Handouts with Extensive Notes Will Be Included in the Workshop

The McCaw Cane

Learn the secrets of creating the magical “McCaw Cane” from the originator of this technique. Participants will create intricately patterned canes while practicing the execution of precise geometric canes. A variety of cane combining and manipulating strategies will be explored. We’ll look at alternative patterns, and uses for the finished canes. Students will construct a flower brooch.

Since the initial mixing of gradated shades is a somewhat lengthy process, students will be required to complete some color mixing before the start of the workshop. This exercise should take about 4-6 hours. A handout with detailed instructions will be sent in advance to workshop participants.

Handouts with extensive notes will be included in the workshop.

Workshop Length: 2 days

Supply list:

Fimo Classic Polymer Clay, 2- 2 oz. blocks (or approximately 1/3 of a large brick) of each of the following: Any two colors, either out of the package or mixed, though I encourage mixing your own, it’s so much more interesting!

4-2 oz. blocks (or approximately 2/3 of a large brick) of Fimo Classic White.*

1” pin back. (Sandra will have some available for sale)

Tools:

Pasta Machine

Acrylic roller

Work surface

Cutting blade

12” ruler

Deli wrap or similar paper

Spatula like tool (for lifting and positioning delicate cane slices)

Small swatch of textured fabric ( approx. 4 in. x 4 in.)

Any tools you generally like to work with

*The clay amounts listed will make two canes approximately 1.5” square x 2” long. Students may wish to double the amounts, since the mixing takes time, thereby giving you more “bang for your buck”, and some extra to experiment with after the workshop.

Over achievers are welcomed to mix a third color to integrate into the final cane.

McCaw Cane Workshop

Pre-Workshop Assignment

For this technique, you will need to mix 10 graduated shades of each of the 2 colors you will be using. This should be done before the workshop begins.

Once the colors are mixed, form each into a block the size of two 56g blocks stacked one on top of the other, OR 1/3 the size of a brick.

Next stack two 56g blocks of white OR use 1/3 of a brick of white. Do this twice.

You’ll have 4 blocks – 2 colored and 2 white. Cut all four blocks in half diagonally. (figure 1.)

Swap the top ½ of your first color with the top ½ of one white block. You’ll now have two blocks each consisting of ½ of your first color and ½ white. Place them side by side. Use a ruler to mark 10 equal sections on each block. (figure 2.)

Carefully cut down through them, creating a total of 20 fairly equal pieces. (figure 3.)

Mix the 2 outside sections together. (#1 sections in figure 3.) This will be your lightest shade. Continue by mixing the next 2 outside sections (#2), and so on until all 20 sections are mixed, giving you 10 shades in all.

Repeat for the second color.

We’ll be using these to build our initial stacks the first morning of the workshop.

TIP: It doesn’t take a whole lot longer to mix twice the volume of clay, so if you’d like to save time, consider collaborating with a friend. You could each mix twice the amount of 1 color and share.

If you have any questions at all while working on this, please don’t hesitate to call or email me at any time. My phone # is: 508-366-8568. email: