend Meisha Barbee. What fun I had and what a great group of clayers there are in California. More about that in my next post.

Character for this side?… maybe the Dormouse and the rabbit that was at the tea party.

caterpillar3w

 

Sandy Camp and a New Scrap Technique

Portrait Alice Stroppel

I have a lot to do this week. I’m very excited to tell you that I am going to Sandy Camp in California next month. I’m going to be doing a demo. Thanks so much to the San Diego Polymer Clay guild and Nancy Ulrich for letting me join everyone this year.

I’m very excited to get to spend some time with my buddy Meisha Barbee. After all she’s kind of responsible for me deciding that the Stroppel Cane was worth sharing. Remember our collaboration featured on Polymer Clay Daily? Fun!

I’m spending some time making girlfriend bracelets to take along with me plus some other goodies.

But in-between I’m using scrap to create some fun pieces. Jainnie Jenkins named them Scappy girls. Love that, thanks Jainne.

Portrait Alice Stroppel polymer clay

 

The hair and clothes are mostly from scraps. I textured them, cured them, then stained the whole piece. Mounted it on mat board and then framed them.

So many ideas too little time.

I have a big silver project I’m working on too this month and it doesn’t even include this pile of silver I brought home after a thrift shop adventure that put me into overload. *g*.

silver

Wish me luck!

If you’re going to be at Sandy Camp, see you there.

Update – Polymer and Silver Upcycling at it’s Shiniest

silver pitcher - Alice Stroppel

 

 

 

I wanted to see what would happen when I cleaned the pitcher with silver polish. I really didn’t think there would be a problem. After all polymer is plastic and pretty sturdy.

 

Silver Pitcher - Alice Stroppel

It worked perfectly. The only thing I needed to do was use an old toothbrush to get the polish off the edge of the polymer. But hey, there was 50% less silver to polish! Fist pump.

silver pitcher - Alice Stroppel

The next thing I needed to address was the silver plate coming off the bottom. Since this is for me, I could have left it and no one would have ever noticed, but I believe you should finish every piece to the best of your ability. Just think about all the people that might see it someday. (yes I mean after I’m dead)

silver pitcher - Alice Stroppel

Plus the bottom was peeling pretty badly and I’m afraid it would have continued to peel. So I decided to add a border and cover the bottom.

silver pitcher - Alice Stroppel

I really didn’t like this, too busy, so I ended up with this extruded purple band.

silverpitcheredge3wsilver pitcher - Alice Stroppel

But I never like to waste anything so on to the bottom the first try went. Still busy, but not seen but by a few. (me)

The plus is that it has sealed the bottom and will keep it from continuing to peel.

silver pitcher - Alice Stroppel

So now I can put my flowers back in it and enjoy. But first I need to sign it, you know, so all those people who will see it some day will wondered who the heck was Alice Stroppel. hehehe.

silver pitcher - Alice Stroppel

Polymer and Silver Upcycling at it’s Shiniest

silver polymer clay pitcher

I’ve been away on retreat and experimented with several things while I was away. I’ll post more about that as I finish up another project I’m working on, I’m excited about it.

Before I left on my retreat I picked up this silver plated pitcher at a thrift store. The inside has lost some of it’s finish but I think it could be polished up and still used. However, I already have a silver pitcher along with several other so I’m dedicating this one to flowers.

I covered parts of it with polymer clay leaving quite a bit of silver showing. I really like it and will be looking for more silver to pair with polymer.
Pitcher-flowers2w

A couple of years ago my husband asked me what I wanted for my birthday. I couldn’t think of a thing, then an idea came to me. I told him I would love flowers at least once a month and they didn’t have to be expensive.

pitcherwhite3w

So now at least once a month, sometimes more, I have a pretty bouquet of flowers to brighten my day. He doesn’t ever have to worry about a birthday present again. I feel loved and special.  Win – Win!

Pitcherwhite2w

Now a I have a dedicated vase just for my special flowers.

I can’t decide if I want to add more clay, I love the way the silver shines through.  I decided to give it a day or two of looking at it from every angle and then make up my mind.

pitcherwhite1w

Can wait until you can see what I’m working on now…always fun.