This is the first of a three part tutorial which covers how to make one of my favorite canes - a striped Skinner Blend cane.
I've broken the tutorial into three parts so folks who are pretty new to polymer clay, and have never made a Skinner Blend before, can get a good start with Part 1 of the tutorial. If they aren't that familiar with reducing a cane, they can purchase part 3.
Those who are more advanced, and know how to make a skinner blend, or how to reduce a cane, can just get to the meat of the tutorial (that would be Part 2).
The total tutorial will have well over 20 pages of detailed directions, 50 full colored photos, and lots and LOTS of helpful (and encouraging) tips. All three parts have a materials and tools list, and resources for color mixing ideas and information.
- Part 1 covers how to make a Skinner Blend.
- Part 2 covers making a Skinner Blend block, and adding the stripes.
- Part 3 covers how to reduce the cane, and shows a few cool variations you can do with this cane.
Who is Melanie West?
I'm an artist in Maine, and have been working with polymer clay for over six years. My work has been included in five different books, and I've been featured in Ornament Magazine and American Style. The April 2009 issue of Art Jewelry Magazine includes an extensive article I wrote, describing how to cover aluminum cuff blanks (like the ones I sell here on Etsy). I won second place, in the Art Jewelry category, in the National Polymer Clay Guild "Progress and Possibilities 2008" competition. If you would like to see my work, please visit my website at RavensClay.com