Caning

Learning Objectives

  • To understand how mosaic glass is made
  • To recognize the materials used in making mosaic glass
  • To identify the safety hazards of making mosaic glass by substituting molten glass for polymer clay
  • To learn about polymer clay and other modern, synthetic materials
  • To engage in group discussion about the process of making mosaic glass, caning, and the benefits of synthetic materials.
Students with portioned clay

Curricular Tie-Ins:

This workshop allows students to simulate the process of making mosaic glass by replacing dangerous, molten glass with a safe, non-toxic, synthetic material. The substitution of polymer clay allows for a discussion on modern materials. Students will be able to answer the following central questions after this workshop:

  • How can modern materials like polymer clay be used in art production?
  • How do conservators work with modern materials when the properties of their longterm aging are still unknown?
  • Students will learn about the glass-making process and how glass is conserved.
  • Students will learn about the properties of polymer clay and how it and other synthetic materials are conserved.

Supplies:
• Place mat (Clear sheet protector)
• Polymer Clay of different colors (Sculpy)
• Ziplock bags
• Knives
• Wide popsicle sticks
• Tray
• Oven
• Paper towel


Steps:

  1. Set out mylar placemats over work area
  2. Cut blocks of sculpy soufflé clay into small blocks/chunks for easier use
  3. Roll ~10 small snakes from blocks of clay
  4. Assemble ~5-6 small snakes into one thick cane
  5. Press snakes together so that cane holds
  6. Cut cane into ~1/8-inch slices
  7. Assemble slices lying horizontal into circular or square pendant ~1-2 inches
  8. Make sure all slices are smushed together so that they don’t fall apart
  9. Poke hole (if you want) with a needle/skewer for string to be threaded through
  10. Bake pendants ~15 minutes to harden

Tips:

  • Some clay may be stiff- so warm it up with your hands
  • Roll a snake out using both hands- start in the middle and move your hands outwards
  • Do this as gently as possible
  • Try to keep the size of the rolled-out section consistent so it will be easier to create a uniform design later
  • The snakes do not need to be very long
  • When laying out the cross sections to create the final pendant, squish each piece together as you go.
  • The pieces will not melt and flow together when they are baked.
  • Some dyes may stain your hands so roll out the lighter clays first

Safety:

Minimal safety concerns in this workshop, as there are no toxic materials being handled.

  • Do not eat the clay polymer material.
  • Be careful when cutting the clay. For children, plastic butter knives can be used to minimize risk of cuts.
  • Be aware that certain clay colors can stain clothing.
  • Be careful not to burn yourself heating/firing the pieces in the oven (both when removing and when putting them in).