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Polymer Clay Class Prep -Cane Mapping

I”ve been creating several pieces for samples and demos for my cane mapping workshop with the Florida Gulf Coast Polymer Clay Guild in June.

This is a follow up class to the cane workshop with FGCPCG several months ago. In that class, using Premo clay donated by Polyform, we created several canes and the group went away with homework to make lots more.

In this workshop, we will be using those canes to create pictures to frame.

These are from royalty free clipart. They are cane mapped and flat except the parrot which is more of a 3D effect.

I always look forward to spending the day with this guild, they are so much fun.

Here are a few finished and framed pieces

Blowing in the Wind – A Polymer Clay Painting – How Photos Can Help with Corrections

I been having fun with these polymer painted faces. This one I stopped working on late one night. I was happy with it and took a picture before stopping for the night. I had already cured it in the oven and attached it to a peace of heavy water color paper. the bits of color in the background are bits of pc not watercolor.

The first photo shows this first edition. When I saw it the next morning, I laughed because I could see right away that she was missing the top of her head. Not enough height to her hair. I was tired the night before and didn’t want to make any more hair I guess. Another reason why stepping away from a project and coming back to it or even taking a photo of it is very helpful.

I often see things in photos of a piece that I just couldn’t see when I was working on it up close. It helps to step back from the work, but sometimes taking a photo is even better.

The second photo is where I noticed that her shirt was just wrong, not enough shoulder. I guess I was too focused on the hair to notice the shirt first time around.

This is also another vote for sketching before hand, I did sketch the face, but didn’t know I wanted the shirt until I was in the middle of it all. So I work both ways, planning and as I go.

The third photo is my final try. Quite a difference I think!

I figure I’m a work in progress more than than work. As always, thanks for stopping by.

Abstract Faces

I’ve been working on a series of abstract faces using just polymer clay. It’s fun and kind of exciting to be venturing out into a different but same direction.

Another face, this time using polymer as if it were very thick paint.

3Doodler Meets Polymer Clay

I’ve been experimenting with my newest Kickstarter find, the 3Doodler. When I first backed this project way back in the middle of 2013 I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. I had dreams of ways to incorporate the instant plastic with my polymer clay designs. The 3Doodler is now in the MoMA store. Very cool!

BTW, see the blue hair made from the cane in the tutorial I just made in my last post using the Czextruder. I’ve used the same cane only in purple on the pin below.

I had to wait until December to get my 3Doodler. I played around with it a bit and realize that I would have to spend a little time trying to master it. I’m still trying, but I think there is some interesting applications here. I’ve found that I am able to apply it to the raw polymer and then bake it as long as I support the 3Doodler plastic with Polyfill.

This pin combines the 3Doodle squiggles and my Stroppel Cane. (see video on the right hand side of this page)

It is surprisingly durable, hard to break, you have to cut it with scissors. Until I get a better control over the pen I’ll be happy with how it adds fun to the pieces I usually make.

Interesting don’t you think? You see here my first attempt at control, hehe. I know, get to work Alice.

Czextruder Mini Review and Tutorial

I have been using the Czextruder from Lucy Clay for several months now and promised to give a quick review. I’ve been making a few different canes with a couple of the disk and really enjoy using this quirky little canes in my cane mapping. So I thought I’d combine the review with a short tutorial.

You can see this cane used on the wispy ends of the tail on this fish and across the middle.

If you’ll notice, I don’t care if the curvy parts are lined up perfectly, actually, I want the cane to go this way and that, more organic.

I find the extruder to be very well constructed and it as a large loading tube which I like. It holds more clay than other extruders I’ve used. It’s easy to clean.

The part I find difficult is the loading. The plug is not attached to the plunger and that makes it harder to reinsert, but worth it in the end.

I like that the disks from other extruders and disk makers will fit this extruder. I believe Cynthia Tinapple’s disks fit as well.

Over all I find it an asset to my polymer clay tool box.

You can order yours from Lucy Clay or if you live in the United States Kimberly Idalski represents the company here.

Cat Cane Mapping

I’ve made so many fish with my cane mapping technique that I decided that it was time to do another cat. The first one I made into a bracelet. This one is in a frame and ready to be sent to the fun folks at the Orlando Area Polymer Clay Guild to be auctioned off at Orlando Clay Fandango.

I’m hoping that this picture is clear. I’ve been holding off posting anything much because I’m in the middle of cataract surgery, one eye down and one to go. It it truly a miracle I think. I was having so much trouble seeing and can’t wait for the end results. But right now things are a bit blurry.

But as soon as my new lens at set, watch out. Who knows what I’ll be able to see now. hehe.

Work in Progress – Flowers

I’m working on another large flower polymer clay cane mapped painting. 21″ x 27″! Having fun as always.

Stroppel #2 and Polymer Clay Cane Mapped Fish

Yesterday a friend of mine who is fish crazy, in a good way, asked me a couple of questions about my fish and if I had any for sale. Not for her, but for something else. The truth is I really don’t. the ones I have I use as demos in my cane mapping class, I have hanging on my walls or have given away.

I started this fish with just part of the tail when my friend Chrissie Baker was here in my studio. I wanted to show her how I did my big wall pieces.

So when I came to the studio this morning and was beginning to clean up my work table after my Stroppel Cane #2 video. I actually started cleaning the day before but got side tracked making hearts plant stakes out of the Stroppel #2’s that may for the film. Can’t throw them away of course…see.

Sorry, back to the fish. before I put all my canes away, I decided to use some of them to finish the fish. What fun it was, really lost myself in it. But what I wanted to show you was how thin these designs are and how easy they are to frame. So now I can say I have one for sale at least.

Oh and you can see how I used some more of my Stroppel cane #2 across the back of the fish. (first photo)

I call this technique cane mapping and it’s how I’ve done my large wall piece and this table.

If you are near Palmetto, I’m teaching a one day cane mapping workshop on June 7th. You must have lots of pre-made canes to bring with you. We won’t have time in class to make many if any. Skinner blends work best for me. Message me on Facebook, or leave a comment here.

Stroppel Cane #2 – another way to use your polymer clay scraps

Here’s a short video showing you how I make a Stroppel Cane #2. Have Fun!!! Rescue those scraps!!!

I’m excited once again to share something I just discovered. Another way to use your polymer clay scraps. So Cool! I’m calling it Stroppel cane #2. Or Stroppel #2.

It’s fun and easy just like the first one, which you can watch by clicking on the video to your right.

You can make this cane tiny like the one in the picture above or large enough for a bracelet.

I shared my discovery with the Florida Gulf Coast Polymer Clay Guild and these slices are from Sydney Carter’s first Stroppel #2. Love it.

Note: I’m having a bit of trouble keeping up with technology so I can’t get the video to embed here. so just click on the picture of my girls below and they will take you to my new Youtube channel. And that’s another story. Have fun!

Teaching at Florida Gulf Coast Polymer Clay Guild

I just finished making goody bags of Premo for my cane workshop on Saturday and wanted to give a big shout out and thank you to Polyform and Iris Weiss for providing the clay.

I’m teaching a cane workshop with Florida Gulf Coast Polymer Clay Guild. I’m going to share my method of stocking my cane draws with canes of different colors and sizes. It’s all about having a variety of canes and cane components ready and waiting for your next project. It certainly makes me more productive.

Polyform is always so generous and provides clay for my workshops and I can’t tell you how nice it is to have it to share with my students. Thank you again Iris and Polyform.

There is still space available in this cane class on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014 in Palmetto. Leave a comment here if you’re interested. Or send me a message on Facebook.

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Polymer Clay Class Prep -Cane Mapping

Blowing in the Wind – A Polymer Clay Painting – How Photos Can Help with Corrections

Abstract Faces

3Doodler Meets Polymer Clay

Czextruder Mini Review and Tutorial

Cat Cane Mapping

Work in Progress – Flowers

Stroppel #2 and Polymer Clay Cane Mapped Fish

Stroppel Cane #2 – another way to use your polymer clay scraps

Teaching at Florida Gulf Coast Polymer Clay Guild

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