Polymer Clay Brocade Cane Tutorial

[@melissalennox9304]

I wish there was a love button because I LOVE all your tutorials so much. As a relative newbie they're always easy to follow and you have a lovely voice as an added bonus. Thank you!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

I am so glad you are enjoying them, thanks so much Melissa :)

[@kimshumate5737]

I LOOOOOOVE this cane! It's simple to do but the results are stunning! I've made it dozens of times now. I like doing it with old canes--I just shape into a triangle and go from there. Endless possibilities! Thank you, Fiona!!!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Yes it's still one of my favourites too ;) Thanks so much Kim :)

[@SkyGypsy]

Really appreciate the tip about using the wax paper to get a beveled edge!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

So glad, thanks so much 🙂

[@lynetteshorten6043]

I found the brocade idea gorgeous

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you very much :)

[@them.a.g3948]

I found this channel trying to do something that I happened to stumble upon on Reddit and hearing your voice is like hearing a soothing melody

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Oh wow, thank you so much, such a kind thing to say :)

[@laurenpiantino8312]

You are a natural born artist, and a natural born teacher! The cane was stunningly beautiful; and the instructions so precise and clear. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful creations with us. :)

[@louisamostert9801]

Could watch your work for hours. Beautiful as always.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

thank you so much Louisa :)

[@artiejohnson703]

It looks so complicated, but when you do it. You make it look so easy. Can’t wait to make this beautiful cane.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks so much Artie :)

[@karinb57]

It works.........! Watched it twice and made a cane.....it came out gorgeous, thank you very much. Your instructions are clear and precise. You explain why some things are less important and other things very important to get right. Love it!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Karin Brown I am so happy to hear that, thank you 😊 also really pleased to hear yours came out gorgeous! , 😍

[@nannyhannah]

Hello from Canada!! Your video was a KZbin recommendation and I'm so glad I watched it. I do a lot of quilting, cross stitching and crocheting but I have never worked with clay. After watching this video I will be going on-line to find sources to purchase necessary items to begin. Your video was very informative and easy to follow. You made it look very easy! I have subscribed to your channel and am looking forward to watching many more videos and trying out many more projects. Thank you for your lessons and I'll let you know how my first attempt turns out. Again thank you so much!!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you so much for such a lovely comment Diane, and I am so glad you are going to give it a go. I would love to see what you make :) Have fun with it, no stress, and see where your polymer journey leads you :)

[@deborahgoodrow8414]

Another wonderful tutorial and beautiful cane. My Cane Challenge group tried this one, and we all had lovely results. Thank you!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

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

[@meredithmccallion4686]

You made it look so easy that I was inspired to give it a go... and it WORKED! 😃 Thank you for making such a wonderful art accessible to even the most inexperienced!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Meredith, you have made me so happy, and I am so glad it worked for you :) xx

[@mrsk8383]

Gorgeous cane! I really enjoy watching your tutorials. Not many clay artists do kaleidoscope videos, and i do love to watch (and make!) those so much. Thank you!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Mr&Mrs Kondel Thank you so much. I must admit I am a bit of a kaleidoscope addict 😉glad to know I am not the only one.

[@eileengavinlarsen4509]

You're such a great instructor, so clear, thorough and concise. And this cane is gorgeous! Amazing how simply it started and transformed into a pretty brocade...wow! Thanks, Fiona!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you so much Eileen :)

[@עינתרבינא]

came back to this beautiful cane because it is always at the top of my most beloved patterns. thank you again ! einat

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

thank you so much, I am so glad you like it :)

[@iroquoissg]

Stunning! Excellent tutorial, Thank you. My family makes Christmas ornaments every year for a white elephant ornament swap, and your tutorial/design is amazing on my ornament. Absolutely the best of the bunch I've made this year. Thanks again, looking forward to looking at your other tutorial!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

That sounds wonderful, I am so glad you liked the tutorial, thank you :)

[@Sillywabbit5]

That’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever s👀n!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you so much :)

[@TheMyssT]

Thank you for letting us see you reduce the cane!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

You're welcome, thank you :)

[@donnabaratta5629]

Such a lovely cane! I am fascinated by the process, which begins with the four quarters, yet ends with such different results! Kaleidoscope canes are still magical to me. Thank you again for another inspirational video.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Donna :)

[@Penny.Royalty]

I really like watching your tutorials. I really like the way you explain each step.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

thank you so much :)

[@nansmith7502]

Thank you so much Fiona. I love watching your magical cane work and listening to your wonderful voice. So soothing and easy to understand. Thanks again.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you so much Nan :)

[@1212haro]

Wow... sooo pretty! Once you got to the last stage and put the canes together I literally felt my eyes widen and expand as though mesmerized! Such a dramatic effect. 😍

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you so much :)

[@imaginestardust]

I loooooove your voice so much! I could listen to you talking all day!!! and if you add on top how great are your videos and always full of info, I am so grateful :)

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Cristina F Thank you so much Christina 😊

[@bellagreen8779]

Thank you so much, Fiona for another fab tutorial! I think this will be one of my go to canes. I even tried the sequence of cuts and joins and transformations of shape on some old , horrible canes, and they came out so much more interesting. You demo and descriptions are so clear and helpful. Excellent!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Bella, and I loved all the photos you posted, and what you did to transform your old canes too - wonderful :) xx

[@sharonolsen6579]

That blue and white combination is stunning !! Makes me want to use that for my miniature sets of dishware ... Your tutorials are awesome !!!!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Sharon :)

[@sueyounglove9253]

That was fantastic. I loved the colours you used.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you so much Sue :)

[@maggiechampion655]

Always in awe of your cane work Fiona. Perfect tutorial here. xx

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Maggie :)

[@uccelloartcamp3192]

Just discovered your your work and tutorials. Amazing artwork and presentations. I'm just starting out on this and feel that your techniques and videos will make it all that much easier to dive in. Thank you for being so generous with your information and processes.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

You are very welcome, enjoy the journey into the world of Polymer Clay, but be warned, it can become a wonderfully addictive way to be artistic, so have a lot of fun with it :)

[@porkchop0711]

@19 minutes and 40 seconds the square you end up with before using the cutters made such a beautiful design it would be beautiful as a wall tile 😁💙

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

thanks so much Dianna, and yes, the patterns often make me think of wall tiles :)

[@katzologin8687]

This is a very, very beautiful pattern! It starts so easy and at the end there is magic. Thank you so much!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Katzologin Thank you 😊

[@denisettm4958]

I love how nice and clean your work comes out!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you :)

[@bythejerseyshore]

I love this pattern. So pretty. The colors are the best!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Kim :)

[@polymerclayinspired7248]

Always love your tutorials they are so well made❤️thank you Fiona for sharing your talent your voice is very relaxing too and the kaleidoscope scope is beautiful

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you so much Janet, those are all lovely comments :) .

[@polymerclayinspired7248]

You’re welcome Fiona ❤️

[@DANYELLENORWOOD]

you make it so easy to learn the teicks of the trade i made my first kaleidoscope cane today and it looks so beautiful now i know how to make this kind and can expand on this i was having such a hard time thinking of ways to make them but once i got it my mind just opend to all the different thing i can do check out my face book to see what you help me creat THANK YOU

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

that makes me so happy to hear, thank you Danyelle :)

[@grittykitty50]

Beautiful results with not too fussy techniques. And thanks for the tip on the printable paper site.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you :)

[@itsjustmesara1979]

Beautiful and a very clear and concise tutorial. Thank you!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Sara :)

[@yaver999]

Thank you!! It is amazing.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you very much :)

[@valerieparadies4988]

Absolutely wonderful Fiona!!!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

thanks so much Valerie :)

[@debrasmith1592]

Thank you Fiona, you are an inspiration, your work is amazing and so unique.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you so much Debra :)

[@carrie7209]

What a fantastic cane, Fiona - thank you so much. It almost hurt me to see you cut into it!!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Caroline, did you want me to leave the next one uncut ;) xx

[@carrie7209]

Fiona Abel-Smith PolyOriginals - Hmm...maybe not! I know you'll make something gorgeous with it :-)

[@helensydenham1282]

Beautiful Colour Pattern, I love it. Thank you for taught and inspiring me.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Helen :)

[@valerie5315]

Beautiful work Fiona

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Valerie Anderson thank you Valerie 😊

[@LRBorrill]

your polymer clay skills are fantastic and thankyou so much for sharing i am inspired. You should really do some audio books Fiona Abel-Smith, Joanna Lumley, Stephen Fry and the late great John Hurt i could listen too 24/7

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks so much Lee :)

[@judyhobday4760]

just magical

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks so much Judy :)

[@TheMetatronGirl]

This is so beautiful! Thank you for sharing your technique.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks so much Elise :)

[@CaraJaneUK]

nice cane and nice clear instructions - thank you for sharing

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks Cara :)

[@dmcdmtsdccec4]

Wow, that is just gorgeous! Excellent tutorial, too! Thank you!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks Danielle :)

[@allthatscrafty]

Thoroughly enjoyed watching your tutorial. Looking forward to more tutorials. Beautiful Kaleidoscope. TFS Mary

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks Mary :)

[@misty_miss]

That was like magic! Tq for sharing!!! Totally mesmerized by the art.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

thanks so much Misteiz :)

[@cjamama1236]

Cette cane est superbe. Merci pour ce tuto, même si mon anglais est très "scolaire" votre vidéo est très explicite.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Merci Beaucoup :)

[@pattallant2398]

So interesting and enjoyable to watch you make these. 😊👍

[@melllat]

Love your tutorials

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you so much :)

[@Tzaddiel]

Fiona I've been watching your videos for awhile now... I think your voice is so calming and you should do ASMR videos.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

thank you, lots of people say something similar, it is funny when you don't realise what your own voice sounds like, maybe I should take it up as a new career, but not do clay, no sorry, no can do ;) Thanks for such a lovely comment though :)

[@umasharma6903]

Gorgeous, mind blowing!👍but I wanted to see final result After baking

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

I now do show a finished piece when I have done a video, but this was an early one, so I had a lot to learn ;)

[@SonyasCraftStudio]

Such a beautiful cane!!! Thank you for sharing!!!😍😍😍

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you :)

[@Cindylee29]

Oh, i love love this cane!! I already made one of your canes so far, and this will be my next one! Thank you!! :)

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Cindylee29 thank you 😊

[@3angelanascimento]

Obrigadaaa❤️🇧🇷

[@justplaindawnmurry2145]

I became lost after taking a wrong turn toward the end. :-) I shall try again -- this cane is so beautiful!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

There is no such thing as a 'wrong' turn, just a different way of doing something :) I am sure yours looked fab, and it also means you get another chance to play with this tutorial :) Thank you so much for your comments.

[@justplaindawnmurry2145]

You are welcome! Thank you for the tutorial! This morning I tried again and got a lot closer!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

So happy :)

[@rosan6490]

Waoh. Just waoh. Good job. Thanks for sharing

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks so much Rosa :)

[@SandyHuntress]

Gorgeousness! Love the glow of the blend.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you so much :)

[@elaineturpin1064]

Wonderful video. Thanks so much for the inspiration

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Elaine :)

[@maryannloiacono7589]

Love your tuts! I have the best results from following your instructions (though it never comes out exactly like yours, lol) What colors did you use for your blend in the red one? Looks like yellow instead of white?

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks Maryann :) It looks like I used Cherry Red into Raspberry, into Lilac, into White into Lemon Yellow. But I think I was just experimenting when I did it, so it may have been left over colours, but the ones I mention are the nearest I can think of, to how the image looks. I hope that helps :)

[@maryannloiacono7589]

@@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals Thanks 🤞

[@liletteautrey8481]

Very mice live the different blues together

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Lilette :)

[@leonanelson2444]

Beautiful, I love the colo too. Thank you

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Leona :)

[@clk914]

This is beautiful. I can’t wait to try it. Thanks for sharing!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you, would love to see photos of how it turns out for you :)

[@aoifesmyth3881]

Love love love this cane! Can't wait to try it - thanks Fiona! X

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Aoife Smyth thanks Aoife :)

[@ErikaHamilton1]

thank you amazing tutorial.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Erika :)

[@DragonFly-n424]

WOW!! How COOL!!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks Sandra :)

[@terryturner3932]

Please will you share which pasta machine you are using? It seems a lot of people use the Atlas 150. Still looking.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

I get asked this a lot, so here is my normal reply, I hope it helps :) The pasta machine I use is an Atlas machine, at home I use the 180 (a wider machine) and when travelling or on workshops, I use the 150. I have always used the Atlas machines and I find them very good for Polymer Clay. However, there are other very good makes, such as the Imperia machines, and of course those made specifically for use with Polymer Clay. Ginger Davis Allman, from The Blue Bottle Tree has a number of articles on Pasta Machines - thebluebottletree.com/?s=pasta+machines which may prove helpful in choosing a machine. Here is a link to an Atlas machine, (for reference only, as obviously there are many other places both online, and in stores where they can be found), and it is worth searching around till you can find a good deal on one. I hope that is of some help. www.amazon.com/Marcato-8320-Machine-Cutter-Instructions/dp/B0009U5OSO/ref=sr_1_3?crid=BPH5K7P26RQT&keywords=atlas+pasta+machine&qid=1556786279&s=gateway&sprefix=atlas+pasta+machine%2Caps%2C211&sr=8-3

[@krithikap8890]

Loved this tutorial!! Thank you so much!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks Krithika :)

[@lindylittleton4183]

Great tutorial, thanks for sharing x

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Lindy :)

[@jayashreechaudhuri3522]

awesome, very beautiful! 👌 Thanks for sharing☺️ I'll try to reproduce it, not as easy as u made it out to be. Thanks a lot

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you :)

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

I am sure however yours turns out, it will look beautiful, don't stress over it, this one tends to look great however the first part is done, as soon as you begin to kaleidoscope it :) have fun xx

[@francis999]

Wow thats beautiful!

[@jonibarger3147]

Fiona, you inspire !e.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you so much Joni :)

[@mariekr07]

Very, very beutiful. !, I love your work

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you so much Marie José :)

[@claygirl6133]

Beautiful!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Monica :)

[@pamschonfarber1041]

Gorgeous. I have been watching a few of your vids and have learned a few more things. I'm new to polymer clay but I really love you Skinner blends. Now to try and see if I can do some.... What do you make with them just curious?

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks Pam, I use Skinner Blends all the time, so many of the things I do are natural images, and the belnds work amazingly for those, leaves, petals, kaleidoscopes etc, everything and anything ;)

[@sharoncochran8508]

That is so amazing! I completely enjoyed your tutorial! Thank you! P.S. Susan from Turtle Soup Beads recommended this video!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you so much Sharon, and thank you too, to Susan for recommending it, that is really sweet :)

[@cailinsuiledonn]

love this, your videos are always so easy to follow😊, cant find small bowls in IKEA, where else did you say you buy? thanks so much for sharing

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks so much Ann Marie. A spent lightbulb would be good to use as a mould, add some scrap clay to the base to make sure it stands upright when baking. Other than that, any smooth glass, ceramic or metal bowls would do. Just use what you can find, or go searching round second hand, charity shops. :)

[@cailinsuiledonn]

@@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals 😃👍

[@pennyventurino5937]

So beautiful!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Penny :)

[@leewitte4580]

That is lovely!!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Lee :)

[@christonyawatson4519]

cool and so interesting

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Christonya :)

[@maryshear5450]

What if your clay stick together while rolling it out?

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Sometimes the clay can be a sticky batch, - normally the well known brands are fine - if that is the case you can leach it, by putting it on a piece on plain paper for a few hours. The plasticiser will leach into the paper and the clay will become less sticky. You would need to do this before you start creating your design though. You can also make clay less sticky by cooling it down - wrap it up and put it in a fridge for 20 minutes for instance. I hope that helps a bit, and that you are able to use the clay you have. :)

[@marcusbosson3275]

Hey Fiona Love this and my favourite colours i wondered when you have made the sheet can you put it through the pasta machine to make it thinner and bigger so that maybe it could be wrapped round something?

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

thanks Marcus, yes of course you can. To avoid too much in the way of distortion, make the thickness as even as you can to start with across the whole sheet, then go down one setting at a time on your pasta machine, turning the veneer 90 degrees each time so that it stretches evenly. You will probably get a bit of distortion, but not enough to spoil things when it is going to wrap around a form. Have fun and experiment :)

[@marcusbosson3275]

@@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals Thank you Fiona. Well i made my first swirl beads today...its more difficult than ya think isnt it. finding inspiration from your videos everyday...

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

@@marcusbosson3275 Yes, there is a definite knack to those, but like riding a bike, once you get it, you can always do it :) have fun, and thanks so much for your comments :)

[@gtr-skyline-r34]

Is beautiful

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Monica :)

[@lilafimo]

thank you magnifique cane

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Francoise :)

[@pb124]

Lovely. Thanks 😊

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

P B Thank you 😊

[@OutOfHereSoon]

Gorgeous!!!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Carmen :)

[@lindaashbrook6789]

Beautiful!!!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Linda :)

[@krithikaramaswamy6731]

Thank you! ! Awesome cane! ×××

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Krithika :)

[@MrSasyB]

I wanna do this with fondant and cover a cake with this technique. Would it be possible?

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Yes'ish'. Yes you can make a cane using fondant, obviously the firmer the fondant the better. It will create a nice pattern but you will find it 'blurs' much more than clay when reduced. I have however decorated a cake using cane work, and as long as you are not expecting a crisp and clear edge to all your patterns and colours, it turns out pretty good :) I hope that helps :)

[@MrSasyB]

@@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals thank you! That does help! I tried earlier today with some colors I had lying around. It was dark red, black and blue, it didn't turn out great and I don't have the right tools. I also didn't put the fondant in the fridge to firm up, cause I was impatient. Still, I hated the result but I liked the process. I think I will get everything together and I will try again. I'm gonna go for a 'simpler' pattern as well. I also wanna try this method of doing a gradient with fondant too, it would make for a great effect!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

@@MrSasyB Yes, the Skinner Blend (the gradient does work well with the fondant, and making a simple 'caned' petal pattern works really well for a lovely soft effect - have fun :)

[@peggysmiley8025]

Gorgeous!,

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Peggy :)

[@maneeshalazar]

So finally I made a successful kaleidoscope cane. Thanks again. I will tag in Facebook ❤️🍀🌷😘

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Oh I am so happy, thank you ManeeshaSanoj, and I hope you now make many more !!

[@maneeshalazar]

Fiona Abel-Smith PolyOriginals may be ☺️

[@maneeshalazar]

Kaleidoscope means complicated at least for me.. this one looks easy. Thank you ❤️

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

It is straightforward ManeeshaSanoj, and if yours doesn't follow the video exactly, it will still come out with a lovely pattern :) Thank you for commenting.

[@maneeshalazar]

Fiona Abel-Smith PolyOriginals : U r welcome 🙏🏻

[@Lyn4817]

Maybe we should all video making our canes so we have an easy recall of what we actually did, so we know how and where to make changes. Easy enough to record and rewatch without the need to edit.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Very good idea Lyn :)

[@atelier2zouzou655]

So beautifull ! ❤❤

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you :)

[@janinakowalska7260]

piękne

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Dziękuję 🙂

[@sampamondal1310]

Awesome

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Sampa :)

[@ninarogers9123]

Cool!... Thank you so much!...

[@reginemarie8151]

magnifique j aime beaucoup

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

regine marie Merci 😊