Polymer Clay Cane Mirror

1. Work the clay on clean white paper or an index card.

2. Roll out a sheet of green clay the same thickness as the mirror piece and at least three times bigger in area. Cut the sheet in half.

4. Carefully transfer the frame on top of the other half of the green clay sheet. Gently reinsert the mirror into the frame. Trim the lower, back sheet to match the upper, front frame (figure H). Do not press together yet.

5. Make a wire loop with the ends sticking out like outstretched arms. Sandwich the wire loop between the sheets at the top of the frame. Lightly press together and smooth the edges with fingers (figure I).

6. Slice an assortment of the leaf canes into 1/16-inch slices.

7. Starting at the bottom of the frame, place leaves on the mirror frame. Begin overlapping the leaves with the tips pointing down. Vary the position of successive leaves slightly from one side or the other for a more natural looking placement (figure J). Group matching cane slices in selected areas and mix together in other areas as desired.

8. Make three pea-sized balls with blue clay. Press two of them flat; pinch an inch to create the petal shape. Cut the third in half and again press and pinch to make narrower petals. Score three or four veins on each petal with the needle tool. Bend a larger petal into an arch. This is the top of the flower. Place it on top of the leaves along the bottom of the mirror. Repeat with smaller petals, joining their bases to the base of the top petal. Arch the remaining petal and overlap in on top of the smaller petals. Add an iris beard (flower) to accent the petals. Roll out toothpick size yellow clay snakes, cut four sections about a 1/8 long and place one in the middle of each petal so that they join in the center. Texture the pieces with a needle tool.

• Make a BB-size ball of beige clay for the torso and press it onto the surface of the mirror glass where two leaves join.
• For the wings, make two pea-size balls of white clay and press flat and pinch into teardrop shapes. Attach the wings to the torso.
• For the head, make another BB-size ball of beige clay and place it on top of torso.
• For arms, make toothpick size beige snake rolls, cut two 2-1/2-inch segments, lightly flatten one end for a hand, and attach to the torso.
• Add facial details with a needle tool.
• For hair, make a yellow toothpick size snake, cut two strands and attach to head so they flow.
• For iridescent wings, gently rub wings with a cotton swab lightly dabbed with Pearl Ex Micropearl pigment (figure K).

10. Once the frame is covered, press gently with palm of hand. Bake in oven at 275 degrees for 45 minutes.

E-mail: claywright@knology@net

Website: www.knology.net/~claywright