How to Make Polymer Clay Canes for Beads

Polymer clay is easy to shape, cleaner to work with than "real" clay, comes in many colors, and (best of all) can be hardened in your home oven.

Polymer clay canes are long, colored "pictures," from which you can cut individual pieces, (like refrigerator cookies.)

Once you've made a cane, you can do lots of things with it. Make beads for necklaces or bracelets, make buttons, or press into larger designs.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Polymer clay- for this project, yellow, pink and blue.
• Smooth, flat surface (glass is best.)
• Roller (lucite is best.)
• Pasta maker (optional)
• Sharp X-acto knife
• Oven or toaster oven
• Pin, bead reamer.

1. Sculpey III and Fimo Soft are good clays if you're new to this.
   
   Decide on a design. For this article I've chosen a simple flower, using three colors: yellow, pink and blue.

2. 
   Roll until it's smooth and soft.

   "Condition" your clay: Roll it between your hands until it's smooth and soft. It shouldn't be crumbly at all. If it's a firm clay, like FIMO, you might want to run it through a pasta maker.

3. 

   Make a yellow ball, about the size of a marble.
   Roll it into a "snake." (a long strand of clay--Do you remember making snakes with Play-Doh?)
   This will be the yellow center of the flower.

4. Make five pink snakes, the same length as the yellow snake. These will be the petals.

5. 
   Squeeze gently to keep the design inside even.

   Flatten five pieces of blue clay, each about the size of a marble. This is easiest to do with a lucite rolling pin or a smooth drinking glass. Cut or shape until they are the right size to wrap around the snakes. (The blue keeps the colors from mushing together.)
   Of course, you may experiment with different designs.

6. 
   Once you've made a cane, use extra blue to fill in spaces.

   Wrap all six snakes. Gently press the petals around the yellow center. Fill any spaces with skinny blue snakes. (If you don't, the petals will warp to fill in the holes.)
   Now you have a "cane."

7. 
   The picture is inside!

   Gently squeeze the cane until it's the width you want it to be. (For beads, make it about as big around as a button.)
   If the inside colors try to squeeze out, you can "cap" the ends with a little extra clay.
   
   Experiment if you wish. Try different sizes.

8. 
   Turn the cane each time you cut, so you won't get a flat edge.

   Allow the clay to cool for a little while. You may put it in the fridge or freezer.
   
   With a sharp knife, cut the beads straight down.
   
   If the clay is still too soft, you may want to put it in the freezer again, or wrap it in paper to "leach" some of the oil out.

9. 
   If you poke a little crooked, back up and start again.

   Holding each bead carefully, poke a pin through the center. Run a wider point through so you'll be able to thread it later.

10. 
    Ready to cook!

    Put the beads in the oven and cook according to the instructions on the poly-clay package.

Tips & Warnings

• Different clays have different properties. For canes, I suggest using all one brand, so softer colors don't "squeeze" more than firmer colors.
• The ends will probably be useless. Don't throw them away! Keep them in a package for future projects.
• Polymer clay lasts virtually forever when kept in a cool place, in a sealed container. I keep mine in the original package (so I know the name of the color) slipped into a small zip-lock baggy. Craft stores sell bead baggies that are perfect.
• The best flat surface I've found is a glass cutting board. Some are bumpy. Feel to be sure. (The back of a bumpy board might be smooth.)
• Polymer clay is "certified non-toxic," but this is controversial. I cook it in my home oven, but in a container that I do not cook in. You may prefer a toaster oven, and you may want to open a window.
• Keep poly-clay tools (rolling pin, pasta maker, knives, dishes,) separate from food tools.
• Use common safety-sense. Keep away from children, and wash your hands when finished working with it. (I let my grandchildren play with Play-Doh while I work.)
• Be careful with the sharp knife. Don't let it hit the glass repeatedly, or you'll dull it. I suggest you place the clay on white paper before cutting.
• Some kinds of plastic soften when they come in contact with poly-clay. Be careful where you set it.

[txconejo]

on 8/20/2009 Thank you. Just what I needed.

[ScarlettOHairy]

on 4/9/2009 I love the photos and step by step instructions on making polymer clay canes. I love playing with the stuff!

[FrazzledNanny]

on 4/9/2009 Great pictures and easy to follow steps for making polymer clay canes for beads. 5*

[Upon-Request]

on 4/5/2009 Well done article on creating polymer beads! I've used the pasta maker trick before too. :)