Polymer Clay Techniques – The Skinner Blend Plug

A Skinner Blend Plug doesn't only have to be created using a two color blend. Multi-colored blends work equally well for this polymer clay technique.

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Cindy, these videos are great and I appreciate your making them available to us novices! Certainly shortens our road to correcting our mistakes. Thank you a million times. Cheers Katy

You're a million times welcome Katy!

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I am really looking forward to learning more about cane's and their multiple uses. The topography of this art form is fascinating. -Lani

I'm looking forward to have the cane courses ready to teach you Lani. They really are very cool to make! Topography is a great word to describe the the way the cane designs are laid out… I really like it!

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Dear Cindy,

Thank you again for another great video. I find your videos fascinating each week as you demonstrate yet another way to do magical things with polymer clay! Thank you so much for sharing your time, effort, knowledge, and sweet spirit with all of us…you are very much appreciated :)

I am looking forward to the treasure hunt. You have my curiosity!

Sincerely,
Cindy

…and YES! Cindy IS a great name! :)

Another very interesting way to use polymer clay! Thanks for another great vid Cindy!!

That is so cool Cindy! I can't wait to get home and try it! I am really excited about trying that in rainbow colors! Thanks so much for all these awesome videos! I am learning a great deal from them!

Stephanie

Thanks again, Cindy for a very enlightening way to use Polymer Clay. I enjoy your videos very much.
Thanks,
Pat Olive

Thank you again Cindy for a wonderful video. This clarified some questions I had.

@Cindy Erickson: You're sweet! *me blushing* Keep your eyes on your email box next week for the details on the treasure hunt.

@Keri Lee: I'm really glad you liked it!

@SC Steph: Does the SC stand for Super Cool?… Cause the rainbow blend sounds awesome!

@Pat Olive: Happy to light your polymer clay path!

@Maria: I'm glad it cleared things up! If you ever have questions about any polymer clay technique make sure to ask… I may know the answer and could give it to you.

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Great video Cindy! Can't wait to see what you do with the plug. Have a good one! Zoe

Thank You Zoe! There are really a lot of cool complex canes that involve using a Skinner Blend Plug, so practice getting good at making them. That will help you when the new cane courses are finally available.

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Hi Cindy,

How do you get the skinner blend to come out so even at the thinnest setting. Mine never come out of the pasta machine that straight.

Kim C. If you butt your clay up to one side it helps. Also start at the largest setting and go thinner only one setting at a time. If you try to skip some settings, the block tends to distort.

Another trick is to hold your finger in the rollers at the width you want the clay to be. (Don't worry your fingers are too big to get caught in the rollers.) This can be a little awkward because you have the crank the handle while doing this, but it can work if you go slow.

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Hi Cindy,
This is an idea that I had when I started to make long narrow skinner blends for plugs. I was having trouble controling the long thin sheet of clay as it came out of my pasta machaine. First I cut a dowel about 3 inches longer than my machine rollers. Second I cut a piece of freezer wrap 4 feet long and 1/2 inch narrower than the length of the rollers (this was 48" X 9 1/2). Third I taped one of the narrow ends of the freezer wrap to the dowel and rolled it up on the dowel. Now when I'm going to need better control I place the free end of the wrap through the machine, between the legs, and pull the wrap about 3" to the front. I start the clay through the pasta machine just like normal but when the clay touches the paper I pull the paper forward with the clay. All this lets me have more control of how the clay leaves the machine and because the clay is on the paper, my claying area has as so much stuff on it, I can just lay it on top of everything.
Love the vids can always use help with new things.

Ed that is a cool idea! I had to think about it for a few minutes to get what you meant, but now I get it. Sounds like it works really well!

That would make a great video cause some people might not be able to visulaize what you are saying about how it works. When I give it a try, I'll have to film the process and definitely give you a big shout out for taking the time to share this valuable tip.

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Trying to watch the Private: Video 002-3: Skinner Blend Plug and about 20 seconds in it stops and the message "buffering video…" appears and the video will not move past that point. Tried refreshing the page, same results. What do I need to do to see this video?

Cindy, just joined as a paid member for both new and historical information. This site is fantastic and I am thrilled with what I have seen so far. You are an excellent teacher, and some of the followup suggestions and hints in the comments section from others are equally great.

Thank you.