Polymer Clay Canes for Beginners

27 videos, step by step, beginner cane workshop beginner Cane Tutorial 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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[caption id="attachment_102" align="aligncenter" width="100" caption="Member IPCA"]Member IPCA[/caption]

Etsy Treasury Features My Mosaic Fish

Patricia from artistsloftppaquin1 featured one of my mosaic fish in a treasury call, “Sun, Sand and Sea….More Tropical Dreaming”.

I made this fish with the same technique that I used to make the larger fish to your right here on my home page, only this one is small. You can make your own fish mosaic by watching a 20 minute video when you sign up for my newsletter.

Patricia makes the coolest pieces in ceramics. I own a couple of her faces and she owns my eyes and lips necklace. You should take some time to visit her shop, you”ll love it.

Thanks Patricia.

Dish Blank for Polymer Clay Mosaic

I was so happy to find this glass company, Behrenberg Glass, because they sell plates without a “foot” on them. Making them perfect for decoupage or glass paint or ……….. polymer clay mosaics like my fish in video that you get when you sign up for my newsletter.

As you can see, I didn’t use a fish mosaic, but something I started a couple of months ago, using up old cane. I just couldn’t wait to make something new, I wanted to see how this would work……NOW!

So here you see the mosaic after I’ve baked it and popped the plate off. The great part about this is now I can use it without the plate, or if I want to be able to put food on it I can glue it to the back of the glass. Cool!

After I transferred the design to the back side of the plate and molded it to fit, I trimmed it and backed it with another thick layer of clay before I baked it.

I still have lots of playing around with this idea before I finished, I’ll share with you what I learn. If you make something this way, please share your pictures.

Stay warm and dry everyone,

Alice

Work in Progress

Worked on the tutorial video all day yesterday. Had to stop and buy food today , how rude. When I got home and everything was put away, instead of editing the video, I relaxed with this ongoing project. Posting it now and running away to bed so I can get an early  start tomorrow.

Old Polymer Clay Canes

I was working on my tutorial, filming, and the lawn man came, too much noise. the phone kept ringing, too much noise. My husband, well his TV just came back from the repair man…..so I just gave up and decided to use up some old canes and make a new mosaic.

I haven’t gotten very far but I wanted to play with colors. Orange and pink? Oh my, but don’t give up on me yet, it is an experiment after all. You never know until you try, and what is the worst that can happen? Nature doesn’t let a little color difference stop her.

Most of these canes are really old and large. And regardless of the fact that they are still usable, they are not as easy to work with the older they get. Yes you can mess around with them and reduce them some to get everything moving again, but it’s more work than I want to expend for these older canes.

They don’t reflect what I’m doing now and I have learned that no matter how much I think I will go backward and use those canes on new work, well it’s just not going to happen. So using them this way, making a large graphic piece to possibly hang on the wall, is an experiment and could let me know if I want to spend time producing canes today to use in this way.

This piece is already 5″ x 7″. I am trying to figure out how to continue to add to it, maybe make it very large, and still be able to bake it in the oven. I am guessing in sections, I’ll keep playing and let you know.

By the way, I’m using the same technique that I use in my video on how to make the fish mosaic that you can see at the top right of this page. You can watch it free by signing up for my newsletter.

It’s funny but I’ve always wanted to make large things from polymer. I think I’m a frustrated clay person with no kiln. But I love the colors with pc and not having to paint later and the instant gratification of pc. But I still can’t get large out of my head.

I made the largest mermaid, seriously, crazy big, baking her in sections and putting her together with bolts and nuts and threaded hardware. She’s 40 pounds if she’s an ounce and over 3 feet tall. I’m looking at her hanging under my stairs and laughing. You can see her on my flickr site if you want.

What wasn’t funny, and this is a word to the wise for those of you who are doing a lot of pasta machine work, I have forever damaged my shoulder from all the “turning of the crank”. Sounds like a  Shakespeare play huh? A tragedy. Do yourself a favor and purchase a motor ………. you’ll be forever grateful.

I guess I will continue to want to do something large with pc, it’s just because I can…….if I just try.

Polymer Clay Mosaic Bracelet Finished

Polymer Clay Mosaic Bracelet

Polymer Clay Mosaic Bracelet

Well, I couldn’t wait until tomorrow. I finished the cuff bracelet tonight and I kind of like it. Just one more experiment added to the already long list. Hmm…I think I’m thinking of something else to try.

Polymer Clay Millefiori Mosaic for a Cuff Bracelet

Millefiori Mosaic for BraceletI was inspired by a face I saw in a magazine. It was made of several pieces of glass in different colors. I decided to make a mosaic like the fish I make and apply it to a cuff bracelet.

I don’t know if you can see the face, it’s in the middle, yellow nose, green face and red lips.

I drew out a pattern and began. As you can see, it’s colorful. Actually more colorful than I originally planned. The inspiration piece was pretty simple in design and mostly solid colors. It looked nothing like my finished piece.

I still have to straighten up the edges and put it on the bracelet form, but that will have to wait until tomorrow. I can’t decide if it is just too busy or if I really like it. I guess it can be both. Busy and likable!

Come back tomorrow if you have a minute. I should have it finished by then.