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 |
 STEP 7: Firmly adhere the entire Mokume Gane loaf of clay to your work
surface. If your work surface is not sticky, find a smooth clean sheet of glass,
plexiglass, or other inert substance (NOT WOOD!) to work on. Using the tissue blade,
carefully slice ultra-thin sheets of clay from the top of the Mokume loaf. |
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STEP 8: Use these resulting small pieces of Mokume bits to adorn
anything you'd like. I would suggest using a light-colored translucent mix for the
base of your piece. (on the pieces shown here, I used Promat Gold for the
base.) Some ideas for the slices: earrings, pins and beads, tool handles,
tissue-blade covers, whatever your art desires! (click here to see mokume tool handles.)
The resulting loaf, after being sliced into, reveals gorgeous layers of striated claywith
leafing in subtle shaded colors. |
STEP 9: Once you've constructed your piece of finished artwork
using the Mokume slices and the loaf, bake at the manufacturer's recommended temperature
for at least 1/2 hour. Remove promptly and allow to cool.
STEP 10: Once the
Mokume piece is cooled, gently sand underwater with the 600-grit automotive wet-dry
sandpaper until smooth to the touch. Polish with a soft cloth (old clean baby
diapers are great for this!) or use a buffing wheel and muslin buff to impart a very high
gloss. Buffing brings-out the depth and dimension of the translucent clay, allowing
the colors and the leafing to show through to the bottom-most layer of clay! This is
one of the most beautifully rich looks you can achieve with polymer clay!
Kris Richards
©1998 Text & images