The Junk can trials

I saw this done in a book by Carol Blackburn and thougth I could do it quickly for something to do. You take five or six old canes and lump them togher to make a new cane. I have tried it twice now. The first time didn't do much for me. The second time I used all Sculpy III, the stuff is soft as butter so I knew it was going to travel like crazy. Here are the results. I like the second one the best. I used the lefover end cane to make lamp beads and really like how they turned out.

Color play

I played with color today. I took two pieces of clay cut diagonally like I was going to do a skinner blend. I then cut vertically down through the rectangle each inch and mixed the clays to get a new color. I used yellow and red, fuchsia and blue, and teal and purple. I got some really pretty colors. I know this isn't the way to get the colors I want but it was fun. The next time I will work with squares of the same size so that I can replicate any color I want.

Third side trip to the Shriver strata

Ok, I tried Sarah Shriver's intricate kaleidoscope cane again. Sill I have trouble with color and contrast. I do find that I am learning how to manipulate the clay more easily. I was able to get to the six sided cane X4 difficulty level. Sorry, if you don't know what that means you need to see the DVD, it's great. I will get there. I just need to work on my contrast. In the mean time, it sure is fun, you never know what the results will be.

Thanks Sarah Shriver for a great way to play.

Side Trip on the journey

Had to make a stop on the journey. One of my favorite coworker/friends is adopting a baby and the big day finally came. This couldn't have happened to a nicer person. Lizzie, you will make a great parrent to little Bryce. Can't wait to see him. In the meantime, something to warm him from me.

Little rubber duckies.

The second leaf

Here is my second leaf cane. It is the reverse gradation and I like it much better. A there are a couple of the folded beads I tried this morning and finally some throw aways that I practiced sanding and glazing.