Covering the Tin

Using the scrap ends of canes, roll together with 1/4 package of white. Do not mix well.

Twist colorful log at both ends, until you get stripes.

Flatten with fingers, then roll through pasta machine at the widest setting (#1). You will have a striped sheet.

Slice sheet into strips with Super Slicer to cover sides of the bottom half of the tin.

Pierce any air bubbles with a craft knife and smooth. With the back of your fingernail, smooth top of strip to follow contour of tin, rounding the upper edge.

Be sure to leave tin top on as you work. Smooth seams where strips join.

Mix remaining striped clay into a ball, to create marbling. Roll in the pasta machine on the widest setting (#1).

Place tin on marbled sheet. It will stick to the metal. Turn over, trim away excess with craft knife.

Smooth striped and marbled areas together. Bake at 275 degrees F in a calibrated oven (use oven thermometer) for 30 minutes per ¼” of thickness, and cool.

Apply light dusting of baby powder to striped sides. Depending on how much clay you have left over, you may add more White to the mix and marble.

Roll through pasta machine at widest setting (#1). Lay top of tin on sheet and cut to fit with craft knife.

Cut strips for sides, join and smooth.

Bake at 275 degrees F in a calibrated oven (use oven thermometer) for 30 minutes per ¼” of thickness, and cool.

Finishing Tin
Place largest cane slice in center of tin top.

Add four leaves and four smaller flower canes.

 

Continue until top is completely covered with slices, like mosaics.

Follow slices down the sides, creating an irregular edge.

When complete, add an additional large cane slice over the top of the center slice with which you began for a finishing touch. Bake again following above instructions and cool.

Making the Beads

 

NOTE: You can make a means of flattening slices by making a simple tool from an additional tin. With slick surface glue, glue the dull side of freezer paper to the bottom of the tin. When dry, trim. Place cane slices on the center of the tin, (the shiny side of freezer paper should be showing). Gently apply pressure, flip slice over and repeat. This gives your slice a consistent thickness.

With Super Slicer, slice remaining canes to 1/4" thickness, rolling cane with each slice to avoid flat spots. Lightly smooth edges, flatten as above.

Using a metal skewer, pierce through center. (You can wet skewer to keep it from sticking to clay). Lay sliced beads on typing paper or index cards. Bake and cool.

For filler beads, roll scrap clay, pierce and bake in bead tray. For added sheen and waterproofing, coat with clear shoe polish or Future Floor Finish and buff with soft cloth.

Assembling the Kit

Print out Circular Instructions on card stock with computer printer. Cut out with scissors, or use a 3" Circle Punch. (Turn punch upside down so you can see where to punch).

Cut one blank 3" circle out of card stock or black paper. (You may want to sign this circle, or write a special note if it is a gift).

Glue circle to inside tin lid with slick surface glue. Be sure to air glue. Place beads, enough elastic for a necklace and bracelet or anklet-25" or so and instruction circle in tin. The amount of beads depends on the size of your finished beads. I always give extra. Use glass E beads as filler, make your own itty beads or both. Store finished jewelry in tin.