The Spliced Cane - Part Two

Here's what we have from the first page.

Here's the fun part!  Take the above stack of clay, and start to sqwoosh in from the sides (it is too a word).   Your goal is to create a triangle.  As you get closer to a triangle shape, turn the cane on each side to flatten and make it more uniform.

This is what you should have at this point.  I like to leave the ends on until I finish the cane, but feel free to take a slice now to see how beautiful it looks inside.

Time to reduce!  Lengthen your cane by gently pulling, tapping and smoothing it on your work surface.  Be sure to keep the triangle shape by turning it frequently as you work.  Make it about 12 inches long.  (Length may vary according to the size of your initial canes - for a cane 3/4" or smaller, go for 6 or 9 inches.)

Cut the cane into 3 pieces of equal length.

Put the three lengths of cane together as in the picture.   Smooth them together to eliminate air bubbles, but don't compress or reduce further at this point.

As you can see, you now have half a cane.  Lay it on your work surface and cut in half across the length.

At this point you may add a contrasting center if you like.  Roll a thin snake and place it along the center of the cane.  If there is not much of an indentation to put it in, use a paintbrush handle to widen the center groove before you add the snake.

Press the two halves together...

VOILA!  You have just made a spliced cane.   Try this with a spiral cane (just use one cane cut in two pieces instead of two different canes), or two "junk" canes.  Or come up with your own combination.  Have Fun!!

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