Polymer Clay

Fimo and clay tips and tutorials

Anatomy of a Bead

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I read somewhere that no matter how big you make your cane, it’s never big enough!

I designed this cane inspired by a William Morris textile last year and finally had to create another one. I took some photos and thought I’d share the process with you. Here is the cane in the beginning, a handful at 3″ wide and 5″ long. I do believe this is the largest cane I’ve created. Usually I work with smaller canes, but as my business has grown so has the size of my canes!

After it’s worked and stretched out a bit, I use my acrylic rod to start shaping it into a square log. I turn it a 1/4 turn after a few passes with the rod until it starts to shrink.

Here you can see it’s 2 feet long! Now it was time to cut it in half and reduce part of the cane to the next size.

Still using the rod, I have the cane reduced and in two sizes. I cut it up into smaller chunks and wrap them in wax paper. They are then stored until I need them.

Here is a collection of beads made using the cane.

And in case you are wondering, I sketch out my canes before I make them, breaking them down into what shape is needed for a design. I write any notes that I might need to recreate a design in the future. I also like to keep the last slice of a cane, baked and saved in a little collection for prosperity.

(Please respect copyrights)

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Comments

  1. Wow, Heather, that’s a lot of clay, you must have very strong arms and hands to manage all that clay. What a great tutorial, thanks for the peek into your cane process.

  3. Taking notes is so important when you create something for the first time, and it is so hard for me to remember to do that!

Have you read?

Pottery Clay – DIY Divided Tapas Serving Platter with Illustrated Sections

Every good hostess knows a serving platter is the secret weapon at a party. It corrals snacks, makes everything look intentional, and saves you from running back and forth with little bowls. This DIY divided platter takes that idea one step further: each section is labeled with hand-drawn illustrations, making it both useful and irresistibly charming.

The original inspiration came from these  tapas-style platters, but we’re creating an English version featuring everyday snacks and nibbles. It’s fun, it’s functional, and it makes even store-bought crackers look Pinterest-worthy.

Materials You’ll Need

  • White ceramic clay (or air-dry clay if you don’t have access to a kiln) 
  • Rolling pin or slab roller 
  • Oval platter base template (downloadable below) 
  • Divider templates (downloadable below) 
  • Scoring tool + slip for joining clay 
  • Sponge and rib tool for smoothing 
  • Cobalt blue underglaze pencil OR blue underglaze with a fine brush 
  • Kiln + clear glaze (for ceramic clay) OR a food-safe sealant (for air-dry clay) 

Step-by-Step Tutorial

Step 1: Shape the Base

Roll a slab of clay about ½ inch thick. Place the oval platter template on top and cut out your base. Smooth edges with a damp sponge.

Step 2: Add Dividers

Use the divider templates to cut strips of clay. Attach them to the base by scoring and slipping. Smooth joins and curve the edges slightly for a handmade look.

Step 3: Refine

Let the platter dry until it’s leather-hard. At this stage, you can tidy the walls, soften corners, and make sure the surface is smooth.

Step 4: Draw Your Illustrations

Here’s where the personality shines. Using an underglaze pencil or fine brush, sketch quick doodles into each section. Keep them loose and playful, not perfect. Our platter has:

  • Cheese – wedges with holey details 
  • Ham – loose stack of wavy slices 
  • Anchovies – three slim fish outlines 
  • Sardines – larger, striped fish drawings 
  • Salami – one log plus a few round slices with dotted speckles 
  • Olives – oval shapes with pits, some sliced open 
  • Tomatoes – little cluster of round tomatoes tied together 

Note: Drawings are slightly altered from the original for a fresh, unique design.

Step 5: Fire and Finish

  • For ceramic clay: bisque fire, add clear glaze, and glaze fire. 
  • For air-dry clay: allow to dry fully, then paint with a clear food-safe sealant if you’ll use it for food. Otherwise, it makes a perfect decorative tray.