unique handcrafted jewelry full of color texture and life designed to bring out the sparkle in you

This pendant was created using a variation on the traditional Mokume Gane. By the way, this a excellent link to a .pdf download explanation of  Mokume Gane by James Binnion. http://www.mokume-gane.com/Papers/SantaFePaper.pdf 

This pendant was made with layers of black, gold, transparent and copper clay. 

Clay
Pasta machine   Small roller   Texture sheet   Waxed paper   Tissue blade

Run each color separately through the pasta machine on the thickest setting stack the gold on the black and run it through the pasta machine again. Stack the copper on the transparent and run them through the pasta machine.

Then stack the copper/transparent on the gold black and run through the pasta machine. Cut the piece in half, stack the layers in the same order and run through the pasta machine. Repeat this process 2 to 3 more times. You should have thin layers like the picture above.

I like to place the clay on waxed paper, because with this technique, the shavings are not the part you use. The waxed paper makes it easier to lift the finished piece.

Stack two layers and emboss deeply with the texture sheet and a roller.

Using your tissue blade shave off thin sheets of the clay until satisfied with the color revealed.

After you are finished shaving the clay run it through the pasta machine again to smooth the design or use a clay roller. The sheet can then be layered on a contrasting color.

Cut your sheet into the desired shapes, for earrings, pendants, pins etc.  

Add findings or drill holes. You can bake according to clay directions and wet sand it or use your preferred method of finishing. And viola a fun new piece.

These are examples of the different looks you get by varying your texture sheet.

Website by Graphic Design by Dianne

Copyright © 2006 by Lesser Things. All rights reserved.
Revised: 05/08/07 08:55:41 -0500.