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 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.
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.
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
Way over a year ago, Suzanne Ivester and I met for the first time at Fandango, the Orlando Area Polymer Clay Guild’s yearly retreat. I had an idea for an online polymer clay magazine and Suzanne has excellent writing and editing skills. A plan was created and we began gathering artists for our first issue titled Polymer Portfolio – Wall Art.
We received such a fabulous response from a large group of wonderfully talented artist, sharing photos and informative answers to our questionnaire. It was a great deal of fun and we were looking forward to a series of themed additions of Polymer Portfolio. We saw it as an informative reference publication rather than a project oriented magazine.
After a year and a half , much thought and a lot of soul searching, Suzanne and I decided that the time and commitment involved were more than either of us wanted to continue to contribute. But most of all, I decided that the technology was moving way too fast for me and that the material that we’ve gathered would be better off in the hands of a specialist.
So we asked The Polymer Arts Publishing Director and Editor-in-Chief Sage Bray if she would be interested in publishing the material that we’ve gathered. I mean come on…look at what she’s accomplished with her dream magazine. Both Suzanne and I were determined to share the wealth of information and highlight the artists that shared it with us and are so pleased that Sage agreed and we can rest easy that everything is in good hands.
We begin with the first article Stories in Wall Art. Each of artists that Suzanne and I chose have stories to share with their polymer clay wall art and are a perfect fit for this themed issue of TPA, Stories & Symbolism. I can’t wait for you to see the lovely art and the wonderful article that Suzanne penned.
Thank you Sage, and thank you to the artists featured in this issue, Maureen Carlson, Gera Scott Chandler, Edgar Hernandez, Layl McDill, (cover art) and Marisol Ross for their time and for sharing their talent with us. By the way, I’m thrilled that Layl’s fabulous “Think How Books are Like Birdhouses” made the cover.
A special thank you to my partner in this adventure, Suzanne Ivester.
This picture shows you just how happy I was to be asked to teach for three days at Maureen Carlson’s Center for Creative Arts. I was in Jordan MN at Maureen’s Center over a week and a half ago and I wish I were still there or at least lived close enough that I could visit, spend the night and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow seekers of artist expression or just plain good company.
Last night I was at Highlands Art League in Sebring, FL giving a polymer clay demo and Chuck and Vada Thomas were there. Like me, they saw Maureen on the Carol Duvall show in the late 1990’s and heard her mention that she had a center in Jordan where you could take a class and spend the night in the dorm rooms upstairs. They called Maureen and were shortly on their way to Minnesota. Maureen remembers them and says that Chuck’s sweet potato carving and wooden gnome carving still grace her shelves. It’s a small world, even here in this little county in Florida Maureen has touched many people.
These are a few of the polymer clayers that were at Maureen’s. Kit is pictured below, but sorry to say we never did get a picture of Ann Poulson and Kit Wojcik on the day they were there, Maureen took this of Kit on another day. Sorry Ann.
Linda Garbe, Maureen Carlson, Beth Wegener, Karen Nelson, Renee Carlson, Anne Brown
Kit Wojcik
We did face canes and pen and ink and cane mapping, and as usual, there were some wonderful pieces that were created. We all enjoyed each other and everyone finished pieces that they really liked. In fact Kit went back to Maureen’s another day and she, Maureen, Renee kept working and creating more projects. they said they had a ball with the Stroppel Cane.
Anne ‘s face cane was it was really good. She made this bracelet with a slice. Wish you could see it on her, taking pictures of a face on the curvature of a bracelet doesn’t do it justice.
Karen created this fabulous, funky, colorful cane mapped cat. I’d say she likes purple. She kept saying, “I’ll never be able to do this, I don’t like intricate work”. But oh how wrong she was, I think she had a good time too.
Renee hasn’t finished this butterfly, but I hope to have pictures when she does. Just so fabulous I can’t wait to see the finished piece.
Linda had fun with her faces and made a beautiful bracelet and cane mapped design. Wonder what she’s going to do with them?
Beth was in a avian mood and made several stunning birds. Wish I’d gotten a better photo of her work. Try and zoom in on this bird, it’s beautiful. Beth if you read this, send pictures, pretty please.
A shot of the classroom. It’s the best place to be, seriously just like home, full of touches of Maureen’s art and others all around the room.
Anne Brown created this beauty that holds special meaning to her. It really made me happy to see the smile on her face when she finished it.
Maureen combined her cane mapped piece with a pen and ink face and accents to create this enchanting pendant. I love this piece.
Now really, who would have ever believed that Maureen would be sitting in classes taught by me? Not this girl! She was pretty well behaved and as expected, a model student, accept when she and Renee were cutting up and laughing too hard.
Renee made these when Kit came back another day to play.
And Kit made these excellent bracelets on that day. Two are from Stroppel Canes and the last features her pen and ink face.
More after class fun and co-ordinated “homework” by Renee. Love them both.
Just to show you how much fun we had and what a crazy bunch of woman were in attendance, Linda made these outrageously fabulous earrings that she and Karen are modeling. (she didn’t make them in my class, she just brought them to share.) They’re titled, Ears to You Mr. Spock. How Funny! You should take a look at some of Linda’s videos, her work and stories are wonderful and you’ll learn something, I promise you.
There are picture on Maureen’s website, showing the outside of the center and the dorms. Here’s the charming room I stayed in. Complete with WiFi and all.
When you first walk through the front door you’re charmed and know you are at Maureen’s. Wee Folk, Maureen and her husband Dan’s creations, are everywhere, smiling at you from all directions. Look to your right and you see the stairs leading up to the dorm rooms upstairs.
Look to your left and be lead through Maureen’s workspace into the classroom.
Peaking into Maureen’s office you are greeted by this jolly life size Santa and Maureen freely admits that it’s a museum of sorts, housing many pieces of her’s and other artists. Love the positive words dancing across the walls.
Here’s Renee’s sweet dog, Poochie, keeping great company among some of Maureen’s favorites surrounding her work space.
Maureen sells finished items but also all the supplies you might need for any of her class. See…. once you get there, you never have to leave. Unless of course you’re tempted by charming antique shops and delightful cafes, then you might want to stretch your legs with a walk up the street. Or maybe sit by the sweet babbling creek out the back door.
So there you have it, a very full, fun filled 5 days at Maureen’s, a dream come true. Now to start planning my trip back, maybe as a student taking a class with Maureen or one of her guest artists.
Here’s Maureen, Anne and me on the last morning, I hated to leave. Anne was driving right by the airport on her way home and graciously offered me a ride. Thanks so much Anne.
Come over ….or up …….or down to Maureen Carlson’s Center for Creative Arts in Jordan, MN. Join me at Maureen’s for three full days of fun filled classes, take one class or all three, spend the night or just come for the day.
Isn’t this the coolest thing you can think of to actually own? Your very own shop where you have a fabulous studio to create in, you can teach classes and week long workshops, have guest instructors visit and on top of that students get to sleep upstairs. Slumber party!! Retreat time for sure.
Well this is exactly what Maureen Carlson has and I’m lucky enough to be a guest instructor on September 21 – 23 2012. I’ll tell you more about the three classes I’m going to teach in a minute.
I have been a fan of Maureen and her work for years. One of the first polymer clay books I bought was her book Family and Friends in Polymer Clay. Then I watched her on the Carol Duval show and loved her more.
When I finally was able to concentrate on polymer clay alone, I started two blogs, this one and The Figurative Artbeat. Maureen was kind enough to allow me to do an post on her and her fabulous work. It was the first time I actually contacted Maureen and then we met at Fandango that year were she was demonstrating her new face bead molds, she is just as fun and warm and inspiring in person. We’ve been friends ever since.
I’ve have wanted to visit her Center for Creative Arts for years, so this year is it. If you’re a fan of Maureen’s and want to experience the fun of her center, come on and explore it with me, we’ll have the best time, I know we will. Plus I’ll be sharing some of my favorite techniques, tips and ideas with you.
Now… I’ll be teaching three of my favorite things. Profile Face Canes, Cane Mapping/Contouring, and Pen and Ink. Each class is filled with as much information as I can fit into one day. August 21st is the reserve – by date for all three classes so be sure to follow the links below and let Maureen know you want a reservation.
Sept. 21 – The Profile Face Cane – reserve your spot here
Making this profile cane is surprisingly easy and we’ll spend some time making hair canes too. We can make bracelets, pins, or slides. I promise you we’ll giggle. Plus you’ll get a pdf file and a video link for later reference.
You can make pins from your face canes, put them on vessels or glass vases.
Or a cocktail shaker, how funny is that. Here’s three side of the same shaker.
Sept. 22 – Cane Mapping/Contouring – reserve your place here
This class is super fun and so far everyone that has taken this class with me has produced some wonderful pieces and had many “ah ha” moments. It’s a class about opening your mind to the possibilities that await you with all those canes you love to make.
These fairy dresses were made using my cane mapping technique, so was the design on the necklace below. Tracery tied for second place with the judges and won first place members choice in the IPCA’s Progress and Possibilities 2011. I’ll even show you how to display some of your work when you’re not wearing it. The fairy dresses above are actually pendants.
Tracery - Alice Stroppel
As you can see it’s a technique that can be used in many ways, big and small. Be sure to bring lots of your old canes, plus we can make some new ones.
Sept 23 – Pen and Ink on Polymer Clay – reserve you table here – With this class you’ll receive a pdf of face patterns and a link to a video for future reference.
Now this class is a blast. Again…you can use this technique on polymer clay bracelets, pendants, buttons, plaques, canvas, or whatever you can think of.
You can use just black and white or you can go full color. You don’t have to do a face, you can do simple graphics and produce fabulous pieces.
I created this cat and mouse pendant for a friends, fun I think.
This one is a favorite too. I’ll demonstrate how to construct these windows for your drawings and how to cover a bracelet.
There are endless ways to use this pen and ink technique, your imagination will run wild. And you won’t be able to leave until we’ve all made a Stroppel Cane.
I’ve worked on the arms from the other day (photo above) you can compare it to the arms before (photo below).
They still aren’t perfect and the shading just doesn’t look as good in these photos as it does when the bracelet is on my wrist. But I find that looking at most pieces of work in a 4″ picture is not how you see it on the bracelet. The actual drawing is only 1″ x 1 1/2″ so a lot of things you see in the photo just don’t show up on the actual drawing.
I also worked on two other bracelets, this one is using one of the face patterns from my pdf. I still have the third side to finish.
This brightly colored face is totally different and was oh so much fun to do. More work needs to be done on this one too, I like to give the ink time to dry completely and rest for awhile before working on the next panel. If I don’t, the colors tend to run a bit even if I heat set them, so usually I’m working on more than one bracelet. That’s why when I cover bracelets with the panels and canes, I do a bunch so that they will all be baked and ready for me when I feel like drawing.
Don’t forget I’ll be teaching my Pen and Ink on Polymer Clay at Creative Journey Studios in Buford, GA on the 21st of April 2012. And on the 22nd I’ll be teaching my profile face cane class, so grab and friend and come stay at the B & B right down the road. It’s going to be a fun weekend for sure.
The I’m off to Lake Yale in FL to do demos at Fandango. Days and days of fabulous classes you won’t want to miss. There is still time to get a late room or day pass. May 3-7th 2012.
June 10th and 11th will find me in Davy, FL with the Southeast Florida Polymer Clay Guild, details to come.
I’ll also be teaching this class at Maureen Carlson’s Center for the Creative Arts in Jordon, MN on Sept. 23, 2012. this is another long weekend with three classes I’ll be teaching. Just imagine what a great time we are going to have at Maureen.
I wasn’t able to take Maureen Carlson’s class at Fandango. Everyone was making these fabulous necklaces with What a Character® mold from Maureen. I couldn’t resist and came home with a couple. I’m busy making more Girlfriends Galore bracelets because they are all gone, but I just had to play with the molds……… so what did I make but a bracelet of course.
I usually do my own faces, but I just wanted to play with these. Actually I wanted the little stamps embellishments all around the faces as much as anything. They are really just so cool.
This is a WIP but I just want to let you know I am at my clay table working er …..playing……away. So if you see this Maureen, I’m not finished yet.
My class here in my studio is full and I’m looking forward to a great day. If you are interested in taking a class with me, leave a comment or email me at alice@polymerclayetc.com and let me know. I’m going to be having at least one class a month including my Full Face Cane class the last of July. As I said, I only have room for 8 or 9 so be sure to let me know if you’re interested.
Maureen Carlson was one of the demonstrators at Orlando Clay Fandango. She entertained the classroom students in the evenings and the retreat only attendees during the day. Wish I could have been everywhere at once. I did manage to attend at least one demo each day of both Maureen’s and Barbara McGuire.
I had not met Maureen before the retreat, but had featured her on my other blog The Figurative Artbeat. We conversed by email several times. I also sent her pictures of my failed attempt at polymer clay and paper mache to include in a presentation she was doing for Synergy. So we knew each other but had never met.
We ran into each other on the first day of Fandango and I introduced myself. She said, “oh you’re tall”, I said, “yes I am”. We laughed and that was, I ‘m happy to say the beginning of a fun filled three days enjoying Maureen’s sense of humor and her vast creative talent.
(Just so you know, I AM very tall and it is unexpected at times, it makes me laugh)
The first evening we were treated to one of her famous Storyclay® Tellings. She weaved a delightful audience participatory tale about the little guy in the picture above. She constructed him as the story unfolded. She had everyone laughing out loud and extremely happy to be entertained by this master story teller. At the end someone in the audience took the purple Weefolk® home to live with them. Thanks to Tanya Johnson for his photo.
The next time I saw her demo, she was showing us how to sculpt a face. What a master she is, with quick sure strokes she turned a ball of clay into a face that looked ready to talk to me. She makes you feel that you could maybe create a face too.
I have to thank Maureen again for leading the artists to talk about themselves in my video. She was terrific to do that for me. It was a perfect ending to a perfect retreat.
She and her husband owns Maureen Carlson’s Center For Creative Arts in Jordan, Minnesota. I know you would have an incredible experience should you be lucky enough to be able to visit her there. If you can’t go to her, check out her calendar to see if she’ll be near you this year.
I spent 3 days and 4 nights nights at the Orlando Area Polymer Clay Guild’s annual Clay Fandango at Lake Yale in Florida. It was quite an experience for clayers of all skill levels.
When I thought about filming my experience at Fandango, I knew I wanted to give an overview of what went on during those three days. But quite frankly that all changed quickly, I was so caught up in enjoying myself and working on what I was learning each day that I didn’t have the time nor did I even want to be running around filming everything.
I was impressed by the instructors and demonstrators, they were all so giving and dedicated to their work and their students that I wanted you to meet them in a different way than you normally would. I wanted them to tell you a little bit about themselves.
The classes might have been scheduled to run from 9am to 5pm, but in reality, the instructor and students were working until 9 or 10 at night. Maureen and Barbara demonstrated off and on until 10pm. This all happened with smiles and laughter. Who are these women? What does the rest of their lives look like? How does their life compare to mine or yours?
Maureen Carlson is such a wonderful story gathering soul that she naturally knows how to bring out the best in people. So, what better person than Maureen to conduct this interview? Maureen, I am forever grateful, thank you. And thanks to the all of you for taking time to slow down long enough for me to get this delightful moment on film.
I have another blog that is just for my pleasure and the entertainment of whoever wants to stop by. It’s called The Figurative Artbeat. It’s loaded with figurative artists in every medium.
I don’t usually post here every time I add another artist there. I do however let my polymer clay friends that visit me here know when I’ve posted about a polymer clay artist on The Figurative Artbeat.
I’m pleased to tell you that I’m featuring Maureen Carlson on The Figurative Artbeat. She has new work on her site and Storybox #15 (above) is probably my favorite.
Family and Friends
After Maureen read her feature, she said it was funny that I should mention her book Family and Friends as it was about to go out of print. If you don’t have this book and would like really easy to follow instructions for making pc figures, you should make sure you pick up this book before it’s gone.
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