Polymer Clay Tutorial: Inside-Out Jellyroll Cane

My camera disappeared yesterday so I wasn't able to write a new tutorial.  This is one that I wrote several years ago (so forgive the photos, I've learned a lot since then). :)  It's a nice, simple cane that I have used for covering pens. (Ooh, maybe I'll do a tute about that next week, if I've found my camera!)  This tutorial also assumes that the user has a basic knowledge of working with polymer clay, conditioning, rolling, reducing canes, baking, etc.  If not, here are a couple of great resources to get you started:  Polymer Clay Central and Glass Attic.  Anyway, here it is:

First, condition equal amounts of two colors and roll them out on a fairly thick setting.  Lay one on top of the other and trim one narrow end straight.

Trim the other narrow end at an angle so that the bottom layer stick out beyond the top layer a little.  Start rolling from the other end (not the angled one) to make a basic jellyroll cane.  Make sure you roll slowly and firmly to keep air bubbles out as you go.  Roll it all the way up and then roll it back and forth on your work surface to seal everything together.

Now, cut the whole thing in half lengthwise.

And cut each of those halves in half lenthwise.

Next, get some more of one of your colors and make a log a little smaller than one of your quarter jellyrolls.

Square it up with your fingers and your work surface.

Now place the quarter jellyrolls around the squared-off log with their insides facing out.  Use your fingers and your work surface to square it up a little as needed.

Roll out a medium-thick sheet of the same color and wrap it around the cane, trimming the sheet so the edges butt up against one another (not overlapping).

Do the same with a sheet of your other color.

Use a roller to smooth out all of the edges and reduce as desired.

Enjoy!
Korrina