This is the technique that I use the most to make mokume gane blocks out of polymer clay.  Once I figure out what colors I want to use; I start conditioning the blocks of clay.  I will use four to six different colors for each block.  Sometimes I will also add metal leaf between a few of the layers to add sparkle.  I also use a lot of translucent colors.  Once all of the clay is conditioned I stack it in many layers of different thickness.  I try to place the colors in an order that looks pleasing.  This is what is ends up looking like when all the layers are together.

I then use something the distort the clay.  I will use the handle of a paintbrush or some of my clay shaping tools.  I vary the depth of the holes.  The clay then looks like this.

Then I slice the clay in half and stack it back together keeping the layers in the same order.

Posted by Helen in Tips and Techniques on January 13th, 2008 |