INSERT PATTERNS IN POLYMER CLAY
WINTER SESSION 2025
FEBRUARY 1 - MARCH 30, 2025
REGISTRATION IS OPEN
JANUARY 16 - 21, 2025
$425 CAN$ 🇨🇦 ≈ $295 US$ 🇺🇸
When it comes to creating decorative veneers in polymer clay, millefiori and mokume gane are two of the most popular and practiced pattern-making techniques in our medium.
But why pick one when you can do both at the same time?
Combining intentional and repeatable canework concepts and construction with the layer-shifting and lateral-slicing systems of ‘cutting edge’ mokume gane, I am pleased to invite you to one of our most popular online courses…
MilleKume debuted in two parts: MilleKume 1 in the Summer of 2023, and MilleKume 2 in the Winter of 2024.
We have now combined MilleKume 1 and 2 into a single course, simply called MilleKume.
Here’s a look at what’s in store now in this two-part, starter + sequel MasterClass combo…
THE JOURNEY STARTS HERE…
Part 1 is the gateway to an entire system for creating decorative veneers in polymer clay.
We’ll explore foundational MilleKume patterns in the first three Modules, each one focusing on a different design motif…
Each Module begins with a detailed look at the featured primary design motif, using the same combination of high quality ‘front row seat’ pre-recorded videos, supporting text, images, and graphics that have become the hallmark of our online school experience.
Two additional lessons in each Module present motif iterations conveyed through comprehensive step-out images that are meant to reinforce each construction concept, but also inspire you to make your own design choices and explore more personal pattern possibilities.
Four Directions, Suspended Grid, Rubber Band Ball, and more… by the end of Part 1, you will have a collection of nine MilleKume patterns, not including all the extra iterations you may choose to explore. Save them as swatches for future reference, or use them in finished pieces on your own during and after the course.
LITTLE DETAILS, BIG RESULTS
Alumni students who have graduated from any one of our online MasterClasses know the value of ‘Mastering The Mechanics,’ and even though MilleKume is a shorter-format course experience, the first set of lessons will follow the same philosophy, starting things off with a deep dive into all the little details that give us the big results.
Special KnowHow lessons on manipulating mica, peeling polymer, and book-matching patterns will enhance and expand the curriculum beyond the ‘what’ and ‘how,’ and into the ‘why’ and ‘what if…?’
Add to that, colour concepts, tool tips, digi-downloads, and a soundtrack you can bop along to while you work, MilleKume is a great opportunity for you to learn new concepts, refine your skills, and have a lot of fun while doing it.
A combination of ‘focused at first’ and then ‘choose your own (design) adventure,’ MilleKume is an exploratory course that’s structured to give you a strong foundation on which to build your own signature patterns.
The learning is in the doing, and the growing comes with the guidance of an experienced teacher and the support of our global classroom community.
“Thank you for another very educational and inspiring course! Clear, hands-on instructions and personal experimentation made the course time well spent. I love the community that arises with the course mates, and that so many share their experiences and lessons. And all the while, we get support and encouragement from Dan and Tracy. This was not my first course with you, and it will not be the last! ”
“‘Millekume’ was another great learning experience. Thank you for your clear instructions and video demos, lots of inspiration, and for creating a truly supportive learning environment. Even online, we get a feel for our fellow classmates and a sense of camaraderie. I am completing this course with new skills that I’m excited to expand upon. Many thanks for an excellent class!!! I hope there will be a Part 2...”
top: Chris Hellström, Emma Lavery, Eileen La Russo
middle: Jayne Traeger-Bliss, Phil Porter, Lisa Garner
bottom: Vickie Murphy, Corinne Flannery, Kerry Healey Binns
“Another wonderful class! Dan and Tracy are so generous with sharing their skills, it enables me to reach new creative highs. To work with intention, precision and methodology actually fuels creativity. I am so grateful to this class in particular for the friendship and encouragement along the way ❤️. Bring on the next class, I’m sure it will be a banger!”
“Wow, another great class packed with interesting techniques and in-depth information. I learned a lot - new methods and work processes, new skills (Skinner blends!), and got my brain fired up with new design possibilities. I’ve only been working with polymer for a few months now and feel I’ve been able to develop confidence and skills quickly with your excellent classes and instruction. Can’t wait to see what gems you have in store for us in the future.”
“Thank you for this amazing course. As with the other courses I have taken with you, I have learned so much and also been challenged out of my comfort zone. Thank you to Tracy for all the color theory, just as valuable as the clay skills and techniques. The most valuable thing I have gained through your courses is confidence, in myself, my sense of color, and most importantly, the negative voice in my head doesn’t always know what it is talking about. Thank you.”
BUT WAIT… THERE’S MORE MILLEKUME!
Once you’ve explored the MilleKume fundamentals in Part 1 it will become obvious to you that MilleKume is a wonderland! Building on the foundational techniques of this peel-and-reveal process, with some key design tweaks and more of Dan’s secrets, the iterations are practically infinite.
That’s what Part 2 is all about…
The second part of the course takes MilleKume into hyperdrive, adding complexity in the construction of the Slabs, introducing new design elements in the composition of the Inserts, and exponentially increasing the pattern motifs they can create.
With the addition of canes, blends, blurs, and layers, get ready to add Disappearing Lines, Broken Grids, Dimensional Inserts, Strata Patterns and more to your MilleKume playbook.
Focussed lessons on Mini Matrix Canes, Banded Blends, Strata Slabs, and Filled Holes will enhance and expand the curriculum beyond the ‘what’ and ‘how,’ and into the ‘why’ and ‘what if…?’
Add to that, 3D concepts, tool tips, digi-downloads, and a soundtrack you can bop along to while you work, this is a great opportunity for you to build on the foundational concepts, refine your skills, and have a lot of fun doing it.
A combination of ‘focused at first’ and then ‘choose your own (design) adventure,’ there will be plenty of opportunities to iterate your way towards personalized pattern and design choices, guaranteed to give you a whole new set of your own one-of-a-kind signature veneers.
“I loved this class. I was wowed by Millekume 1 and couldn’t imagine what more could be done. Well of course you totally surprised me, Dan. I had some ideas, but wasn’t sure if they could be accomplished. Millekume 2 showed me they could. Thank you for another fantastic class.”
“MilleKume has officially beaten out Blurred Lines as my favourite technique 😁 I’ve made some fabulous earrings with the veneers I made in the first class and constantly get comments about them. Yay! I’m so excited about Millekume!”
CUTTING EDGE PEELER REQUIRED
The Cutting Edge Peeler is an integral tool for this course.
If you already own this Peeler, you’re good to go.
If you don’t have a Cutting Edge Peeler, please register for this course using the TUITION + PEELER option.
THE CUTTING EDGE PEELER KIT
As a fundamental blade for precision patterns in polymer clay, this classic Peeler has been our flagship tool ever since we debuted it with The Cutting Edge suite of techniques in a workshop in 2005. It's also the central tool in two of our other online courses: Matrix Canes and Blurred Lines.
The Cutting Edge Peeler has a stainless steel blade with a cutting width of 1.5". The Kit also includes a Burnisher, Burnishing Paper, two Slab Templates, and a Triangle Template.
REGISTER HERE
FOR THE WINTER 2025 SESSION
MILLEKUME
“I ALREADY HAVE THE CUTTING EDGE PEELER”
TUITION ONLY
$425 CAN$ 🇨🇦 ≈ $295 US$ 🇺🇸
“I DO NOT HAVE THE CUTTING EDGE PEELER”
TUITION + WIDE PEELER
$465 🇨🇦$ :: APROX $325 🇺🇸$
Please note, we are based in Canada, and our tuition prices are listed in Canadian dollars. If you are outside Canada, you will be charged an equivalent amount in your currency.
The US$ price is included as an estimate based on current exchange rates.
The MIILEKUME CLASSROOM OPENS FEBRUARY 1, 2025
ALL WINTER 2025 MASTERCLASSES END MARCH 30, 2025
REGISTRATION CLOSES
TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2025
“Dan, your courses always take my claying to a new level. Your attention to detail, different techniques and careful making leave me aspiring to always do better. People often ask me how I learn to make with polymer clay and I always say there’s this crazy Canadian who runs brilliant online classes! This latest class has taught me so many new techniques, revised old ones and once again and left me wanting more. What’s next?”
ANY QUESTIONS?
WILL I NEED ANY SPECIAL TOOLS, EQUIPMENT, OR MATERIALS?
As mentioned above, The Cutting Edge Peeler is a required tool for both MilleKume 1 and MilleKume 2. Other than that, we’ll be using the basic tools and materials found in a typical polymer clay studio.
A complete Tools & Materials List will be available inside the classroom. It will include recommended amounts of clay. And we’ll be reviewing everything together as part of our orientation.
If you have any other questions at all about this MasterClass, we'd love to hear from you!
Please contact us and we'll reply via email and/or share your Q and our A right here on this webpage.
We look forward to welcoming you to MilleKume…
Dan + Tracy
