Extruder Cane Designs Using Kato Clay

When I came across Bettina Welker's Pixelated Retro Blend Cane tutorial, I knew I had to give it a try! Then I came across the Rainbow Daisy Pen tutorial by Amber Elledge of Starless Clay and absolutely loved the bright colors she used.  I finally had a block of time to do some experimenting and decided to cover some seam rippers and a stylus pen so finally gave it a try using both methods.

In her tutorial, Amber shared her color mixes using Premo clay.  Since we work almost entirely in Kato clay, I pulled out some clay colors that I thought would make a bright  rainbow blend.  I thought I would share the colors that I used for those of you who have my Clay Color System tutorial.

Whenever I create a new cane or color blend, I like to document it with the color recipes I used and how it was done as in the index cards shown here:

These are the color recipes I used in the order of loading the extruder.

Plum - Clay Recipe # 10-5
Lighter shade - 1 part Plum + 2 parts white mix # 1-2

Bubble Gum - Clay Recipe # 11-3
Lighter shade - 1 part Bubble Gum (#11-3) + 2 parts white mix #1-2

Cayenne - Click here to see the Pantone color recipe
Lighter shade - 1 part Cayenne + 1-1/2 parts white mix # 1-2

Celosia Orange - Click here to see the Pantone color recipe
Lighter Shade - 1 part Celosia Orange + 1-1/2 parts white mix # 1-2

Freesia - Click here to see the Pantone color recipe
Lighter shade - 2 parts Freesia + 3 parts white mix # 1-2

Bright Chartreuse - Click here to see the Pantone color recipe
Lighter shade - 1 part Chartreuse + 1-1/2 parts white mix # 1-2

Teal - Clay color recipe # 8-4
Lighter shade - 1 part Teal (#8-4) + 1-1/2 parts white mix # 1-2

Dazzling Blue - Click here to see the Pantone color recipe
Lighter shade - 1 part Dazzling Blue + 2 parts white mix # 1-2

Violet - 4 parts Kato Violet + 1 part Kato White
Lighter shade - 1 part Violet + 2 parts white mix # 1-2

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Now for Bettina Welker's method of the Pixelated Retro cane, I used the same color recipes as above (Bright Chartreuse, Teal, Dazzling Blue, Violet, Bubble Gum).

I like how it turned out but decided to do a second batch and switched out the Bright Chartreuse green for Olive green (Recipe # 7-8).

Photo Shoot Today

What a day!  Between filling orders this past few week, we were busy preparing some of our jewelry pieces for a professional photo shoot which was today.  Wow!  Things went so much better than I ever imagined they would and we can't wait to share some of the new photos with you but of course aren't ready yet so will have to wait.

Several weeks ago our model, Tiffany and I got together to pick out some clothes from her wardrobe that would look best with the jewelry pieces.  I then tried each jewelry piece on her to see if any adjustments needed to be made so they would fit just right and we wouldn't have to fuss during the photo shoot.

Pieces laid out on trays ready for a quick change in the photo shoot.

It was a fun day and everything could not have run smoother.  We managed to have quite a nice range of our work photographed.  Here is Tiffany, our fabulous model, and Colin MacArthur, the master photographer!  (Check out his website to see some of his past work)

This was the first time we had our work photographed by a real professional and I discovered what a difference it can make.  Colin's studio was really cool.  He had all sorts of different backgrounds that he could easily switch out and a variety of props to add interest to the photos.

It was a wonderful experience watching Colin at work taking all the pictures.  Later we watched him work even more magic after he downloaded the pictures to his computer.  Seeing them on the large screen was even more exciting!

Fancy Tools for Sewing

We are always looking for unique items to create or cover with the polymer clay.  Since sewing was my first love and something I still enjoy doing when I have a little extra time, I couldn't pass up these seam rippers.  Even though I don't like ripping out any stitches and generally cringe when I have to, I think using one of these will make it more tolerable and perhaps even enjoyable!

These are quite unique as each end pulls out to reveal a small and large seam ripper that are super sharp.

The seam rippers tuck away and are stored inside the case when not in use.

These were a big hit at the quilt show and since we made extra, we now have some listed in our online store. 

Knit Your Own Scarf Necklace

Donna from Donna's Yarn & Craft in Kamloops worked out some simple scarf patterns to go along with our scarf jewelry.  These are two variations of one pattern that are quick to whip up and if you are an average knitter, can be created in only a few hours.  She has the pattern available now and will have the "published" pattern available in her store by the end of the month.

Quilt Show Over for Another Year

Another great quilt show put on by Heather's Fabric Shelf in Kamloops is now over.  We were set up in the Holiday Inn Hotel lobby again which gave a really nice and relaxed atmosphere.  We were able to show off some of our latest button designs along with our jewelry line.

Our scarf jewelry was the main attraction again and this year we featured a pattern that Donna from Donna's Yarn & Craft put together to knit your own scarf.

We had a clay demonstration table as well which drew a lot of interest as you can see Dave here explaining to the ladies how a millefiori cane is made.

We had a great time but were totally exhausted after packing up and arriving home.  We spent today resting up in between unpacking and reorganizing.

Some knit outfits using our Buttons from Kelowna Yarn & Needlecrafts

Anne from Kelowna Yarn & Needlecrafts and her knitter's group has been really busy these knitting up a storm.  Our "Toglet" buttons have been quite popular with the children's wear and here is a sweater with them on.  I love the spring colors.

This gorgeous sweater was by another knitter who used our "Pinstripe" buttons.  The texture used to create these buttons was from one of Helen Breil's, "After the Rain".

You can see more finished knit projects on Kelowna Yarn's facebook page.

Intwined Fibre Arts

We are excited to announce that our buttons and shawl pins are in another new location.  Intwined Fibre Arts is a fairly new yarn shop that opened up in Salmon Arm and now have a selection of our handcrafted buttons and shawl sticks for sale.  The shop is very quaint and colorful with a wide selection of beautiful fibres.  They carry a wide range of supplies for knitting as well as felting.

Althea, owner and manager of Intwined Fibre Arts

Shawl Sticks

Owl Shawl Sticks

Quilt Show at Heather's Fabric Shelf

We are getting ready for our first show of the year which is the Quilt Show 2014 put on by Heather's Fabric Shelf in Kamloops, BC.  Each year it has been getting larger and this year the hours are even extended to accommodate the flood of people who participate and attend.  It is on Sunday, April 13, 2014 from 9am to 4pm.  It takes place at the Holiday Inn & Suites that is across the parking lot from Heather's Fabric Shelf store where there is more to see there.  Click on the photo below to go to their site and read more about it.

We will be set up again in the Holiday Inn Lobby along with Donna and her mom Elsie from Donna's Yarn & Crafts.  They will have some cool new ideas and supplies for your knitting, crocheting and crafting needs.

Just a sneak peek of what they have been up to, these are some adorable "Ruffled Baby Booties" that Donna crocheted and we added our Toglet buttons to.  Donna will have the pattern and yarn available at the show and later in her store but if you do not crochet or have the time, I am sure she could make a pair for you.

There are a few other new ideas that we have been brainstorming together and will give you another peek before the show.