How to Make Polymer Clay Mokume Gane Earrings
Today, I'm going to show you how to make some trippy, abstract kind of earrings.
This is a technique called mokume and it is from Japan. This technique is mainly used on metal, but here we’re going to be using it on polymer clay.
If you want to find out how to make mokume gane, keep reading.
Tools and materials:
- Five colors of polymer clay
- Sparkle clay
- Pasta machine
- Acrylic rolling pin
- Paintbrush
- Cutting blade
- Cookie cutter
- Tracing wheel
- Tissue paper
- Gold leaf
- Cookie cutters
- Sanding tool
- Drill
- Gloss glaze
- Needle tool
- Jump rings
- Earring backs
- Pliers
1. Flatten the clay
Take the five colors of polymer clay you’ll be using for this DIY and run them through your pasta machine individually on the thickest setting.
2. Stack and cut
Then stack the clay pieces one top of the other. Cut this stack in half.
3. Roll
Roll both stacks through the pasta machine on the thickest setting.
4. Stack, cut and roll again
Stack the two pieces together, then cut them in half and run them through the pasta machine again.
Then repeat this step a few more times. Then push together and roll the stack so that you have a block that is about 2x2 inches (5x5cm).
5. Poke holes in the clay
For this part, you can use any tools that are lying around. I'm using a paintbrush, and I'm just trying to poke holes randomly.
Make sure when you're poking holes that your tool goes all the way through.
6. Cut the clay
Use a blade to cut pieces in the clay, but don’t separate them.
Push them all together and push the sides in to retain the shape of the block of clay. Then use the roller to flatten the top.
7. Make shapes and marks
Continue making shapes on the block. I'm using a cookie cutter and then putting back the pieces that I cut off.
Then I'm using a tracing wheel to make marks in the clay. Compress the clay at the sides and make the top smooth by rolling out the clay.
Continue poking and cutting the stack with various objects. I know it looks really mad, but there is a method to this madness that you’ll be able to see.
8. Leave to set
After all the cutting and slicing, smooth the stack of clay one last time and pop it in the freezer for about 15 to 20 minutes.
9. Slice the clay
Once the clay is nice and chilled, slice thin layers of it from the top down. You want to cut pieces of different thicknesses and sizes.
10. Place onto a slab
Place the pieces that you’ve cut on a flat, thick piece of scrap clay.
11. Roll the clay
Place a piece of tissue paper over the clay and roll it to smoothen the slab. Then run it through the pasta machine.
12. Apply gold leaf
Rub some gold leaf between your fingers and add it to your clay.
13. Cut shapes
Cut shapes out of the clay with cookie cutters. You can cut whatever shapes you like.
14. Bake the earrings
Bake the earrings at 225 Fahrenheit (107 celsius) for one hour and let them cool down.
As you can see, I added some black sparkle clay to some of the earrings to offset the busy pattern.
15. Sand the pieces
Sand the pieces by dipping them in soap water, and then use the sander to smooth the edges.
16. Drill holes in the pieces
Drill small holes in each piece.
17. Add finishing
Apply two or three coats of gloss glaze to finish the earrings.
I used a needle tool to help me hold the pieces in place as I did this.
18. Add earring hardware
The final step is to add jump rings and earring backs.
How to make mokume gane earrings
Here are the finished earrings and I just love the abstract mokume pattern.
I know the process of poking holes and cutting shapes in the clay seemed a bit odd, but the finished earrings reveal the gorgeous design that we created in the clay.
The gold leaf shimmers as it catches the light and adds a really pretty touch.
If you enjoyed this tutorial, let me know in the comments down below!
Enjoyed the project?
Suggested materials:
- Five colors of polymer clay
- Sparkle clay
- Pasta machine
- Acrylic rolling pin
- Paintbrush
- Cutting blade
- Cookie cutter
- Tracing wheel
- Tissue paper
- Gold leaf
- Cookie cutters
- Sanding tool
- Drill
- Gloss glaze
- Needle tool
- Jump rings
- Earring backs
- Pliers
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