Create Amazing Pottery Stacking Clay - The MAKUME GANE Way!

Makume Gane means "I have gout from doing pottery". Well, that's what AI says anyway. It really means "wood eye" or "wood grain metal". It's an ancient Japanese metal working technique! Ann experiments with three ways to recreate this finish on clay. I think she did a pretty good job - what do you think? Check it out to see!
Answers to questions we get all the time:
We typically bisque to Cone 04 and fire to Cone 5-6
Ann uses Standard English Porcelain no. 365 unless specified otherwise in the video
Here is a link to Ann's White Liner Glaze: imgur.com/a/w8PP8Gy
If you would like to learn how Ann paints with underglazes - check out her Video Workshop Series. These workshops are very detailed (typically 1.5 - 2 hours in length) where Ann provides step by step instruction and are designed to help potters take their work to new levels of craftsmanship and artistry. vimeo.com/showcase/6725318
If you would like to BECOME A MEMBER of the the LSP Research Facility team and earn a cool title that you can put on your resume, we invite you to hit the "SUPER THANKS" button or the "Buy Ann a Coffee" button to help us unite the world through pottery. We so appreciate how generous you have been - THANK YOU!!!
Links to some of the tools Ann uses:
Hand Extruder: amzn.to/3soifWK
Polymer Clay: amzn.to/3DNpnyd
Loop Carving Tool: amzn.to/42jo1W6
Pottery Tott Aprons (Love These!) : amzn.to/3LznhXz
Laser Level: amzn.to/40y9Lsc
Plastic Pastry Mat: amzn.to/430oTjI
Sugarbelle Icing Bottles: amzn.to/3VPslup
Needle Point Tracing Wheel: amzn.to/3LRrtkB
Banding Wheel I use: amzn.to/3KssUXc
Diamondcore Tools: diamondcoretools.com/
LINK TO ATOMIZER: amzn.to/3eA5mT2
Styrofoam Bowl Mold: amzn.to/39KoL0U
Painters Trim Guard: amzn.to/39C5TAX
Hole Punchers: amzn.to/3JutWyu
Brushes Ann Uses: amzn.to/3SqfZGk
Xiem Tools X-Bevel Bevel Cutter for Pottery and Ceramics:
amzn.to/3rZnmKi
ProPlus Sponge: amzn.to/3zkVy64
Best Red Ribs: amzn.to/3nEoQda
Good Cheap level Tool: amzn.to/3lT8MnE
The Cameras we use: amzn.to/3JJfGCd
Best Cheap Lens we film with: amzn.to/3I6Eljy
Best Good Lens we film with: amzn.to/3s1NuUW
All of our music is LEGALLY LICENSED!

[@debbiemurphy9144]

A lot of great information here!

[@annruel1982]

Hey Debbie!! I am so glad you liked it! Thanks as always for your support. You are such a good friend. Have a great weekend.

[@RoosterPootPottery]

Thanks!

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Rooster - you are a multiple donor and we appreciate it! You've already been promoted once so we may have to allocate a permanent seat on the Little Street Pottery Board of Directors! You're the best!

[@sofagirlcreates637]

When i have done this with polymer clay, the technique requires you to compress the edges together again once the patterns are added to reduce the chance of air pockets, the patterns are still visible due to the disturbance between the layers by the force of impression. After rolling it even you can begin cutting. You can slice through the stack for multiple veneers all with a similar design, angling the blade very slightly to alter the colours each time. I really don't know anything about earth clays but I'm learning so much from your videos, you could possibly try this technque with slicing through it with your clay wires as you did in a previous episode. The benefit of slicing even once through the thickness allows you to have 3 different patterns to choose from, all slightly different. I hope you don’t mind this garbled explanation but there are truly so many possibilties with this technique.

[@annruel1982]

Hi Sofagirl! Thanks so much for the inspiration! About the cutting of the clay. I did try the clay wire, but I couldnt get it taught enough with my hands to makeit slice through with such precision on a stack as thin as this. I even tried wrapping around sticks to help with the taughtness, but couldnt quite get it right. I thought about using a cheese grater wire but didnt have one wide enough for the larger slabs. I remember that with polymer clay, they use surgical blades but again I couldnt find one as wide as I would need. I actually did like the tool that I used as I like the variety in the slab decoration. I was worried that I might not be able to solve the problem of the slab depth differences of all the cutting, but rolling them flat at the end worked great and didnt smear or distort the image at all. That said, Im sure there is a million ways to do the technique and i am just glad to be able to find a few that actually work, haha. Again, thanks for watching and I appreciate your advice coming from a polymer clay artist.

[@michellev3918]

It's like magic when you carve it away! Thanks for such a detailed explanation of how you did everything!

[@annruel1982]

Hey Michelle. It is our pleasure. Im glad you liked it! Thanks so much for watching!!

[@kbasso19]

Ann, you never cease to amaze me!!! Thank you for all your efforts!!

[@annruel1982]

Aww...that is so sweet of you to say. Thank you so much for watching our videos and for your support. We really appreciate that.

[@alilaforce7233]

I’ve done mokume gane technique in polymer clay, but I’ve never attempted it in ceramics. I might have to try it now. Your results are beautiful! A very successful set of experiments for sure 😊

[@micheledickey4066]

Same here! I did polymer clay while I was sick so I could at least play with clay. I’ve thought of this many times. So glad to see Ann do this video.

[@denisenoble4010]

An̈n you've done it again, the ideas are endless, I just need more hours in the day to keep up x😅😊

[@annruel1982]

Hey Denise!! Wow, you are too kind! Thank you as always for your support. You know we really appreciate you. 🙂

[@patriceleduc3762]

Bonjour Ann, I love it and thank you for sharing. I will try this Make Game.

[@annruel1982]

Bonjour Patrice! Hello from Florida!! Thank you for watching. Give it a try, for sure!! Good luck. Ann

[@pthompson7874]

BEAUTIFUL!

[@micheledickey4066]

Oh Ann this is amaaazing!! I did this with polymer clay for a few years while I was really sick so I could still play with clay! I’ve thought of trying this with pottery clay but it’s so hard for me to wedge to make colored clay but of course you figured it out for me!! Thank you sooo much!!!!! I can not wait to do this. And I have all the materials!!! Love you Ann! ❤ I think you would love this technique more in depth. There are lots of books on makume gane with polymer clay. Try to see what you can find. I know you’d really enjoy it!!

[@vkumra]

SIO-2 has some new colored clays. I just got the black, white, and blue porcelains via Blick yesterday. Perfect timing for this exact video :0). Hope you're doing better and back to creating.

[@micheledickey4066]

@@vkumra Oh how awesome! I love shopping at Blick. Have you used the black clay yet? I’ve heard it has a lot of problems. I am back!! Thanks so much. I have Lyme disease and was bed ridden for 9 years!! Hardest thing I’ve ever had to endure but I’m good now. Thanks again.

[@vkumra]

​@@micheledickey4066 I'm so glad you are here to tell this story! Lyme is relentless and has no mercy. clay is so healing, and I'm happy you have it! I only just discovered Blick but am now a HUGE fan! The pricing is excellent, and free shipping. I'm making my own wedging boards and reclaim boards now for a fraction of the cost. Anyway, no, I have not tried the black as it just arrived yesterday but it's looking at me and wants me to open it, I just know it. :) I'm a little inexperienced with porcelain but after some time with the blue, I'm becoming a fan.

[@annruel1982]

Hey Michele. I am so glad to hear from you. thanks as always for your support and you know how much Jim and I really truly appreciate you. I was just reading through your conversation with Vkumra. I am so sorry about your Lymes disease. What a horrible disease, but am so glad to hear that you are healthy and back to feeling creative and productive again. Best wishes to you for many more productive years 🙂

[@annruel1982]

@@vkumra Thanks for letting us know about the colored clays. Wow, I will have to check those out. Thanks for watching our videos!!

[@beinghere1494]

Thank you so very much for your generous sharing and really concise instructions. I love your work. Blessings galore 🌈

[@annruel1982]

Hi Being Here! It is Jim and I's pleasure to share our experiments with you. Thanks so much for watching and for your support. Blessings to you as well. Ann

[@freedomtrailamerica2981]

You are my hero! So many expert tips, professional videos, and you are so kind and joyful. Thank you for being an important mentor to all of us.

[@annruel1982]

Hey Free!! Wow, that is so kind of you to say. Jim and I really appreciate you so much. Thanks as always for your support. 🙂

[@heididerksen8227]

Amazing, stunning beautiful

[@annruel1982]

Hey Heidi!! Im so glad you like it!! Thanks so much for watching. 🙂

[@susykiko4630]

Thanks for such!!😊

[@annruel1982]

Hi Susy! It is our pleasure. Thanks so much for watching!! Give it a try.

[@christinalucas5540]

Thank you! I love this idea! I can’t wait to try it! I’ve been experimenting with various Japanese techniques.

[@annruel1982]

Hi Christina! Thank you so much for watching. I will have to do more experimenting with some of the other stacking techniques. They are a lot of work, but so much fun to play with. Give it a try and good luck to you. 🙂

[@RoosterPootPottery]

Love the stars pattern!

[@annruel1982]

Hey Rooster!! Yeah ! I am so glad you liked it. Thanks as always for watching and for your support!!

[@nieslpamela119]

Fantastic look!

[@annruel1982]

Hi Pamela!! Yeah! I am so glad you liked it. thanks for watching. Jim and I really appreciate your support. 🙂

[@leannecombs1101]

Gorgeous! So creative!

[@annruel1982]

Aww....thanks so much Leanne! I really appreciate that. Thanks for watching!! 🙂

[@kathleenfreeman1696]

Oh my goodness! Your video, as always, is amazing. I will definitely have to give this process a try, and I really loved the snowflake idea. I, personally, think I liked it better with more and thinner layers. Thank you, again, for a very educational and wonderful video.

[@annruel1982]

Aww...thanks so much Kathleen!! It is our pleasure. Yes, give it a try for sure. I liked the snowflake idea too. In hindsight, I think I made my snowflake indentions a little too deep on the demonstration that I made for the video. The one with the thinner layers that you like I didnt go quite as deep so that when I carved through, you can see the white clay layer that was pushed down into a snowflake shape. ...so if you do try this, dont go as deep as I did in the video 🙂. You will be much happier. Good luck and again thanks.

[@naomistroud7423]

Thank you. Wonderful demo!!!!

[@annruel1982]

Hi Naomi! You are very welcome. It is our pleasure. Thank YOU for watching. Give it a go. 🙂

[@lauravergeer3992]

this is what im experimenting with some days ... colord clay and making mugs .... the only thing different i did were letter stamps before putting the mug together .... thank you for the other idee`s .... by the way , you can make beautifull things with the scraps ...

[@annruel1982]

Hi Laura! Nice to meet you. I love the idea of doing the letter stamps into the design. Brilliant!! Thanks for the inspiration!! I saved all my scraps and am looking forward to making other projects with them 🙂 Thanks for watching. Good luck with your mugs.

[@stevebarsony7178]

Thanx

[@annruel1982]

Hi Steve! You are very welcome. Give it a go! Ann

[@lamardon9723]

It's so reminiscent of Murano glass from Venice.

[@annruel1982]

Hi Lamardon. Oh, I didnt think of that. Very cool. thanks for watching.

[@lynisherwood2536]

Fantastic Anne, loved it. Thankyou.

[@MM-lr5hv]

This is wonderful and I’m going to try it definitely ❤

[@annruel1982]

Hi MM! Yeah! I am so glad you are inspired. That makes my day. Good luck and thanks for watching!

[@scrapqueen65]

Yes! I was just thinking of trying this technique myself. I do it in polymer clay all the time! You are so brilliant!❤️❤️❤️

[@linzajchowski1803]

Wow!

[@annruel1982]

Hey Lin!! As always, thanks for watching and I am happy you liked it. 🙂

[@LilitaLanger]

amazing, I will try

[@annruel1982]

Hi Lilital. Great. Im glad you liked it. Give it a try :-). Thanks for watching.

[@marildaschenaider5692]

wonderful! Thank you for your generosity, God bless you❤

[@annruel1982]

Hi Marilda! Nice to meet you. It is our pleasure to make these videos for you. Im so glad you enjoyed it. Give it a go. 🙂

[@marildaschenaider5692]

@@annruel1982 I'm starting to use this technique, which I think is incredible, thank you, I'll watch all your videos, hugs 🤗

[@annruel1982]

@@marildaschenaider5692 thats great Marilda. Thanks so much for your support! Hugs to you as well. Ann

[@user-hg1gb1zb1n]

Love your videos!

[@zipiben-porat8777]

I love your work. For me yor are number one!!! Thank you so much. ❤

[@annruel1982]

Hi Zipiben! What a wonderful compliment. Thanks so much!! I really appreciate that. 🙂

[@user-ho8ox4xj6q]

Super cool!

[@annruel1982]

Thanks so much. We really appreciate you watching. 🙂

[@helendicheck6981]

Beautiful

[@annruel1982]

Hi Helen! I am so glad you liked it. Thanks so much for watching. Jim and I really appreciate your support. 🙂

[@PerrinPottery]

Oooh, fun!

[@annruel1982]

Hi PerrinPottery! Nice to meet you. thanks so much for watching and I am glad you liked it. Give it a go. Ann

[@vkumra]

I love this, so much and am going to give it a go. I'll probably save every itty bitty scrap and become a hoarder of scrap colored clay. There are worse things. :)

[@annruel1982]

Hi V! Nice to meet you. Im glad you were inspired to give it a go. I also save all my clay and I am sure I can figure out more ways to use all the scraps :-) Have fun and thanks again for watching! 🙂

[@vkumra]

@@annruel1982 nice to meet YOU! I love creating along with you, as you keep me calm and more patient than I would be without you "with me". :) This latest technique is sure to be the greatest challenge so far. Looking forward to tackling it gently.

[@annruel1982]

@@vkumra Hey Valerie. You are so sweet. I am glad we can connect through the videos then. I like your perspective on that. Good luck with your pottery. I know when you approach it step by step, I have no doubt you will get it. Good luck. Ann

[@debsamuels5367]

Fantastic work and great use iof everyday items for tools!

[@karendavidson394]

With metal we call it Mokume Gane

[@annruel1982]

Hi Karen!! Awesome! thanks so much for watching the video. Jim and I really appreciate that. 🙂

[@JOCELYNEBASSUEL]

Magique.!!!!!!

[@TheRavenBlack1-cw1sr]

❤❤

[@annruel1982]

Hey Raven! Yeah! I am so glad you liked it. Thanks as always for your support. Ann

[@TheRavenBlack1-cw1sr]

@@annruel1982 Thank you , Ann for everything you do!! I really want to make pottery as one of my hobbies, and your tutorials are great for someone like me who want's to learn before trying. Again, thank you, Ann!

[@annruel1982]

@@TheRavenBlack1-cw1sr That is so sweet. Thank you. Pottery is a lot of fun for sure. I bet there are some pottery classes somewhere near to you whether at a community college or a parks and recreation center. That is a great place to dip your hands in the mud 🙂. Go for it!

[@kathleenfreeman1696]

Thanks!

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Thank you so much Kathleen! We really appreciate your generous support! Welcome to the team!