I’m back to work after a month-long vacation. I feel refreshed and ready to jump back into making canes! I wanted to show the newest ones from my studio. This blue flower is the one I made while hanging out with Kathi and Jean, friends from Polymer Clay Central. I love this flower, and used it in my demo Monday night.
This next flower cane is one in my Plumeria series. I had run out of this design quite a while ago, but a special order called for it and I was glad to make another one. I think this is one of my better Plumeria canes. The fold in the petal came out really well. These pieces are 3/8″ diameter and 2″ long.
I was making a cane at the Riverfront Market last Saturday, and used my washers for reducing the cane. It got alot of questions from the people who were watching. The washers are used to help the cane reduce evenly and lessen the amount of scrap at the ends. Here’s instructions on how to use the washers:
When the cane is assembled, just slice the ends so they are smooth, then press a washer to each end. Choke the clay right at the base of the cane where it meets the washer, then work the reduced diameters toward the center. You want to look for the clay forcing itself into the hole of the washer when you choke, to make sure there’s good contact.
Website Changes: The changes that are coming are all improvements and upgrades. First, the long-awaited opening of my website shop will be happening this coming week.
My canes and finished pieces will be available for purchase in the “Shop” link above. I accept all major credit cards through either PayPal or pay-by-phone; personal checks, money orders, or cashier’s checks are also acceptable. For more information, please visit my Shop Policies page.
I’ll still be using e-Bay for auctions, but I’ll be closing my e-Bay store and moving the collection of individual canes to my website shop. I’m expecting to be having canes available for purchase next week.
The second change will be the addition of a newsletter that will go out monthly to subscribers. This is an easy way to get updates on what my newest canes and finished pieces are, what shows I’ll be exhibiting at, and where I’ll be teaching. Special discounts and coupons will be available to subscribers.
The third change will be moving my email to an account here on my website. I’ll be sending out an email later this month with the new email address.
More announcements will be made as things get closer to the goals. How exciting!
Wow!!!
Love the new canes…. Beautiful as always!!
I’ll be looking for the changes!
Hugs!
~Tina T.
well alrighty. I am gonna guess if your store is opening mine will be right there beside it.
I love that blue cane you made. I am hoarding my piece of it and using it sparingly. I can’t wait to see all the pretties you will have in your store, my favorite little snooglywoogly!
Hi Tina,
Thank you, as always you have such encouraging things to say.
Cat
Kathi,
Here’s another *boot boot* on getting your website store going!
Cat
don’t boot me!! I am bugging the geek already
I even have stock in da oven for the store. Not to mention stuff stored in the cupboard. I am so ready for it to get up and running!
[...] i might be the last person to know about this tip for reducing canes, but i wanted to share cat therien’s technique anyway just in case there are a few others who aren’t ‘in the know’. those are washers on the end of the cane. it looks like a super efficient way to reduce waste. cat’s canes are always so lovely – i’m guessing she knows what she’s talking about! read about it here. [...]
Oh wow, thanks so much Susan!
Cat
I use mini cds or the clear cd that isn’t a cd at the end of a pack. A real cd can be stuck in the mic for a few seconds. It will pop and glitter then you can get the silver stuff off it. Hold it over a trash can and scrape the stuff off. Keep it away from you clay until you get the stuff off or you will have inclusions.