I get asked what is Mokume Gane a lot.  Mokume Gane (pronounced moKumay GAmay) is a Japanese metalsmithing technique.  It is translated as “wood eye metal” and was developed during the 17th century by Denbei Shoami.  It is easy to mimic the technique with polymer clay.

There are many ways to do Mokume Gane in polymer clay.  They all involve using thin layers of clay and usually some metal leafing. 

One of the easiest techniques is to condition translucent polymer clay.  Once it is conditioned add a small amount of colored clay to tint it.  (You want to colors to go with each other like turquoise, violet and magenta.)  Make four to five different sheets of the tinted translucent clay.  Add a sheet of silver metal leafing to the top of each sheet.  You will need to make sure not to trap air between the leaf and the clay.  Then layer the sheets of clay and leaf.  Again you want to gentle roll each layer to make sure there is no air trapped between. 

You should have some left over tinted translucent clay.  Make small balls of each of the different colors.  You will use the balls to fill cavities that you make in the stack of layered clay.  To make the cavities, simply poke the stack with the blunt end of a paintbrush or pen.  Let the stack rest.  Turn the stack over so that the balls are on the bottom and slice the stack thinly in random places.  Each slice will reveal a different look.  Arrange the slices on a background sheet of clay untill you like how it looks.  Use the sheets to make what ever project you want.  You can cover a glass vase, make hair barrettes, pendents, lental beads and almost anything else.  Bake the clay according to directions.

The final step is to sand and buff to an high sheen.

Posted by Helen in Tips and Techniques on December 26th, 2007 |