i started by warming up some translucent clay by premo, rolled it out between two sheets of paper as this as i could get it. You can use whatever clay you wish. I cut it into a square, then cut off a section i needed to wrap around the knitting needle.
IMG_20180421_185753 by honey hatter[/url], on Flickr
IMG_20180421_190143 by honey hatter[/url], on Flickr
after cutting off the excess you see in the picture i gently joined the two edges of clay together. I do want to note i did not use any corn starch or anything, i wanted to see if this would work for me. How much would the clay expand on the knitting needle for me, would i be able to slide it off? These are just some of the questions i asked myself as i started the process of making a clay tube.
IMG_20180421_190904 by honey hatter[/url], on Flickr
i then rolled it out to smooth the clay further.
Next i bake clay tube and knitting needle for 30 minutes. The clay was definitely stuck to the knitting needle, i tried several ways to get it off to no avail.
IMG_20180421_191311 by honey hatter[/url], on Flickr
Sooo i did what any rational hatter would do… I cut it! And i cut!
IMG_20180421_195733 by honey hatter[/url], on Flickr
And cut, And cut… Honey, put down the blade honey…
IMG_20180421_200041 by honey hatter[/url], on Flickr
Muahaha! Sorry, i didnt promise you a sane tutorial.
After i cut, i took knittle needle out of the clay tube which turned out beautifully, i used sculpey bake and bond with a little toothpick. With a little glue on the tip of the toothpick i drew it between the cut edges of the clay tube, adding glue as needed until a line of white glue went from top to bottom. Maybe another artist who knows how to get the knitting needle out after cooking without cutting could do it a different way. But what fun would that be?
Next i took the clay tube and before i put it in the oven i cleaned up some excess glue with a wet paper towel. Then i cooked it for 20 more minutes at 275.
IMG_20180421_201108 by honey hatter[/url], on Flickr
IMG_20180421_200213 by honey hatter[/url], on Flickr
IMG_20180421_204305 by honey hatter[/url], on Flickr
IMG_20180421_200232 by honey hatter[/url], on Flickr
It came out of the oven i can even see a seam.

PC hi, I hope this tutorial helps you and anyone else who wants to try this or improve upon my idea. I’m very very happy to help. I wanted to add, the premo translucent is bendy…*is that even a word?* The clay straw I made does bend, that’s a property that’s inherent in translucent clay moreso than other colored clays in my workings with polymer clay, translucent is more plasticine/plastic by nature of its ingredients. I would suggest getting some translucent premo clay, but in addition to that if you want to add color mix a small portion of color into the translucent so it’s not so see through then I would suggest that. *chuckles* I have a little tricky technique I use to make some cute rabbit mini’s, that gives the translucent clay a see through pastel/watercolor look that can be very unique looking, and the technique’s use can be applied to any style or creation for limitless possibilities. It’s a simple technique, the rule is this. A pinch of colored clay, to a block or more of translucent premo. Starting off with the smallest pinch possible, because as a rule that extends to the mixing of paint, you can’t go back once you add too much color. So, small pinch of color larger amount of translucent, I suggest to experiment see what comes of mixing the two clay together.

PC! That’s amazing I knew you could do it! LOVE the entire piece, the texturing “that must be the painter in you coming out” because I hardly ever texturing my pieces, unless you count the raccoon knight. What did you do? How did you do it. I don’t care if the process was simple or complex, though I do love”there’s that word again, some editor friends would say I’m repeating too much LOL” LOVE, LOVE. I love simple things when it comes to an artists craft, the idea if it is a simple imaginative idea, that too me is the foundation upon my craft a strong foundation. Because from simple ideas we can go anywhere, building on simplicity as a Japanese katana maker would folding the idea a thousand times. Building upon that seed and letting it grow to something more complex. Simple imagination to me is everything to me.

Please tell me about your piece. I’m intrigued. The gold at the top, is that a black line underneath the gold? The colors and texture are wonderful, I really enjoy the two because it wouldn’t look as special as it does now if one did not have the other. Lovely work PC! You surprised me, and yourself. Good job!