Polymer Clay Canes for Beginners 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.
Online Workshops with Alice Stroppel
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I love black and white. I haven’t made any black and white bracelets for sale in awhile and decided I needed to take a minute and create some.
 These are for the Pen and Ink class I’m teaching at the Creative Journey Studios in Buford, GA on the 22nd of this month. I’ll user these to show how I draw my faces directly onto the cured polymer clay.
On the 21st I’m teaching my profile face cane. So I’ve been busy with blending face clay too. Oh and while I was making black and white scraps, I added some colorful scraps and made several Stroppel Canes that have magically turned into pins for the pin exchange during Fandango next month. Still have a bunch to go…but I’ll get there.
I’m just smiling and clayin’…..
 Bracelets by Randee M Ketzel - Owner Alice Stroppel Look what came in the mail today!!!!! These beautiful crazy wonderful bracelet from Randee M. Ketzel and they are actually mine now!
Seriously, where else but in the polymer clay community would you find such generosity? Randee M. Ketzel better known as RMKDesign was one of the first to try the Stroppel cane. Her efforts were nothing short of extremely cool!!!!
I commented on the photos on her Flickr site and she said this to me, “Alice, I love this!! So fun to do–and finally I’m not feeling guilty about all my failed canes anymore–you’ve given them purpose. If I can ever return the favor, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
Weeeelllll I said, “uhmmmmm let’s see…..I should ask for everyone’s first born creation from their first SC….yeah that’s it. Just think what a collection I could have, man……. the vision. lol”
She asked for my address and I said, “oh no I couldn’t” as I sent it to her. And today, in the mail, two babies came to live at my house.
They are beautiful and funky and very cool. They are some of the very first pieces made after I posted my video. Thank you Randee, I’ll treasure these forever. Plus…..I’ll wear the heck out of them along with telling the story. I always say the story is as important as the rest.
Randee, I can’t tell you how happy these made me. Thank you again.
This might be a long post…just so you know….
Thank you, thank you, and thank you some more. All of you who left a comment, joined my newsletter list, emailed me, ordered one of my videos from my Etsy shop, left a comment on Polymer Clay Daily or just stopped by to take a look at the Stroppel Cane.
I was truly blown away by the amount of traffic that my funny little blog generated in just a few days. I owe a great deal to Cynthia Tinapple at Polymer Clay Daily and to my blog and newsletter followers.
I knew I liked my new cane, but really didn’t realize just how much everyone else was going to like it. I’m thrilled to be able to share it with everyone. When I first started with polymer clay, I learned so much from the generous people on the internet and it was all free. Now, just to keep up with all the fees out there one has to make a little money here and there, but I will always give away as much as I can, kind of a play it forward kind of thing. So feel free to share the Stroppel cane with anyone you think would enjoy it.
Again, it makes a big difference to know that there are people out there reading, watching and interested. The comments that you all left really meant so much to me. Thank you all.
Now on to other things. This picture is of what I did yesterday between answering all the wonderful correspondence. These are bracelet blanks covered with clay and baked. I call them canvases because they are ready for the next step of ink, markers and TLC.
I have several reasons why I needed to make these blanks.
1. I need more stock in my Etsy shop
2. I made a trade agreement with two very famous delightful pc artists
3. I’m teaching a class on the 15th and need samples to show
I cover the blanks with a layer of black, then sections of white and in between I place black and white canes.
 Laurie Prophater The first trade I made was with Laurie Prophater and I already have the bracelet and have been enjoying it so much. It is simply gorgeous, I am thrilled. Laurie’s blog is that fabulous one we all love to visit Ornamental Elements. Here’s more good news, you can own one of these fabuloso Faux Ivory Bangle Bracelet bracelets for yourself Just visit Laurie’s Etsy site.
 Laurie Prophater Each side is different and so lovely, plus she makes the accent pieces herself. I need to hurry up and get her piece finished. I have a couple started and will probably give her a choice like she so graciously did for me.
I’ll let you in on a big secret. Laurie’s bracelet has given me so many ideas to try using my style and she has given me the okay to use the basic idea. But if you know me, you know my crazy mind will take me places no one else has been before. lol. I already have one (actually two) made, but am not ready to show you yet, when have I had time anyway? The past few days have been very busy and so much fun. And I’m all about the fun!
The bracelet on top is more colorful and I’ve added some canes for hats and accent pieces. The bracelets on the bottom uses more of the white background giving the faces a kind of gothic feel I think. Next group, I’ll do just black and white and red lips, maybe some color in the eyes, like some of the first bracelets I did when I developed my pen and ink technique.
 Pen and Ink Class I’m teaching a class on the 15th of the month in Mount Dora, FL at the Mount Dora Center for the Arts. Come on and join me, you’ll love this quaint southern town that loves the arts.
Here’s a link to the information and the phone number for registration is 352-383-0880.
Back to drawing faces. Thanks again for everything, you guys are the best.
 Carole, Ellyn, Charlene, Sydney, Tyra, Marty, Terri, Vicky, Pat, Karen It was a hot day in Central Florida, but we had enough fun to make up for it. This was a great group of woman who created some fabulous work. I’m always inspired by the diversity of the pieces. Even though we all start at the same place we end up with such different creations, it’s a joy to witness.
Most of these shape were created with Barbara McGuire’s Antique Door Plate stamps. You can purchase them from me, just leave a comment on this post if you’re interested.
Here are the works of art in the order of the stairs ….. pendants first.
 Carole Carole wanted a blue surround and made quick work of putting together blue canes for her soulful girl. Love her eyes.
 Ellyn Ellyn and I are on the same wave length, I love mermaids and this one is going to be such fun to wear.
 Charlene Charlene freehanded this cool ribbon cat and step away from the rest of the group with a gold surround for her face. Charlene is President of the Orlando Area Polymer Clay Guild that sponsors the Fandango retreat. You should think about attending next year.
 Sydney Okay, so Sydney just kept adding until hers is now too big to wear and is going to grace the front of a journal. A mixture of canes and ink and markers, can you tell which is which? Can’t wait to see the finished piece. Sydney is involved in the Florida Gulf coast Polymer Clay Guild, if you live in that area you should check it out.
 Tyra Tyra created her own drawing of this interesting mythical character and we were all impressed. Lots of wonderful detail.
 Marty Marty kept saying she couldn’t draw and didn’t like her pendant at first, but by the end of the class she walked out with it around her neck. I think she was mistaken about the drawing part.
Marty is owner of Beads, F.O.B., Inc. in Sarasota. If you’re over that way stop in and tell her and Karen I said hi.
I don’t have a pendant picture for Terri. Terri, if you have a picture send it to me….. please.
 Vicky Vicky created these fabulous faces on her own shapes. I just love the colors and her imagination. Vicky has a website with more of her beautiful work displayed.
 Pat Pat outlined her face in red, a great accent against the black. Fun! Love those lips.
 Karen Now Karen’s face is right up my alley too. It’s strange and funky, and yes very cool, I love that.
 Terri Terri created this sweet girl and used her imagination to cover a mistake in coloring. I know she’s going to love wearing this bracelet.
 Carole Carole combined the pen and ink with a hair cane to come up with this unique bracelet. There is three different faces, it’s really cool.
 Ellyn Ellyn has three faces on her bracelet as well. I love the softness of this face and the coloring of the hair. She emailed me the next day saying she wore it home and it made her smile. YES!!! that’s my goal, so mission accomplished.
Ellyn works at the Vero Beach Museum of Art, check out what they have to offer.
Not everyone finished their bracelets in class but will finished them at home I hope. Send me pictures everyone.
Thanks to Sydney for taking pictures of everyone work, I had to borrow some of hers. She also has an album she created. Take a look.
I’ve been enjoying seeing all the profile face canes that people have made using my Profile Face Cane tutorial. It’s amazing how different they all look and what each person adds to the faces to make them their own.
 Kem Eid This is a necklace made by Kem Eid. Kem was in my face cane class in Orlando. She added her face to a great necklace and is already enjoying wearing this girl and getting lots of compliments I bet.
 Donna Ingram Donna Ingram was one of my first customer. She bought the tutorial, downloaded the pdf and watched the 40 minute video. Donna added a hand and a cell phone to her girl. What a great gift for a girlfriend that never gets off the phone. It could be a pin or a magnet. Great idea Donna.
 Bonnie McIntyre Craig Bonnie already has these bracelets ready to go……lucky girlfriends at Christmas time. It looks like she’s coated these and made them sing with a bit of shine. And I think Bonnie is having a great time with these faces. Making her smile I hope.
Thanks to all who have purchased the tutorial and sent me pictures. If you are wondering if this tutorial is for you, here are some reviews from my customers that might help you make up your mind.
“Super easy to understand and great pictorials to watch and follow off your computer.”
“Fabulous tutorial. The video is awesome and very easy to follow, I am looking forward to making these. ”
“This tutorial and video are very detailed and easy to follow. The graphics in the printed instuctions are excellent. Alice your video adds visually to the printed directions beautifully. Either way you win with this tutorial. Fast and easy transaction. Thank you Alice”
“Great tutorial and great service – I would recommend this tutorial to anyone wanting to learn face caning – very detailed pdf and video. Would purchase again.”
So, are you ready to make so fabulous gifts for christmas? Only 44 day left, but more than enough time to make some fabulous faces.
 Best Friend Forever Don’t forget about covering ornaments for your girlfriends. Write a funny or meaningful phrase on the back and you’ll make em’ all smile.
It was a busy day yesterday as I uploaded item after item to my Etsy Shop. This Flame Necklace is an interesting piece with large unusual beads.
It will prove to be the same tomorrow I believe. Most of the items I’ve made in the last few months and just haven’t taken the time to do all the legwork needed to get them ready for Etsy.
 Another crazy girlfriend bracelet. She’s a single lady.
 This is one bracelet in a series of 13. I really want to make more of these interesting face canes. Maybe after Christmas.
 Bunches-of-Bangles I know, I’ve gone crazy. Okay I was already crazy, I’ve gone over the edge then, the “how many of those things are you going to make?” edge. Well I’ve made so many over the last week that I lost count. I’ve given some away, sold some and claimed some for myself.
The rest of these are going to The Creative Native Gallery in Tampa and Highlands Art League here in Sebring. I don’t think I can sell them easily in my Etsy shop, each one needs to be tried on and each one is a different unique shape. I am having a blast with these guys.
 Bangles I’ve been working on the finishing touches to ornaments going to The Creative Native Gallery in Tampa and while they were in the oven I needed to make a birthday present for a friend. I have already given her dozens of girlfriend things, vases, ornaments, salt and pepper, etc…..so I decided to make some fun bangle bracelets. Here are three and there are two more in the oven.
Ornaments are finished, packed and ready to be delivered, the weather is beautiful, dog and cat are asleep on the porch and I have another hour before I have to make dinner. All is right with the world.
Every one of the last group of “Girlfriend Galore” bracelets went to new homes last week. Two traveled all the way around the world to Cyprus and one went to a friend. I was thrilled.
 Girlfriends Galore Plus another single girl sold to a high school friend. How nice is that. When friends buy things from you when you least expect it, it’s a good feeling.
So these are several new bracelets I’ve made for the first friend who wants more. As soon as she takes what she wants, I’ll post the rest in my Etsy shop.
 I’ve been having internet problems and haven’t been able to upload a video I made. I’m posting a still photo from the video today and hope to have the video uploaded by tomorrow. Be sure to check back then.
I took several of my pieces down to Highlands Art League in Sebring, FL and am offering them for sale in The Yellow House gallery/giftshop. The house was built in 1922 by George Sebring. Volunteers spend hours restoring it and now it serves as home to artists and their work and it also houses the office for the art league.
This Friday is the 1st Friday gallery walk at the league and downtown Sebring. The Art League will have three of it’s four buildings open with activities in each one. If you are looking for something to do and are close by, aim your car for Highlands Art League and the circle in downtown Sebring
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