How I choose colours for a Polymer Clay Kaleidoscope Cane

[@amysantics4u818]

Natasha is mentioned on the NW Polymer Clay Guild's history website right from the beginning. "Guild & Clay Camp History by Meredith Arnold In 1994 under the umbrella of the NW Bead Society, the NW Polymer Clay Artists formed and soon decided to hold its first ever conference on the art of polymer clay. Karen Murphy, then-president and founder of our group, and Maggie Maggio, Vice President, were at the helm together with Natasha Flechsig, (creator of the famous Natasha bead) and Gail Ethier (the first Guild newsletter editor). Before jumping in to do a conference, it was decided to try a test event in 1995 and call it Clay Camp." nwpcg.org/about-us/

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks so much for the info, very informative :)

[@manuelademeio1170]

I know the video is from 4 years ago but I can't wait for try your kaleidoscopic techniques. The first job I can manage is dedicated to you. Thanks you. 🥰

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

I am so glad it was helpful, thank you, and have fun 🙂

[@anitadavidson1249]

You just made, what for me is a complex subject into something I begin to understand. You're a marvel who is extremely generous with her hard won knowledge. Thank you!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you so much Anita, for your very kind comments :)

[@janedoe6181]

These are the best tips I have ever come across! I think this information could be applied to determining colors for any clay project, not just when caning. I will definitely use this information!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you, so glad it was of help :)

[@susanjerrell9220]

You are the best at showing different techniques and just in general the ways of handling polymer clay. Turtle Soup Beads, Susan, recommended you. I don't even do polymer clay due to arthritis but love watching others.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Oh wow, thank you so much Susan :) Yes, Susan at Turtlesoup Beads is just so lovely. I am sorry to hear about your arthritis, I have a few problems with it myself, so can sympathise. I am so glad you are enjoying watching though, and thank you so much for commenting :)

[@johng0908]

You certainly have skill and talent. I'm always fascinated watching your videos. Thanks for posting them.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

what a lovely comment, thanks so much John :)

[@jeaninejacob1158]

What an easy way to see how the colors flow. I made a cane that the colors muted together after kaleidoscope this explains why. Thank you for all your work and sharing.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

I am gal ad it was useful, thanks so much Jeanine 🙂

[@laurielarson7255]

awesome advice....love the purple/green combo. the one looked like a warrior on top and a buddha on the bottom. When you made it finer it looked like a butterfly. I love natasha beads

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Laurie, in the less detailed of the two, I saw a trapeze artist in full flight at the top of the cane coming towards me - I only noticed it after I had finished editing the video - amazing what the eye picks out and recognises in shapes ! :)

[@allthatscrafty]

The Best tips I have ever seen for choosing colors for a kaleidoscope cane. TFS Happy Claying Mary

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks Mary :)

[@DianaMoon11428]

Thanks so much! I love the way you illustrate with examples.

[@bellagreen8779]

Really excellent advice. Taking the theory into a simple practical step that does not take too long. Brilliant!..and I enjoyed your lovely soft voice with no background music!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks Bella :)

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks Bella :)

[@grittykitty50]

ditto

[@1tinac]

Thank you for sharing this technique and explanation.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

thanks so much :)

[@reneeharold7335]

I liked the color combinations that you didn't like, I like that hazy neutral color look.

[@peggyweber688]

Thank you Fiona! I’ve been hesitant to start on a kaleidoscope because I wasn’t sure what colors to use unless I just wanted to “copy” someone else. What a great way to audition colors.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks Peggy, it really does work. I only wish I'd figured this out years ago, before i 'wasted' lots of early Kaleidoscope canes I tried. :)

[@donnabaratta5629]

Simply brilliant Fiona! I often struggle with adding contrast to my colors. Terrific idea for using a small amount of clay to achieve a grand result. Thank you so much for sharing!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you so much Donna :)

[@khrysv]

Great advice! It was always a problem for me to combine the colors.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

I am so glad it was helpful, it really taught me a lot doing this. Thank you :)

[@bonnietaylor7827]

That's a great technique to know!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks so much Bonnie :)

[@gillianwiseman3518]

This will also work great forauditioning mokume gane colors!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Yes, absolutely Gillian, use it for anything that needs a good colour scheme :)

[@marionmathews9852]

This is really useful. Your tips made sense and your examples were informative. Looking forward to your next tutorial. TFS.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks Marion :)

[@wolfsangeleyes]

This is excellent advice. Very well explained.

[@wolfsangeleyes]

And thank you for adding Natasha's full name to the description. I always wondered why it was called a Natasha bead. Most polymer clay artists never mention her.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you :)

[@Raykphth]

Fiona, the name Natasha beads I believe comes from a polymer clay artist called Natasha Flechsig who made this technique popular in the polymer clay world. Howeve I do not think she invented them but put them to use with polymer clay. These beads are also referred to as 'magic beads or mirror beads' but the best known name in the wider world is Rorschach beads. I believe they go back much before polymer clay was invented into the world of colured glass manufacture where they also used scraps of coloured material to make a random design. Anyway I am no expert on such things so it is just my opinion.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Wow, thank you so much Ray, that is extremely helpful information. I have made a note of it all, and will be able to refer to it the next time I mention Natasha beads :) Thank you so much for taking the time and research to be so helpful. :)

[@marystoddard9138]

Beautiful cane. Love the colors. Thank you.❤️

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Mary :)

[@Naturally336]

What great tips! Thank you so much for sharing!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Glad you enjoyed it, thank you so much for your comments. :)

[@PropheticEnvy]

wonderful tips. who knew something so simple would be such a big help. I recently discovered your channel and I am so happy I did. Thank you so much for the tips!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you for your comments, I am so glad you like my videos, it means a lot :)

[@Bettina257]

Awesome info! Thanks so much!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you :)

[@siennaonthenet2127]

Thank you, this was very helpful.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

You are welcome, thank you Sienna :)

[@boa9535]

That was wonderful, so instructive. TY

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

thank you so much :) I noticed a comment about the blends you put on another video, but can't now find the comment to respond to? Just in case you still wanted to know, there are so many different ways to do Skinner Blends, and all of them give a different outcome in the final long blend. check out Skinner Blends in a search engine, or look for works by Sarah Shriver and Carol Simmons for inspiration. I hope that helps at least a bit :)

[@boa9535]

Fiona Abel-Smith PolyOriginals, Thanks, but I figured it out, so I deleted it. You’re just so quick to answer that you caught me mid-thought. I need to make the initial rectangles longer and skinnier so the slant is more drastic and allows less of the original pure color. I have thought many times that the rolls didn’t have enough of a blend to them. That particular blend is so fantastic mixing purple to yellow and combining the white that I wanted to see an almost whole roll of just the blend.

[@maudemccarthy1667]

Excellent! Best color advice I’ve ever heard. What took me so long to find you??! Just happy I did. Looking forward to any and all of your videos.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Wow, thank you so much Maude. I am so glad it was of help. I have only just started making and posting videos, so that is probably why you hadn't seen any before. :) I have many more ideas in the pipeline, so keep watching this space.

[@juliegreen9312]

Excellent tip thank you very much

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks so much Julie :)

[@sallynelson1180]

Very helpful! Thanks so much.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Sally, so glad it was of help :)

[@paulapower8505]

Excellent video, very informative. Thanks for sharing, xx

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks Paula :)

[@lizrichardson3309]

Thank you Fiona, very clear, it makes choosing colours so much easier!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank Liz., so glad it might be of help :)

[@Tethys99999]

So helpful!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

I am so glad it helped, thank you :)

[@shyamalaganesh2792]

Very helpful tutorial

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank You :)

[@sandraellis3611]

Thank you so much as this is very helpful!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Sandra :)

[@tinagoetz3551]

Good tip, thanks

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks Tina :)

[@polymerclayinspired7248]

Brilliant idea 👍🏻love your tutorials ❤️

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Janet :)

[@debbeechy]

this is really helpful

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

so glad it was helpful :)

[@Mazzbug]

Thanks for sharing, I must try this, how clever :)

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Karen :)

[@carrie7209]

That's such a good idea, Fiona - thank you!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks Caroline :)

[@SonyasCraftStudio]

Awesome video!!! Thank you for sharing this!!!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

You are very welcome Sonya. :)

[@grittykitty50]

I subscribed based on the brilliant information in this video.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you so much :)

[@teresabarnes8859]

What a great tip! Thank you for sharing it!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you :)

[@Cindylee29]

Great Tip! Thank you Fiona!!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you :)

[@BaiulusMakesCrafts]

Very helpful tips. Thank you.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you :)

[@krithikap8890]

Excellent tip! Thank you!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks Krithika :)

[@krithikaramaswamy6731]

Thanks a lot! Now I understand why some of my canes lost their detail,with certain colours.××

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

So glad you found it useful, thank you :)

[@minoukis986]

Thank you! Very useful video!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you :)

[@UnrulyHousewife]

A really great idea! xx

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Valerie :)

[@uh_-uz2lh]

thank you for your advice!!!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you, and thank you for commenting, I really appreciate it :)

[@sylviavalentine]

Oh em gee that's brilliant!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks Sylvia :)

[@sharonbaston470]

Thankyou I’m a beginner and struggle with choosing colours

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

I'm so glad this was helpful, thanks Sharon 🙂

[@oliviarobinson5460]

Hi Fiona thank you for all your advice:) i have a question for you over here in UK i can not find the glaze the American polymer clay artists / you-tubers recommend what do you use for glaze and where you get it please

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

If I am going to varnish a piece of polymer (and I often don't, as I will sand and polish instead) I will use the polymer clay brand of varnish for the brand of clay I am using. However, if you have not checked out The Blue Bottle Tree's articles on varnishes and finishes, I would recommend you have a look, as most of the things Ginger mentions apply to the UK too. Hope that helps :) thebluebottletree.com/understanding-polymer-clay-glaze-sealer-varnish/