Polymer Clay Canes

Megan Holloway and Brandy White

Materials

– Polymer Clay• Hobby Lobby• 12 pieces• $10.99

– Ceramic Tool• Hobby Lobby• $2.77

– Toothpicks• Walmart• $2.44

– Elastic String• Hobby Lobby• $1.59

Motor Upgrade/Downgrade• Skill: Strength

• Baseline: Knead both colors individually and flatten with hands.

• Downgrade: OT will knead clay for the client.

• Upgrade: OT will give client more clay to knead on their own.

Cognitive Upgrade/Downgrade

• Skill: Concept formation• Baseline: Use two colors to make the “jelly roll”

patterned cane.• Downgrade: Knead two colors together, not

following a pattern.• Upgrade: Show client a premade cane, like the picture to the right,

and have him/her duplicate the cane.

Population

• Clients who would benefit from this activity in therapy:– Arthritis– Carpal Tunnel Syndrome– Children with sensory processing issues

• Mostly females (ages 7+) enjoy making jewelry out of polymer clay.

Therapeutic Benefits

• Psychosocial– Relaxing and rhythmic activity– Satisfactory and meaningful occupation– Sense of competence and self-efficacy when finished successfully

• Rehab– Strengthens muscles used for fine motor skills– Improves hand-eye coordination

• Quote:– “Several years ago, I fell and fractured by shoulder which meant a

lot of therapy. Working with polymer clay has helped to strengthen my muscles and puts me in a zone where I’m concentrating and all cares are moot.” –June Fredrick

Precautions

• Ceramic tool blade and toothpicks are sharp.

• Color from clay can rub off on hands, be careful not to touch clothing.

• Oven baking portion of this activity requires oven mitts and let the beads cool before stringing.

• Be cautious of clients who may be allergic to red dye.

Instructions1. Pick two colors of polymer

clay and one toothpick.2. The ceramic tools will need

to be shared.3. Knead the clay well or until it

is soft. 4. Flatten each color separately

into approximately 3x5 in. rectangles.

5. Place one color on top of another, folding the bottom layer over the top layer, creating a “lip”.

Instructions6. Tightly roll the clay sheets

together, making sure there are no air bubbles.

7. Next, use the ceramic tool to cut each end off to even the edges.

8. Use the ceramic tool again to cut off the overlapping clay sheet.

9. Smooth the top layer of clay to blend into the rest of the roll with your fingers.

10. Cut cane into at least ¼ in. slices.

Instructions11. Use your toothpick to

pierce a hole through the clay bead.

12. Repeat step 10 for all following beads.

13. Tie a knot on one end of string.

14. Proceed by stringing all beads onto the string.

15. Don’t tie a knot on the end, so we can bake them for you to keep!

Oven Baking Portion

16. If you were doing this activity in the clinic, string beads after baked in the oven

17. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. 18. Bake beads for 10 minutes.19. When removing beads, use oven mitts and let beads cool for

10 minutes.20. String beads onto elastic string and tie knot on both ends.21. Enjoy!

Resources

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28SbYmRAufY

• http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/classic-sculpey-iii-multi-pack-691485/

• http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_query=toothpick&ic=16_0&Find=Find&search_constraint=0

• https://www.google.com/search?q=polymer+clay+canes

• http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/polymer-clay-creative-art-therapy-muscle-shoulder-injury/6906/

• http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/beading-cord-elastic-586941/