6 Videos #668 to #673: This fun sailor themed project will have you right on trend with the latest in fashion… Ships Ahoy!
Nautical fashion is everywhere these days! Walk through the mall, or flip through a magazine and you will see a sea of navy and white striped sailor shirts… red boat shoes… ships wheels… and anchors on everything from T-shirts to jewelry to pillows.
I loved the sailor look when I was young. And since it is so popular once again, I just had to make a Nautical Anchor Cane from polymer clay to create some awesome nautical accessories to wear this Summer!
I really hope you enjoy this tutorial! The cane is a little more complex than some of the others I have taught in the past, but don’t worry… I have broken it down into very doable steps.
Soon you will wearing your own Nautical Jewelry to go with that cute little Sailor Suit (or that Striped Tee) down on the docks, ot at a picnic this Summer… like me!
Posted just below is a Sneak Peak and overview of my Nautical Anchor Cane Tutorial. The rest of the 6 part video series will be posted tomorrow (Friday, June 5, 2015) in Vol-085 at the Polymer Clay Tutor Library.
BTW, if this Nautcial Anchor Cane Tutorial looks exciting to you, please do click that YouTube Like button. Many of you have been giving the Thumbs Up to the weekly YouTube videos, which is great… Thank You! However, these monthly intro clips need some love as well. When they don’t get as many likes, it makes it look like they are not appreciated as much… which surely can’t be true with all the nice comments you all leave :)
Vol-085-1: Video #668: Introduction: In this 6 part video tutorial series, you will learn all the techniques needed to create this awesome nautical anchor cane. You’ll learn how all the clay needs to be the same softness/firmness… and what to do if it isn’t. You’ll also learn some neat tricks for creating a Skinner blend that goes from dark to light to dark, and how to roll it just right so it will become the shaded lines in your design. You’ll also master the techniques of packing the background, shaping it into a round cane and wrapping the design with a blue and white stripe border. This tutorial is jam packed adventure… so get ready to set sail!
Vol-085-2: Video #669:
Supplies and Blends:
In this video, you will learn about the supplies and tools needed to create this fun project. Then you will learn my Lazy Skinner Blend method, that I use when making larger blends instead of cutting triangles of clay or using teardrops like I would with smaller blends. I think you’re going to love how pretty this simple blend turns out! [Please Note: In the this Part 2, I mention that you will need just under two 2oz blocks of Premo Pomegranate clay… but you will actually need just under 3 blocks].
Vol-085-3: Video #670:
Skinner Blend Plug:
In this video I will demonstrate how to create a complex Skinner Blend Plug that shifts from navy blue to white, and then back to navy blue again. It is this shading that will give dimension and interest to your anchor design. Far more interesting than just navy or white. You can use the ideas from this video in your other polymer clay and caning projects as well. Lots of useful skills to keep handy in your back pocket!
Vol-085-4: Video #671:
Planning The Anchor:
Now in this video, you will learn my secret tips for laying out the anchor design using a long strip of blended clay cut into exactly the right lengths, shaped into the corresponding parts and pieced together into the anchor design. The concepts you learn in this video are the exact techniques you can use to make just about any picture cane design. Definitely a stepping stone for other projects that you may want want to create in the future!
Vol-085-5: Video #672:
Refining Anchor Shape:
In this video you’ll start tweaking and manipulating the cut pieces into the shapes needed for the anchor design. You’ll be amazed how the short little pieces cut from the long blue Skinner Blend strip, will be used for each part of the anchor design… from the ring at the top, right down to the and the arrow hooks at the bottom. Plus the lines are dimensional too… all due to the special dark-light-dark Skinner Blend we made in the third video.
Vol-085-6: Video #673:
Background and Border:
In this final video of the exciting series, you will learn my simple background packing ideas for this intricate cane. This trace-and-cut puzzle piece method, will give you the least amount of distortion in your final design. I’ll also show you a neat trick for using a Scrapbooking die to use as a template for cutting the perfect circle shaped background. Then we will wrap things up by using the remaining blue blend tape as our stripe border. I think you will love how it pulls the whole look together. This cane has many steps, but the results are well worth the effort. Now go ahead and make this cane and some awesome jewelry for your upcoming Summer festivities. You’ll be the hippest Sailor on the docks!
Other Suggested Supplies:
- A NeverKead Machine is very handy for conditioning your clay and forming it into compact blocks… it’s not necessary but if you have one, you’ll sure use it on this project.
By the way, many of the “shopping” links I provide for the various tools and supplies used in my tutorials, are “affiliate” resources. That means companies like Amazon and the other suppliers I refer, pay me a small commission if you click on the links and end up making a purchase at their site. It’s not a lot, but every little bit helps in keeping the cost of my tutorials down. And, the prices for products that you may purchase through my links, are exactly the same as what you would normally pay, even if it is a “sale” price. So please feel free to click whenever you need to pick up a few things for your studio. Thanks so much for your support.
The full video series for the Nautical Anchor Cane Tutorial described above, is available in Vol-085 at the Polymer Clay Library.
If you would like to receive 3 free beginner videos right now, plus some free color recipes that get sent out each week in my Friday email newsletter, please click this link: Polymer Clay Tutorials
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… Please Note: A general prerequisite for all of my monthly library tutorials is that you have a good understanding of the polymer clay basics, including: conditioning clay, using a pasta machine, clay blade and other simple tools, making Skinner Blends, baking clay, as well as sanding and finishing. If you need help in these areas, my Polymer Clay Beginners Course will get you up to speed quickly. There is also plenty of free information on this blog. Use the search box at the top of the page to find articles on specific topics.
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Customer Feedback About Membership Value:
Cindy, Oh, my! I just have to write you today and share my excitement with you. Man, do I love to be surprised. I am a beginner with polymer clay, and have been sucking in all the information I can, haunting this website, blog and the web in general, reading books, etc. One of the things I love about polymer is that it feeds both sides of my brain, and my logical have-to-understand self, has been mightily indulged (former computer programmer here). And being a tool junkie, I have been accumulating all these great tools and having a ball organizing everything. Such fun! As far as the clay? Well, I have been playing with color and making recipes and teardrop blends, and trying all these great techniques you teach us. I have made some canes and beads and other mysterious things (have no clue what they are or if they will even be interesting when done). But I have had NO idea what I was going to do with these things I have made. I have never made a whole project from start to finish. Up until now, nothing has been sanded. I’ve just been accumulating these [nearly] pretty little objects. Some secret part of me knew that the sanding would make all of that clearer …. So today I finally decided to try my hand at sanding. And here is the surprise I mentioned at the beginning. Now, it’s not that I didn’t believe you, Cindy, when you said the sanding would make a HUGE difference – you have said it many times, and I could see it in the videos. But believing and BELIEVING are two different things! Holding them in my hands, seeing the changes…. the beauty, the soft buttery touch, the depth of the colors and of the translucent clay – they are all that you said they would be. So this is a big thank you, for your teachings and your inspiration. You have such a great gift — the ability to excite peoples’ minds and hearts and creative selves. ~Fran-V
Thank you so much for this. I seem to have some kind of mental block when it comes to Skinner blends. Your teardrop method has made my life a lot easier since I always managed to mess up the triangles, but I still have had terrible issues with the clay getting too long and narrow or not being able to make it narrow. This video series has been a great help. ~Sherry-W
I know I can always count on an excellent tutorial from you and that’s why I don’t bother with others. ~DixieAnn-S
I used to be a bit of a jack of all trades , flitting between craft subjects, never staying long enough to really get into the topic. And then I found Cindy! – and everything changed. It has been a real eye-opener for me, and now I m really getting into it. ~Marion-R
Wow 500 videos :) We, as a polymer clay community are very lucky that you and your husband Doug have decided to devote your time and energy into this field – I personally have learned so every much from you guys. Not just about how to make new types of beads or canes (which I love) but also the nuts and bolts side of my preferred medium. So congrats on this 500th mile stone and thank you for taking so many of us along for the ride. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. ~Sherry-L
Thank you so much for this tutorial!!! I have scoured the web for tut’s on making abalone and found them all wanting, they all fell short of ” believable ” but this one is so real. I have already made a jar using the blue cane as an inlay and covered some seashells for a pendant and earring set as well as some hearts for the same use and just need to wire them up. What an inspiring project! In a future tutorial could you show some more wiring techniques for earrings and pendants. Some pieces just don’t look right with a hole drilled through them and a jump ring, They need the added drama and architecture of the wire. I have some really great books but somehow watching you do the same thing just makes it so much easier and less complicated. These tutorials go a long way to giving me some confidence by giving me the skills to do things the right way and know that my products are quality. Thank you for that. ~Cheyrl-B
The full video series for the Nautical Anchor Cane tutorial described above, is available in Vol-085 at the Polymer Clay Library.
If you would like to receive 3 free beginner videos right now, plus some free color recipes that get sent out each week in my Friday email newsletter, please click this link: Polymer Clay Tutorials
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I’m going to love this tutorial. My husband used to sail (merchant navy – communications officer) and I have a silver anchor on a silver rope chain and lots of nautical stuff.
That pleases me to hear you say that Cheryl. I hope you really enjoy the tutorial!
Hi Cindy, I am at a loss of words to let you know that I just love your tutorials and wish I could meet you in person some day… I am unable to articulate, but would want to tell you that your tutorials are just superb and lucid, and very easy to understand, even for a beginner like me. I wish you could come to Mumbai (India) and share your great work with art and craft lovers here.
Nandini, You said that perfectly! Her tutorials are all that you say. And wouldn’t that be fun, a trip to India for a workshop with Cindy.
Am I right in assuming you are new to this community as well as being a beginner with polymer clay? Welcome!
This cane looks great! I have been wanting to try more complex cane construction but I’ve been sticking to simple ones because I don’t want to waste a ton of clay in experimenting. This will definitely help. I love how great the cane slices look by themselves. Could you possibly do a video on manipulating the cane slices to get that lovely domed look? I’m thinking that would look great as post earrings, with any cane. I have trouble with the pattern getting distorted when I try to do that.
I’ll put that suggestion on the list Krithika. Thanks for your comment!
Thank goodness!!! I have been craving one of your awesome graphic canes, Cindy :) It’s a date! LOL
Monique U. (A Half-Baked Notion)
Oh how I wish I’d had this tutorial a week or two ago!! I am the banquet committee chairman of an upcoming event and our theme is a “cruise” – it is the weekend of the 13th! If I have time, I MIGHT try to make and use these canes for jewelry or something for give away prizes. I love your tutorials – you’re the best!
Thanks!
Linda
Cindy you have very good information in all your videos, and as a new member of your monthly treat, as it should be called, I am totally hooked. Your explanations are thorough and even when you stumble, it’s like talking to an old friend cause I stumble sometimes when I teach. Love your projects and videos.
Cindy, I absolutely prefer your tutorials. I have bought several classes from other teachers… some quite advanced. I got a butterfly cane tutorial and it was WAY too big. Spent quite a bit of money on clay and ended up with a full box of scraps. I had the cane for a year before even being able to begin to reduce it. The instructors language was not clear and I was very disapointed. Cindy, your tutorials are doable… yours are the best!
Best one yet Cindy, I enjoy growing with you !!!!
Awesome. Lots of clay used but awesome.
Cheers
Cindy
Growing up near the ocean, this nautical themed cane is right up my alley. I love it!
Unfortunately, when I go to the members page and start the videos, all I hear is your voice, no images play.
Could Doug please help me to diagnose the problem? I use a Chrome browser, if that helps.
Thanks!
Hi Jocelyn – the first step for any video related issue is to try a different browser. So in your case since you normally use Chrome, then try Firefox… or even Internet Explorer (although IE is rarely the best choice). For other troubleshooting tips, there is a “Video Problems” navigation link at the top of the page, that will help you with additional things like clearing cookies and browser cache. Hopefully that helps.
MIne seem to be running OK on Chrome right now (East Coast NA), Doug. Could this be a regional server issue?
Monique U. (A Half-Baked Notion)
Oh my god, Doug! I have been having SUCH a hard time viewing these videos. My internet connection is pretty poor the last couple of days but even so, i have not been able to watch more than 3 or 4 minutes (often just seconds at a time) without losing the stream. (yet I can do Netflix streaming without a hitch. go figure). I have been using Chrome.
Now, I am a very loyal person. However, this can often translate to stubbornness. And I don’t much like change. For months I have been seeing your recommendation to try Firefox, but would I listen? Hell no. Google Chrome was such an improvement over IE that I really loved it.
But this was totally ridiculous. I was in the middle of the 6th video and it just stopped, and never came back on. I had tried all of your other suggestions (cookies, browsing data, etc etc) and nothing worked. So I finally gave in and installed Firefox. And guess what? it worked the whole way through, first time out of the box.
So, as always, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! And any other stubborn – nah let’s call it loyal – folks out there, Firefox really works!
Fran
Great to hear that Firefox is working for you, Fran… thanks for sharing this feedback.
Web browsers have so many “moving parts” and they all react or perform differently depending on which operating system is installed on your computer or mobile device… then there is the age of your hardware that comes into play… the type of internet security being used… firewall settings… software version numbers… the list goes on and on.
Chrome might work beautifully for one person, but not the other. And vice verse for Firefox… or Internet Explorer… or Safari.
When any sort of issue comes up with any web site on the Internet (whether video related or even something else), the quickest and easiest work-around is to fire up a different web browser. If the problem disappears when you use a different browser, that lets you know right away that the issue is being caused by some sort of configuration issue on your own computer… and that it is actually not web site that is to blame.
Computers… can’t live with ’em… can’t live without ’em!
So sorry Joce!! You will love this tute.!!Hang in there. Doug will sure straighten it out!!!
Cindy, Why did you leach the red and blue instead of bringing the white to an equivalent softness with the NeverKnead and some clay softener? Is it preferable when making a cane like this to have the clays on the harder side? Thanks as always, Fran
Hi Fran, yes I prefer to leach the softer clays rather than soften the harder clays, when I am making canes. Cane making is easier when the clay is firmer… well not exactly easier, but it distorts less. That is why so many people love Kato Polyclay for making canes… it is by far one of the firmest clays on the market. I would use it myself if I weren’t so sensitive to the smell. Hope that answers your question.
I learned so much from this tute!!. Mainly on how to pack it. Your technique is so much better than others I have seen. So doable. This is why I am still here doing your OUTSTANDING Toturials!!!!!!!!
TY TY TY TY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you everyone for your kind comments about this tutorial! I was a little nervous that it may be too challenging for you guys, but it seems I was able to break it down into enough simple steps that it is doable. Phew! I really enjoy having the jewelry I made with this cane. There is something playful about it that just screams Summer to me. I do hope you enjoy making this cane!
Hi, Cindy, I have a question for you. I have always read that you should sand under water or in water. Recently a friend told me that the really fine sandpaper does not work under water –that the water negates the fineness of the paper. I generally use micro mesh underwater… but wondered it there was any substance to this non water issue with regular sandpaper. Since you investigate I thought it would be an interesting story.
Also I have the Jooltool that you recommended and I finally got the Polymer kit…. Jool tool site is pretty contradictory about what you should use vs what is in their package. That might be a topic too.
Thanks for your tutes.
Elizabeth
Elizabeth… Cindy will respond to your question about underwater sanding… but in regards to the JoolTool… if you just purchased the machine and/or the polymer clay accessory package because of our videos, then be sure to let us know. Cindy is now an official “JoolTool Ambassador” and our referrals will be getting special perks in the form of extra training that you won’t want to miss out on.
Actually Elizabeth, I have found really fine sandpaper, does better with water because the water is constantly cleaning out the dust that is clogging it up. Of course this only goes for sandpapers that are wet/dry papers. The other regular papers just fall apart in water. Just do whatever works best for you.
Elizabeth, I have heard that actually using the micro mesh pads under water will make them come apart. That is fixable, with some glue, but it would last longer if you didn’t actually do the sanding underwater.
How about instead of sanding under water, you sand outside of the water and dip the sandpaper into water to clean off the dust and grit removed from the clay piece. That works really well for me.
Fran
Thanks Doug! Found that if I just waited a second using Chrome, the video did start. Another excellent series, thanks to you both!
Glad to hear you got that figured out. Thanks for the update.
Hi Cindy!
Thank you for a great video about the basics, and some not so basics, about caning.
I am very curious to know what you finally decided to do with the Natasha bead. It seems a bit big for a pendant.
Maria
I have not yet decided what to do with that large bead. Right now it is sitting on my shelf like a little piece of art… maybe it will stay there? :)
I agree: That could be a great use for it as well! It is very pretty. : )
Fantastic tutorial! I’ve been enamored with caning since I started, but have pretty much stuck to the more “forgiving” ones (flowers, etc). I’ve been wanting to try more complex, graphic canes and here you’ve given us a step by step! Thank you again Team Lietz! I’m also a little sensitive to the smell of Kato (although I know some don’t have that issue) but I have quite a bit of Fimo classic. A little more work for the fingers, but less distortion.
Hey, Cindy,
Do you have a channel into the Cindy Groupies brains? I tried to make a picture cane of a bison head last night, and it was a DISASTER! (It wasn’t wasted, however, as I chopped it up and made some Swirly Lentils and Natasha Beads that I absolutely love! I am going to call the group “Magick” because I ended up with a Maleficent pendant and a Book of Spells pendant – will post them on your Facebook when I get a chance. It wasn’t a colour combination that I would ever have thought of using for that purpose (Burnt Umber, Black, White and White Translucent) but the colours would have worked for a bull bison.)
Now, today when I opened my emails, your tutorial is making a picture cane. Obviously we Groupies need to keep a check on our thoughts, or you might hear us! LOL.
After watching this Nautical Anchor tutorial, maybe I will get a chance to try that cane again tonight, to create some more pieces for my table at the Bison Festival at Elk Island National Park (east of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) on August 15. I have been wanting to make some earring sets, but that’s hard by hand. That’s why I’m trying to make a head cane. Will let you know how I go with it!
I am also going to try the anchor itself. I love nautical theme stuff. I have some baked mica-dusted mold-pressed pieces (sea turtle, star-fish, fish, etc) waiting to be turned into something wearable. Maybe they will end up flanking some anchor beads. Or better yet, maybe I need to make a plaque pendant of a sailboat gliding past a beach with seashells and waves. Hmmmmm … so many ideas, so little time!!
Cindy, you are a wonder! Caning is what I most want to focus on, And love doing so imagine my delight, when “fFirst Friday” came around and the lesson with the best, clearest and my most favourite teacher (you) was about to teach me more about caning. I hesitate to write too often because I am aware that you and Doug must be iINSANELY busy, but I had to say THANK YOU for this lesson.
On another front, I just read Doug’s comments to Elisabeth about the JoolTool. Though I bought mine last year, I did buy it because of Your videos, Does that still count? I hope it does!! Maybe you can get some extra ” ambassador” points! I have yet to be really comfy using it and did ask you,Cindy a while back whether you were planning to teach more about it. You said you were…..so I hate to bug you, but do you know when that might be? I’m not asking you to be EXACT about it….but might you be able to tell me whether it might happen in weeks, or months, or even as much as a year? I am getting desperate as I look at nearly a year’s worth of dull beads! I’ve experimented a lot and found it hard to get decent results. My beads get wonky or I wear away a veneer….etc. etc. If your teaching about it isn’t too far off I won’t subject myself to more misery with it, but if you don’t think you’ll be teaching about it for a LONG time then I’ll know I’ve just got to try and muddle through. It is made harder for me because I have health issues ( lots o’ pain) that makes operating the Jooltool harder. I apologize again for pressuring you, and for making this “comment” so long, but it is very important to me.
I have been claying now ( my second time around) for a year. In May I had a celebrational bowl of icecream on the anniversary of the day I opened my first block of clay! In that time I have bought many video tutorials, books, lessons of all sorts and I have NEVER found any teacher, or quality of lesson that comes close to what you and Doug do. Whether I am delving back into your archives or taking a new lesson I feel as if I’ve “come home” thank you so much for what you do. And thank you again for the latest, coolest caning tutorial!! Maybe now that the First Friday of the THIS month is done you two can relax a bit?!??????
Julia
Hi Julia… you always have such nice things to say about us… we really appreciate it :-)
Now… in regards to the JoolTool Ambassador stuff…let’s see what we can do with that. I just sent you an email with some follow up questions. It would be best to discuss the details of your specific situation privately, rather than here on the blog.
And again… thanks for all the kind words!
Hi Cindy & Doug
I’ve tried not to bombard you with questions while you’re switching stuff over to the new platform, but as we approach October I felt I had to write as the list of my videos only goes up to No. 35 and I own them all. I can access all my videos by clicking on the Member Video Library link, but will all my videos be transferred to the new platform, or only those listed?
A bit worried – Marion
No need to worry Marion… they will all be transferred over. Btw, you now have access to the studio cam videos if you did not already know.
Hi Cindy and Doug,
Marie Lilley here from Bury in the UK, I joined PCT on Friday, and purchased all the tutorials, I’m so glad I did. I’m fairly new to Polymer Clay and have learned a lot already from the videos not to mention the ideas it has given me. I’ve already transferred a photo of my dogs on to Polymer Clay and made them into keyrings. They are not perfect but for a first attempt I’m well chuffed with them.
I will be making more (not just photos of my dogs) and giving them as presents to people we visit, we are a Pets As Therapy visiting team, and go into Nursing homes, hospitals, hospices and let people who want to stroke and fuss them. It has a very calming effect. We also work with people who are afraid of dogs.
I do have one question please – when do you use a heat gun as oppsoed to a blow dryer which I assume is a hair dryer. In some of the video you refer to and use a heat gun and in others the blow dryer.
Many thanks and have a great day.
Hi Marie, it is so wonderful to have you here in our sweet little clay family! We have many members from the UK… maybe you can connect with them sometime? With all those new tutorials you should be able to make lots of presents for Christmas and then you’ll have plenty to do over the cold Winter! Your Pet Therapy work sounds very fulfilling. It looks like you bring joy to many others. :)
In regards to your question about heat guns vs. blow dryers… Heat guns tend to be a lot hotter than blow dryers are so the two tend to be used for different reasons.
If you just need to dry something on the clay like paint or ink, but you do not want to risk curing the clay, then you would use a blow dryer.
If you do plan on curing the clay (like the partial cure you do in the Faux Deep Crackle Raku Tutorial) or if you want to cure a liquid clay, then you would use a heat gun.
You can also use a heat gun to heat set paints, inks, or embossing powders on already baked polymer clay. You need to be more careful with a heat gun though, since it is relatively easy to burn your clay if you get too close or hold it in one spot for too long.
I hope that answered your questions. Have a wonderful time learning and making new things in polymer clay! Happy Holidays!
Hi Marie
Just wanted to welcome you to our fabulous clay family! I also live in the UK, in Leafy Surrey. Cindy is the most wonderful teacher to have and I’m quite sure you’re going to be a long-term member like me!
As you’ll soon discover it’s very addictive, but it’s a great addiction to have!
Hope you have a great Christmas.
Marion
Hi Marion
Thanks for your comment, yes I have found it really addictive and enjoyable viewing. I see you are a dog lover too, I now have two cross greyhound/Salukis. I will ask Cindy and Doug to send you my email address and then if you wish to exchange emails on anything to do with polymer or dogs you have it.
Thanks, I’ll try to have a better christmas than last year, I had gotten everything ready to have a good polymer session making canes, had the pasta machine all set up. Took Billy and Kelly (pooches) out to the local country park at 6.20am but tripped in there on a bridge and ended up in A & E with a broken arm – my dominant arm. So anything has to be better.
You too have a great christmas.
Hi Marie
Yes I would love that (Cindy, please give Marie my e-mail address – thanks!)
I am so sorry to hear of your fall last year, how awful and with your dominant arm! Hope you’re feeling much better now and looking forward to Christmas this year.
Dog lover? Oh, yes! Rosie, our Goldie is our 5th dog and is absolutely adorable.
I look forward to hearing from you and sharing some polyclay stuff, what fun!
Marion
Hi Cindy and Doug,
Another quick question – How would I set my avatar picture please?
Thanks again
Marie
Hi Marie… welcome to the PcT Community!
The way to add your image is to go to http://en.gravatar.com/ and follow their simple photo upload instructions.
After the Gravatar system “processes” your photo upload (it can sometimes take a few hours)… then that generic sideways G logo which is currently posted beside each of your comments at my blog… will miraculously change to the personalized photo you have added.
If you type “Gravatar” into the search box at my blog, you’ll get some links to other comment threads where this topic has been discussed in previous threads.
Hi Cindy and Doug,
Many thanks to both of you for answering my questions, and Doug as you can see all went well.
Thanks again
Marie
Perfect!
Hi Cindy,
I haven’t started this tutorial yet–still gathering materials. Since I live on an island, it’s hard to get materials. Thank heavens for Amazon! You mentioned using a UV Resin. What brand do you recommend? Resins get mixed reviews on Amazon and there’s a wide range of prices. Thanks for your help.
Hi Sharon, the UV resin that I recommend is Ultradome UV Epoxy Resin.
I love this anchor cane but when I tried to do it the end of lesson you can’t see the anchor I’m so bummmed, I’m going try again I won’t give up I got lost when we filling it in w the red
Hi Jeannie, sorry to hear you’re having trouble but glad that you aren’t giving up! What did you mean by… when I tried to do it the end of lesson you can’t see the anchor? I can help you better if I understand what is happening.
I have tried the cane twice already it not come out rig ht” it get distorted
Hi Jeannie, canes get distorted for three reasons…
1) the different colors of clay have different levels of firmness. ie. One clay is soft and another is hard. Resulting in one clay moving faster than the other as it gets reduced.
2) the cane is reduced too quickly. When you try to reduce a cane too quickly, the outside of the cane gets warmer and softer than the inside of the cane. This causes it to stretch and move faster on the outside and the cold stiff clay on the inside won’t move.
3) the cane is not properly packed. If there are any air spaces between the pieces as you pack them together, the clay will just move into that empty space and put the design out of whack.
My guess is that one or more of these problems are the reason your cane is getting distorted. I would suggest making some simple canes like bullseye canes, checkerboard canes, simple smiley face canes, first to practice building and reducing canes. Once you have that nailed, then come back and try the Anchor cane. Cane making has it’s quirks, but once you understand them and learn to work with them, you will be able to do them well. Keep practicing! Let me know if you need any more help.
Well its been a couple of years now, since I watched this for the first time. so getting older 72… and have spurts of creativity. Dang… my mind is slipping…. so trying to get back into it more. If I have issues ie mixing colors and recipes and amounts. that someone else had mentioned. ie Jessema and her African safari project. I was baffled on amouints of clay. needed and so I rewatched your tutes. the anchor… and omg since then you have done so much with your sites and conversations. You are the basis of what folks have built on I swear. and its fun to see what others are doing. ie Deb Hart Jessema Meg Newberg and others. but you are still the best so glad you guys are doing so well. I guess Im one who likes to watch and buy tools and dink more than really produce. But I like it. So… Its me and the pups and You guys are right there just going along doing well. I wanted to have some champagne to celebrate a while back. Thank you for being part of my family. Patty JORGENSON ad her eskis.
WOW Thank you Patti for the kind words! It has been a pleasure having you in our polymer clay family enjoying this journey along side us for so many years!! The community has definitely grown but it is just as fun and as exciting as ever! Much love!!
Hi Cindy,
I realize that this post is not about the tutorial but I am at my wits end. I no longer have the computer that my login name and password were on and I have tried everything to login. I’m not able to get to the paid tutorials that I have purchased. :( Is there anything that you can do to retrieve this info for me? For some reason it’s not recognizing my email either. Help!! I miss watching your tutorials!
Hi Jackie,
Although the blog is not really for posting support questions like this, I’m glad you di in this case… because I have actually been sending you emails over the last 10 day that your obviously have not been receiving.
Please check your junk/spam folders and/or the “promotions” tab in your Gmail account. You will find my emails there. And please do confirm (via email), once you find them. Thanks :)
Am a new member, and am loving your fuchsia design and the tutorial! I am so happy to have one baking in my oven as I write! You have such a gentle and thorough way of presenting everything, which makes it a joy to “work with” you.
Please think about a columbine design too! Your interpretation will be lovely!
thanks for everything,
Nancy
Thank you so much Nancy for your kind words! I am pleased you’re enjoying the tutorials! I absolutely LOVE Columbines! I have been growing them for years and definitely have them in my mind to make a tutorial on. Hopefully it won’t take me too long to get to it. Thanks for commenting!
I just watched your videos on the fairy door and LOVE< LOVE it. Can't wait to get started. You explain everything so well. I am a newbie with clay and look forward to more from you.
Welcome Dawnell! It is wonderful to have you here! :)
Cindy I just loved your foxgloves and tear drop video. I have been wanting to try something since I got into this polymer clay thing my sister got me into this and I do believe I will like it. However I have run into some major problem with the tear drop. I have some Cernet Translucent white and it is very soft. I bought some generic sharpie it dries fast just like the regular sharpie. Well I draw lines just like you did in the video and of course the red was drying real fast so I did just like you said I drew 6 lines as quick as possible and then I put my clay down it was about 1/8 thickness and it pick it only about half and I tried to pick up more but for some reason it pick up some but left about 1/3 on the glass surface. And then when I put it my pasta machine the colors seem to vanish at least most did so that tells me that the clay needed more colors I hope you can help me. It might need the regular sharpie.
Thanks for the kind words, Billy! Yeah, it sounds like your Generic Sharpies are more Alcohol and less pigment, then the real ones… hence the quick drying and the lack of color. You could do the transfer a few times to increase the pigment load, or you could use alcohol inks instead.
Cindy I am still having trouble getting my Foxgloves to look like yours. I wish I could get a picture to you. I took that Cernit translucent white clay and I put in the colors just like yours then the colors just vanished I kept on putting through my pasta machine and the colors just didn’t just come out I have 3 to 5 times maybe more. The clay was turning a light grey color so I did again this time I put in more color but this time I pick up the markers on the clay and still they are not like yours you can see about little half the colors. I don’t know what I am doing wrong. I can work on something else but I really wants to do these I think they will really make good pendants, ear rings, maybe even necklaces. I bought some more markers cause I don’t what happen but the markers just dried up so I bought more at Walmart.,
By the way I am using Sharpie markers
Hmm, that’s really weird, Billy! I wonder if it has to do with using Cernit? You know how Cernit gets sticky with water and Premo repels it? I wonder if the Cernit is absorbing or reacting to the alcohol ink in the Sharpie and changing its color or saturation? It is the only thing I can think of.
After all these years of teaching that particular tutorial, no one has mentioned this issue… mind you, no one had easy access to Cernit back then either. That’s the only thing I can think of that is different. Do you have any translucent Premo on hand? If you do, try that and see if that fixes your issue. Let me know.
Cindy that is the trouble I don’t have any translucent clay period. Do you think that I could order some other kind of translucent clay any suggestion will be helpful. The reason I don’t have any clay cause the clay I have is from my sister she is the one I got started with polymer clay. You see my and my wife knit and crochet and it takes a good while to may items and she thought I could try this while we work on different projects.
Ahh, no wonder! I thought you said you were using Cernit Translucent White? If you are using an opaque clay, then you would have a very hard time achieving any level of saturation with the inks.
If you want to have success with this technique, you will need to use a translucent clay. A lot of the suppliers are coming online now with more stock, so finding a block of Premo Translucent, shouldn’t be too hard.
Here is some on Amazon (affiliate Link). Try that and let me know how it goes.
Cindy you misunderstood you asked if I had some translucent maybe some Premo well I told you had none except I had Cernet translucent clay. I say again I have Cernet translucent clay.
that is the trouble I am having with Cernet translucent clay.
Oh, sorry about that Billy. I go back to what I said before then… perhaps it is an issue with Cernit then? Looks like something that needs to be tested.
ok I should have asked in the last comments. I have looked at Amazon but their prices is a bit high $12.20 for just trying it out and not for sure if that would work. So do you have any suggestions that I might try. Since Cernet isn’t working very good.
I think you will need to Google that, to find someone who has it in stock and in a price that’s more reasonable. Your local Michaels may even have it. Hope you find some and have a great Holiday!
Cindy I found the clay that would work I am still having a little trouble getting all the colors to pick up but that problem is only small I still haven’t looked for alcohol inks. By the way the clay is Regular translucent my sister told me about that clay and it is doing better. But I have another situation I was hoping in the video you would talk about making tear drop ear rings unfortunately there wasn’t any. I have made the tear drop and baked them. They are ready for the finish step. I looked the foxglove and tear drop tutorial but still couldn’t see how you did them. I thought about doing the same way you did on the pendant but not sure if that would work. By putting two dead soft wires and put a small bead at the bottom then come up.
Hi Billy, Since I show a lot of different examples, for each tutorial, I can’t always show the complete instructions for all of them. For that actual pendant I used a long single dead soft wire that I folded in half and put a bead on the fold and wrapped one of the wires a few times above the bead. Then the both wires came up through the hole in the bottom of the pendant (you may need to drill the hole a little larger to fit the doubled wire). Then I kind of did a swirl up and around the pendant with both wires and made a wire wrapped bail on the top. (I recommend watching some wire wrapping videos for some more wire working techniques.) I hope that helped enough to get you creating some of your own designs. Good luck!
I’ve been watching the Faux Abalone tutorials, and love the result. I live in New Zealand and thought your samples were really very realistic, but the list of different coloured clay used, includes a Premo Accents Blue Pearl, and I haven’t been able to find one anywhere in the internet.
Was this an ordinary blue like cobalt, or is this one of your own recipes? I’ve found all the others although they are just Premo, not Premo Accents. Is that OK?
Welcome to the PcT community Nick. It’s great to have you here!
There is dedicated post for the Faux Abalone Vol-065 Tutorial … there is a lot of discussion about color options in the comments of that post that will be helpful for you :)