Instructions:

BEFORE STARTING: Knead clay until soft to make it easy to work with. Cover work surfaces with wax paper, then clean surfaces and wash your hands thoroughly after handling clay.

What is a cane? A cane is a long section of clay that has a design or pattern built into it so that every slice taken from the clay log is the same. Think about those refrigerator cookies that you can get for holidays – the ones where you slice the log of dough and every cookie has the same design.

1. Choose a color of clay for the center of the flower. Roll the clay on your work surface to make a “log” about 2” long. Stand the log on one small end on your work surface.
2. Roll smaller logs (or “snakes”) from another color of clay for the petals. Press these in place around the flower center – use a few bigger ones or lots of smaller ones. You may want to pinch one end into a point to make different petal shapes.
3. Add green clay snakes for leaves if desired – just make sure that every part you add to the flower is pressed into position really well.
4. Bake the flower cane standing on end on an oven proof glass surface in a 250ºF oven for 10 minutes with good ventilation. DO NOT USE A MICROWAVE OVEN. Avoid over baking. Allow to cool completely.
5. Slice each cane into individual flowers. Trade them around so that everyone has an assortment of flower erasers to remember the party by!