Polymer Clay Techniques - Mokume Gane

Mokume gane ("mo-KU-may GAH-nay") is a technique that was originally used by metalworkers. But polymer clay artists have adapted it for their own purposes, producing some spectacularly beautiful effects. Here are basic instructions for the mokume gane technique, plus a few ideas for variations.

Basic technique
1. Roll out several flat sheets of different colors of conditioned clay, then stack them, alternating colors however you like.

2. Compress the stack so that the layers are flatter.

3. Make fairly deep impressions in the surface of the stack with any tool you like. You can make random indentations or create a pattern.

4. Working slowly, carefully, and evenly, use a tissue blade to slice off the top of the stack, making sure you don't slice into the impressions.

The impressions, because they're not cut, will show only whatever color was on the top of the stack. The sliced-off sections, on the other hand, will reveal the colors underneath. Usually you won't see just one color; you'll see each layer that was cut into, in succession from the center of the cut outward. It's hard to describe in words, but remarkable to look at.

Variations
The basic mokume gane technique is impressive on its own. But there are many ways to experiment with it. Here are a few.

- Turn the sliced-off pieces upside down; you'll see an effect that's similar to the one on the stack. Place these pieces back on the stack, or on a piece of plain clay. (That way you don't have to waste them.)

- Include layers of metallic or translucent clay in the stack. Translucent clay especially can add surprising depth to the surface design.

- Include layers of marbled or mirror-image clay in the stack.

- Add a sheet of gold or other metal leaf as one of the layers.

- Take advantage of the "mica shift effect" of metallic clay. When you're first assembling the stack, make a fairly thick block of metallic clay. Slice off the top layers for a lighter surface, then alternate them with slices from the ends of the block - crosscuts - which will have a darker version of the same color. You can do mokume gane with only one color of metallic clay using this technique. When the less reflective sections of the clay are cut into they'll look almost like shadows. (This technique will work only with clay that contains mica particles.)

- Use a deep-cut rubber stamp to produce the impression in the clay. Depending on whether the stamp has a positive or negative image, you'll see the design either in the sliced-off areas or in the original surface of the clay.

- Leave the surface as it is or roll it so that it's smooth again. (This will enlarge the design, though, so be careful that you don't muddle the effect.)

Final words
Sheets made with this technique can be used to cover any surface you can think of that can be baked in an oven. That includes glass objects, boxes, picture frames, pens, and of course jewelry (pendants and beads).

Mokume gane is easy to do and doesn't require much in the way of equipment or supplies. But the effects you can create with it are almost always unique, and perfect if you're looking for a way to make unusual one-of-a-kind objects.