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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Polymer Clay Slides – Jewelry or Little Pieces of Art?

Fairy Dresses - Alice Stroppel

I made these fairy dress slides for an exchange that was canceled but is going to take place next year at this same time.  I had them all made and needed to just put them away and I’d be set. HA!  I knew I wouldn’t be able to wait a whole year to post them, I also knew that by next year there would be something else I wanted to make for the exchange.

These dresses are 1 1/2″ x 1″ and are so much fun to make, I couldn’t stop. Good use of small bits of canes, even a Stroppel Cane or two thrown in.

Fairy Dress Slide - Alice Stroppel

I almost made it though, I put them away and haven’t thought of them for several weeks. Then the other day I was cleaning out a box full of “stuff” and in the bottom of the box was a bunch of 1″ x 1″ wooden blocks. I saved the blocks thinking… as always… that I might be able to use them for something… someday. You know how that is don’t you?

Well, I know you will find this hard to believe, I was shocked, but I actually did think of something to use them for in a very timely manner and while I still knew where they were.

I have been trying for a couple of years to figure out a way to display some of my items as well as some of my swap items. I have pins and masks and inchies that are little works of art. I want to look at them, not just put them away.  Some I’ve framed, the inchies were easy enough, but others posed more of a problem.

The pins and slides I have could not be glued down if I were ever going to wear them. The mini masks were all over the place as far as a flat back goes. Besides, really, each one is a fabulous little art piece.

I painted the blocks black,  drilled a hole in the center of the top, glued a piece of thick wire in the hole and tada…a stand for whatever. With the dresses, there is a hole drilled from side to side allowing it to “slide” onto a steal cable necklace. I simply drilled a hole in the bottom of the dress so it could now slide onto the wire in the cube. It won’t be glued so that it can be removed and “slide” back onto the necklace. I can’t tell you how happy this makes me.

I had this white block lying around and thought it would look cool to have a grouping. So you see, this idea is limitless.

 

Of course I can’t stop there. I did the same thing to this Stroppel Cane sweater girl slide.

 

 

Then there are the single beads below, all of which can be worn as just a single bead or in groups.

 

 

Or how about a whole set of matching beads? One minute they are mini graphic sculptures and the next you’re wearing them out to dinner.

 

Just slide them off the wire and slide them onto the necklace. Fun, fun for sure.

 

I think it’s a  great way to display pins as well, just slide the closed pin back over the wire.

 

 

Okay, enough for today. My head is full of more ideas. Let me know if you do something like this, I’d love to see.

Stroppel Cane Pins for Fandango Swap

Here’s a pile of colorful fun Stroppel Pins I’ve made for the pin exchange at Orlando Area Polymer Clay Guild’s Fandango. I’m about half way there, even though we don’t have to make pins to exchange with everyone, I don’t want to miss any very cool pins by running out of mine.

I’ve been having a great time with these and might just keep these as something I do all the time. There are so many possibilities with each little canvas.

Now back to making some face canes for my class at Creative Journey Studios on the 21st and 22nd of this month.

Both places still have room for more students, so pick up the phone and reserve your space.

Black and White is Still on My Polymer Clay Table

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’…..

More Fun From Profile Face Tutorial

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

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

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 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

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.

Girlfriend Pins – Polymer Clay

Girlfriends Pins

Girlfriends Pins

A couple of girlfriend pins went to The Creative Native Gallery this week along with the girlfriend ornaments. I see a mother and daughter in the one and a very funny character in the other one.

I’ve been busy with bracelets and ornaments. Claying away and keeping the oven busy baking load after load of colorful, funky, fun, things. While others are making witches and goblins, I’m thinking of line green, turquoise and fuchsia. Funny how life changes without you even realizing it. I was a halloween queen when I was younger, with children at home. Love everything about it, made things and patterns and decorated the house….all great fun.

Now we live far from town and not one trick or treater has ever come to our house in 15 years. Kind of sad I guess, but on the other hand, I can turn my focus to other things. Actually, it’s kind of freeing to be out of step sometimes.

Now back to my clay table and the non Halloween bracelets……