Stained Glass Cane

This polymer cane is not what my ultimate vision is, but I found a stained glass tutorial that looked intriguing so I tried it. I actually dislike the color combination and don't see myself using this cane for anything. But again, I'm new to polymer so this is just a trial cane. It's all about the journey, right?

My First Polymer Cane

It's easy to find simple polymer tutorials on the web, I ended up following Desiree McCrorey's bullseye lace cane tutorial to create my first cane. I'm just trying things right now, getting the feel of polymer and seeing where it takes me. It's easy to be impatient and want smashing results right off the bat, but I understand there is a lot to know, and a lot of different directions to go with polymer so my early efforts are strictly educational.

I know a few things for sure about what I seek in polymer: making beads is my top preference, and I like an organic, asymmetric look over symmetry and geometric shapes.

Here is my black and gold lace cane and some unpolished beads I made from the cane. I found out that curing beads in the oven on a foil lined cookie sheet leaves flat shiny spots. I'll be doing something different in the future to avoid that problem.

I Launch Into Polymer

I got this idea to make my own polymer beads the other day.

I tried working with polymer in the mid 1990s, but it didn't click with me. I didn't think it had that much potential, so I moved on to working with ceramic clay. Luckily there were lots of artists and crafters out there who saw what I didn't see in polymer. They have spent the last many years honing, perfecting, experimenting, and most importantly, sharing what they have learned to do with polymer clay.

Who are "they"?

As time goes on, I'm going to name names and give credit to those who's creativity and willingness to share helps other artists learn. These polymer artists are all over the 'net sharing tutorials, writing books, blogging, teaching workshops, and recording how-to DVDs on polymer.

I want to share information, too, as well as record my adventures into a new medium right from the beginning. So this blog is not about being an expert in polymer, but rather my own path of discovery as I learn from polymer experts.