DIY Network

Millefiori Cane Necklace From "Jewelry Making" episode DJMK-101

Bring the traditional artisan technique of millefiori to your next polymer project!

Millefiori -- meaning "thousand flowers" in Italian -- is a age-old tradition in which artisans create kaleidoscopic glass beads. Here, Christine Brashers adapts the technique for working with polymer clay.

Materials:

1/2 block of polymer clay, 2 colors for the petals
1/2 block of polymer clay, any color for the outline & backing
1/4 block of polymer clay, any color for the center
Parchment paper
24" of beading wire
3 large jump rings
4 crimp beads
1 clasp
Assorted glass beads
Pasta machine
Cutting blade
Ruler
Craft knife
Cutters
Work surface
Oven thermometer
Hole tool, or needle
Pliers or crimping tool
Cookie sheet and parchment paper
Scissors or wire

advertisement

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D

1. Condition 1/2 blocks of polymer in the two colors of your choice to create a Skinner blend. Next, run the Skinner blend through the pasta machine until blended, about 15 times. After the last pass, fold the Skinner blend in half and guide through the pasta machine, leading with the light edge forward and the dark edge on top. Fold in half length-wise and repeat. This will give you a long, thin Skinner blend (figure A).

2. Fan-fold the Skinner blend to create a color-graduated block (figure B).

3. Condition a quarter-block of a darker color for an outline and put through the thinnest, manageable setting on the pasta machine.

4. Cut the graduated color block three times. Insert the outline color, starting at the dark end, but not continuing all the way to the light end. Reassemble.

5. Roll the block until it becomes round, then wrap 3/4 of the way around with outline color, leaving the dark side uncovered.

6. Pull the cane out to about 18", keeping it petal shaped, with the point being at the dark end.

7. Cut into six 3' pieces. Gently assemble it into a 6-petaled flower. Look at center of flower and determine how much clay you will need.

8. Create a cane for the center of the flower. In this example, a spiral cane was created by laying a thin sheet of a darker clay on top of a thicker sheet of light colored clay, rolling it into a spiral, then rolling again to achieve the correct size (figure C).

9. Position the center and reassemble the flower around it (figure D). Gently pull the cane to about 8".

10. Cut three thin pieces and two thick pieces. Put holes through the thick slices. Lay the thin slices on a thick sheet of clay. Trim away the excess with a craft knife, poke holes in the two end slices and place all pieces on a parchment paper sheet placed atop a cookie sheet.

11. Bake according to manufacturer's instructions.

12. When pieces have cooled, put two large jump rings in the ends of the centerpiece. Using crimps and beading wire, attach about 12" to each side. String each side with any beads you find pleasing, along with the two thick slices, one on each side. Attach a clasp and ring, using crimps.
    

RESOURCES :
Polymer Cafe
Website: www.polymercafe.com

Polymer Clay Extravaganza
Northlight Books (January 2003)
ISBN: 1581801882
Author: Lisa Pavelka

GUESTS :
Christine Brashers
Phone: 909-989-2453
Email: chrissfri@aol.com
Website: www.jewelrytomakeyousmile.com