Beginner Toutorial
1. Condition three colors of clay.
2. Sheet each color to equal thicknesses with a brayer or a pasta roller. If you are using a pasta roller, sheet each color of clay on the thickest setting.
3. Using as much of the first sheet as possible, cut out a rectangular shape using a tissue blade. (See figure 1)
4. Lay the newly cut rectangle on the second sheet and cut out the same shape using the first shape as a guide. Repeat this process with the third color of clay. Save all scrap clay!
5. Organize the three colors (Advanced students will include extension activity #1) in your desired color progression and then layer by stacking the colors, being careful to avoid air pockets between layers. Gently roll with a brayer to secure the three layers.
6. Cut the rectangle in half creating two rough squares and stack one on top of the other. Think about how the two stacks of color will relate to one another before you stack them. (See Figure 2)
7. Apply light pressure to the stack to secure the two pieces and then reduce the cane. (Optional: after reducing cut in half and stack again to create a new pattern)
Candy Striped Bead Construction—Project #2
1. Roll a 1 ½ inch ball of well conditioned scrap clay.
2. Sheet a very thin piece of base color clay and carefully cover the ball. Be sure to expel any air pockets with the edge of your blade or a pin. (See figure 3)
3. Roll the covered ball into a 2 inch log. Short and stubby. Carefully pierce the log through the end with the wooden skewer and position the clay in the center of the skewer. Advanced student will not pierce with the skewer. (See figure 4)
4. With a tissue blade, thinly slice the cane made in Project #1 and apply the slices to the rolled, skewered log from step 3 so that the stripes stretch from end to end (horizontally). (See figures 5 and 6)
5. Using gentle pressure, roll the log out on the skewer into a coil until it is almost the same length as skewer it encases. To create the “candy cane” striping, drag one hand as you roll out the coil. (See figure 7)
6. With the tissue blade trim off the uneven ends of the coil by cutting through to the skewer and then rolling the coil till the blade has cut all the way around the circumference of the coil. Advanced students continue on to extension activity #2
7. Slicing the beads: using the same technique in step 6 cut the coil in half. Cut each section in half, and then in half again. You should end up with 8 equally sized beads. (See figure 8)
Gently
remove 5 of the beads to the poly Fiberfil for baking. Cut the
remaining three beads in half and remove to the poly Fiberfil for
baking. (See figures 9 and 10)
Painted Bead Construction--Project #3
1. Repeat steps 1 through 3 on project # 2.
2. With a tissue blade, thinly slice the cane made in Project #1 and apply the slices to the rolled, skewered log from step 3 so that the stripes wrap around the circumference of the log. (See figure 11)
3. Using gentle pressure, roll the log out on the skewer into a coil until it is almost the same length as skewer it encases. To create the painted look, drag one hand as you roll out the coil. (See figures 12 and 13)
4. Repeat steps 6 and 7 of project #2.
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