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.
I have so many things that I have made over the years. This is one of my favorite pieces. I made this after taking Kathleen Dustin’s class. At the time I was busy at work and really didn’t continue to make many other things in this style. I love to make canes, but I think now that I have more time, I need to start experimenting again.
I drew that face on my computer in a paint program and applied it to the surface. I continued with what I learned with Kathleen. It you ever have the opportunity to take a class from Kathleen, do it, you will learn so much.,
What I might never be able to do is to sand it as much as it needs. Does anyone know if I can hire that done????
A couple of the canes that I used, actually came from a cane swap I did with I first started with PC. I love that about this kind of work. You can incorporate canes and each one can have a memory or special meaning. Kind of a scrap book of work that you and friends have done.
Most of us would like to make some money from our work, if for no other reason than to support our habit. But we can’t forget the pure enjoyment that we get from making that special piece that we won’t sell no matter what. This dish is one of those pieces for me.
I was going to show you some more flamingo things I’ve done, but my camera’s battery was low. I had already taken pictures of these girls so I thought I would share.
I have sold quite a few Salt and Pepper shakers over the years and given away more. I have several sets myself and laugh when I look at first ones I made.
I love to wear bracelets. But I don’t wear other jewelry because I’m allergic to most metals. I love to surround myself with things that are beautiful, that make me laugh or are nostalgic. My work certainly falls into at least one of those categories.
I wanted to make things that I could either look at or use in my every day life. Sculpture, art dolls, salt and pepper shakers, vases, bowls, containers of all kinds. I’m lucky to have a kitchen in my studio and an oven that is only for polymer clay. I am limited to the size of my items only by the size of my oven.
My question is, do you use your favorite canes and cover something that you use everyday? Or are you a jewelry person only? If you have only done jewelry, what would make you consider covering something else with your favorite canes?
And if you’re new here, I have a couple of videos you might like to watch. Check out the Video link on the left hand side of the page or at the very top next to the links page.
I have been making flamingo salt and pepper shakers, business card cases, wine stoppers and I don’t know what else for a couple of years now. I love flamingos, they make me laugh. And maybe I relate to Alice in wonderland and her flamingo croquet stick. Poor Flamingo.
Flamingos continue to be a popular item with all kinds of people, tourist, natives (of FL.) collectors, artists… artists love to paint, sculpt and even cane them. Plus I don’t think there is an age range for people who like the pink wonder.
Flamingos really are a beautiful bird, but they still make me laugh. They’re Florida’s Christmas equivalent of the northern snowman. We put a santa hat on him and there you go! I think I’ve even seen them trying to take over for the reindeer that pull Santa’s sleigh.
Are you like Arlene Harrison? Do you have business card cases that you purchased and they’re still in the box they came in. Okay, maybe you opened the box.
(Of course you did, what was I thinking, we are internet ordering specialist aren’t we? When the boxes come, we open before the mailman can get out of the driveway.)
But maybe you just didn’t exactly know how to apply the polymer clay to the case. So you thought about them for awhile. Then you thought about them some more. Then you forgot about them.
Then one day you came across them in the bottom of the drawer or the back of the closet. How did they get there? You promise yourself you are going to do something with them soon. Hey, if they were going to make great Christmas presents last year, well, they still will this year right? You have plenty of time, it’s only July.
You put them on top of everything else in the drawer. If they’re on top, you’ll be sure to see them now and you’ll get around to figuring them out soon.
Yesterday I made a face cane in profile. I’ve made canes like these before and made several vases, postcards, canisters, and oh I don’t know what else. I either gave them away, donated them or sold them. And I didn’t take pictures of them. I regret not taking picture of things in the beginning. If only just to see how far I’ve come.
Anyway, I’m play around with the profile here. Same cane different hair styles. I have some other ideas that I’m going to work on today.
If you haven’t already, be sure and check out the Fish Mosaic contest in the last post.
It’s hot, it’s summer, and since I’ve had such positive feed back from my new Fish Mosaic video, I decided that maybe we should have some summer fun.
I’m challenging my newsletter members to create a fish mosaic of their own. I’m giving away the following perfume pen to the winner of the contest. To use the pen, you simply hold the wick in your favorite perfume for about a minute. Screw on the top and it’s ready to go with you anywhere, tucked into your purse. I love mine, it’s even small enough to stick in your pocket.
The winner’s fish will be posted here in August with a link to their blog, website, Etsy store, and/or flicker account.
If you are already a member of my newsletter list, your should have already received instructions for entering the contest in the July issue.
If you aren’t a member yet and want to join in the fun, simply sign up for my free newsletter on the upper right hand side of this page, view the video and follow the instructions that will be sent to you in the July newsletter. It’s free, and it’s easy.
After Arlene Harrison signed up for my newsletter and my video showing how I cover business card cases, she emailed me saying that she had some cases that she just hadn’t gotten around to doing.
Yesterday she emailed me the picture above of the cases she finished after watching my video. I don’t claim to have influenced her polymer clay work, but if I helped with anything, then that’s a good thing.
Arlene has been a featured artist on the website of Polymer Clay Artists Guild of Etsy.
She “found” PC about Three years ago. Well…I think “you’ve come a long way lady” in only three years.
The fish mosaic tutorial is my newest video and available through my newsletter sign up on the upper right hand corner of the page.
Simply add you name and email address and you’ll have access to 20 minutes of instruction on how to create your own mosaic. Let me know how you liked it. Was it helpful to you? What else would you like to learn to do?
Leave your comment here on this post and we can talk.
Eugena from Eugena’s Creations produces a video once a month that features the work of PCAOE’s members that she highlights on The Polymer Clay Chameleon. I was delighted when my Fantasy Fish Pin was featured and is now in the video below along with all the other wonderful pieces from other Etsy polymer clay artists.
Many thanks to Eugena and the work and time involved.
I finished this fish mosaic as part of a video. He wraps around the vase, it’s difficult to take a really good picture. So I’ve taken several.
Fish Vase Side Front
The video isn’t quite finished but it will be soon. The rest of the day will be spent with friends and swimming in the lake. What else to do on a hot 4th of July?
Fish Vase Mosaic Side and Back
This picture shows part of the tail on the front and part of the head as seen from the back side. That’s what’s so cool about these mosaics made this way. They are the same on the back as on the front.
Lots of ideas running around in my head. Not enough hours in the day. Isn’t life grand?
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