A cane is
a log or cylinder of clay
that has a design running
through it. You can make
a large, complex design that's
easy to handle, then reduce
the size of the cane by pressing
or rolling it so it becomes
longer and thinner. This
creates a tiny and delicate
design that will stay intact
no matter how small you make
it.
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At
Quilted in Clay, we use
FIMO polymer clay to
ensure crisp, clean lines
on the canes. |
This combination
of colors will result
in a custom, mixed shade
of blue. |
The
clay must then be chopped
into pieces in the correct
proportions to produce
the select color. |
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It’s
then "food processed" until
it looks like odd-colored
cottage cheese. |
From
the food processor, the
clay is run through a
pasta machine. |
We
run it through the pasta
machine until the colors
are mixed and it’s
become a nice smooth
sheet. |
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The
design is laid out and
broken down into a number
of elements. The tools
needed to make the variety
of shapes include a clay
gun with different dies. |
These
3 sheets have been mixed
and conditioned, and
represent the colors
needed for this particular
cane. |
A
portion of the chosen
color is rolled into
a rod, then slid into
the clay gun. |
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With
the help of a "clay
gun pusher", long
strands of clay are extruded
into the different shapes. |
All
the rods have been extruded
and are now ready to
stack together to form
the design. |
For
this particular design,
we begin by putting the
extruded rods of color
into the diagrammed rows. |
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The
rows are then stacked
together as they relate
to the particular segment
of the design. |
We were able to break
the final design down
into 4 identical segments.
Once stacking is completed,
we then assemble one
corner of the final design. |
If the
clay is properly handled,
designs can be made smaller
by a process of pulling
and stretching. By using
a tool called a brayer,
the edges are kept flat
and the corners square. |
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This
particular section of
the design was originally
2.5" square by 8'
long. It’s now
reduced down to 1" square
and can easily be cut
with a sharp blade. |
We now have 4 identical
design sections. |
The
4 sections are assembled
to form the design, and
at this point the cane
is 2" square by
10" long. |
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We
now add layers of colors
to the outside to create
borders and reduce the
cane down one more time. |
The larger cane will
be used to create pendants
and brooches, while the
smaller ones will soon
become Quilted in Clay
earrings. |
Slicing
the cane requires the
sharpest blade available.
Soon, we’ll have
earrings! |
