Happy Wednesday again!  Spring’s official arrival  is in just a few days. Yaaaaay.  But here in New England it won’t appear in reality for another month or so. Booooo.

As a result, you can see the spring fever on my desk today, with all the bright and happy colors.

Click on any of the photos for a closer look.

2014 03 19 woyww colorful cane (1)

It’s day 12 of  my personal Make It In March challenge, where I’ve promised to not only make something creative every weekday in March, but to blog about it as well.

Last week I shared a kaleidoscope cane tutorial on Polymer Clay Central. Today I decided to try it for myself.

2014 03 19 woyww colorful cane (2)

The plan was to make another square kaleidoscope cane and cover another lizard, but this design absolutely insisted on being hexagonal.  I argued with it fiercely, reminding it how I dislike dealing with the 60° angles, but to no avail.

It’s pretty, but I have no idea what I’m going to do with it.  Any suggestions?

Making canes is fun, it’s kinda magical to slice into one and see the results, but I think I prefer sculptural work. I’ll definitely never be one of those super-precise cane makers.

Wondering why I’ve shared a photo of my messy workdesk?  That’s because it’s What’s On Your Workdesk Wednesday. Come and join us in our weekly snoop into the desks of creative people around the world.  It’s fun and often quite inspirational.

Happy creating!

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54 thoughts on “WOYWW – Polymer Clay Kaleidoscope Cane

  1. Looks like we’re both playing with polymer clay this week, although yours is so much more PROFESSIONAL than mine. What scared me was that clay blade you have on your desk. Those things are EVIL (grin), especially if you have no way to keep the blade from cutting you. Happy WOYWW from #2.

    1. What a great Sculpey stash you got, Elizabeth, I love the basket you made.

      I don’t know about being professional but I have been playing with clay for quite some time.

      Happy creating!

  2. WOW! That cane is gorgeous! I know nothing of clay but love seeing what others do! Happy WOYWW!
    Carol N #13

  3. It looks gorgeous – love the colours. I’ve never used clay, but imagine it is “tricky”(understatement) to get such a shape – so I am in awe. Helen 9

  4. gorgeous colors and I love the kalediscope cane. I think it would make an awesome button or maybe sliced thin and put on a glass candle holder. I can imagine how hard it is to get it all to come out even. I have a lot of clay but haven’t played with it much. Might break it out and try again soon. Thanks for sharing. Vickie #45

  5. My goodness, Sandy. What a fun item to make – but do tell – do you have any idea of what you want to finish up with when you start putting the colours together? It’s great. Well done.
    Margaret #35

    1. No, Margaret, I don’t really know, it’s just a selection of colors. Probably those who make lots of canes will have an idea to begin with of what kind of design they’ll get. For me it’s (usually) a happy surprise. 🙂

  6. What do you mean, you’re not a precision cane maker? Lordy, your standards are way higher than mine!! II love the pattern you’ve created, especially the colours. Just a single slice would be great for a pair of drop earrings, or indeed as the front on a stud…..Beads….a bit bigger and they’d make hugely fab knobs for my cupboards…mmmmmmmmm!!

  7. I don’t know how much more precise you can get; it’s gorgeous. At first I thought it was a round box–that would make a beautiful lid to a ring box or something. Can’t tell exactly how big it is. Very nicely done.

    1. The cane is a little over an inch in diameter, but the fun thing about canes is that you can reduce the size while preserving the design, so I could make it any size smaller.

      Also, like in quilting, I could place several slices side by side and get a secondary design – if I can get the danged hexagon shape right.

  8. Gosh that’s amazing! It’s like a kaleidoscope licorice! It would be fantastic as buttons. Spring is tomorrow! But I know Winter could still have the last laugh!

    Hugs
    Brenda 66

  9. Hi there that is realy pretty. It would make a beautiful button. What sort of size is it. I don’t really understand what you have done but it looks great. Anne x # 44

  10. I think the outcome is very pretty, but I can’t give you any ideas of what to do with it other than admire it. I recall a friend being very into these clay canes. She tried hard to get some of us others interested but it didn’t take. Kudos to you for giving it a whirl though. Judy #89

  11. That’s crazy cool stuff Sandy, love the bead – you’ll have a few when you cut up of the roll; can you pierce a hole through to thread on a cord or attach an eyelet, it’d make a great pendant. Beautiful. Have a craft week – day by day, cheers RobynO#38

  12. Hi Sandy – thank you for popping by. I think your kaleidoscope cane is wonderful. I wish I still had my childhood toy. I remember sitting for ages turning the end in anticipation of the next pattern. I think Old England and New England must have similar Spring timings although I think we have been trying a bit over here for the past week! We have been out in the garden tidying and the daffodils and magnolia are blooming. Wishing you a great week and a happy WOYWW Hugs Helen 61

  13. Wow Sandy, that little cane kaleidoscope looks good enough to eat! However, I think I’d make another one and make a pair of earrings. Gorgeous!

    I’m not on WOYWW this week but visitng a few desks to say Hi. I’ve not had a very good week healthwise and my sewing machine has broken down – just when I wanted to start using it again after a long time! Hopefully I’ll be back on WOYWW next week, all being well.

    Have a great week.
    Shoshi

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