STILL NEEDS BANNERS, IMAGES, TESTIMONIALS, PAYPAL BUTTONS
Two New MasterClasses for 2026
Exploring surface, pattern, and design in polymer clay
Twist Canes: Reinventing Damascus Patterns in Polymer Clay
January 30 – March 15, 2026
This 6-week process course explores an exciting caneworking technique in polymer clay that offers a completely new take on an ancient metalworking tradition.
For centuries, metalworkers forged the shimmering, water-like patterns of Damascus steel in blades by layering and twisting iron and carbon, a dance between order and chaos, between the twist and the reveal.
In Twist Canes, we’ll reinterpret that same principle in polymer clay, where pattern arises not from alloy and anvil, but from the meeting of clay, colour, and movement.
Like Millefiori and Mokume Gane, this is a modern twist on a legacy technique. We’ll treat the twist itself as a generative tool for pattern design, transforming stacked layers of clay into flowing, organic veneers that reveal the beauty hidden inside the twist.
You’ll also get to see the colour palettes from my From Dan’s Studio email series put into action, exploring how these combinations behave in twisted designs.
What You’ll Learn
• Mastering the Mechanics: Cane design and construction, twist reduction, and multiple access points that reveal hidden inner patterns.
• Exploring Iterations: How small, strategic shifts in the composition of your cane transform the flow and complexity of your designs.
• Guided Creation: Learn to shape your twist with intention and turn your discoveries into thin, usable veneers ready for jewellery, inlay, or small object design.
Twist Canes is part of my series of exploratory surface courses alongside Single Slice Mokume, Matrix Canes, Blurred Lines, Five Star Colour, and MilleKume.
These courses are designed to spark discovery and confidence, helping you turn simple sheets of clay into expressive, one-of-a-kind polymer patterns.
REGISTRATION FOR TWIST CANES IS OPEN!
Building Better Brooches: Wearable Statements in Polymer Clay
May 1 – May 31, 2026
This 4-week project course has been one of the most requested offerings yet.
Brooches are back — modern, bold, and very much in style.
Reimagined as miniature sculptures and maximalist statements, they’re the perfect form for exploring structure, surface, and finishing techniques in polymer clay.
Following a format similar to my popular Building Better Beads, this course will guide you through the full arc of brooch-making — from design to construction to finishing.
What You’ll Learn
• Starting with Veneers: Use your favourite patterned surfaces (including from Twist Canes, if you have them).
• Design and Construction: Explore two distinct brooch types with different structural approaches.
• Finishing and Presentation: Learn assembly and professional finishing techniques that elevate your work.
Whether taken on its own or as a follow-up to Twist Canes, Building Better Brooches is a chance to translate your favourite veneers into wearable, collectible art.
By the end, you’ll have brooches that reflect your creativity and craftsmanship — ready to make a statement.
Registration opens early April.
How the Courses Work
Each MasterClass is a live-event workshop, experienced in real time with a cohort of fellow students from around the world.
• Weekly content drops with new prerecorded videos and supporting text.
• No Zoom appointments — watch and work on your own schedule.
• Interactive comment threads for questions, peer-to-peer support, and in-lesson feedback.
• Mentorship from me throughout the course run.
You’ll learn at your own pace, while still being part of a vibrant, active creative community.
Two Paths. One Purpose.
Whether you dive into the twists and iterations of Twist Canes or bring your veneers to life in Building Better Brooches or both, each course will deepen your connection to design, surface, and craftsmanship in polymer clay.
[→ Join the Building Better Brooches Waitlist]
(Registration for Building Better Brooches opens in early April.)