Tag Archives: polymer clay

Cane Mapping, Furniture, Online Workshops, Workshops

Cane mapping furniture.

I spent most of  last week turning Skinner blend plugs into canes for this cane mapped table.

I spent all week this week applying those canes and others from my cane stash to this table.

I extruded black edging and applied it to both the top and the bottom.

I bake in a full size kitchen oven  but I still have to bake in sections and then glue them together right on the table surface.

Now that the northern visitors are leaving to spend the summer in their northern homes, I’ll begin filming workshops again for my online school.

First I’ll be adding a workshop that will help you build you cane inventory so when you’re ready to sit down and do a project you’ll have canes to choose from. In the table project here I made several large canes but I filled in with leaves, smaill flowers, extrusions and just plain ol’ dots from canes in my inventory. This workshop will give you guideline to create your own designs and lots of actually canes to make.

Then I’d like to add the furniture/large wall piece workshop. Tricks and tips to create large pieces will have you filling your home with your masterpieces will be key in this course.

So stay tuned.

 

Gallery, Open House, Visiting Instructors, Workshops

Open House a Great Success

It was a wonderful turn out of polymer clay fans, some who were just getting to know the possibilities  that are contained in those 2oz packages of colored clay. 

With what seems like magic, a little mixing and cutting and anyone can create works that are big or small, jewelry or wall pieces, even sculpture that is serious or whimsical.

I am lucky to be apart of this quickly growing community of polymer artists. I’m doubly fortunate to have very good friends  join me in my studio. I’ve hosted many sterling polymer instructors over the last few years. Doreen Kassel will be here in a few weeks teaching student how to create her beautiful pods and flowers. Plus a day of her darling jiggly dolls. There are a few opening in the doll class if you are interested.

This last weekend was just pure fun. Laurie Prophater, Julie Eakes, Meisha Barbee and Dayle Doroshow gathered at my studio for 4 days of creating and sharing.

On Saturday I hosted an open house featuring their work. People were fascinated to watch as these artist worked magic with clay.

 Laurie and a customer

 Meisha and her contribution for Into The Forrest

Lois Lynn came all the way from Ocala to visit with us.
Here she is with Julie. 
Dayle Speaks with a polymer clayer about her work.

Once again I want to thank these talented women for coming from around the country to share with me and my community. We are richer for it.

Thanks to the Highlands Sun for a very nice article today. 

 

Cane Mapping, canes, Online Workshops, Workshops

I’m thrilled with Compliments for my Online Workshop

My online workshop launched in August and it’s been a great success for me and I plan on making many more workshops in the future.

But nothing makes me happier than to be on the receiving end of lovely compliments like these

Nancy Simmons made me blush a bit with this message. “I was fortunate enough to take Alice’s cane making class a year or so ago. It was wonderful. What’s as wonderful (except for the in-person part), is her cane making video. I couldn’t ‘get’ everything from the class, so I bought the video. It’s exactly like being in class with Alice, except it makes it seem like you’re the only one in the class. I also purchased her cane mapping videos. All I can say is WOW! I feel a new world has opened up for me. I just can’t wait for Alice to add more videos. I’ve worked with many excellent instructors, but to me, Alice is the best. Do yourself a favor, buy all her videos. I’ve included my first cane mapping. Hopefully, you can see it. Her name is Sylvia. Thank you, Alice.”

Lee Ann Nesbitt sent me this eye opening compliment.
“I finished, kind of, your extrusion class..started cane mapping. I realized I was missing something, and needed the dot, dot dot. I just bought Polymer Clay for Beginners. My advice…Change the name! I am far from a beginner..do not OVER estimate non beginners knowledge. This class is for everyone. Just starting…I got good tips on striped slabs, using full packages and not cutting triangles for skinners…3 canes out of one blend..and I’m just starting!”

Jennifer Rose left this oh so nice comment. “Just finished this first workshop on how to make canes, and I must say I learned so much. This is exactly what I have been looking for, someone who could explain cane making in a step by step that process that I could replicate. I watched the videos, went into my studio and began to create all of the canes Alice showed. I finally have results I can be proud of, and I say thank you so much for doing this workshop. My only question now is when do we get more workshops. If you are only going to take one online class let it be this workshop. Thank you Alice for your hard work, and your dedication to helping others learn the joys of polymer clay.”

Thank you so much, Jennifer, Lee Ann and Nancy, it means so much to me.

canes, Faces, Uncategorized, Workshops

Ornament Workshops at Studio 215

 

Download workshop application here.

Ornaments

Use canes from my stash

Polymer clay ornaments - Alice Stroppel

$85
10am – 4:30pm
Saturday – Nov. 5, 2016
Everything included
Make one or two

This is the first time I have offered a workshop using canes from my inventory. I’ve been teaching so much and making canes for each workshop so I have an overflow. I decided it would be great fun to see what you might do with slices from them .

I’ll have some ornaments, but if you want to being your own you can. Any color and a medium to small size or one large.

Bring your lunch and your sense of humor.

Santa Ornaments

Santa - Alice Stroppel - Maureen CarlsonSanta - Alice Stroppel - Maureen Carlson

$80
10am – 4:30pm
Nov. 12, 2016
Everything included
Make one or two

Come make your  own Santa ornaments using the easy molds from Maureen Carlson. You’ll love how they turn out. I’ll have everything you need, just bring your lunch and your smile.

Cane Mapping, canes, Online Workshops, Workshops

Polymer Cane Mapping Now Live

cane mapped fish - alice stroppel

I’m so happy to tell you that I have uploaded two new workshops to my online school. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and you’ll see Cane Mapping and Extrusions.

bird alice stroppel

The extrusion workshop consists of thirteen videos that equal over an hour of instruction.

This workshop will show you how to make small unique canes from extruded polymer clay. You can use these canes to make everything from buttons beads and pendants to cane mapped pieces.

It’s only about the techinque used in making the canes, not the finished pieces.

It’s all part of building your cane inventory so that when you are ready to begin a project you have many canes to choose from.

I use lots of extruded cane in my cane mapping pieces.

Butterflies Alice Stroppel

The butterfly on the left is made with both extruded canes and traditional canes. The one on the right is all extrusions.

cane mapped fish Alice StroppelIf you love mosaics, color and polymer clay, if you love the look of complex canes but simply don’t want to create a giant complex cane, if you love one of a kind pieces, and if you have tons of left over canes, this is the can mapping workshop for you!

This is the workshop I teach at my Sebring Studio and around the country at polymer clay guilds and retreats. The difference is you can rewind and watch each step over and over if you want.

In almost 2 hours of videos you’ll learn the basics by cane mapping this  fish portrait and the  butterfly on the left above. I’ll show you a few unexpected canes and different slices that you can incorporate into your designs.

This is an intermediate class and having some Skinner blended canes in your stash will make your designs pop.

 

Thanks so much for taking a look .

Cane Mapping, canes, Online Workshops, Workshops

Coupon Code for Polymer Clay Canes for Beginners

Your Brain on Clay - Alice StroppelAfter a couple of months of shooting and editing over 27 videos, my polymer clay school is finally open.

The first workshop consists of 27 video that take you through every step of the way I make my canes. The clay I use, the colors I choose the way I make skiner plugs and why I keep such an inventory of canes and plugs are all important steps to my final creations.

I’ll show you how I make thirteen different canes. Some of them simple and a couple a bit more complicated. You’ll see why following the steps in part 1 of this course make part 2 eazy to accomplish.

This first Workshop, Polymer Clay Canes for Beginners is only the beginning for me too. I hope to add more workshops and show you exactly how I get from A to Z when I’m creating.

Here’s a short welcome video for you to watch. 

And for those of you who follow my blog please use this discount code to receive $10 off Polymer Clay Canes for Beginners.

SAVE10

This discount will only be available until the end of the month of Aug. 2016

Here’s the link to Polymer Clay Workshops by Alice Stroppel

And thank you for being part of this incredible polymer community.

Publications

Polymer Journeys

 

PJ 2015 Front Cover_1

Just a reminder to be sure and check out this gorgeous book.

I’m proud to say that one of my pieces is included in this inaugural issue of an exciting new polymer retrospective, Polymer Journeys. Sage Bray is the mastermind behind this publication along with her exceptional magazine The Polymer Arts.

It’s a beautiful look at some of the worlds most talented polymer artists. A fabulous coffee table book even for those who don’t work in clay.

Thank you again Sage and team.

Visiting Instructors, Workshops

Doreen Kassel in Feb. 2017

Only one space left in each Workshop. But good news for those who are just tuning in. Put your name on the waiting list and there could be another workshop available.

 Doreen Kassel is coming to Studio 215 in Feb. 2017.

Doreenkasselpods

Download application here

Feb. 11, 2017
9am – 4pm
$90

ABSTRACT BLOOM AND BUDS

 Fill your vases with the most colorful and uncommon blooms and buds! Using long wire stems we’ll translate and abstract actual flower shapes into beautiful sculpture full of intricacies and surprises. Flower patterns are full of possibilities for the most scrumptious blooms and buds. We’ll paint them with the color palette you choose, from bright and bold to pastel and soft. Make as many as you can in the class and fill your vases with beautiful Abstract Blooms and Buds.
doreenkasselpods2
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Doreenkasseljointed
Feb. 12, 2017
9am – 4pm
$90
JIGGLY JOINTED DOLLS
In this class we’ll create characters with jointed arms and legs. Make whimsical creatures, combining species, if you wish! Adding a simple wire technique these dolls can sit, swing from a string or hang on a wall. After they’re cured we’ll apply a unique oil paint layering technique to bring these little swingers to life.

http://www.doreenkassel.com