Polymer Clay, Curved Blend, Cane Tutorial

In this video I take you step by step, through the creation of a simple cane with a lovely curved pattern inside. Created from a single Skinner Blend, changing the shape as we work through the process, gives us this lovely curved stripe effect. Useful for petal canes, as well as many other patterns within Polymer designs. If you like this tutorial, don't forget to subscribe to my channel, to get the updates when I post new videos.
If you would like to see my video on how to condition clay, look here: • Conditioning Polymer C...
and on how to create a Skinner Blend - with tips - look here:
• Basic Skinner Blend Tu...
If you like my work, then please do have a look at my website, www.fionaabel-s... and follow me on Facebook / fiona.abelsmith and Instagram. / fionaabelsmith.artist
I also have a number of Polymer Clay Tutorials to buy, both in my Etsy shop, PolyOriginals - www.etsy.com/u... where I have more tutorials in a PDF format, and as a video tutorial here - polyoriginals.t...
thank you for watching.

[@lilythepurple]

I did my first ever petal cane this Wednesday, at arts and crafts. Very bare bones resources, but I used what we had, and made a lovely pair of flowers, and a couple of earrings from the scrap. I'm absolutely in love with this, and wanted to thank you for all your videos, and for being my inspiration for my flowers. Only my second go, but already addicted, and am getting a beginners kit to make many more for xmas :)

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

That is wonderful, thanks so much for telling me, and I am so happy you are enjoying your polymer clay - fantastic - keep having fun, and thanks again 🙂

[@captaineleni]

Thank you for showing everyone how you make beautiful work like this, and thank you for the clear and concise instructions too! Your voice is very soothing too!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

I am glad you enjoyed it, thank you Helen :)

[@vidyaprasad4147]

mesmerised as always-thankyou

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks so much - I mention the amount at 1 minute 12 seconds 😉🙃🙂

[@vidyaprasad4147]

@@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals yes and sorry ,had missed it earlier, am so grateful as each tut is a great leap in learning . I do wonder how you conceptualise them- like the star cane ( gift tags) and square dance - any tips or is this mere talent?

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

@@vidyaprasad4147 To be honest I just like to experiment, and if something turns out well, then I see if I can make it easy to replicate, and then do a tutorial. So basically they are as a result of me having fun 🙂

[@vidyaprasad4147]

@@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals Well, each of yr fun experiments are am anxious test assignment to me personally- but pass or fail- i enjoy the process😃- happy to say , i passed this one

[@sangeethashivakumar3386]

Beautiful dear

[@sumeraki2424]

Lovely

[@JMCoss]

I finally made my attempt at this cane and it was so much fun and it turned out beautifully. Thank you so much for all your tutorials, tips and hints. I enjoy your videos!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

I am so happy to hear that, thank you Judi :)

[@christinebartleson3838]

This is such a beautiful cane, I am not new to clay but I am new to building canes. Your video was so beautiful and explained everything so clearly I can’t wait to get started building canes!!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you so much Christine :)

[@jasminehealey9405]

Hi Fiona- I just wanted to say thank you so very much for sharing your talents with us. Every one of your videos are so incredible- you not only make absolutely beautiful work, but you are an excellent teacher. I have been working with polymer clay for a little less than a year & I apparently have very little skills in the matter! I have so far only had luck with about 3 canes & they've all been translucent. This petal cane is the first colorful one that I almost actually succeeded at! I know it is not because of the cane itself, but instead because of your teaching style. I am so grateful when I stumble upon someone who is willing to share their skills with the rest of us, and that so rarely happens- so I really have to thank you. I am really looking forward to your next upcoming videos, I will most definitely be on the lookout! Thank you again. -Jasmine

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Hi Jasmine, thank you so much for such lovely comments. I am so glad to have been of help, especially as it sounds like you like to have a go with canes. Don't be too hard in yourself, I am sure if I saw your idea of 'almost actually succeeded' it would look wonderful to me. One of the reasons I like doing petal or leaf canes, is that they are very accommodating, and generally look good, no matter how we think they come out. It is comments like this that mean the most, and are why I will carry on posting more video tutorials. Thank you :)

[@jasminehealey9405]

Fiona Abel-Smith PolyOriginals Thank you so much for what you said & again, thank you so much for sharing your talent with us. I've been continuing to watch your videos all week since I found you. And you know.. I've been almost desperate to make a somewhat successful rose cane & I have tried probably 5 times so far & they've all been disasters. Then, I watched you video on covering a pen with polymer clay & thankfully you included a tutorial on making a rose cane. So, I figured I'd give it one more try, and it worked! I thought it looked like a rose but wasn't sure how other people would perceive it. I made a pendant with slices from the cane & asked my 13 year old son if he could tell what it's supposed to look like & he said "it's a rose" and I was elated! That's all thanks to you, I really really appreciate it and I know that many others do as well

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

I am so happy to hear that Jasmine, I love making Rose canes, and am so pleased that you have done one as well. I am doing a little happy dance at this end right now. Thank you so much for letting me know. :)

[@jensewell7583]

Beautiful work as always. Thank you so much for your tutorials. The simple way in which you explain everything inspires me to want to try this right away!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Jen, do give it a go, someone has already posted pics on a Facebook page of what they have just made with it, and I think it looks wonderful. :)

[@UraniumFire]

At the 10 minute mark, when you cut open the cane, it is so stunning!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Kimberly :)

[@aoifesmyth3881]

Thanks for sharing Fiona you are so generous with your knowledge. I really cant wait to try this one! I think I might set it as a challenge for the Irish Guild members! ❤

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks Aoife, yes that would be a good challenge :)

[@vashtiespinosa460]

I HAVE SO MUCH TO LEARN!!!! i LOVE YOUR WORK!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you so much Vashti :)

[@chrystalyenger7356]

❤

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks so much :)

[@minkytoms6784]

Thank you Fiona. Beautiful flower petal cane. =)

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks so much Minky :)

[@bennettearnold5140]

Very Nice....thank you for sharing.. and teaching

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Bennette :)

[@medusassnakes70]

This is awesome - so beautiful! I've been looking for a flame tutorial and with a few changes in colors this fits the bill perfectly. Thank you!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

yes, of course, it would be perfect for a flame :)

[@Naturally336]

Love this cane, as I was watching I had numerous flashes of inspiration, variations I want to try. Thanks for sharing!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Fantastic, so glad it was of use, and hope you create lots of wonderful canes with your new ideas :)

[@johng0908]

Fiona,I'm always stupefied watching your videos. There are 3 of you guys I watch regularly and you are all at the top of your craft. A couple of questions,if you don't mind. Do you sell your canes? Have you ever done any collaborations with others that work in polymer clay? And lastly(and a bit off topic I'm afraid) Have you ever done voice-over work? You have such a calm,relaxed,lilting voice. Thanks for posting these incredible works of art.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you so much John :) I have sold my canes online in the past, but the cost of P&P was always so much even for such a small item, and I haven't done for some time now, (other than shows which I am physically there at, so no P & P). ;) As for collaborations, I was one of the hundred or so of artists who collaborated with the 'Into the Forest' project a couple of years ago, but nothing since then. Voice overs, no, although I am happy for any offers that should come my way ;) Thanks again for such a lovely comment :)

[@carrie7209]

Another beautiful cane - thank you!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Caroline :)

[@AgileCait]

I love your tutorials. Thank you for your attention to detail. In the future, would you be willing to make a flower cane out of Fimo translucent colored with other Fimo clay? I am trying to make a luminary with the clay attached to a glass bowl. No matter how much I try to condition the translucent clay, it still cracks when I try to roll it into a cane. Thanks!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks so much Chrissie. I am in full seasonal video mode at the moment, so that sort of cane would be down the list a bit in my plans, sorry. However I am not sure why you are having that problem with the translucent? I am using it at the moment for a project, and there is no cracking. Have you conditioned it really well, used the very thin setting of a clean pasta machine and really worked with it till it is nice and pliable? Sorry if you have already done all that :( the only other thing I can suggest is to work some liquid polymer clay into it to try and get it more pliable. I hope one of those suggestions solves the problem for you.🙃🤞🙂

[@marionmathews9852]

Fabulous tutorial Fiona. I love your methods for teaching. I’ve now tried 3 of your canes.....the brocade, the rose and the petal, and all came out brilliant! I can’t wait for more tutorials. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you so much Marion :)

[@carrieevert1518]

I love this cane, and the movement you obtained. I'm going to try this one using some souffle clay and will let you know how it turns out. thanks for sharing!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks Carrie, I bet it will look great in Souffle :)

[@mariaalexandrou8448]

It's a beautiful one Fiona! I m so glad for you!!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you so much Maria :)

[@boa9535]

7:45 Squidge - British English for squeezing or squish. Collins dictionary

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

ha ha, absolutely, the best word for what we do to polymer clay ;)

[@Hellnogizmo]

This is amazing! I have only done a few different canes, and they were mostly very easy, round, either symmetrical or abstract. You really explain and teach this seemly complicated and daughting cane super well and make it easy! I need all the stupid-proof I can get! Thanks so much! Subscribed!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you so much :)

[@Cindylee29]

Oh wow, this is so beautiful!! Thank you for sharing!! I just love your work!!❤️

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you so much :)

[@claygirl6133]

I love this pattern, will give it a go!!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

thanks Monica :)

[@gabrielbennett6079]

I sincerely hope the good Lord blesses you for having such a generous heart. I feel creative but I have no talent with clay. I was awesome with Play-Doh when my boys were little (according to their little minds at the time) 🤣. I lost the inspiration somewhere but you give me new hope. Thank you for your knowledge!!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you so much Gabriel, that is such a lovely comment, and yes, if you were great with Play-Doh, then clay should be a natural transition for you. It is firmer to manipulate, but once you get used to that, all your old skills will come rushing back, and I am sure you will be making some amazing pieces :)

[@grittykitty50]

Gabriel Bennett, start simple and work your way up. There are so many ways to create with polymer clay: canes, sculpting, veneers, "painting" etc. Play around, look at some videos, do an internet search to see what you like and then learn the building blocks. I am not a caner, per se, I work mainly with veneers for jewelry. But Fiona has presented some cane techniques that I would like to try which I think I can adapt to my aesthetic. Good Luck and remember to have fun!

[@gabrielbennett6079]

@@grittykitty50 thank u for taking the time to give me tips. I really appreciate that. 🧚

[@КириллЗмеев-ь5м]

Увидел ваш канал и влюбился 😍хочется русского перевода😊

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Большое спасибо :)

[@deniseosborne4045]

Love it Thank you

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you :)

[@maneeshalazar]

Another great tutorial 🌷

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Maneesha :)

[@animerlon]

Hey Fiona, i'm very sorry, but i felt compelled to correct you. While you were reassuring us that it's ok if our petals aren't perfect, it occurred to me that you actually meant symmetrical. I think that the end results (unless it's a really botched job😄), are always perfectly lovely. All the best & have a nice day/evening. 💜☮️

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

🤣😂Feel free to correct me any time. I used the word perfect, as it means so many different things to so many people, I have a few polymer friends who want everything to be 'perfect' whether that is symetrical, even in slicing, wanting ever slice the same, no curves in what they thing should be a straight line, an even colour balance or the same thickness of line through every piece. I remind them about every petal in nature being very slightly different, so that they can relax slightly in the knowledge that being'imperfect' in this instance is a perfect thing to be 😉🙂Thank so much though, and I may try and remember to use the word symetrical more often in helping people relax 😉

[@dawsie]

Hello Fiona, 😸 umm I went looking for the paper graph link in the description but I was not able to find it ...ooops 😹😹 I love the simplicity of making the cane, for the past few years I have struggled making canes but after watching a few of the canes you have made, I am going to give it another go and this time using how you did the bullseye cane first, I like the way you have explained how you have done each step with showing how you have done it. This has help me a lot to understand the cane a lot better. Maybe this time I will have a workable cane 😸

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Angela, I am so glad you are going to give the canes a go. the link for the graph paper should be here: www.printablepaper.net/category/graph Hope that works for you :)

[@dawsie]

Fiona Abel-Smith PolyOriginals thank you for the link Fiona 🤗 Lol I think after watching your tutorials it’s the relaxed way of the approach to making the canes but also you picked up on the one problem I have always found and never had an answer as to how and why it was happening and that’s the distortion which happens due to the way the reduction is done and you answered how and why it happens and gave an answer on how to stop it from happening 🤗🤗🤗

[@Hellnogizmo]

If you cannot find this kind of paper, get some reg graph paper and just have it laminated. (I actually bought mine from Walmart for about $20 US. It is super helpful for lots of things)

[@christinaaugustine27]

Beautiful cane .. I’m your new subbie ;-) … btw you have a lovely voice !

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you so much Christina :)

[@animerlon]

Hey Fiona, i'm sorry, but i felt compelled to correct you. While you were reassuring us that it's ok if our petals aren't perfect, it occurred to me that you meant symmetrical. I think that the end results (unless it's a really botched job😄), are always perfectly lovely. Have a nice day/evening. 💜☮️

[@leetau8429]

really nice thank you for sharing, do you need to back this thickness that your blue cane is? i use premo and never know about thickness and am worried they may break easily

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Lee Tau, if I was using this as a single pendant, then yes, I would probably make it thicker, as a card topper, or design element in some other piece, this thickness is fine. :)

[@noralakos746]

Hi! I love your tutorials 😉 What is the brand of your pasta machine please? I am really struggling to find a good one.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks Nora. The pasta machine I use is an Atlas, and I use both the 150 when I am at shows, and the 180 at home. I have always used them, and they are a very good make as far as my personal experience goes. However, there are other good makes out there such as Imperia, and of course many of the makes made specifically to be used with polymer clay. I hope that is of some help. :)

[@noralakos746]

Thanks Fiona! What do you think about Das Smart clay machine? Did you ever try it?

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

@@noralakos746 No, I have never tried that make. You can always post on one of the polymer clay social media sites, and ask of anyone has experience of it? :)

[@krithikap8890]

Can I ask what colors you used for the other cane you showed? Peppermint and Pacific Blue? Was it blended the same way?

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Hi Krithika, One colour was peppermint, but the other colour was a soft purple that was made from some left over colours I mixed up. It was sort of a mix of pacific blue, plum and white, but any soft purple colour will do. It does look like pure blue in the video, but in real life you can see that it is a purple blend, and yes, once I started with those basic colours, I used them to blend in exactly the same way as the one in the video. I hope that helps :)

[@sharonkeef0522]

@Fiona Abe-Smith can u help me figure out a Lilly flower cane with ruffle edges it’s a dark pink color with a bright green center and the ruffles are bright green also I can send a ic if U give me a email

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Hi Sharon, I noticed someone has just recently posted a lilly flower cane to make. Link here - www.etsy.com/listing/675357708/tiger-lily-field-polymer-clay-cane I know this is a paid for tutorial, but as it has just been released, I wouldn't dream of doing a lilly cane just yet, as I wouldn't want to take away from Samantha's tutorial. I hope you understand ? :)

[@user-mm7fn9cs3y]

Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Hi Mad crafter :)