Shibori Girl: Polymer Clay Canes Put To Work

I've broken my promise to myself: make canes only once a week. I was warned by Alice of Polymer Clay Etc that I wouldn't be able to do it, and she was so right. I spent last week and the entire weekend exploring kaleidoscope cane construction and experimenting with shape. I've seen a lot of square and round canes, but not much else.

I really enjoyed making these. I'm not sure what I'll use them for yet, but I'm confident the final results will be lovely.

I also spent some time last week using this and found myself uncharacteristically speechless at the sight of the final piece:

This pendant is 4 inches long by 3 inches wide. The design is so full of detail that finding the perfect thing to string it on has turned into a real problem. I tried to be too clever at first and started a seed bead spiral rope using the same green, red, black, and white in the clay piece. I got about halfway done with that and held it against the pendant.

The combination was so visually noisy that I couldn't tell where the pendant ended and the rope began. It really needs a single color. I tried white: nice but a bit wimpy. Black was nice, but I don't have the right assortment of seed beads to do it right. I'm afraid green or red will make it seem too "Christmassy" and will make it hard to sell. I'll keep working on that, but it'll be a while before I settle on something.

Any suggestions?

10 comments:

rochambeau said...: Ooooohhhhhhhhh
Howwwwwwwwww
BEEEE U T FUL!!!!!!!!
xox
Constance; 3:46 PM, January 27, 2010
lori vliegen said...: you've become a woman of many identities....shibori girl, polymer princess, cane queen.....and you wear all these titles beautifully!! :))
your pendant is gorgeous.....i can see it on something really simple, like a black satin cord with a fabulous clasp.....

hugs, :))); 10:19 PM, January 27, 2010
Gabriela said...: Hello Kate,

These pieces are spectacular, love the designs you develop and also how you combine colours and shapes!

~ Gabriela ~; 10:35 AM, January 28, 2010
Alice Stroppel said...: chuckle......... chuckle ........... chuckle .....; 1:09 PM, January 28, 2010
Christie Minchew said...: I vote black cord (like those thin, but not too thin, leather-type cords with). I think beads of any size would glitz it up to much and compete with that incredible pendant. These are like kaleidoscopes - I love the patterns. Good luck!; 4:34 PM, January 28, 2010
Faded Plains said...: Love all the colors in the pendant...as for a single color...I was thinking black...but notice you said you didn't have the right beads for that...I'll have to think a bit more about it.; 7:48 PM, January 28, 2010
Christine said...: These are really exciting pieces Kate. I have a book on making these polymer beads that I bought years ago and I have yet to see anything this quite beautiful. I think you have such an eye for color and design that you have been able to take this art form and run with it. I see a book in your future...with you as the author. At least send these samples off to Belle Armoire Jewelry by Stampington.; 10:03 PM, January 28, 2010
Rhonda Roo said...: Wowie Ms Kate, that's soooo gorgeous! Everytime i come here, i sutter, she MADE that?? AND she can cook??? Boy if Marble man knew what a gem he has, he'd be positively giddy!

Or maybe he does know (wink)

And, i dunno, what about a crazy off the wall suggestion like a deep royal blue or eggplant?

whatever you decide will be PERFECT.
Unless you turn it into a nose ring. I'd really have to think about that.
XOXOXOXOX Rhonda Roo; 5:59 AM, January 29, 2010
Fete et Fleur said...: Ok, this process is too cool!! I love it!

Nancy; 3:09 PM, January 29, 2010
Tammie Lee said...: these are gorgeous!; 5:15 PM, January 30, 2010