Vid #83: The Creativity Comes More From The Cane Design Rather Than The Bead Shape:
A very fun bead to make is the cane slice bead. It is simply a slice of clay taken from a polymer clay cane, which is then pierced to make the hole. Although the instructions for making this bead are very straight forward, here are a few helpful tips…
1) Make sure the cane is as cool as possible to avoid distortion when slicing. Pop it in the fridge for a bit if you find that your millifiori cane is too soft. Or you can use a frozen gel icepack to cool them down too. For more info on chilling polymer clay, see this article: Fimo And Sculpey Cane Making Tips
2) To mark even spaces for cutting along the length of the cane, press the raised markings on a flexible rubber ruler into the surface of the clay. The little indents left behind show you where to slice perfectly measured beads, all the same thickness. Press lightly though, or you may have to sand some of the markings off later on.
3) Since these beads have flat fronts and backs to them they are easy to sand. So don’t worry too much if they aren’t perfectly smooth when you cut them.
4) Cane slice beads can be pierced a few different ways. You can put a hole in them the ‘normal’ way from top to bottom through the edges. You can also pierce them through the center like a disk bead. Or near the top like a charm or pendant.
5) Try slicing your beads super thin and then give them a cup shape or wavy shape. Pierce them through the center for a cool ripple look when they are strung.
What I like about cane slice beads is that the creativity comes from the cane design rather than from the bead shape. Once you have built yourself a wonderful polymer clay cane, you can make tons of different styles of beads with it… including the simple and elegant cane slice bead!
Here’s That “Link Below” Referred To at End of the Video
>> Polymer Clay Tutorials <<
The full version of the “Cane Slice Beads” preview video shown above, is available for purchase at my Polymer Clay Bead Making Videos Library in the Volume-007 Back Issue Package.
In the “Cane Slice Beads” video I demonstrate how to make these very simple beads in a whole bunch of different shapes and styles. I also show you a trick for getting all beads all the same size and also various ways to pierce them.
Try cutting your cane slice beads in a variety of different thicknesses to get several looks from the same cane.
One of the problems I have encountered when baking my Polymer Clay projects is that my Amaco Polymer Clay Oven shows 300 degrees maximum, but the Sculpey Oven Thermometer shows only 265 or max 275 degrees. Which am I to believe is true – the Amaco Over or the Sculpey Over Thermometer. Has anyone else encountered this situation and how did you remedy it?
Thanks for any comments.
Marion
Well isn’t that a pain! Why don’t you try testing them both in your regular oven and see which one is closest to the settings there. If all else fails, go with the one that is reading higher so that you won’t go too high. I like to bake at 265 degrees since ovens tend to spike a little and scorching is not a good thing. Thanks for your comment Marion! I hope you can get the right temperature for your beads!
Hi Cindy – I am getting a “buffering video” message. The video clips are stopping and starting. Is there a way to fix this? Thank you.
Hi Cynthia,
That “buffering video message” just means that your computer is trying to “stream” the video faster than the Internet will allow when you happen to be watching it. This could be due to a whole bunch of reasons including:
… >> The age of your computer;
… >> Speed of the Internet connection;
… >> Number of other people trying to watch the same video at the exact same time;
… >> And several other technical things that only a true computer geek would really understand :)
Anyway, there is an easy work-around solution to the problem:
… >> First press the “Play” button.
… >> Then press the “Pause” button when the video starts playing. You will see the progress bar at the bottom of the video player continue to advance even though the video is paused.
… >> When the progress is fully advanced, then press the “Play” button again and the videos will proceed smoothly for you with no “buffering” interruptions.
Hello Cindy, I have been retired for a couple of years now and trying to learn new things, polymer clay being one. Your beginner course video’s are very helpful. Love your work! I really want to learn cane making. Thank you for all your hard work.
Phyllis,
Thank you so much for taking the time to write those very kind words. Sharing feedback like this really helps others to know what they can expect from the video tutorials. Very much looking forward to hearing more about how your beads and cane projects are coming along.
~Cindy
Love the post! I enjoy this site so much I learn something ne with every visit. Thanks cindy.
Susan Larivee