The Art of Cane Work (Millefiore) written by Wyvern Designs

The Art Of Cane Work (Millefiore)

written by WyvernDesigns

I have always been intrigued by those polymer clay pieces that use thin slices of a intricately crafted polymer clay canes.  The technique was originally used in making glass making and is called millefiori, which , in Italian, means thousand flowers.  Pieces of this detailed glass work have been dated to  ancient Roman, Phoenician, and Alexanderian times.  The technique was lost by the 18th century but rediscovered sometime in the 19th century.

I don't know who first tried to reproduce those beautiful glass beads using polymer clay, but they were a genius.  The process is long and involved, using rods of conditioned polymer clay in a myriad of shapes, round, square, triangular, and so on.  These rods are then wrapped with thin sheets of polymer clay and stacked together to form one unit.

Once the image is completed, the entire piece is rolled, squeezed and manipulated  until it is the desired size.  The messy ends are cut off to reveal a miniature masterpiece inside!  Then, thin slices are cut and applied to the base piece of polymer clay.

I've tried my hand at making some polymer clay canes.  I have never been too successful.  Most of the time my slices get distorted, smeared or are of varying thickness and are useless for the project I envisioned.   I keep trying, though, because I am fascinated by the process.

Some of the polymer clay artists from the Polymer Clay Smooshers Guild on Art Fire have mastered this difficult technique.  Below are some pieces from those talented artists.

This Flat Modcane Pendant by Dream Weaver's Designs  is a wonderful example of the intricate pattern you can achieve using a relatively simple cane.

This Set of Purple Flowers on Yellow Clay Beads by Blue Morning Expressions  show the delicate beauty of these purple flowers using this intricate cane.

This Black and White Wine Bottle Stopper by Amy Crawley is made with extruded clay.  I'm not quite sure how that works, I'll have to research it, but it produces a bold and striking pattern.

Another piece using the extruding method is this lovely Red and White Extruded Rounds Necklace by Flower Child's Artsy Jewelry

 

These gorgeous Green Web and Orange Tigerlily Focal Beads by Art Makers Worlds  use the traditional method of cane making.

The Black and White Zentangle Cuff Bracelet by Second Sister At Moark Jewelry  fascinates me.  I just recently discover the Zentangle method and I am itching to try it, both on paper and in clay.

After seeing all these wonderful items, I suggest that everyone run out, buy some clay and start smooshing!

And be sure to stop by WyvernDesigns and check out all of her wonderful polymer clay creations!

Find the Smooshers on Facebook

Visit the Smooshers Blog
Check out the Smooshers guild on ArtFire

Faux creations in polymer clay

One of the most wonderful things about polymer clay is it's ability to mimic a wide variety of other materials.  You can create faux gemstones, faux wood, faux ivory, and just about any other faux item you can imagine.  Today I'll be featuring some faux creations in polymer clay made by members of the Polymer Clay Smooshers guild on ArtFire.
I love this nature inspired faux bone pendant from Christina Kosinski Designs.  The pendant was hand formed in a faux bone polymer clay and has many leaves and flowers surrounding a face in the style of the leaf man or tree man.
  
This faux wood pendant from Creative Sisters mimics more than one type of wood in the same pendant for a striking look.
 
These hand carved faux stone petroglyph earrings are part of Cynthia Blanton's Primitives collection.  They feature hand-carved polymer clay faux stone panels with images that look like ancient petroglyphs or cave drawings.
  
This puzzle piece pendant from Desert Rubble was made to resemble old metal scrap hardware.  The faux metal finish comes from metallic highlights which were antiqued  to make them look old and rustic.
  
This clock from Dreamweavers Designs was made with two polymer clay faux techniques.  The brown background and center piece are faux leather and the center plaque is faux turquoise.
  
In just this short post we've seen polymer clay imitate leather, turquoise, metal, stone, wood, and bone!  There really are no limits to the things you can create, and re-create with polymer clay!

Find the Smooshers on Facebook

Visit the Smooshers Blog
Check out the Smooshers guild on ArtFire

The Origins of polymer clay

Have you ever wondered where polymer clay came from?  I know I have!  Like many sculptors, I started with ceramic clay in high school art classes and fell in love with sculpting.  However, once I was out of school I no longer had access to a kiln in which to fire my creations, and buying one of my own was simply too expensive.  So I started looking for more affordable alternatives to ceramic clay and discovered polymer clay, which came in a rainbow of colors and could be cured right in my home oven.

I became curious about how this versatile medium was created so I did a little research.  Here's what I discovered: In the 1930's "Fifi" Kruse Rehbinder, a German doll artist, developed a moldable material for making her doll heads.  Originally the material was called Fifi Mosaik.  After the formula was sold to Eberhard Faber in the 1960's it was rebranded as FIMO, the name we're all familiar with now and which can be found online and in craft stores all over.

The very first Sculpey product was also introduced in the 1960's.  An Illinois company called Zenith Product Company began selling a coating made for industrial use and as a modelling compound for crafting.  These days you can find a wide array of Sculpey products in just about any craft store you enter.

Polymer clay is an amazing material that continues to undergo changes and improvements.  Premo recently changed their formula and added new colors and effects, all of which blend together beautifully so you can create your own custom color mixes.  These improvements and additions to formulas, strength, colors, and durability just keep making polymer clay better and more versatile for artists and crafters.  Since 2009 all major brands of polymer clay have been free of phthalates and have always been certified as non-toxic, making the clay safe for even young crafters.  This is a wonderful medium to encourage children's creativity.
Polymer clay can be enjoyed by everyone from children, to crafters, jewelry makers, sculptors, and even just those looking to replace those ugly handles on their cabinets. Each brand has it's own qualities and benefits, which I'll expand on in future posts.  Whether you're new to the world of polymer clay or a skilled clay artist with years of experience, this medium can be enjoyed by anyone!

Find the Smooshers on Facebook

Visit the Smooshers Blog
Check out the Smooshers guild on ArtFire

It's Time to Clay! collection created by Wyvern Designs

WyvernDesigns put together this wonderful collection featuring members of the Polymer Clay Smooshers guild.  You can click on any of the pictures to be taken to the listing and learn more about these great items.

Its Time To Clay

   Curated By: Wyverndesigns

ArtFire.com

Fine Art Photography

This guild is just full of talented Smooshers! ;-)

Find the Smooshers on Facebook 
Visit the Smooshers Blog
Check out the Smooshers guild on ArtFire