Faux Metal Mokume Gane | Polymer Clay Tutorial

Vid #202: “I have read how to do the Mokume Gane technique and still couldn’t picture it!! Your tutorials make it much easier!” ~Kam-K

With all the cool new Metallic Colors now available through the Premo Accents line, I thought it would be the perfect time to revisit the polymer clay Mokume Gane Technique. This week I will be teaching a version that looks more like the traditional Japanese Metalsmithing, for which it mimics.

Real Mokume Gane is an ancient metal technique used for making Samurai Swords. It was designed to recreate the look of wood grain. Different types of metals such as Silver, Copper, Bronze, Gold, Iron, etc., are layered and fused together in a block, which is then hammered, stamped or carved. Finally, thin sheets or veneers are sliced off, and used to make jewelry, swords and other precious artworks.

Polymer clay artists have it way easier than the traditional Mokume Gane artist. Clay is much softer and simpler to layer, and the tools aren’t expensive or complicated to use either. Now I’m not saying that polymer clay mokume gane is anywhere near being in the same league as the real thing. But done right, the faux clay version can end up looking very realistic. It is a technique that is definitely worth adding to your polymer clay skill set.

It’s funny – once I’d visited a blog by a jeweler. He was talking about polymer clay artists who mimic his work in doing mokume gane. He thought the work was inferior. Which intrigued me. Okay, so I went to look at his gallery. You know what? I think our mokume gane, with it’s rich variety of color, was nicer than his work. He did a fine job, don’t get me wrong. But I think polymer clay mokume gane offers a wider variety of opportunity and in my opinion, not nearly close to inferior. ~Charlene-T

I just started beading a couple of months ago – but I knew immediately that I wasn’t happy with what I was making and it was because it just wasn’t me. I wanted beads that ‘said something’ and it was obvious that they weren’t available. Flipping through a beading magazine one day, I came across a bracelet that a mother and daughter team had made out of mokume gane. It impressed me enough to make me stop and take a closer look. I knew right then and there that I needed to be making my own beads so that I could make my own statement. ~Aims

Visiting this site inspires me to try to go higher and work harder in mastering this polymer clay art form. All the pieces shown at this blog are gorgeous, but the mokume gane ones are sending me back to try the technique again, one I sort of put aside because I have never really liked my outcomes. ~Elizabeth-S

Love all your videos so far and have really gotten into making some simple Mokume Gane pendants. Just on the first stage of sanding, but it is making a HUGE difference in how they look as opposed to just putting varnish on them. Thank you so much for your time! ~Dawna-M

I was trying to practice my Mokume Gane cane for an upcoming class and wasn’t sure what to try it on, so I covered a small stainless steel utility pocket knife (only on one side) and wow… it really dressed up the knife. I gave them to my nephews and brother-in-laws for Christmas. This is why I just love polymer clay! ~Lupe-M

Hi, thought your first 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 at other sites, quite hard to get a grasp of. Actually seeing someone do the technique in video has made a big difference. Thanks very much. ~Debbie-G

Just wanted to say thanks for the great video. I have read how to do the Mokume Gane technique and still couldn’t picture it!! Your tutorials make it much easier! Thanks!
~Kam-K

So… coming up tomorrow (Friday May 6th, 2011) in the Vol-036-1 Faux Metal Mokume Gane video at the Polymer Clay Library, I will share some more tips and tricks for creating this amazingly simple and beautiful technique that you can easily master in an afternoon!

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Please Note: A general prerequisite for all of my weekly tutorials is that you have a good understanding of the polymer clay basics, including: conditioning clay, using a pasta machine, clay blade and other simple tools, making Skinner Blends or Teardrop Blends, baking clay, as well as sanding and finishing. If you need help in these areas, my Polymer Clay Beginners Course will get you up to speed quickly. There is also plenty of free information on this blog. Use the search box at the top of the page to find articles on specific topics.

Supplies & Tools: Video-036-1 Faux Metal Mokume Gane:

• Polymer Clay in Metallic Colors. In the video I show several examples of Faux Metal Mokume Gane made using different metal combinations. For the actual demo, a combination of Premo clays in Gold, 18K Gold and Antique Gold was used. Similar to the real technique, you can use any metal color combination of your choice. Some excellent color choices in the Premo Accents line are: Gold, 18 K Gold, Antique Gold, Bronze, Silver, and Copper (the new one and/or the old discontinued one). As an alternative any brand of metallic clay will do.
• Side Note: In one of the close-ups in the video with the Silver Copper and Bronze clay, I actually pointed to a sample of the new Bronze Clay and called it Copper and called the new Copper, Bronze. Funny thing is I did it correctly when I showed all the colors near the beginning… must have been too excited to show you the technique :-)
• Acrylic Roller.
• Pasta Machine (optional).
• Clay Blade.
• Large Ball Stylus such as the Sculpey Style & Detail Tools (optional).

The full version of the Vid-036-1 Faux Metal Mokume Gane video, will be posted in the Polymer Clay Members Library on Friday May 6, 2011. But if you would like to see a sneak peek intro clip right now, scroll down the page a bit to the video player below.

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The full version of the “Faux Metal Mokume” preview video shown above, is now avail for purchase at the Polymer Clay Library in the Vol-036 Back Issue Pckg.

Customer Feedback About Membership Value:

Wonderful teardrop blend tutorial! It is worth every single penny!! Thanks Cindy. ~Monica-D

Not only is this site worth every penny. It’s worth MORE than the pennies we spend! Luckily, Cindy’s not greedy… she makes membership ridiculously inexpensive, so that anyone can join. The only thing I’ve ever regretted was waiting to join (missed out on those tutes!) Of course, I went back and bought the videos I missed anyway (had to have ’em – so good!) but at the library price. If I’d joined right away, I could’ve had them for the even cheaper membership price of $3.32 per month! OK, I’ll be quiet now. ~Phaedrakat

Cindy I just have to tell you that the Teardrop Technique is a wonderful addition to your teaching. Beautiful and it looks easy for a technique that at first seemed intimidating. One other thing I want to say. I just purchased a video from another publisher about resin work. The artist is quite well known, as well as the company. However, the quality of the video was no where comparable to your videos. You and your husband do such a wonderful job producing your videos that it is the standard from which I judge others… and I have yet to find any that don’t come up short! Your instructions are clear, the photography is excellent, and the boxed close ups are so valuable. You do beautiful work, and provide a great value too. I look forward to each Friday! ~Sue-W

The following topics are included in this week’s Polymer Clay Tutor Library, Faux Metal Mokume Gane video tutorial:

• See examples of several Beads and jewelry projects made using a variety of different Faux Metal Mokume Gane blocks.
• Discussion of the tools and materials needed to create your own version of the technique.
• Learn how to quickly and easily mimic the traditional Japanese Metal Technique with a super simple Polymer Clay version.
• And of course, tips on how to use this technique to get exactly the unique look you want!

The full version of the “Faux Metal Mokume” preview video shown above, is now avail for purchase at the Polymer Clay Library in the Vol-036 Back Issue Pckg.

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