Thanks to Toni for help with new clay pens.

Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
See more from bobjackson

bobjackson

Passed Away Mar 5, 2020
In Memoriam
Joined
Feb 12, 2007
Messages
4,271
Location
Elyria, Ohio, USA. 44035
I just recently became enamored with Toni's canes for polymer clay pens and other items. The first and second pens turned out ok. The first one I cut the canes too thick and got some distortion. The second was better. I then made 4 pen and pill holder sets for some of the women in my life for mother's day. I'm hooked and will keep Toni's budget in the black. Thanks for looking.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0860.JPG
    IMG_0860.JPG
    41 KB · Views: 392
  • IMG_0858.JPG
    IMG_0858.JPG
    18.5 KB · Views: 371
  • IMG_0855.JPG
    IMG_0855.JPG
    18.6 KB · Views: 355
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad

Freethinker

Member
Joined
Jun 26, 2007
Messages
275
Location
MO.
I just recently became enamored with Toni's canes for polymer clay pens and other items. The first and second pens turned out ok. The first one I cut the canes too thick and got some distortion. The second was better.

I'm not sure if I've heard it explained here, but once you have the clay canes and slice them and apply them to the tubes, how do you "fill in" the spaces in between?

Also, are these sanded or turned in some way?? Thanks for any info you can give.

BTW....the pens you've created look pretty darned amazing to me.

Good job.
 

RAdams

Banned
Joined
Apr 5, 2009
Messages
2,983
NICE PENS!!!

I believe you put a thin base coat of clay on teh tube before applying the cane slices. The background color will take care of the spaces between the foliage.
 

bobjackson

Passed Away Mar 5, 2020
In Memoriam
Joined
Feb 12, 2007
Messages
4,271
Location
Elyria, Ohio, USA. 44035
Dan
You buy some colored clay from Michael's or Pat Catan's (in the Cleveland, Ohio area) or Hobby Lobby. Use a color compatible with the flowers or items canes you will be using. Prepare the clay by rolling it several times folding it back onto itself. You have to work it so it's very soft and plyable so it will not crack when you roll it out on the tubes. Roll out the clay to just less than the bushing thickness and roll around a tube. I use a pasta roller I got at Hobby Lobby for $18.00 to make sure the clay is smooth and even thickness. Cut the canes (thinner the better) and place on the clay covered tube. When finished roll the tube lightly with a flat smooth board or piece of plexiglass to smooth and smooch everything together on the same plane. I use a sample piece of granite counter top material as a base and a piece of plexiglass to roll the tube until smooth. I keep checking with the bushings to make sure it's not too thick.
Bake in the oven at 275 for 30 minutes. I put the tubes on a metal shishkabob skewer laid across a baking dish to hold it while baking. When cool I mount the tube between bushings on the lathe to sand. I use 400 grit, 600 grit, then micromesh to 12000. then with the lathe off, 2 coats of medium CA, with the lathe running micromech 6000, 8000, 12000, then Hut PR polish. Then press the pen kit together, and you are done. I'v3 tried purple, dark blue, and yellow clay backgrounds so far. All look good. You quickly learn that green leaves go on first to look natural with the flowers. Mix and match colors and backgrounds for different looks. I copied many of the PC pens on this forum before I made one and tried to follow the look. After a few, you're more comfortable with your designs.
 

bobjackson

Passed Away Mar 5, 2020
In Memoriam
Joined
Feb 12, 2007
Messages
4,271
Location
Elyria, Ohio, USA. 44035
A little bigger?

Tried to make a little larger.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0860.JPG
    IMG_0860.JPG
    20 KB · Views: 169
  • IMG_0854.JPG
    IMG_0854.JPG
    28.5 KB · Views: 187
  • IMG_0856.JPG
    IMG_0856.JPG
    17.7 KB · Views: 153

bobjackson

Passed Away Mar 5, 2020
In Memoriam
Joined
Feb 12, 2007
Messages
4,271
Location
Elyria, Ohio, USA. 44035
Toni has great canes, reasonably priced, receive within a week.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0860.JPG
    IMG_0860.JPG
    28.9 KB · Views: 123
  • IMG_0858.JPG
    IMG_0858.JPG
    18.6 KB · Views: 120
  • IMG_0854.JPG
    IMG_0854.JPG
    22.5 KB · Views: 134

jtdesigns

Member
Joined
Nov 9, 2009
Messages
193
Location
Powell, OH
I have with a concept I was going to submit to PMG but how I was going to use it there was too much shrinkage 10 to 30% depending on type
 

cschimmel

Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2009
Messages
359
Location
Gilbert Arizona
How many canes does it take to make a pen, I know you will be using different ones but in terms of how much it takes to cover the tube?
 

Toni

Member
Joined
Feb 23, 2010
Messages
2,042
Location
Phenix City, Alabama
How many canes does it take to make a pen, I know you will be using different ones but in terms of how much it takes to cover the tube?

In my opinion I like to have 1 leaf, 1 butterfly thing, 3-4 flowers...depends on the design.. As for how much does it take to cover a tube I wouldnt have a clue, never thought about it:rolleyes: especially since tubes are all different sized and how thin you can slice them.
 
Top Bottom