Psychadelic Earrings and Pendant Set

Artist Julie Sweeney used the mokume gane technique (konichiwa!) to create these killer diller pieces. Mokume gane is a Japanese metal-working technique that results in different colored metals appearing to bleed into one another for a bit of a funky, gradient effect that resembles wood grain. The look is totally easy to mimic with polymer clay.

Step 1

Choose three to five colors of polymer clay. Take approximately a 1" block from each color and condition by kneading each until the clay is pliable and warm.

Step 2

Roll each ball into a flat sheet that is roughly 1/16" thick. Layer the sheets on top of one another and press together so that the sheets adhere to one another. (Note: many polymer clay aficionados employ a pasta machine when working with clay.) Cut in half, re-stack and press together again. Repeat this step until the resulting block reaches your desired height. Trim the edges of the block for a clean edge.

Step3

To get the colors to bleed together, manipulate the clay. Try pressing chopsticks down into the clay and removing. Take the excess clay from the trimmed edges and use them to refill the holes created from the chopsticks.

Step 4

Flip the block over and press with your fingers and thumbs. When finished, allow the clay to rest and cool down (you may put inside the refrigerator for an hour).

Step 5

Once the block has cooled, you can slice it. Place the block on a flat surface, such as a tile, and slice horizontally across the top. Use a sharp blade and clean it often with rubbing alcohol. Make the slices as thin as possible and set aside on wax paper.

Step 6

Create clay forms in the desired shape of your earrings (long rods) and pendant (disc). These can be created with any color of clay or with scrap clay since you will be covering them with the mokume gane pieces.

Step 7

Cover the clay forms with the mokume gane pieces, gently smoothing any rough edges. Bake according to package instructions.

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