If any one asked me for just one tip about working with polymer clay it would have to be PRACTICE.  I would add to that not to get discouraged by “failures”.  There are no failures in learning how to work with polymer clay, just happy “accidents”.  I have been trying to get the hang of making canes.  I finally got the hang of roses, other flowers and leaves.  In the process, I had a bunch of canes that have ended up as beads.  I have a whole set of beads that I really like that are actually a ”failed” butterfly cane.  Soon I will have jewelry sets out of it to show.  I also have some really cool barrettes that are a from a pansy cane that I did not like.  All I did was re-do the cane by slicing it and changing it from a flower to more of a kaleidoscope.  I like it so much that I did it to another “failed” cane.  It is amazing how things can work out.

So do not give up if things are not working the way that you want them to.  Keep trying, keeping practicing and soon you will be able to make canes, beads or whatever technique that you are trying.

Posted by Helen in Tips and Techniques on March 26th, 2007 |