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Tortoise/Turtle Cane Pattern Class

  • 05 Jun 2021
  • 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM
  • The Boys & Girls Ranches (6209 Hendrix Road NE, ABQ)

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 Tortoise/Turtle Cane Pattern Class

Class cost: $35

class MINIMUM is 4

class MAXIMUM is 9


Fun class taught by Pamela Troutman

Pam Troutman will teach a Polymer Tortoise / Turtle Cane Making class for the BSNM. In this two hour class you will learn how to make jelly rolls and/or Skinner blends, put clay logs together to crate a pattern, and reduce the clay to make a turtle (green) or tortoise (brown). Canes last for a long time, and from canes you can create beads and cabochons. These you will have to bake at home.

This is a very inexpensive hobby and no experience is necessary. 

In order to keep this a two hour class, it is VERY IMPORTANT that you buy your clay ahead of time and condition it.  Clay will need to be softened / conditioned before class through a pasta machine (or very strong hands.) Pasta machines can be found in second hand stores, kitchen stores, or craft stores

Students need to bring their own clay. Polymer clay can be purchased at any craft store at about $3 a packet.

Class $35 (portion of this goes to the BSNM)


Supply List (brought by students to class)

  • Polymer clay in three shades of brown (dark, medium, light) and one white.  If you want a turtle instead of a tortoise, use three shades of green instead of brown
  • Pasta machine (you can use your hands if you have strong fingers)
  • Hard smooth work surface (1-foot ceramic tile is what I use)
  • Tissue Blade
  • Rolling bar (you can use a piece of PVC pipe if you don't have a clay roller)
  • Awl, dull bead reamer or toothpick to create holes in beads


Step One- condition your clay BEFORE  class
  • Run each color by itself through the pasta machine 20 times, starting with white and moving through the lightest brown to the darkest
  • Cut each color of conditioned clay into four equal quarters
  • If you do not have a pasta machine, you can condition with your hands, but it is very hard on the fingers and hands.  Fresh clay makes this easier.  Massage each color until supple and can be rolled thin by hand
  • Wrap clay in parchment paper or wax paper and put into ziploc bag for class


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