Contents. Introduction 6. History and types of clay 8. Crafting tools and materials 12. Basic techniques 18. Caning 24. Millefiori canes 40

Transcription

1 Contents Introduction 6 History and types of clay 8 Crafting tools and materials 12 Basic techniques 18 Caning 24 Millefiori canes 40 Projects 52 Suppliers 128

2 Caning Making a beautiful clay cane is very satisfactory. You can create a range of canes from the simplest ones to the most intricate millefiori canes. In this section, I give step-by-step instructions on how to make a variety of canes. You will soon discover the basic principles, after which you will be able to design and roll your own canes. The most important technique to master is how to reduce the cane. While the majority of canes are round, you can also create square ones. Reducing the clay cane has two functions: to make the roll of clay that you are using thinner (reducing the diameter) and to remove any trapped air. When you reduce a cane, you have to decide how far you wish to take the process. You can always make the roll thinner; however, once it is thin, there is no way to increase its size. In other words, first reduce the cane to obtain the desired thickness if you know exactly for which purpose it will be used. When you reduce the cane, always work from the middle of the roll to ensure that the air is forced out towards the ends. How much clay should be used when rolling sheets to use for canes? Use one block of each colour for all the canes, since the canes can be stored for quite some time. Reduce smaller pieces of the canes remember, you can always reduce a cane, but you can never increase the diameter of a reduced cane. Bull s eye cane with two colours 1 The bull s eye cane is the simplest one to make. However, by adding a few variations, you can create very intricate patterns. 1. Take one colour and condition the clay well. Roll it into the shape of a log that is approximately 5 cm long and 1 cm in diameter. 2. Using setting 1 on the pasta machine, roll clay of a contrasting colour through the machine. Trim the sides of the clay neatly and then cut the sheet to match the width of the log (first colour). 3. Place the log on the sheet of clay and wrap the sheet around it until it is completely covered. Use a sharp knife to cut the sheet, ensuring that the two ends just meet. 4. Neaten the seam and reduce the diameter to the required thickness. Use an acrylic rod when rolling to ensure that the cane is consistently thick and rolled evenly

3 50 Millefiori canes 51 Purple and orange flower cane Use one block each of purple, white, and orange clay to make a blended cane (using Skinner s technique). Place the white clay between the purple and orange. Make sure that you have a really long strip by rolling it through the pasta machine on setting Fold the strip of clay from the orange to the purple side using a fan fold. 3. Press the folds firmly together and cut the clay stack into an uneven number of strips. I used nine strips. 4. Reassemble the strips so that the different colours form steps. 5. Cut the bottom half from the clay stack, neatly halving the centre strip (of the nine). 6. Insert the cut section into the top half and press together firmly. 7. Reduce the block to a length of 15 cm. 8. Divide each square cane into five equal parts measuring 3 cm each. 9. Assemble five parts to form a cube. 10. Press the sides of the cube together to form a log or round cane. 11. Cut a strip from the remaining purple clay and wrap it around the orange and purple clay as you would when making a bull s eye cane. 12. Reduce the cane to a length of 18 cm. 13. Cut it into six equal pieces measuring 6 cm each. 14. Make a bull s eye cane using purple and orange clay. Pinch each of the six pieces into a petal shape and arrange the pieces around the bull s eye cane. 15. Roll half a block of translucent clay through the pasta machine on setting 1. Roll little snakes that can be inserted between the petals using a little piece of the clay. 16. Wrap a double layer of translucent clay around the flower cane, as you would when you are making a bull s eye cane. 17. Reduce the flower cane when you need to use it for a specific project. 18. Other colour combinations for this specific cane can be very striking

4 60 PROJECTS Elegant rose photo frame Photos are proudly displayed, one way or another, in most homes. Nowadays, the popular trend is to use a variety of frames and present them as a collection. Why not make this elegant frame to add to your collection? Material and tools Wooden frame White craft paint Large paintbrush ½ block pearlescent clay ½ block white clay Pasta machine or roller Extruder or clay gun (optional) Craft glue or liquid polymer clay Blades Method 1. Condition the clay and mix the white and pearlescent clay thoroughly. 2. Roll the clay through the pasta machine on setting 4. Shape clay roses as explained on p. 21. I made one large rose, five medium-sized and seven small roses. I also made five rose buds (with only three petals). Bake the roses according to the clay manufacturer s instructions. 3. Paint the wooden frame white. It must have a lime-washed finish. 4. Use the extruder (clay gun) to extrude a neat, even strip of clay, or roll a clay cord by hand. Be sure to roll the cord evenly. Attach this cord to the inner and outer edges of the photo frame, using liquid polymer clay or craft glue. 5. Use craft glue to attach the roses to two sides of the photo frame. Start by placing the largest rose in the top, left-hand corner of the frame, followed by the medium and smaller roses, and the rose buds. 6. Bake the frame, roses and cord attached, to cure the cord.

5 76 PROJECTS Retro cutlery The trend these days is to lay the table using different dinnerware for each place setting to create a cosy, informal atmosphere. I used a retro cane to cover this cutlery. You can use a different colour for each set, and then mix all the colours to lay a delightful, multi-coloured table. You can also make serviette rings in various colours. Materials and tools 1 knife, 1 fork, 1 dessert spoon and 1 teaspoon per set Retro cane (See p. 36) ½ block clay in the colour that matches the retro cane Pasta machine or roller Blades A round object, such as a glass bottle, as former for the serviette ring Method 1. Prepare the clay and follow the steps to cover cutlery as explained on p. 73 (the black teaspoons). 2. Cover one set using the same retro cane, and use other colours for the next set. (Refer to the various colour combinations used for retro canes on p. 36.) 3. Make the serviette ring: Run the matching clay through the pasta machine on setting 1. Cut very thin slices from the retro cane and arrange them on the strip of clay. Roll the strip of clay together with the slices through the pasta machine again. 4. Measure the circumference of the former that you are going to use to bake the serviette ring. The circumference of the bottle that I used is 11 cm. Cut a neat strip measuring 3 cm x the circumference (11 cm).

6 Apply liquid polymer clay to the backs of the silver sliders and press the rectangles containing the flowers, facing down, onto them. 2. Carefully apply pressure to the backs of the rectangles so that they protrude slightly at the front. 3. Bake the metal pendant and silver sliders according to the clay manufacturer s instructions. 4. Thread the glass pearls onto an eyepin and make an eyelet on the other end. Use the eyepins to attach the pearls and sliders. 5. Attach the two parts of the clasp to the bracelet, one on each end. 6. To make the necklace: thread 1 x 4 mm, 1 x 6 mm and 1 x 4 mm brown miracle beads onto an eyepin, and make an eyelet on the other end. Make two of these pins.

7 Polymer clay projects Create fun and functional objects from clay Fransie Snyman METZ PRESS ALSO AVAILABLE FROM METZ PRESS 260 x 193 mm 128 pp Soft cover with flaps RRP: ISBN Publication date: June 2013 Available in Afrikaans: Polimeer klei-projekte ISBN Metz Press is an independent publisher of high quality information books and illustrated non-fiction for the local market as well as the international co-edition market. We have sold rights to our books in countries all over the world, having impressed reputable international companies with our quality of content and production and our ability to deliver. Publisher: Wilsia Metz Tel: +27 (0) Fax: +27 (0) [email protected] Web: Postal address: PO Box 7322, Welgemoed, 7538, South Africa Street address: 1 Cameronians Avenue, Welgemoed, 7535, South Africa An inspirational practical guide with bold, colourful designs Polymer clay is a popular medium suitable for and loved by crafters of all ages and skill levels. It is available in every imaginable colour and easily cured in a home oven, making clay art accessible to everyone. Clay surfaces can be enhanced in many ways and borrowing techniques from other crafts, such as stamping, punching, mosaicing and embossing adds tremendously to the versatility of this craft, making it fun and rewarding. This book shows you how to use it to create exquisite jewellery, stylish gifts, decorative boxes, buttons, faux finishes, attractive home accessories and much more. Lots of step by step photographs ensure that not even a rank beginner can go wrong, and full page pictures of the finished items will inspire clay crafters to try the terrific projects. Many techniques, from basic conditioning to creative canework and millefiori-finishes, are clearly explained and illustrated, then contextualised in the various projects. Use these techniques to create your own unique pieces and custom designs. Owing to the nature of the medium, no two pieces will ever look exactly the same. So go get you clay and start playing! Science teacher Fransie Snyman has a B. Ed. degree and a B. Sc. degree in Home Economics. Despite her involvement in the sciences she has always been interested in crafts and needlework. Although jewellery-making is her first love, she loves paper and makes her own greetings cards. Dabbling in many other crafts, including pewter, scrapbooking, glass painting and encaustic art, she belongs to several craft groups and is a regular teacher at expos and other gatherings. Polymer clay projects is her eighth book and attests to her wide range of craft skills.