How to Make a Polymer Clay Jelly Roll Cane

If you are new to working with polymer clay, you will find that making canes is a basic skill that you'll most likely need to know. Canes and cane slices are used in so many polymer clay projects that to some artists it is an essential skill. Here's how to make a basic jelly roll cane, one of the easiest canes to make, and a good project for the beginner.

Basic Jelly Roll Cane

Step 1. You will need two different colors of clay for a jelly roll cane. Contrasting colors will work the best, making the crispest cane possible. For this article, I will be referring to the colors as white and black, but you can use whichever colors to want, or need for a particular project. Condition each color separately by rolling it through a pasta machine several times, until the clay is pliable and soft. Clean the pasta machine between colors, or you may get ugly streaks in your clay.

*Note* A pasta machine is not absolutely necessary to make a jelly roll cane, but I strongly recommend using one. When I first started using polymer clay, I didn't have a pasta machine, and so I made my canes by hand. I made some really ugly canes that way.

Step 2. Roll out a sheet of each color on the pasta machine. Base your setting on how thick you want the roll to be. Remember, again, to clean the machine between colors. It might be tedious, but polymer clay tends to pick up everything, especially other pieces of clay. You should keep a damp rag handy, or a box of baby wipes nearby whenever you're working with the clay.

Step 3. Lay the white sheet of clay onto the black sheet, placing the edges as evenly as possible. The more evenly you place the two sheets together, the less clay you will end up having to trim off. Use a brayer to gently smooth the two sheets together.

Step 4. Make a rectangle or square, making the sides as even as you can. Cut off the uneven edges with a rigid blade.

Step 5. Roll your new single sheet through the pasta machine one time, on the same setting you used before with your single colored sheets. Then lay the sheet flat on your working surface.

Step 6. Fold your black and white polymer clay sheet in half, being careful to match the ends and edges as evenly as you can. Gently press the fold with your fingertips, and roll over the top surface gently with a brayer to create the best possible evenness.

Step 7. Starting at the folded end, roll the sheet slowly into a jelly roll, keeping the edge even as you go.

Now you can do what you want with your jelly roll cane. You can cut off thin slices with a tissue blade for use in other polymer clay projects, or you can wrap the roll up in plastic wrap for use at a later time.