A Polymer Clay Tutorial: Millefiori Pins!

[@kathyangell8750]

I love these leaves!! The single cane leaf doesn't remind me of Christmas, it reminds me of a martini. Olives are the best part.

[@Wildecat10]

I used to work as a machinist. Once while working at a small job shop, I programmed a CNC mill to make a large quantity of non-metallic parts that went into the refurbish of the Very Large Array in Socorro, NM. The owner called an all hands on deck overtime for Saturday to get the parts deburred. Unfortunately even the finest files we had on hand were too rough for the material. So I went to my purse and got my diamond nail file. Worked like a charm. (Boss said he never thought he’d have to buy out a beauty supply shop to get a job done!). Needless to say, a diamond nail file was one of my first additions to my clay working tools.

[@DonnaKatoArt]

great tip! hugs, d

[@LynnSeresin-n9s]

Love this contemporary take on Millefiori! the mix of canes is gorgeous!!!

[@DonnaKatoArt]

thank you, lynn! hugs, d

[@nusaima6741]

Every time I see your art I tell my self this is the best then I see the best best

[@DonnaKatoArt]

thank you! hugs, d

[@cindypage8673]

Oh Donna, I absolutely adore these! Thank you for sharing xxx

[@tanyanastasi243]

A great way to quickly build a collection of small canes, is when you are trimming the sides off of a skinner blend sheet to make it even, don’t throw the trimming in the scrap pile. Roll in into a jelly roll with a thin sheet of black. You’ll have a bunch of little half inch canes before you know it. Then you can reduce them into itty bitty canes. That’s what I do anyway. ❤️

[@DonnaKatoArt]

Yup! That is a great way! Tanyaaa!

[@lindastewart5630]

Fabulous Donna🤗🙌🏻 such a wonderful tutorial.. ps I have all of your books - you are permanently on my book shelf🥰 Thank you for many years of polymer pleasure!!😂👌🏻❤️

[@DonnaKatoArt]

thank you! hugs, d

[@lindalopresti389]

I’m always fascinated by your level of skill. Very inspirational. Thanks.

[@DonnaKatoArt]

My pleasure! hugs, d

[@gabrielleschmidt1435]

🎉 I just found your site. I 💝 your work! Very impressed 👏 😊

[@leefrankel4191]

Eye catching and then, on a closer look, so beautiful.

[@UraniumFire]

I really appreciate how flexible this idea is. I can see Christmas candies in a five-petaled flower

[@DonnaKatoArt]

oh, yes, it really is and it's a simple technique, too! hugs, d

[@aleahim1967]

Ooo my God, these are sparkly, i love them soo much 🥰😍🤩

[@DonnaKatoArt]

and they're fun to make, too! i enjoyed these. hugs, d

[@marystribling3104]

Great class. As always ❤😊, they all look so pretty 😍 💕, thank you 😊.

[@DonnaKatoArt]

Thank you! 😊 hugs, d

[@LisaWoodsSandford]

Wonderful, enjoyed this tutorial very much today. Thank you x

[@DonnaKatoArt]

you're so welcome! hugs, d

[@judystophel1904]

I am so excited about these pins! Can't wait to make these for gifts. They are cute, cute, cute.

[@DonnaKatoArt]

excellent, judy! hugs, d

[@lisathomas1622]

WOW, I LOVE THIS! ❤. 40:59 yep I’m definitely gonna try this!

[@maggiesmith2208]

thanks Donna great video i learnt a lot today thankyou for sharing!🌺

[@DonnaKatoArt]

my pleasure, maggie! hugs, d

[@MelodyTaylor]

As always, a wonderful tutorial! Thank you!

[@DonnaKatoArt]

thank you, melody! i do think these are fun and versatile. hugs, d

[@cecilecicoutoo5227]

Quelles belles pièces 👌 Je suis toujours aussi admirative devant votre imagination, votre créativité 😍👏

[@francesluttermoser234]

I like the way you made the frame.

[@sanchapa5185]

Ohmygod I love these! Going to start with a load of leaf templates, tis’ the season❤

[@DonnaKatoArt]

absolutely, make lots of templates! they're so handy. hugs, d

[@vq-mh7jh]

Donna, thanks so much for sharing your gift with us! 🤗You make claywork seem so doable & your end product is so appealing. ❤ Do you seal your finished pin? and When do you add your initials cane to the back?

[@DonnaKatoArt]

som i don't use sealer at all unless it's to seal colored pencil in. i try to add my initials raw cane slice to raw clay but sometimes i actually glue a slice of cured cane to the back after the piece is finished. it works! cheers, d

[@sanchapa5185]

Rather than looking like ‘merry Christmas’ l think that pin looks like ‘happy olive day!’

[@libbycook9284]

Me too…martini love 🍸

[@DonnaKatoArt]

lol, i like that! yes! hugs, d

[@runawaybead]

I love your tutorials ❤

[@DonnaKatoArt]

thank you so much! cheers, d

[@Vee_of_the_Weald]

Those are so elegant yet quirky. Perfect 👌🏼

[@ivymosaics]

My dog heard you talking to Lou. Thanks for the video

[@sherylwright5705]

This is awesome! Great timing. I have been sorting through my canes and wondering how did I get so many? and how do I use them up? Thanks Donna!

[@DonnaKatoArt]

you're welcome, sheryl! this is a great use for those canes. hugs, d

[@maryfox9020]

Thank you, another great class.

[@DonnaKatoArt]

You're very welcome, Mary!

[@PaulaCiemko]

❤ GORGEOUS!!

[@DonnaKatoArt]

thank you, paula! hugs, d

[@SHARONKEEF_FkR_justice4john]

I’ve seen little tiny sanding sticks from I think it was as maryjoy but the have a foam type stuff inside it

[@DonnaKatoArt]

Hi Sharon, sounds like that'd work! hugs, d

[@tanyanastasi243]

Simply beautiful. ❤️

[@DonnaKatoArt]

thank you, tanya! hugs, d

[@John-I-McLeod]

Super nice Donna!

[@DonnaKatoArt]

hi john! thanks, kid. hugs, d

[@kathybyers398]

I love these.

[@christinebartleson3838]

These are absolutely beautiful!!!

[@ymrelang]

What a great video!!!! I absolutely love it!!! Thanks!!

[@DonnaKatoArt]

You are so welcome! hugs, d

[@Nikizunil1]

Beautiful!

[@DonnaKatoArt]

thank you! big hugs, d

[@debbeechy]

how nice!

[@DonnaKatoArt]

Thank you! Cheers! hugs, d

[@Maazzzo]

Hi, thanks for the video. Concern: foam rubber can be quite dangerous to put in the oven?? The fact that it's breaking down means that elements are leaching out of the foam rubber and could be toxic to breathe/be near. Might want to look into that!

[@DonnaKatoArt]

than you, i think i shouldn't use it...hugs, d

[@Maazzzo]

@ yeah I think you shouldn’t use it. Obviously your choice, but it could cause unknown damage to you and I would not risk it. Stay safe!

[@ZenobiaConner-zk2zb]

I love it!

[@DonnaKatoArt]

thank you, zenobia! hugs, d

[@JoeJoe-uo5hf]

Absolutely beautiful Donna! Really loved this. Can I ask you how long you feel canes/clay remain viable in okay conditions - I have canes from four or five years ago and loads of new clay blocks just sitting around. I was a dedicated polymer clayer until a couple of years ago then I got a general crafting bug and I've started watercolor, mixed media, bead weaving, jewelry making (I have a full time job so its a challenge fitting it all in !!! 😊). I watch all your tutorials - they are all jammed packed with ideas and techniques and super-helpful tips and your end result is always so high quality and a step above. I still do some polymer clay (when you inspire me!) but I am super anxious that my clay stash will become unusable before I get a chance to use it so can you give me some reassurance that it will be stable for a few years (I hope to start working part-time in the near future and will be able to dedicate more time to all my crafting passions!!) . Thank you for your wonderful instructive and down-to-earth tutorials - they are the best in my opinion xxx

[@DonnaKatoArt]

Joe Joe, just keep everything cool and it'll be fine. i am using canes more than 10 years old and they're still fine. cheers, d

[@user-pe8cu1vs6d]

I love this... on what else could we cure the leaf if we don´t have foam rubber?

[@DonnaKatoArt]

you can cure on a tile if there is no finding. if you have a finding like the tie tac, you can take cardboard, punch a hole in it and rest it on something in the oven. make sense? big hugs, d

[@Robsquick]

Love love lovw

[@DonnaKatoArt]

thanks you, robbie! hugs, d

[@semmaville]

gorgeous... my aesthetic...

[@DonnaKatoArt]

my pleasure! hugs, d

[@libbycook9284]

Just fabulous! How long was each stage of the baking process?

[@DonnaKatoArt]

libby, i guess the total time was probably an hour to an hour and a half. i cure hot and i cure long but i can do that with kato. you just have to follow your clay's package instructions. i know, it's not a great answer but it's the best advice, i think! cheers, d

[@KJodiGear]

Curious where the plastic box that stores the canes comes from?

[@DonnaKatoArt]

theyre ammo boxes - yes, bullets are kept in there. you can find them at sporting goods stores and i believe, amazon! cheers, d

[@KJodiGear]

@@DonnaKatoArt I found them! Thank you so much, they are excellent for holding the canes!

[@deniseosborne4045]

There’s farmer kitty now.

[@joyceparkes7551]

❤❤❤🙏🏽

[@DonnaKatoArt]

hi joyce! hugs, d

[@cathywigley5720]

❤🎉😅🎉