If you're interested in having me come teach a class just send me an e-mail.

Beginers Polymer Clay Classes

This section has all the information you need on the Polymer Clay Basic Beginning Clay Class. This is a beginning class that teaches the skinner blend, basic cane techniques, how to make flower canes and leaf canes. The class is normally from 10am-5pm with a small lunch break in between. The cost of the class is $75 per person with a $25 deposit to hold your spot. If you are interested in getting a group together just send me an e-mail. I will travel to your area or teach the class at the Holiday Inn Prattville or Montgomery.

Materials Needed are as follows:

Pasta Machine ~ now, you can buy a cheap one from Michaels or AC Moore...But, the ladies in the last class will tell you that they have had problems with those machines and some had to be returned. I do have 2 extra machines if you just absolutely don't have the money to purchase one.  If you are going to do cane work in polymer clay I suggest you purchase an Atlas pasta machine. These can be found at various kitchen stores, ebay, or clay supply stores on line.  Each person will need one so, 2 people can not share because you want to be able to do your blending with the clay while everyone else is doing theirs. Please become familiar with your machine and make sure it works before class. Especially if you bought one of the clay machines from the above places. You can just set it up and run some clay thru it on the thickest setting to make sure it works and you have a feel of the clay passing thru the machine. Note: For those of you who are left handed... I'm not sure if they make a left handed machine. You may have to try and crank the handle with your right hand or position it different on the table.

Work Surface ~ If you have some type of small sheet of plexiglass or smooth surface that you like to work on, bring it. I have several sheets of plexiglass already cut that are about 2ft long and 1ft wide that I will bring so if you don't have anything don't worry about it.

Acrylic Roller &  Poly Blade can be purchased at Michaels or AC Moore in the Clay Section.

Small Measuring tape.

Clay ~ I will tell you that I prefer Premo or Kato Clay and some Fimo. When you mix Premo and Kato together you get a really good mix for good clean crisp slices. We will talk a little about mixing in class. The only downside to Kato is that it has to be conditioned (ran thru the pasta machine) alot before its' pliable and easy to work with. So, Premo would be the best choice. Look in the Sunday paper for Michaels sales and they will probably run a 99 cent a bar special sometime before class. Otherwise, it's almost $3 a bar.

      4 Bars of White, 2 Bars of Premo Translucent, 2 Bars of Your Choice Color for flowers, 2 Bars of Green for leaves, and 1 bar of Premo Burnt Umber (that's chocolate brown)  OR 1 bar Premo Black (depending on what color you want the veins in your leaves to be either brown or black).           ~~Now lets talk about the green for the leaves. There are alot of choices in brands for leaves. If you want a natural looking leaf, Sculpey has a leaf green that I mix with Premo yellow that will give you a nice natural Olive color. Or if you just like the bright Premo green that's ok to. Or you can choose to make any color leaves you want to. There are some photos of leaves on the Gallery 2 page that you can look at to get some idea of what you want. I will bring extra clay so if someone needs extra.

After all is done...the class will be able to swap flowers and leaves and each person will have a variety to take home. You will be able to decorate, make beads, or just about anything you want to do with your canes. We will not be baking or completeing a project in class because time just will not alow for that. The focus will be on learning techniques to making canes. I will talk about baking and different ways to use your canes and answer any questions you have.