Polymer Clay Tutorials | Tis the Season for Pumpkin Canes [Video]

Vid #177: I’m new
to clay and my 7 yr old
nephew and I want to make
some simple Halloween
beads or pendants.”
~Joanne-C

Even though I am in denial that it is late October already, Fall is well under way in my part of the world (Coastal Southwest British Columbia, Canada). That means it’s the perfect time to learn how to make a simple yet beautifully shaded Pumpkin Cane. You can then use some of the cane slices to create some fun seasonal jewelry for Halloween and Thanksgiving.

Even if pumpkins are not your thing, you can adapt the techniques I show, to build any picture using simple line drawings, clip art or even coloring book pictures for your design.

Love the pumpkin earrings. Your video newsletter makes my Fridays a treat!! Thank you. ~Sandra-G

I did my very first craft fair yesterday. It was not a super huge one, BUT I am thrilled. I sold 5 necklaces, 4 pair of earrings and a bracelet! Whahoo!!!! All of the Halloween earrings I made went fast. ~Marlene-C

I’m trying to come up with ideas of things to make for Halloween. ~Tanya-L

Love your pumpkin beads. ~Mary-S

Your pumpkin beads … they are really cute! I look forward to also seeing what can be made with the left over orange clay. ~Cindy-E

So… on Friday, October 29th, 2010 at the Polymer Clay Library (Vol-029-4), you will learn how to …

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-029-4 Pumpkin Canes:

• Premo Sculpey Polymer Clay in the following colors: Orange, Cadmium Red, Ecru, Copper and Sea Green.
• Knowledge on how to make a Tear Drop Blend or Multicolored Skinner Blend. Review Vol-009-4 video if you need a refresher.
  
• Knowledge of how to reduce a cane. I show how to do this in the Vol-010 video if you need a refresher.
  
• Pasta Machine.
• Clay Blade.
• Clear sheet of plastic/acetate (like a page protector) and a permanent marker pen.

The full version of the Vid-029-4 Pumpkin Canes video will be posted in the Polymer Clay Members Library on Friday October 29th, 2010. 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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Here’s That “Link Below” Referred To at End of the Video
>> Polymer Clay Tutorials <<

The full version of the “Pumpkin Canes” preview video shown above, is now available for purchase at the Polymer Clay Library in the Volume-029 Back Issue Package.

Customer Feedback About Membership Value:

Cindy and Doug, I truly believe that before new stuff gets added, and more stuff changed, you two should take a look at the cost structure, and increase your pricing here to be more competitive with the current market. Been taking a few Google trips to lots of other sites and pdf’s, and been looking through my books. What is offered here in terms of: 1. knowledge encyclopedic search facility; 2. skill development; 3. demonstrations of new products and new techniques; 4. weekly blog full of commentary and help from friendly people; 5. almost instant daily advice and pictures from experts dedicated to our enjoyment and mastery of the product. Comparatively, there is simply nothing that comes close. As any artist or enterprise grows, and excels, it is anticipated and expected that prices are raised to reflect that fact. ~Jocelyn-C

As one of those “midnight-owl” people, I’ve watched many of your lessons fresh off the internet! I agree with everyone about the value of this wire links tutorial … may  not be as glamorous, but it allows us to further figure out how to put beads and items together into a final piece. I’m still learning, and it’s great to now be able to add these kinds of tips/details to an idea, knowing that you can make it work. Or choose between a few ways of finishing and pick a method that works best. I couldn’t do that a year ago…have learned sooo much from joining (for less than the cost of a single lesson elsewhere!!). ~DJ

The following topics are included in this week’s Polymer Clay Tutor Library, Pumpkin Canes video tutorial:

• See examples of several canes, beads and jewelry pieces made using this technique.
• Discussion of the colors and blends needed for this cane.
• Learn a cool tip to for making any picture cane and keeping the sizes and proportions just right.
• And finally, find out how to make this cane so that it holds its shape without having to add any background clay.

The full version of the “Pumpkin Canes” preview video shown above, is now available for purchase at the Polymer Clay Library in the Volume-029 Back Issue Package.

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