How to transform a single cane slice into a flower shaped bead… make jewelry that will attract buyers to your Etsy shop:
Yesterday I wrote about how polymer clay canework can make your handmade beads really get noticed for originality and unique creativity. Today’s post will be about how you can mold a one-of-a-kind flower bead using a single slice from a polymer clay cane.
A lot of you have been writing and wanting to learn more about the cane making process. I’ve been listening and am currently working on some video courses to show you exactly how to make polymer clay canes, also known as millefiori canes.
These courses take time to put together. So in the meanwhile, I thought it would be helpful to discuss the versatility of poly clay canes in jewelery making, by showing you yet another bead shape that can be made with them.
As you may recall back in June, I created a variety of different Premo and Fimo polymer clay canes using a Spring color palette inspired by the flowers in my garden.
One of the larger canes on the right hand side of the photo in that June 14 post (it’s the pink, green and brown one that looks like it has a bug shape in the center), is the cane I used to create the flower bead in the photo above on this page. Actually, the photograph of the original raw cane was taken with it’s back side up, showing the distorted end. That is why the pattern doesn’t quite match up. No matter, you can still see the design.
From this spotted flower cane I took a fairly thick slice and rolled it out thin to stretch it a bit and make it more translucent. Then took a small ball of clay and covered it with a slice of the brown and cream lace cane I had used in the center of the flower cane.
This small, lace cane covered ball was then placed in the center of the rolled out slice and then the sides were pinched up to create the petals of the flower bead. A hole was pierced and the bead was baked.
This type of sculptural Fimo bead takes a little more care to avoiding fingerprints because it is more difficult to sand. Gloves will certainly help for that.
The more I work with polymer clay techniques, the more I love making polymer clay canes. And you will too. There are just so many ways to use them in bead making and jewlry making, that the possibilities seem endless.
If you have ever seen beautiful flower beads for jewelry making and have wondered how they were done, then you’re really going to love learning how to create polymer clay canes. Make sure to stick around for the ride!
What causes you to be drawn to making polymer clay beads and canes? Leave your comments below. I’d love to hear from you.
Last post..Clay Cane Leaf Beads for Making Handmade Jewelry from Polymer Clay
Hi Cindy,
The above bead is so lovely. It is so hard to believe that with some practice and patience, we (humans) can make such beautiful pieces with our own two hands and the proper tools. We can mimic nature, and we can bring forth what was once only in our imaginations using these cane methods that you are teaching us. I am learning that the sky really is the limit as far as what we can do with Polymer Clay. Thank you for sharing all that you do. You are appreciated :)
Sincerely,
Cindy Erickson
This is that beautiful bead that caused me to gasp on the other blog. Unbelievable! I have to come back later and reread this.
@Cindy: Thank you so much Cindy. The sky really is the limit with polymer clay. I hope you get to soar in the artistic clouds!
@Marianne: Thank you too! I find myself gasping a lot when I see other artist’s polymer clay beads. It is wonderful to have someone gasping for me!
Cindy Lietz’s last blog post..Mokume Gane Polymer Clay Canes for Pendant and Bead Jewelry Making
How stunning is this flower, simply love it.
Hi Cindy – What a wonderful and innovative concept – I can’t wait to try it. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and expertise – I enjoy the help this is providing for own creative learning with Polymer Clay.
Eileen
Thank you Julie-Anne and Eileen!!
Cindy Lietz’s last blog post..Slicing Fimo Nail Art Canes | Sculpey Polymer Clay Cake Toppers
I am already tired of winter and sub zero temps here in Iowa and have been searching for some hope of spring. It looks like this bead is pierced in the center and would cover the beauty of the center design. Do you string these side by side or use and eye pin and hang more like a charm.
I would love to see this type of bead demonstrated in a video.
Thanks Anna for your interest in this flower bead! As far as the hole in the bead, you could pierce it however you wish. There is room through the ‘stem’ of the flower to pierce it through the side instead. I do like to string these side by side or hang them as a pendant. I have also combined a few of these beads pierced in different ways on the same necklace. This shows the flower from many different angles and makes the jewelry more interesting!
Hello Cindy, I just started to use polymer clay. I am currently making flower rings, and they are coming out really nice. The only thing is that I can’t get rid of finger prints. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you, Anabel Macias
Hi Anabel,
Welcome to the blog! You have come to the right place for information about fingerprints and polymer clay. In the search box at the top of the page use keywords like:
fingerprints
finger prints
cornstarch
The resulting list of articles will help you. Be sure to read through the comments too. There is often more info in the comments than the articles.