Step 1: This cane has two stages. First, we start with a two-color Skinner Blend.
(See Leigh's Skinner Blend Lesson) |
Step 2: This is what we get after rolling the clay through the Pasta Machine for 15-20 times. |
Step 3: With the sheet aligned as in Step 2, begin to roll it up. |
| Step 4: Start compressing the roll. The compressing is done with both hands rolling and pushing inwards on the ends until you get to the right size - in this case, we want to shorten it to about 2 inches. |
Step 5: This is the final two inch compressed roll. |
Step 6: Now take the cane and shape it into a square, as shown. |
| Step 7: Lay the cane on it's side and start slicing thin slices (few millimeters) from side to side. Notice that the dark color is on one side and the light is on the other side. |
Step 8: This is the look after slicing the entire cane. |
Step 9: Stack the slices, turning every other slice over, and when you're finished your stack will look like a zipper.
This is the end of the first stage.
|
| Step 10: The second stage will add a contrast for this cane. I started by making a yellow and brown Simple Striped Cane using Mia Rox's lesson in the PCCyclopedia. |
Step 11: This is the result of the striped cane next to the Zipper Cane. |
Step 12: Now we're going to cut thin slices from the striped cane. These slices will be used to decorate the sides of the Zipper Cane. |
| Step 13: Begin to place the Striped Cane slices on the sides of the Zipper Cane, first up one side and then the other. |
Step 14: This is the result when you're finished. |
Step 15: Begin reducing and compressing the Zipper Cane... |
| Step 16: ...and stretching the cane! |
Step 17: Here is a piece of our reduced Zipper Cane (left) next to another variation created by stacking pieces from the original cane. |
Step 18: Here's a look at our finished Zipper Canes and Striped Cane. |
| Now let's make some beads! |
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)