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.
If you know me at all, you know I love to keep my canes organized. Well I found this photo storage box on sale and stood there for a long time trying to figure out just how I could use it for my canes.
Well it’s better than that. It makes a perfect portable project container. I used it for the first time last Tuesday for my beginners class, placing each step of each project in separate boxes. It made the presentation so much easier.
Yesterday I loaded it up with the steps and components for my Profile Face Cane class that I’m teaching tomorrow in Leesburg for the Orlando Area Polymer Clay Guild. Everything is laid out and in proper order. I can’t believe myself! Kind of scary I guess.
I still use the plastic drawers that I’ve featured in my video “How to Store Polymer Clay Canes“, I’ve just added another wonderful way to carry my canes with me.
Here is another thing I found on sale about 3 months ago and really couldn’t live without now. In fact, they were on sale again when I bought the photo boxes and I bought another set.
The little party favor boxes are perfect for holding the smallest of my smallest canes. It keeps them from getting lost and sticking to all the other canes. I use them for other things too.
It’s been a busy week but I was so glad to spend the day on Wednesday with a friend from high school, Nancy Bryant. She and I came across each other on Facebook and when she knew she was coming home for a few days, we met for lunch. She ‘s an artist and she enjoyed spending time in my studio and I enjoyed seeing some of her work when we finished up the day at her mother’s house.
I do want to thank her for taking so many of my pieces home with her. I always makes me feel wonderful when friends like what you create.
To all who are taking my class tomorrow, get ready, we’re going to have a great time.
My friend Sherry McKinney and I set out on a road trip Saturday to join the members of the Florida Gulfcoast Polymer Clay Guild in Palmetto, FL. We both had a great time and enjoyed meeting everyone. The kids had a fabulous afternoon and I’ll bet some of those kids will be begging their parents for pc supplies.
The Manatee Public Library-Palmetto Branch at 923 6th Street West in Palmetto, FL is the meeting place for the FGPCG. They have been meeting in the large room with tables, chairs and a kitchen all for free. For 3 years the guild has enjoyed these arrangements and wanted to give back the to library and the community.
The library’s Assistant Branch Manager, Debbie Reagan was please with the response and hoped to be able to do it again. She’s sure the interest is there, over 20 children were on the waiting list.
Sydney Carter, Marcia Kaszuba and Rachel Kindon all took a few minutes to do short demos to introduce pc to the kids. Several members manned the ovens that baked all those wonderful creations from those inspired young artists. I met Sydney and Rachel Kindon at Orlando Clay Fandango this year and it was great to see them again.
Sydney Carter
Sydney Carter showed the children a pen covered with clay as an example of what they could make with polymer clay that very afternoon.
It you live in the area, you might want to give FGPCG a visit and join in the fun. Next month Sydney will demonstrate Bobbin Beads.
My friend Laquita Carter came to visit yesterday and we had another fun clay day.
I had an old small face pin sitting on the table and Laquita said she wished I had some of those for sale on my Etsy site. She wanted to buy that one, but I said, “why not make one”. So that’s what we did.
We both used the same face and came up with completely different characters. Mine is the one shown here and I know you will find this hard to believe, but yet another clay day went by and I didn’t take a picture of us, what we worked on or anything. As soon as Laquita left, I did the slap up side of my head move and almost ran down the road to get her back.
I’m going to email her and ask her to send a picture. The most important thing was that we had a great day and enjoyed and learned from each other.
She even brought me some of two really cool canes she made and some color recipes with chips. That was great, thanks Laquita
I have to put the pin back on this girl and then she’ll go in my Etsy shop. I think I’m gonna make some more. This one is 1 1/2″X 1 1/2″. Little but really catches your eye.
I had a great time in Tampa this weekend. Visited with my youngest son Jason, went to a gallery exhibit on Franklin Street, went to the new Tampa Art Museum and sat in the new Curtis Hixon park listening to the concert in the park. My husband and I spent several New Years eves in the old Curtis Hixon convention center and now it’s gone, they’ve torn the old building down and there sits the Museum and the park.
There is a playground for the kids, water features, and grass covered tiers for families to bring their tables, chairs, food and refreshments. It all overlooks the Hillsborough River and is truly lovely.
The next morning we went to Hyde Park Village to watch the sidewalk chalk artists create their masterpieces. After that , I said goodbye and was off to The Creative Native Gallery. Dogs to adopt, fabulous artwork and friends to share it all with. What could be better? Nancy Welch and her sister Nita Baker from Orlando Clay Fangango came over to say hello and I was so happy to see them. Thanks you guys for coming all that way.
Blow Fish - Pam Moody
A friend of mine is having a birthday next month and I bought her a blow fish made by The Creative Native gallery owner Pam Moody, I love it! A great weekend full of art and family and friends, the best.
This weekend, in Sebring, FL, a whole lot of fun will be had at Art’s Speakeasy. Highlands Art League is holding this event to benefit the array of activities and events that they present each year. If you’re looking for something fun to do this weekend and at the same time help support the arts, Sebring is the place to go. The art and prizes that will be auctioned will amaze you!
When I was cleaning up the other day, I came across this pin I made at the same time I made the bracelet in my post titled, Polymer Clay – Talk About Using It All!! It was in my “to be baked pile”. So today while I was baking a couple of other things, I finished it up. It’s sort of outer spacey looking.
It’s an easy quick way to use something that might have gone into the scrap pile and turn it into something fun to wear instead.
I’ve saved a few more of the end pieces from canes for other projects not thought of yet. That’s what is no longer on my clay table, and I’m looking forward to another interesting afternoon with faces and other bits of clay.
Here’s the thing, Laquita Carter is a online friend of mine. She’s order many things from me, bracelets, card holders and my Profile Face Cane tutorial. She came to visit with me yesterday and we made face canes. We talked about my blog, we clayed, we talked about the classes she teaches, we clayed, we talked about clay, we clayed, we both finished a profile face cane. Then she went home. I forgot to take a picture of her, of her work, of us together, I forgot to take any pictures at all for my blog.
What?
So this morning, I want to blog about what a great time we had, but all I have is this picture of my new face cane that I took this morning.
Oh well, that won’t happen again. I was just having too much fun and had taken off my blogger hat. So I’ll just say, I had a great time yesterday, thanks Laquita for making the trip and I’ll be posting about a full face class in a day or two.
Now, I need to make some bracelets for a gallery, I’ve received an order of bracelet blanks, I have a new cane and there is no excuse. I’m changing chairs right now, from computer desk to clay table.
Okay guys, here’s a peek at what’s on my work table. A new face cane with a new look. I don’t want to show you everything I’ve done yet because I’m still working out colors. I think it looks kind of painterly don’t you?
That’s it for today and I’m going to try to stay away from the net so I can get those colors mixed.
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.
There are many ways to take pictures of your Polymer Clay artwork and I’m sure you have figured out how to get the best picture. Staging is popular now, making the item shine in an environment. I’m all for it and think it really show items to the best advantage.
But for an easy professional looking photo, here’s a quick way to get started. I’m giving you are free pdf of a graduated background. The background goes from white at the bottom to black at the top. It doesn’t use that much ink, and can be well worth the cost of printing it. It is only 8 1/2″ x 11″ and will only work for small items.
I printed mine on card stock and have used it over and over again. Sometimes I use Photoshop to create a background like this after I have cut the item out. But sometimes, to save time, I use my gradient sheet.
If your printer won’t print on card stock, then print it on regular paper. Tape another sheet behind it when you are taking pictures to prevent the light shining though.
Down load the pdf gradient background now. Save a copy to your computer or print right away. Before you print, make sure the heads on your printer are clean, you have enough ink, and you might want to choose black ink in your printer settings.
I take my pictures on my porch in the brightest part of the day. You could set a small table outside in the shadow of your house. The key is for it to be a bright sunny day, but your item is in the shade so that there are not shadows yet plenty of light.
Tape the top (black part) of the background to the wall of your house or a box and the other end to the table. It just needs a slope so that the background goes up behind the item.
Place you item on the background, turn off you flash and take your picture. If you have a photo editing program of any kind on your computer, download your photo into it, make any adjustments and crop it.
Hope it helps those of you who have been wondering how to get started. You can always do something different as you become more experienced.
Here is another thing I found on sale about 3 months ago and really couldn’t live without now. In fact, they were on sale again when I bought the photo boxes and I bought another set.
Comments