Mokume-gane Polymer Clay Earrings
Introduction: Mokume-gane Polymer Clay Earrings
These earrings are made using the polymer clay Mokume-gane veneer technique. This is an easy technique that can be done without any specialized tools.
Supplies
When I started working with polymer clay I didn’t have any of the fancier tools.
So… the tools needed for this project are very basic.
* 3 - 4 colors of polymer clay. Use contrasting colors (I used very mute tones made from Fimo professional black, white, true red, and some left over beige from another project)
* pliers (best to have 2)
* sharp blades (I have a pack of 3 Fimo brand blades, but I also used exacto knife blades).
* cookie cutters, knitting needles, pins
* rolling pin
* Wet sand paper (450, 800, 1500)
* jump rings and findings for earrings
* A ceramic tile or glass plate make the best work and baking surface. I currently don't have any so I use a sturdy plastic sheet that can be wiped off for working, and an old baking tin for the oven (careful - some plastics react badly with clay)
* Alcohol wipes - for cleaning your hands and surfaces while you work.
* (oven for baking the clay)
Step 1: Pendant Shaped Cutter
If you don’t have the right shaped cutter for a pendant, you can create your own by reshaping a cookie cutter. I made this pendant shape and later cut the shape in half to create 2 earrings.
Step 2: Condition Clay and Mix Colors
* To condition clay with out a pasta machine, just roll long 'snakes' fold them in half and repeat... many times.
Your clay should end up soft and not crumble when rolled out.
* I chose very mute but contrasting colors, but really anything goes!!!
* Roll out all your colors into approximately equal sized squares.
Step 3: Stack - Cut - Stack - Repeat
1. Stack the squares in the order you choose.
2. Trim the edges.
3. Roll the stack to about half the width. Roll in both directions, flip over and roll in both directions again (this will help get the layers to stretch more evenly).
4. Cut the stack in the middle, and stack it on top.
5. Roll the stack to half width again, cut in half and stack. (The more you repeat this the more layers you will have, and the thinner each layer will be..)
6. When your finished stacking, roll the stack to an even height and trim the edges again.
Step 4: Creating the Mokume-gane Effect
* Use blades, cookie cutters, knitting needles to press through the stack (at least some should go all the way to the bottom).
I found that I like to marks left by blunter objects better. It doesn't matter if the pieces move, you will just squeeze them back together in the end.
* Squeeze the block from all sides to close all the cuts and holes, then gently roll the top flat.
Step 5: Slicing Veneer
1. Use the sharpest blade to shave thin slices off the top of the block.
2. Lay the slices on the work surface
3. 95
Check both sides of the slices to choose the side that looks best.
Step 6: Covering the Shape
1. Use the cookie cutter to cut out a thin slice of background color (I used my gray shade).
2. lay the shape over a large enough piece on veneer. (remember that in this case the 'nice' side of the veneer should be facing down.
3. gently roll over the shape.
4. flip the shape over and use the cookie cutter to trim the edges of the veneer off.
5. cut the shape in half- creating to long earring pieces.
6. smooth down the edges in the center with your finger.
7. Flip the earrings over and place veneer pieces on top.
8. cut the excess of with a sharp blade.
Step 7: Smooth, Pierce and Bake
1. Smooth down the edges of the earrings with your finger or knitting needle, working from the 'good' side down.
2. The smoother the surface the less sanding is required.
3. Make holes in the top of the earrings with a knitting needle. Make sure they go all the way through.
4. Bake according to the manufactures instructions (I usually cover loosely with aluminum foil).
Step 8: Sand and Finish
1. When the earrings cool wet sand them-
2. Dip the earring in a bowl of water and sand over the bowl. 316