I like to play with scrap clay left over from projects, and there are so many ways to work scraps into a new design as long as it is not mixed to a mud color.  [I have since written more about this technique and using scrap clay, including a video here.]

I had two flower canes, but this would have worked well even if you were using the distorted ends of canes, and I had a skinner blend bulls-eye cane and a stack of stripes.    I cut these up into small pieces, and chopped up pieces of clay of contrasting colours.  I laid these together to create a ‘log’ – with most of the canes lying across (rather than along) the log.

I rolled this into a smooth log, and twisted it – but not too much.  This is similar to the technique some use for making natasha beads, see http://www.polypediaonline.com/image/users/133688/ftp/my_files/Natashabeads_Tutorial_Irismishly.pdf?id=3237944

However, instead of slicing through the log, I rolled it flat, and cut thin slices (cut across the stripes which will appear once you have twisted it).  Put two slices together to show the symmetrical image.    As I cut each slice, the pattern will slowly change, so no two pieces will be exactly alike.

size – oval bead 45mm high

I made this brooch (pin) from a small, thin sheet left over from a workshop I did with Melanie Muir about two years go.  The “mokume gane” design was created by staking very thin slices of different colours, pressing in one of Melanie’s stamps, and slicing off the top until smooth.

Here are the other pieces I made from this sheet.   I then made the additional gold (mica shift) piece with another stamp and placed them together on a fresh thin sheet .  I let this sit for a few days, hoping that would get this dry piece flexible enough to work.  I think it helped,  but you can see that there is still a very small crack or two.  I then shaped a gentle dome by using a technique based on Dan Cormier’s technique of gently working the sheet into a raised shape through a cardboard die and I placed it on a backing sheet of clay.    You can see the die I cut, and a test I did with scrap grey clay in the other picture.   I’ve enrolled in Dan’s online class so am looking forward to working on this technique.

I made some earrings to match my daughter’s new shirt.  After mixing the right colours, I used a simple technique to splice the colours together, as shown in this tutorial by Katers Acres.

These kaleidoscope canes are very satisfying.  The yellow/orange base cane here is similar to Sarah Shriver’s canes, made up of a number of stacked Skinner blends.  A few other canes are added at random, formed into a triangle and then put together in a repeat pattern.

While the initial design doesn’t look impressive, it’s usually hard to go wrong once you start putting together the repeat design.  However, I was glad I didn’t use up all the base cane on my first attempt.  Although very similar, my initial attempt produced the design below which is not as pleasing.

Over four days in June I once again attended a Polymer Clay Fests event in Laurel, Maryland, US.

In these classes all participants produce similar work, so there is not much scope for ‘doing your own thing’ – however this means that the classes move along quickly and squeeze in a lot of techniques over the four days.  These are the pieces I made.

The key technique in Melanie Muir’s class was mokume gane using the beautiful stamps she produces, but my main “take outs” from the class were her amazing construction techniques (using buna cord and o rings makes these necklaces strong but flexible) her approach to designing and planning,  and the benefits of spending more time burnishing flat surfaces.  I often do this with wax or baking paper on top, smoothing with hands or the back of a spoon, but firmer pressure and using a heavier object can make the surface smoother and significantly reduce sanding time.

I loved Jana Lehman’s technique for clean geometric designs.  Her work is so colourful and quirky.  I’d like to try this technique with less geometric designs, using home-made cutters.  I’m wondering about using it to add further detail to large cane slices.  Again adequate burnishing was a key to a good result.

Finally, Donna Greenberg taught a class that involved carving and painting polymer clay.  While I’ve done very little sculpting with polymer clay, I’d be keen to try this technique to produce some pieces that could be integrated with some of the found object pieces I work with.

It was lovely to see a few of the people who I met in 2012, including Mags (I love her Bernie Saunders earrings) and Carol – and, of course, the  wonderful organiser of these events, Kathryn Ottman.

These polymer clay pendants are each made from one cane slice.  The design at the top is based on a picture of 19th century floor tile pattern.  The other design is based on part of a quilt pattern

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