Mokume Gane is one of those techniques that always scared me. I’m not 100% sure why. Perhaps it looks too… complex? Or perhaps the idea that it’s hit or miss. You make the mokume gane stack and you’re stuck with it, there’s no ‘fixing it’ like with a sculpture.
And so I studied mokume gane in great detail, learning the ins and outs of how this technique works. And still I held off, till now. I finally challenged myself to stop ‘researching’ and just do it. I recorded the entire process and explain it step by step in the tutorial video below.
The first half of the video teaches you how to create the mokume gane technique using rainbow colored polymer clay. The second half of the video teaches you how to cover a clay pen using the mokume gane shavings.
Tools and supplies listed below the video
(Click to watch this video on YouTube. For transcript click the closed captions CC icon at the bottom right of the video)
Tools and supplies to follow along:
- Rainbow sculpting tools – click for my tutorial
- Premo Sculpey or other polymer clay
- Rolling pin or Pasta machine to condition your clay and create your sheets
- Super Slicer blade to cut your mokume gane
- Saran Wrap to protect your clay while stored/refrigerated
- Bic Round Stic Pens (Personally recommended for use with clay)
- Pliers to remove ink
- Kemper Klay Kutters or other cutters to impress on the clay
Questions on this video/technique?
Let me know by leaving a comment below
My question to you:
Other than clay covered pens, what do you do with your mokume gane?
In addition to pens, I use mokume gane to cover wine stoppers and to cover altoids tins boxes. It’s also pretty on holiday ornament balls. It’s also pretty on other pen-type kits such as stylus pens.
Nice tutorial, by the way! Thank you!
You are very welcome Brenda
Thanks so much Brenda, I hadn’t thought about wine stoppers or ornaments and have been meaning to try altoid tins. Thanks 🙂
I have used it to cover small wooden boxes, made angel wings, mushroom tops, little accessories for faires such as a little purse,hats for trolls. If I can put clay on it… I try it…. love this process….. I go all the way thru with objects sometimes, like for the mushrooms…. only limitations is our imagination… great tute……
Wow Ladee these are some great ideas that I’ve never even thought of. Angel wings are my favorite of your list. I will have to try it. Maybe even tiny fairy wings. Thank you!
Can make handles for Crochet hooks, knitting needles top stoppers , ! Thank you !
Thanks Brian, those are great ideas! Someone just showed me how they made a letter opener and magnifying glass using this technique. Beautiful results. I’ll have to try the crochet hooks and knitting needles
i like your take on the cane. Where did you get your smaller roller?
Thanks
Thanks Mary. I’m not sure which roller you’re referring to. But I got both the acrylic roller and red plastic one from sculpey. I put the amazon link under the video. Let me know if that’s what you were looking for
Loved the tutorial. I also love that little, short cutter you have with the colorful handle. Did you make it or could youtell me where you found that. Thanks for another learning experience. You are a talented lady.
Thank you Sandra. I have a tutorial on how I made that tool. Here’s the link magicbyleah.com/rainbow-cane-polymer-clay-sculpting-tools/
I’m new to the polymer clay, but love this video, it will be a great starter project for me. I have a child in school who pens always get lost, this will be a great way to his stand out from the rest. Also, at what temp and how long do you put it in the oven. Do you put it a raised surface or a flat surface?
Jane this is an awesome starter project because you can’t really go wrong. As for temperature this will depend on the type of clay you use. I recommend carefully reading the package directions. As for flat or raised surface, I bake my pens on paper. Perhaps I’ll do a video on that sometime soon