Polymer Clay Projects: A Simple Spiral Cane

Polymer clay canes can vary in complexity depending on their intended use - and the skills of their maker. Here's a good cane to make when you're just starting out.

Supplies needed
- conditioned polymer clay in two colors that aren't too similar
- device for rolling sheets of clay, like a pasta machine, brayer, or dowel
- cutting device, like a tissue blade or very sharp knife
- optional: cornstarch or other release agent to make cutting easier

Procedure
1. Roll out flat sheets of each color of clay and trim so they're the same size.
2. Lay one sheet on top of the other.
3. Starting from one side (it doesn't matter which), roll the sheet up carefully, making sure you don't trap any air bubbles. When you reach the other side smooth the "seam" with your fingers so the cane doesn't unroll.

Voila! You've just made a spiral - sometimes called a "jellyroll" - cane. The outside won't look like much - just whatever sheet you put on the bottom. But when you cut off the end of the cane and look at a cross section you'll see the spiral pattern on the inside.