Vid #032: Making Polymer Clay Canes is a Fun Skill that All Beginners Should Learn Early:
You will probably spend as much time making canes, as you do with creating beads to apply your cane slices to. And the jelly roll cane design is a great place to start learning. They are very easy to make. Fun too.
This popular beginner cane is made by rolling together 2 flat sheets of polymer clay, using contrasting colors. I often combine black and white, but the choice is yours.
When selecting the clay for your cane, it’s best to choose the same brand for each color. Also be sure to condition each of the layers to the same degree. If one is softer or harder than the other, you may run into problems with the separate layers not “playing nice” together.
Don’t worry if your jelly roll ends up bigger than expected. Large diameter canes can be shrunk down to very small sizes by a process called cane reduction. But that discussion is going to have to wait for another day.
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The full version of the “Jelly Roll Cane” preview video shown above, is included in my Polymer Clay Bead Making Fundamentals Course [SEE Video #32 of 39]. Among other things, I demonstrate how to taper the ends of the separate color layers so that the jelly roll pattern doesn’t get all blobbed up in the center. I also provide instructions for reducing the cane using my pinch, stretch and roll technique.
As The Polymer Clay Tutor, my goal is to help beginners avoid making frustrating mistakes that I know can be discouraging. If you have any questions, feel free to ask away in the comments section below. I’d be happy to getting you going in the right direction.
Cindy’s last blog post..Making Polymer Clay Beads all the Same Size
Does it matter what size of polymer clay you start with before you make the jelly roll? Is there a formula for amounts that will yield certain sizes and numbers of beads?
Great question Katina!
Size doesn’t really matter with jelly rolls. The longer the sheets are the more ‘turns’ in the spiral. The wider the sheets are the more rolls you can cut. So it is really a personal preference.
Cindy Lietz’s last blog post..Premo Clay Flower Pendant Necklace Project with Vintage Glass Beads
Hi, Cindy
I just finished going through your beginner’s course. I am new to polymer clay. I have purchased books before but could get just so far. The course was great. The videos were the right amount of time for me and your instruction was very clear. It’s nice to know that I can go back to review. I appreciated the tips/suggestions.
Thank Deborah for sharing your thought feedback. I really appreciate it!