My First Polymer Clay Cane Bead on a Handmade Martini Olive Skewer

Does This Qualify As a Vintage Bead? Blast from the Past!

Fifteen years ago was when I made my first polymer clay cane. In fact the red and white millefiori bead in today's photo was made from that cane. It's on a beaded cocktail stick used to skewer martini olives.

I found this "piece-from-the-past" just the other day, hiding behind a bunch of glassware in the back of a cupboard. Thought you all might like to see some of my vintage polymer clay work… something conceived well before the idea of tutoring had ever crossed my mind.

I was really proud of those beads back then and distinctly remember telling everyone that "I made them myself." I also remember the compliments, "Wow, really? They're neat!" Made a few wind chimes and things with them as well.

Thinking back about these early pieces today… I have to chuckle. They were pretty wonky looking and very distorted. But they were handmade by me, and I loved them.

I wanted to share this story to show that even as a beginner you should be proud of where you are at. Be excited about where you are going in your pursuit to making great polymer clay beads and canes. Because you never know where it will take you!

Just think… one day down the road, you'll look back on your first polymer projects and realize just how far you have come! Cherish that. Like you would cherish your child's first steps. We all have to start somewhere!

Now, I think I'll go celebrate how far I've come… for some reason I feel like having a Martini!

*BTW it didn't take me fifteen years to start making decent polymer clay canes, there was a ten year break from clay between then and now. It did take 5 years though, so if you don't want to take that long, you may want to learn from my mistakes and skip over the learning curve by buying my Polymer Clay Bead Making for Beginner's Course. I'll have you making great polymer clay canes and beads in no time!