Video #209: “Reclining on a velvet couch, eating bonbons and being fanned with peacock plumes (full story below).” ~Mary-U
I definitely had to dig deep to find that delightfully vivid, peacock related quote… from Mary-U. Her words had Doug and I really laughing out loud, so you guys might just get a chuckle as well. Besides, what are the chances that I’ll ever get the chance again, to talk about velvet, bonbons and peacocks all the same post… LOL?!
Cindy, your apparently inexhaustible treasure trove of ideas continues to amaze me. Although it’s well known that you spend most of your day reclining on a velvet couch, eating bonbons and being fanned with peacock plumes by your willing slave Sir Doug, somehow you find the time to work these marvels for us. Thank you, thank you. ~Mary-U
Now in keeping with the Peacock Cane theme which began last week (See Vol-037-3 Part 1 Video), I found another interesting YouTube video that is worth watching. It’s not about polymer clay. But it is a wonderful story about community, public art & peacocks of course. Have a look…
Coming up tomorrow (Friday June 24th, 2011) in the Vol-037-4 video at the Polymer Clay Library, you will be able to see Part 2 of my intermediate level, Peacock Cane project. I hope you enjoy it.
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Please Note: A general prerequisite for all of my weekly 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 or Teardrop 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.
Supplies & Tools: Video-037-4 Peacock Cane Part 2:
- Completion of Part 1 of the Peacock Feather Cane.
- As was mentioned last week, you will need Polymer Clay in the following shades:> 5038 Peacock Pearl Premo Sculpey Accents.
> 5035 Bright Green Pearl Premo Sculpey Accents.
> 5031 Purple Pearl Premo Sculpey Accents.
> 5055 18K Gold Premo Sculpey Accents.
> 5517 Antique Gold Premo Sculpey Accents.
> 5010 Navy Blue Premo Sculpey. - Pasta Machine.
- Acrylic Roller.
- Clay Blade.
The full version of the Vol-037-4 Peacock Cane Pt2 video will be posted in the Polymer Clay Members Library on Friday June 24, 2011. But if you would like to see a sneak peek intro clip right now, scroll down the page a bit to the video player below.
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The full version of the “Peacock Cane Pt2” preview video shown above, is now available for purchase at the Polymer Clay Library in the Volume-037 Back Issue Package.
Customer Feedback About Membership Value:
I guarantee, and everyone here will back me up, that you can’t go wrong in becoming a member. So many have said they thought they knew how to do a technique Cindy has done a tutorial on, only to watch her way and realize she does it better and/or faster. The video quality cannot be beat – all shots are up close, in focus, and of terrific quality so you actually see exactly what it is she’s doing, in addition to her easy to understand, step-by-step instructions. She has taken so many of us from “fumbling newbies” to actual artistic creators in such short periods of time it’s almost unreal, and I know a lot of us wouldn’t be anywhere near where we are today if not for her tutorials. Her motto is “I learned by making the mistakes – Now you don’t have to” and that’s exactly what she does – she tries things out and presents them to us after they pass the Cindy test! So that small amount every three months is actually a great money, and time, saver! I hope you decide to join us! ~Tanya-L
My beloved tutor, Cindy and her filmin’ wiz of a hubby, Doug! You two bring so much to us, for such a low price. I could go on and on about how great you are, but I’ve got a video to watch! :D Hurray!!! ~Phaedrakat
I really look forward to your weekly videos Cindy and Doug, and have learned so much from them over the past year. I also have a library of polymer books and magazines and am fortunate to have a local Guild very supportive in my clay endeavors, but still enjoy the video close-up, hands on view of projects well out of my reach normally. Being retired and on a pension I have to be thrifty but find the quarterly $9.95 US money well spent. Traveling now means always with my trusty laptop so I don’t miss those Friday A.M. videos and the camaraderie of the blog posts. ~Lawrence-S
The following topics are included in this week’s Polymer Clay Tutor Library, Peacock Cane Pt2 video tutorial:
- See several examples of beads, pendants and earrings that were made using Peacock Feather Cane.
- Discussion of the tools and techniques needed to create these Intermediate Level polymer clay cane.
- Learn the tricks for getting that realistic feathery look to your canes using gorgeous teardrop blends and layering techniques.
- Plus, with some creativity and ingenuity, there are many ways to come up with your own unique jewelry designs using this stunning polymer clay canework design.
The full version of the “Peacock Cane Pt2” preview video shown above, is now available for purchase at the Polymer Clay Library in the Volume-037 Back Issue Package.
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Sure hope we survive the last day of the wait!!!!
Loved the video. I think artists, whatever their medium of choice, have so much power to impact the ugliness in the world. I wonder what would happen if groups of people full of hatred for each other were put into a room and told to create together. I’ll bet by the end of the experience the reasons for their differences would be forgotten.
I was also impressed by the fact that this group of artists, initially reluctant to work side by side wound up collaborating and establishing friendships and support for each other, resulting in the generation ofa whole greater than the sum of its parts so to speak. Guess it’s a long way of saying that it simulates what happens here. You and Doug draw us into this creative space where magical things happen on levels too numerous to name. For this I thank you.
Well said Elizabeth :)@Elizabeth S.:
What a great idea those people in Florida had. Such a beautiful mixture of colors and mediums. Thanks for pointing out that great videio.
Really can’t wait for tomorrows tute. Another hit…..:) !!!
Goodie goodie, going now……
well, you know…..tomorrow…..Friday. Hee hee.
That video? Nice and all. You ever hear a peacock? “Bawarrrk!” All day long. Real pain in the butt when it decides to roost and display on the woodpile outside your teenage bedroom window.
Never hurt one, but I sure didn’t mind sending the brush the teeth excess water out the window at the damn thing either. Worked sometimes. LOL!
My laptop refused to work yesterday so I was panic- stricken knowing I couldn’t miss part II of Cindy’s very special shiny peacock cane. Now I will not turn it off until I’ve watched it. I have spoken to it nicely and given it a dust and polish, also keeping my fingers crossed. Loved the different artist’s “take” in Coconut grove.
[I think I want to live there] My wonderful pearl clays came this morning so I am all set!!! Also decided that I wanted to make something similar to Cindy’s peacock mirror, so you guessed it, ordered a load of peacock feathers, and have a notebook full of doodles. Oh well promised myself I would sand and buff 100 beads before making the peacock cane so had bettergo.But just to say, I wonder what Cindy’s girls [and guys] will be doing tomorrow. Hmmm can’t think!!!Ha Ha!!
LOL, Elaine sounds to me like you need to bring earplugs…..roosters chickens banties ferals and pythons now can all abide outside your window because they roam freely. If I paid money for my condo, and their were feral birds and other stuff next door making noise? Oooooo. I migraine.
And lets not forget the alligators, crocodiles and monitor lizards. It’s a jungle down there.
Reclining
on a velvet couch,
eating bonbons and being
fanned with peacock plumes….I actually thought that you were going to finish that quote by saying it was you and the finishing line would read “while they wait for part two!” We are all so excited to make this lovely cane.
What a nice video of Coconut Grove -and the history of the area. Don’t we love to travel vicariously ? The idea of the peacock sculptures and the artists who decorate them is fun. Your ideas of incorporating this type of thing is what keeps us stimulated. Thanks so much. This is over and above anything what other teachers do with their videos. You and Doug and of course the kids ( said lovingly) are wonderful giving people. Hurrah !!!
As far as the cane goes. That teaser was so short -I am drooling already !
Clay in hand we wait…………………….
I’ve Got to make a pair of those earrings!! So thin and “floaty” (not sure that’s a word) YKWIM—–anyway I Love them…….not going to town till the 29th though–talk about a long wait…arggg ;)
I totally agree Elizabeth.
Well, sanded and buffed 80 beads last night but the other 20 will have to wait! Just watched part ll of Cindy’s peacock feather cane and my fingers are itching to get going, so the buffing is put on hold. Will also have to learn how to use my new camera,[Shame Doug doesn’t produce his own “how to tutes”] as I am technophobic and still learning how to use all these 21st century gagets. Think I should have been born in the 18th century but then I would never have stumbled upon polymer clay:(
Jocelyn, I was deaf in one ear since childhood until I had an op to correct my hearing so animal noises [including peacocks] are music to my ears, although it was quite scary when I emerged into the hearing world and even now I have to escape into the woods to get some peace n quiet. So as I am still learning new things every day I will get claying and hope to make a supercalifragallistic peacock cane:)
My sister-in-law raises Peacocks here in Michigan and they are noisey. But the beauty out weighs the noise. My first field trip to the Zoo in Kindergarden I was greeted by a hugh peacock and been a fan ever since!
This tute is cool! Can’t wait to try it!
Once again, I love this cane!! Uhm… I wonder if I can scoot out of work early today to get started. It’s going to be another fun weekend at the clay table. Thanks Team Lietz!
Absolutely stunning!!!!! Gotta water my plants (to be a toasty 106 degrees in El Paso, TX today), and then can spend the rest of the day in my craft room trying to master this gorgeous cane. Part II wqs certainly worth the wait!!
WOW ! Part 2 is absolutely stunning !!! I can hardly wait to make it. Off to the Y, THEN I have all afternoon to play clay. This tute is probably my all time favorite !!!!!!!!!! Thanks for expanding my knowledge. Don’t know how you do it, but you keep coming up with such exciting tutes. Thanks you so much for being YOU……………
This was fantastic. Hope I can get to try it later. Wow!!!!!
Hi,
I am relatively new to Cindy’s tutorials. I have never posted before. I just finished the peacock feather cane. It is absolutely beautiful. But more importantly, I think I taught me more about making polymer clay canes then I have learned in the 4 years that I have be practicing.
I also gave me a zillion ideas of other things I can make by adapting the same process.
I am thrilled! No one is going to see me again until work on Monday. I’m just working on my canes.
Cindy you have a unique gift of breaking down complex tasks into simple steps. Thank You. Cassie
Welcome Kathleen..from reading the posts above it seems like everyone is at their clay tables–me? I have to wait a few more days togo to town and get the right colors….I’m kind of new here too,there are alot of nice people here,they will make you feel welcome @Kathleen C:
@Kathleen C: Welcome!! So glad you joined our group. You’ll find everyone is so helpful and caring. Cindy and Doug are the best they’re tutorials are very clear and easy to follow.
Cindy, is there a way for us to bookmark our favorite techniques?
Thank you everyone for your comments! It pleases me to hear that you enjoyed this tutorial so much. I was hoping to be able to simplify the process the best I could, without losing that delicate look of the Peacock feather.
Since so many of you enjoyed this more-intermediate tutorial, I’m curious to know if you want to see more like it at this level. Also let me know what sort cane designs you are most interested in learning how to do?
@Elizabeth S.: So eloquently put, Elizabeth! Thank you for saying that.
@Kathleen C: Thank you Cassie for coming here to say that! What I love about this community is the interaction between those who have been been here for years like Elizabeth and Jocelyn, and those like you and Tanesherry, who have only been here awhile. There is so much to share and learn from each other. I am amazed by it every single day! Hope to see you here more often, now that you have ventured in to say a few words :)
@Kathy Bloom: I’m going to let the others give you some tips on how to bookmark stuff. It will be much more valuable for you to hear from their perspective as a fellow member.
@Cindy Lietz from Polymer Artists Come Together to Make Beads: Yes to this level ! BUT, only now and then -we have so many newbies, this maybe a challenge they are not ready to make. Don’t want to scare them off -as if you could LOL………..
Cassie -Glad you could join us -the group is so caring, helpful, and enjoying each and every phase of this site. We just want to have FUN…….yeah!
Elizabeth – you are so eleoquent ! ( MY spell check is on vacation LOL). We all love your comments !!!!!!!!!!
@pattw35: Thank you!
Thanks for the welcome Tantesherry. Sorrt
Ahhh! Sent too soon.
Sorry that you have to wait Tantesherry but it will be worth it. These colors just glow. Have fun. Kathleen
Thank you Cindy. I have been making feathers all day. Working to get the pattern memorized and playing with colors. It is terrific. I’m new here but I am at an intermediate level. Although I am working through your beginners course to break some of my bad habits and learn new skills.
I would love to see a landscape cane. I can make them but they are pretty lame! Thanks again. Cassie
Since you make things so much easier to do, I say bring it on……lol.
[ the intermediate things that is…..:) ]
ps. we can always say “whoa!’ right?
@pollyanna: I’m with ya Pollyanna!
Yes, I’m for intermediate tutes. Your cane making tutes are fab! Anything in cane making is good. Plus, the sculpture beads like the flowers are great!
Had my tear drop blends all ready to go yesterday, and then my grandaughter arrived (babysitting duty for grandma!) but I refused to let it stop me. She had a ball starting and stopping the video and helping to “smush” as she said (already getting into PC slang and she is only 4) the clay and then layer the slices. This was a fantastic tute, well worth the price, and another of your and Doug’s marvelous efforts. Thank you!
As for intermediate tutes: OH YES! One thing that has so far given me much chagrin is looking at some of the fantastic kaleidoscope canes people create and wondering (of course) “how did they do that?” Would love to see an intermediate video on this.
Cindy and Doug
Lord have mercy. What ever those “feel good” chemicals are I am now totally immersed in them. Glowing. Why?
You. I did it, from start to finish. Part One and Part Two, plus watched the peacock info vid a couple of times.
You are a brilliant teacher. I admire your and Doug’s work and committment to us so much.
Agree with others, bring on the intermediate stuff. How can I fail?
Dear Cindy, Here is a photo of my peacock cane. I am so happy because it is my first project since I was paralyzed last year. It is far from perfect but my hands are still very weak. I cannot reduce the cane until I get help when my daughter comes. The motor on my pasta machine is a big help thanks to Penny who gave me the link. She also has the new colors of premo. I just purchased them and have to say she is a very fare person with postage and help ect; and to you and Doug, thanks again for such amazing video’s. I am just so happy to be claying again and able to work thru the pain, at the end of it to see what I have done. Wow and what all the blog team have helped me do, love to you all Ritzs
@Ritzs: I feel so overjoyed that you would try this with such great success!!! I think it’s wonderful. You truly are an insperation..[now stop blushing] . I’m sure I smell Cindy’s brain on fire thinking of ways to help with the reducing. Several of us here have hand problems and would benefit from some help in that area.
As for the likes and dislikes….Even if I wasn’t thrilled by the prospect of some tute, I found I always learned something and would go back as I developed and think ” I remember her saying this or where did she show us that” so I imagine I’m not alone in saying….you’ve done a fantastic job and just keep doing what you are doing……
Andrea
@Ritzs: There is an adage in the music industry that a preformer can not convey great emotion in their song, unless they have experienced it themselves. Many of the artists on this site have had their share of hard times, and even if they came to claying as a release from that, or just want to share their creative talent with us and the world, they should know that they are truly appreciated. You are the epitome of that. For what you have been able to overcome and continue to achieve, I salute you.
@Ritzs:Ritzs
I can’t stop crying tears of joy!!!
@Ritzs: Ritzs, this is so awesome! Your peacock cane is beautiful. I am looking to get going on this tute soon! Looks like fun and we all so proud of you.WOW!
@Ritzs: Your Peacock cane is just beautiful! Thank you for sharing this with us. I’m so happy you’re able to return to claying. I hope you know how much of an inspiration you’ve been to all of us. I love hearing from you. XXXX
@Ritzs: What a walking “claying” miracle!! You did a fantastic job! This will be the best therapy for you! Keep it up you inspire us all!!
@Ritzs:I’m so happy to see you here again!! :) And so glad to see your work!! You did a beautiful job Ritzs!! Mine did not turn out, so I made it into a Kaleidoscope Cane – I call it my Peacock Kali Cane. :) A picture of it can be seen on my FaceBook photos page in the photo folder called: My Millefiori, aka: Canes, Glorious Canes… It’s the last picture posted. Ahhh, I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to see you claying again!! You are an inspiration!!
Peace, Love, & Clay Forever,
~Lisa :) xoxo
@Ritzs: I wrote on facebook too. I love to repeat it here–Welcome back, Ritz. You came back full throttle !! You are amazing -really. You made a beautiful cane. Aren’t you so proud ? ;D
Boy oh boy – did I goof bigtime. I misread the recucing part of part 11 cane. Did mine the opposite direction. Anybody want to buy some pretty striped unbaked canes ??????? Honestly, what we do to our selves when in a hurry LMAO. Will try again today.
The tute was perfect – the student wasn’t……………..
@pattw35: I see lots of pretty lentils in your future………
@pollyanna: Laughing -anything you can offer is a good idea. As I look at the mess, I can only laugh. Maybe something GRAND will come of it -who knows. Thanks
@Ritzs: Wow, Ritzs that’s just amazing – all your effort and such a beautiful result!! How inspiring! It’s really nice to see you back again.
When I saw this last week Cindy, I was just thrilled. I’ve been a peacock fanatic ever since I was a kid too (it was a pretty illustrated card image and a zoo trip that did it for me). I love learning more involved techniques and marvel at how you “decipher” everything into simple, clear steps in such short segments. Count me in for more intermediate lessons as well, we have such a rich library here – brimming with information (tutorials and the blog) we can always access those if we need help…it seems like a natural progression. Thanks Cindy and Doug for another gorgeous technique!!
@Ritzs: Ritzs, How wonderful to see that you’re back working with clay…you’ve come such a long way. Your cane is beautiful! I hope that with your physical therapy, you’re able to get back your strength and eliminate all of the pain.
@Ritzs: So proud of you, Rita! Your peacock cane is beautiful…I’m in awe of your drive & commitment. I hope you were as happy playing with your clay as I was seeing the end result! Hopefully things will get easier for you as you get stronger, so you can fully enjoy the things you’ve been missing during your recovery. Bless you — you’ve given ME hope! Hugs, Kat
Thank you so much everyone for your input about the intermediate level projects! I will take everyone’s needs for instruction and inspiration into consideration. Patt makes a good point. Although they do not speak up as much as the talkative group here, the bulk of our members are brand new to polymer clay and there needs to be a good balance between projects that they can have success with, and ones that will stimulate all of you who have been here awhile.
Also on that point, there are people who LOVE making canes and people who aren’t so much in love with making canes. There are people who want more mixed media stuff, and those who want less. Please know that I will always try to bring things from a wide range of techniques and styles that are useful and interesting, no matter the subject and skill level.
Now to Ritz’ … WOW!!! I am so thrilled with you! You have overcome an adversity that would have stopped many people in their tracks. And you have shown courage and perseverance through painful therapy and determination to get back to your passion of working with polymer clay. What an inspiration you are!!!
To see you create this beautiful peacock cane now, when it wasn’t so long ago that you couldn’t even pick up a block of clay, makes my heart soar with joy! For anybody who says that things are too hard to do… well, they only need to look at what you have accomplished her, and feel strength to grow. If you were able to push through this, than surely anyone can!!
Seeing how it would still be quite difficult for you to reduce the cane, given the strength issues in your hands, has started my mind turning with ideas to help you and others with this specific challenge.
There is an extremely talented polymer clay artist named Wes Warren who came up with the idea of using a bungee cord to reduce his massive canes (10-20 lbs) that he makes for commercial orders. When I saw his technique years ago, it made me think I could come up with a similar idea that would work on a much smaller scale using something like sewing elastic or tensor bands. Your cane reducing issues reminded me of that thought. I will get those wheels turning again, and see if I can think of some that would work for you and others with similar issues.
Love you Ritz! And all of you others here that share your life and loves with all of us. You are making this a better world, and you should all be very proud!
Hot damn, Ritz, yours came out better than mine!!! Me thinks you battled hard and fast approaching caught up and surge ahead momentum.
Friend with R arm stroke found it came back when she kept squeezing that little hacky sak ball. Said it really helped her focus on each individual finger.
So glad you are back…
Ritz, you are truly amazing!!! What a beautiful cane! Just shows what courage and determination you have. You are such an inspiration. I think of my mother. She suffered a stroke 3 yrs ago; shes 84 but has been painting again and making her christmas angels with the ready porcelain head and hands. I have a few of her paintings – the face of Christ and some bookmarks at my art blog cheriesartspace.blogspot.com
@ Cindy – it would be fantastic if you could find a way to help with the reducing. There are so many of us with problems with pain. Last night I thought i’d end up in the hospital. My upper back muscles were going into spasm and I had such terrible pain between my should blades it made me sick. I try and go on with my music and beading and claying because it helps me forget the pain but sometimes my hands just don’t have the strength.
YES!
Major achievement, Ritz!!! Your cane is lovely!
As someone else said, what a great way to “rehab”!!!
Do I need to purchase the video on the teardrop blend…. it is mentioned in this weeks video. I just joined and am trying to figure how this site works.
@Gale C: Welcome to the community!
I see that you posted the same question which you have already emailed about. I did respond to your message. Please make sure that you whitelist my contact information with your email service provider so that I don’t end up in your spam folder :-(
The Teardrop video you are referring to is in the Volume-035 Back Issue Package. The link by my name will take you to the order page.
@Gale C: Hi Gale,
Just want to add my welcome. It can’t be said too many times that this is a wonderful supportive group of clayers. Having you with us will just add to the fun.
Canes! Canes! Canes! Love them all. I especially like this one and the story behind it. Thank you Team Lietz! More intermediate canes for me too.
Hi Cindy,
I had to laugh with your response to what everyone wants. You have the largest classroom in the world!! The diversity is amazing. I am loving all of it.
I also wanted to comment about and hopefully to Ritz. I am an Occupational Therapist. We work to rehabilitate peoples hands when they are paralyzed. I hope that she is receiving OT. It is possible that an OT could help her come up with a type of device that your were referring to. I think she lives in England, so a Physical Therapist may be the one who is available to help.
Thank you Cindy for being such an inspiration to so may people.
@Cassie C: Thank you Cassie, I have to go to physio twice a week for my hands and walking. It is very tiring but i no well worth it in the end. I think you do wonderful work as i found out when in the rehab hospital here in the UK.
Bungee cord, reducing canes…hummm. Wow. Not sure mine are that big but sure would like to explore some options. One thing we know about Cindy is that she will only share an TUT after she has worked out the bugs.
Cindy, you can’t be all things to all people but I think you do a really good job offering a variety of techniques.
2 year ago I went to the first International Polymer Clay retreat in Chicago and reported to the group. Well I am going again this year. Anyone else from this group going?
I loved the peacock cane so much that I went and got the new colors. I couldn’t find the light pink so I used magenta pearl. The color worked well.
I reversed a couple of flat pieces so it didn’t turn out exactly the way your video showed it, but I have a beautiful cane and I loved it!!! Sometimes errors can be beautiful. I’m so excited about doing it again to try and get it right. I love your site, and appreciate being able to stretch my imagination!!
Ritzs is so inspiring and I’m praying for her recovery.
I just made the peacock cane, letting it rest a bit before reducing as it is quite soft, turned out okay. I too reversed a couple of pieces without meaning too and like the other Sandra’s one, turned out quite lovely. with the ends of the eye cane, i have made a couple of rocker beads, and they look like the aurora technique without all the hard work (anything to make things easy!? Made me think what the real aurora technique would look like, might have to have a go at that.
Wow, Ritz your peacock cane is beautiful.
I had an accident about six years ago falling and putting my left hand out to save my face!! (Wrong move) I fell on my hand which was bent completely backwards. After months of pain and practically living at the hospital I have regained most of the feelings. Can only type right handed and drop things constantly, but I am saving all my broken china and will use it to make a mosaic top for a recycled garden table (found in a skip)
My first peacock cane didn’t look quite right but I used the “eye” to make earrings and pendant. Today I will cover them in resin (gotta look at Cindy’s tute again to get this right)
With the rest of the cane I covered all my tools to give me a better grip, also a couple of little sweetie tins and a stone from the beach. As Cindy says, nothing is wasted with this medium and sometimes happy accidents occur**
Love this site, love reading about everyone and I feel that PC should stand for Pain Club :) it certainly is an escape into a rainbow coloured world, so now will put on my red shoes and skip down to the yellow brick road. (Going to limp to the shops)… Angels on your pillows…Elaine F
@Ritzs. I’m glad to hear that therapy is helping so much. It is hard, painful work.
Is it possible to take some clay to therapy and ask them to help you make reducing clay easier?
It sounds like you are coming along well with getting your strength back. That takes a lot of time.
Therapists are trained in using gadgets and tricks to make things easier.
Tell an Occupational Therapist that you need help to get fully independent in your “occupation” of claying! That should get their attention!
What a great example you are for those who are “I can’t” people. Your can is beautiful. I look forward to seeing more of your work.
LOL. I meant to say Cane.
@Cassie C: (and Cindy) I too am an OT, and I have had several opportunities to recommend using polymer clay as a therapy medium! Cindy, your site is not only a learning environment, but a therapeutic one too! I use it for personal therapy to express my artistic side, but I have enjoyed reading about how women (and men) have used clay as a way toward greater strength, health, expression and meaning in their life. Thanks for all you have done. I too vote for more intermediate canes, mixed media, all of the above!
Cindy, I bought the new colors when they finally showed up at my Michaels last week, but I now realize that they were missing a couple of the ones you use in this video. Maybe I’ll improvise…it’s just a wonderful cane!
Funny, I didn’t really think of this as an intermediate cane, but I guess it is. I’d be happy if you did other canes of this level once in awhile. Heck, I’m happy with everything you do! Once in awhile I don’t think I’m going to be interested in an upcoming topic, but I always enjoy the video anyway. Even if I never make that particular item, I’m always inspired and my creativity is boosted.
@ Sue Werner. Hi. I actually use clay a lot in my treatments. I work with little kids in home health. It is a marvelous therapy tool.
It’s also so rewarding. I am absolutely loving these videos.
It is nice to meet so many wonderful people.
Cindy, a couple of comments make me think that maybe a tut or blog on using polymer clay while disabled/handicapped – HELPFUL HINTS, might have an audience. Sure everyone here would love to share tips and advice for reducing and manipulating clay with physical impairments.
Hey there, been a while since I’ve done any claying (or jewelry making for that matter) as I’ve been so busy with my kids this spring but I had to let you know how much I loved this cane video!! I am itching to get back to claying and hope to be there soon and this will be one of my first projects. Cindy, you even make the hard stuff look easy. BTW, I am all for intermingling some intermediate level projects in the mix. A blog on “Helpful Hints” sounds wonderful too. I am not looking forward to the days when the hands aren’t going to work as well.
What a fun & beautiful cane, Cindy…thanks so much! I just wanted to put my vote in for intermediate canes, too (I also love canes, canes, and more canes!) I’ve always been quite pleased with the balance of tute types you offer us. Some of my favorites went by pretty quietly, and a couple I wasn’t as excited about seemed to be everyone else’s favorite! Just goes to show how we all have different likes/dislikes, as well as priorities & skill levels. No matter. I always learn something from your tutes, and they’re just so unbelievably reasonable, too. I can’t w
LOL Well that didn’t work. Somehow I got the second part turned around….rats….and now I will have some pretty lentils myself. I know what I did wrong so thank goodness it doesn’t take much clay and I will try again later or tomorow.
The true genius of this cane is that it gets you using most of the new premo colours simultaneously. Look…. I have to be honest I made a bit of a dog’s breakfast of this cane but the colours and ratio are so stunning I ended up with some beautiful pieces anyway!
When Cindy finished this 2 part tutorial, I was ready to go. Had the “eye” done and was ready for the “feathers”. As soon as my cane was finished I put slices on a votive candle holder and was thrilled with the look and proudly set it on a table in my family room. Several people have since commented on it, and said I should add it to my website. So I did, thinking someone might want one.
I was wrong. Two days after I listed it, an event planner e-mailed me that she wanted 250 of them for an event in April! Guess what I will be doing for the next month and a half!!! THANK YOU CINDY!
CONGRATULATIONS Marlene! That is so cool! I am so proud to hear you have had so much success with the peacock cane. Who knows, maybe this contract will develop into a whole new business for you? Maybe other events as well? I am really happy for you!
Thank you Cindy, for the Congrats, and for all you have done for us. This success is as much yours as mine.
I made one of these canes, but when I did the sanding/buffing after it was baked, all of the beautiful gold sparkle was gone. Is there a technique to keep that from happening?
I did make another, without sanding, and covered it resin which left all of the gold sparkle, but I would like to make something without resin and still have all of the sparkle. Is it possible?
Hi Chrissy, It sounds like when you are sanding you are removing the mica particles that have lain flat and look all shiny. If you prefer that look, then just try and get your piece as smooth as you can before baking by rolling a little with an acrylic roller or something, and then just leave without sanding or coating after it is baked. If you still want some shine but don’t want to use resin, use Sculpey Gloss Glaze, wax or one of the other finishes I recommend. There is no hard fast rule that your pieces need to be sanded or that they need a coating. They just need to look professionally finished, no matter how you want to go about it.
Thank you!
Hi Cindy, When making the peacock feather cane yesterday, I couldn’t seem to get the nice long strip of the blended colors like you have in your video. My sheet came out as wide as my pasta machine and the colors were only around 3 inches long. I tried to follow your directions as to the amount of clay, etc. What am I doing wrong?
Hi Cindy, I finally figured out how to make the long strip of the colors in the blend by holding the clay strip together as it is going through the machine. :) thanks to your instructions in another video.
Glad you figured it out Connie!
Hi Cindy!!! I just wanted to say thank you so much for the your amazing peacock feather cane tutorial. I was very pleased with how it turned out!
Wonderful Marsha! Thanks for letting me (and everyone else) know :-)
It is amazing to me that anyone can look at something like a peacock feather and know what to do to make it into a cane. My brain just can’t wrap around it. I have only done a few canes like a bullseye cane and most ofj them were a mess. I am going to make this cane. I don’t know what I’m going to do with it, maybe just look at it in awe for awhile, but even though at some point I will be able to make it, I could never figure it out in the first place. And I guess that’s why I pay you the big bucks! LOL Cindy, my hat is off to you.
Thanks for making me feel good today Peg! :)
Hi Cindy.. I absolutely love this Peacock Feather Cane. Your instructions for building it are excellent. This is my 2nd cane & it turned out beautifully. What is the best way to reduce this teardrop shape? I’ve done square, round & triangle, but this one has me a little hesitant. I think I would cry if I ruin it. Thank you SO much for sharing your gift of teaching clay!
Norrie
Hi Norrie, thanks for the kind words! As far as reducing this cane, you would do it exactly as you would reduce a round cane, with the little squeezes on opposite sides, though you would regularly rock the rounded side against the table to keep it’s shape. You can also pull the cane a little as it gets warmed up.
Watch this video on reducing round canes and it should help.
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Thank you so much Cindy.. I can’t wait to use this beautiful cane!!