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Thursday, December 27, 2012

Free butterfly wing cane tutorial polymer clay

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This is one way to make a butterfly wing cane!  I love these canes because I get to use up my mixed-up clay.  It's always a stunning surprise to see what patterns are revealed in the wings!  Of course you could make a whole butterfly cane by packing clay around the wings.

Be sure to check out all of my free, single-page tutorials!
These more complex wings were made with my gemstone cane tutorial.


If you'd like to try another beginner cane, this may even be easier!  These canes are like tessellations or kaleidoscopes!   






Friday, December 21, 2012

How to blend colors with polymer clay free ombre tutorial

If you'd rather se a video, watch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtxXtbd2vaw
Ever wonder how to make the beautiful color blends you see in polymer clay canes?  This technique is called a Skinner blend.  It allows you to create a beautiful, shaded, gradient of color.
Fold the clay and run it through a pasta machine.  You can buy "pasta machines" almost anywhere they sell clay.  Run the folded end through first.  You will have to repeat this process at least 10 times before you start to get a good blend of color.

If you can do this, you can create gemstone canes!

Monday, December 17, 2012

Polymer clay penguin tutorial
















This was made using my granny square afghan tutorial.



This littles guy's cap and tie were made with this argyle technique!






                                                          
A friend of mine wanted penguin center pieces at her reception.  We spent an evening making penguins, and this is what we came up with!  I was happy because several of the girls didn't think they were artistic at all.  This is always one of my first clay projects with my students.  They love it!!!

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Polymer clay Tutorial Pages: free, printable, single page

I've been searching for the quickest way to teach polymer clay projects.  Since artists are visual learners anyway, I decided to put a series of pictures all on one page.  This way you don't even have to speak English!  I've just added a new label (see right hand column) titled Tutorial Pages.  Or, if you'd like to see them as they are added, you can like my facebook page, PolymerClayWorkshop


Monday, December 10, 2012

Polymer clay ornament tutorial: How to make Christmas stockings

Fill these little stockings with anything you can make out of clay! To make it an ornament, push a head pin through some part of the stocking or it's stuffers.  After the clay is baked, you can bend the head pin into a loop.





Like PolymerClayWorkshop on Facebook for a free tutorial from my etsy shop!  Just let me know which one you'd like!



Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Tibetan lotus flower motif in polymer clay millefiori cane

A friend of mine loves Tibet. She showed me pictures of the exquisite patterns that cover the walls and ceilings of Tibetan homes.  I was overwhelmed by the color and intricacy!  For wedding favors we made magnets out of a custom polymer clay cane.  I wish I'd taken pictures of the entire process, but this shows how I made the border.







Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Unique gift for Tolkien and LOTR fans: a DIY free polymer clay Hobbit door tutorial

Turn you bookshelf into the Shire!  This miniature Hobbit door would be perfect next to your Hobbit book or  Lord of the Rings Trilogy by Tolkien.  Everyone has a handful of proudly self-proclaimed geeky friends for whom this would be the perfect gift!  Of course you can customize it any way you want!

















The hinges and door knob need to be baked separately, then glued with super glue.




The door and grass also need to be baked separately.




To see some amazing variations, see my previous post about miniature Hobbit doors.