April 23, 2008

Mokume Gane Polymer Clay Jewelry - Hard to Say But Easy to Make

Mokume Gane Polymer Clay

Tip #59: Want to Really Impress Your Friends? Then You'll Definitely Want To Master this Cool Jewelry Making Technique:

Pronounced "moe-koo-may GAHN-ay" >> Mokume-gane originated in the metal sword making industry way back in 17th century Japan. It roughly translates to "wood grain metal" and the look is often described as having "wood eye" or burl characteristics.

Polymer clay mokume gane is made by layering several different colors of clay sheets, interspersed with other layers of thin metal leaf or foil. I use the Mona Lisa Brand metal foil.

These layers are then punctured with circular objects to create the burl-like patterns which permeate through your block of layered polymer clay.

The clay layers are then smoothed together again by rolling with an acrylic rod.

Finally, using a cutting blade (sometimes called a tissue blade), thin layers or cross sections are sliced from the mokume gane block to reveal beautiful designs that can be layered onto round beads, swirly lentils and pendants.

You can have hours of fun experimenting with different colors of polymer clay; different layer thicknesses in the mokume gane block, different types of metal leaf; and with using different objects for puncturing. Rubber stamps and texture sheets can also be used to leave unique and creative impressions.

Cindy Lietz, The Polymer Clay Tutor


 

 

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3 Free Polymer Clay Videos
>> Mokume Gane Polymer Clay Jewelry <<

"Mokume Gani Technique" Video Description: The full version of this tutorial is available in my Beads and Beading Membership Club. In it I show you some beautiful examples of mokume gane polymer clay jewelry (necklaces, earrings, pendants). Then I walk you through a step-by-step  process of how to: (1) Layer the clay; (2) Add the metal foil; (3) Make the puncture holes; (4) Re-roll the punctured polymer clay back into a smooth block; (5) Shave off your pattern slices; and finally (6) Apply the Mokume Gani designs to your base beads and bead jewelry pieces.

Filed under 02: Tools, 05: Techniques, 06: Bead Shapes by Cindy Lietz

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Comments on Mokume Gane Polymer Clay Jewelry - Hard to Say But Easy to Make »

April 24, 2008

Cindy Lietz from Jelly Roll Cane @ 2:52 pm

You probably already caught my typo in the title of the video. I accidentally used Mokume Gani instead of Mokume Gane. Oops! Hard to say. Apparently even harder (for me) to spell. Oh well.

Cindy's last blog post..Polymer Clay Supplies From Unlikely Places

July 26, 2008

Kam @ 5:20 pm

Just wanted to say thanks for the great video. I have read how to do that technique and it still couldn't picture it!! Yours made it look much easier….so might have to give it a try now!! Thanks!

Debbie Garrad @ 5:35 pm

Hi, thought the mokume gane video was really helpful. I'm new to polymer clay and I've wanted to have a go but found the picture instructions quite hard to get a grasp of,but actually seeing someone do has made a big difference and I'm going to have a go. Thanks very much. Debbie

Sue @ 10:00 pm

Hi Cindy,

I think this is the first "cane" technique I'm not intimidated by! I guess I'll be purchasing gold leaf in the near future…I'm experimenting with inclusions and didn't have gold leaf on my brainstorming list! I'm sure it would look great in other types of cane, as well! Thanks!
Sue

BEV @ 11:58 pm

Thanks so much for demonstrating Mokume Gane. I'd tried it before, using directions from a book, but got it woefully wrong. I appreciate your helping others by making your videos.

July 27, 2008

Lani King @ 1:39 am

Wow!!! I have a book that shows this technique, but I didn't understand it until I saw this video. Thanks so much for showing us how this is done. I mind races with so many ideas after watching your videos. -Lani

Yvonne @ 4:45 am

Cindy you do such a great presentation in your videos. Would love to see how you do your faux ivory.

Kim C. @ 5:38 am

I have tried this once but you cleared up so many things for me. I didn't know about using different thicknesses or the gold leaf or using the pen caps. I do like using a wavy blade to cut my strips out. Thanks for clearing up so many questions as always!!!

Kim C.'s last blog post..Stupid Font Humor

Pepper @ 8:59 am

Well, now you've done it! I just went through my junk drawer, raided my childs toy box and even went through my DH's tool box…those big chunky screws make neat impressions and I'm sure he won't miss one or two of them!! Thank you for another GREAT video!!

Pat Olive @ 11:13 am

Thanks again, Cindy, for all your knowledge of Polymer Clay and the different things can to do with it. It helps a lot when you have choices to do different things with this medium.

Keri Lee Sereika @ 3:22 pm

Wow this is a fun cane tech for sure. Thanks for sharing such good tips Cindy!

Keri Lee Sereika's last blog post..A card n more

Cindy Lietz from Bead Making Primer Course @ 5:59 pm

Thank you everyone!!! Wow great comments! I am so glad I was able to simplify this technique for you.

That is the one thing about books, they are great but they just can't show you how to do things like a video can!

I am a visual learner and video is easier for me too! I'm glad I could help!

Way to go Pepper for thinking outside the box… and into the toy box, the tool box and the junk drawer!!

Cindy Lietz's last blog post..A Polymer Clay How To Tip for Making Beads Using White Fimo Clay

Joyce Schick @ 7:19 pm

Thanks for a the great video Cindy.

July 28, 2008

Mary Ellen Soffee @ 3:18 pm

Oh Cindy!…This shows how we are so connected to each other in this great big universe of ours. After buying the clay, a few tools, a few books (not all at the same time), spending many hours on the internet, I decided to jump right in and try Mokume Gane beads. I followed the instructions stack the clay layers, add the gold leaf, cut, then it said put in my pasta machine on 1. Then cut in half and roll through again. I sliced like you did and they were not as pretty as yours. I did make the beads. I think it was not necessary to roll through. I lost alot of the color combinations. This was my first. If I had waited for your email I would have used your way to make them. I didn't really listen to what you said "We learn from your mistakes" I love to cook, but I have lost my pasta machine, my glass cutting board, and a few other kitchen gadgets to my new adventure! Thank God I didn't have to pay 22something for my gold leaf . I live in Richmond and the exact same brand and size was 8.99 at my craft store. It really isn't fair prices change. I found turkey baster thingamagigs you now the pack that has 6 or 8 long prongs and the string? They were 20 cents at the thrift store, so I strung my beads on them, opened up the round loop at the ends and hung them from the grate in the oven, worked out great! I won't rattle on next time. but once again thank you for the video, it was informing, personable and its nice to be able to share thoughts, tricks and have people like you to take the time to care. I'll polymer on. Good Nite!

Janet Allen @ 5:48 pm

Loved the mokume gane lesson. You make it look so easy I will give it a try. I'm so happy I came across your site.
Thanks, Janet

July 29, 2008

Cariad @ 11:34 am

Wow! That's the first time I've seen the mokume gani technique demonstrated. Makes a difference. Still have five hours to quitting time — then I can go home and play with clay! Thanks for taking the time to make these videos.

Cindy Erickson @ 12:45 pm

Cindy!!!

I am so excited!!! Thank you from the bottom of my creative heart for sharing this wonderful video with us!!!

I have been reading about the Mokume Gane technique for a couple of weeks now, but have been afraid to try it myself, because I felt that I never completely understood how to do it from the assuming directions I would find in other places (it was always assumed that I could just figure out the "between the lines" directions). And then…I watched your video!!! Now I am no longer afraid to try this technique, thanks to you and your concise and NON-assuming directions!!! Plus, I am a very visual person, and to watch you actually go through all of the steps in the Mokume Gane technique…well, as soon as I am done writing to you, I am very happily going to complete my very first Mokume Gane pendant!!!

Thanks, Cindy…you have made my day :)

Sincerely, Cindy Erickson

PS I'll let you know how it turns out! :)

Cindy Lietz from Making Polymer Clay Beads @ 2:11 pm

Thank you every one! I am touched!

Make sure to email me with some pictures OK?

Cindy's last post..Slicing Fimo Nail Art Canes | Sculpey Polymer Clay Cake Toppers

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