Mokume Gane Technique in Polymer Clay

How to create the simplest form of Mokume Gane designs, in polymer clay. Use this tutorial to make veneers for jewellery, boxes, picture frames, dishes etc. Can be achieved without a pasta machine and lots of fun for beginners.
I created this video with the KZbin Video Editor ( / editor )

[@stakyLoo]

"I'm a rebel, not an idiot"...my coffee is now splattered on the floor 🤣

[@christa4525]

i loved that quote too :D

[@Xuliela]

When you started poking and cutting it, I was like "What ~ is~ she~ doing? That is just weird, please don't" at the end I was like " She is so amazing!!! DON"T STOP!!!!" That was a wonderful tutorial even the colour combination was AMAZING!!! Thank you for sharing this.

[@TheNanabanana127]

Xuliela, I know just what you mean! 😂 watching the “punching holes process” feels like watching someone painting a masterpiece and then smearing paint all over the top! Cringe!! But it’s ohhh so rewarding once that first slice is taken and you see that the true masterpiece is within! Shouldn’t that be a metaphor for something emotional or poetic? “And what she knew all along was that the true masterpiece is within…”

[@Beryllahawk]

I have watched a dozen or more videos discussing and demonstrating mokume gane, and yours has been the best - the most clarity, the most straight-forward, the simplest demonstration and explanation. Maybe some of it is just that you are quite casual and conversational - just sitting and talking and showing us what to do, nothing fancy about it, which I find to be charming and *extremely* helpful. I am so glad I found your channel! Thank you!

[@UnrulyHousewife]

Oh thank you! I'm very behind with my polymer clay videos in this heatwave (we have no aircon, like most houses in the UK) so I've made a fun video to put up today(ish) with a polymer clay one to follow soon (I hope). xx

[@pipperoooo]

I was JUST going to post this exact same sentiment. Excellent instruction. I'm new to polymer and hers is definitely the easiest and best instruction. Excellent. Thank you. My hardest decision now is which colors to combine! :D

[@peoplerstrange62]

Exactly what she said 💕

[@Julzzzsatx]

I agree💯

[@artiejohnson703]

I love the blue in these. I also love “unruly housewife “ I am unpredictable, I am a mousy housewife but deep down inside I scream to be wild & crazy. Thanks for sharing your video with us. I am going to have to try this. Thanks

[@iguana905]

SHE"S A TRUE REBEL!!!! TEACH ME YOUR WAYS!!!!

[@tracywestby2231]

One of the most interesting & forgiving techniques out there :) I enjoy watching all the different ways people make their patterns.

[@UnrulyHousewife]

Tracy Westby Me too, you never know what will emerge! xx

[@ClareCreationsAL]

Great tutorial! Although I already knew how to do this, I am so thankful that I enjoy your videos so much that I watched your version anyway! I have NEVER thought about making thicker slices like you did. I have struggled too accomplish this technique using the old standard of bending the blade to take small paper thin skimmed slices off the mokume gane block. I couldn't do that well, nor could I hold the blade bent as such. Having MS greatly affects my hand coordination and gives me the shakes---definitely NOT what you want when you are holding a razor blade! But these thicker slices would be easier for me! I can even use my clay slicer! Val, I just love your videos. You always have some brilliant nugget of inspiration, no matter the topic! My confidence is building because of you! Thank you!--Leslie

[@UnrulyHousewife]

creativepzazz That's so sweet, thank you. And yes, totally use your clay slicer, that would be perfect! x

[@isabella-bt1mh]

Love it !!!!!

[@ej247]

Beautiful! Thanks for sharing :) I have just recently happened upon your channel and am loving your tutorials and great sense of humour 👍

[@UnrulyHousewife]

[@DlikeDagmara]

Love your sence of humour :D. Great tutorial! Thank you very much!

[@chrisfairall1923]

WOW !!! thank you, you have given me exactly what I was looking for !!!

[@kiyanwang]

This was a wonderful tutorial and one I was able to follow to create my veneer which I then wrapped/formed around some pen tubes to create a beautiful fountain pen. Many thanks, this was so easy to follow for someone very new to polymer clay.

[@FoxInMocs]

You’re so cute, I love your commentary. I can’t wait to try this out, it really creates neat patterns. Thank you so much for sharing 💖

[@grannyjclay-joannieholdhus925]

Beautiful! Love your choice of colors! You are easy to follow so thank you!!!

[@UnrulyHousewife]

Thank you Joannie! xx

[@bentlife2541]

You are a great teacher!! Thank you for this & your other videos.. You explain everything in great detail & leave nothing to chance... so I don't have mistakes by omitted information!! MUCH appreciated!! ❤

[@nschase2052]

I thought you were nuts when you pressed all those shapes in and then squished the thing back into a block. I gasped out loud when you sliced. Thrilled to try my own now. Thank you for sharing this technique!!!

[@sarahs245]

Thank you for sharing such a detailed and clear tutorial. Every step was so interesting. I've just started following you a few weeks ago and I enjoy all your videos. Thank you!

[@JeanneGS1]

What an interesting technique! This is definitely on my "will do" list!! Thanks for demonstrating it! (And, yea, 😁 I could not fathom where you were going with it when you were poking those holes and shapes! Your reveal was great!)

[@UnrulyHousewife]

I love doing reveals - my Batik Effect video is a bit like that but more predictable. Good luck with it! xx :D

[@elizabethvallely4044]

Thank you for sharing the Mokume Gane it was beautiful love the colours! I am learning so much from you thanks again! Liz x

[@dianalabauve1]

Bravo😂 lo hice.No muy lindo como el tuyo pero Bueno...Muchas gracias.

[@ARTBYSPARKLE]

I’m a new Subscriber 😊. These patterns are lovely and I really like this technique. Thanks for the tutorial

[@bjjones1969]

I LOVE IT! Thank you for teaching...beautiful...

[@KJ-iz3eq]

So beautiful !!!❤️❤️ I am definitely going to try this today. I have already subscribed to your channel.

[@GrammyVulture]

It's always good to use the blafe side of the knife if your going to cut something. hehehe Your fun! Being a rebel...

[@jomontgomery4261]

do so enjoy your tutorials. I enjoy your quirky sense of humor and your ability to laugh at yourself. Thanks for suggesting uses of your canes and other projects. I feel you really enjoy Polymer Clay and your various projects.

[@carlycharlesworth1497]

That was brilliant. Thank you Unruly Housewife!

[@zoebello7950]

Hello, thank you very much for your videos. Tell you that I have searched in all of them for the technique of image transfers in polymer clay. I would appreciate it if at some point you could teach us this technique. And ask yourself if Cernit Number one polymer clay is suitable for image transfer, either by decoupage or by laser printing on copy paper. Thank you so much!!!!

[@DariaS-BrattWithTatts]

I love it "I said I'm a rebel not an idiot", Fantastic!!! Thumbs up and glad to have you as a new teacher.

[@PapercraftLady]

Amazing! I'm very very new to playing with polymer clay, and I look forward to getting to the point where I can try this technique. Thanks so very much!

[@tjaysilver]

Love this technique as you never know quite what you will get. The colour combo you used is gorgeous, love blues.

[@UnrulyHousewife]

Thanks! It looks better in real life too (unless it's just my monitor making it look a bit grey, haha! xx

[@tjaysilver]

Unruly Housewife, the colours look great. It's given me a bit of an idea for a Christmas theme 🤔

[@bsurf5004]

like your history intro which is funny when you comment ab adding 'metal paper'. Goes back to where it began using metals. I, also was just experimenting eons ago and liked glint rather than glitter (back then). I use gold leaf flakes and just gently rub them on with my finger to make a very thin layer between your clay layers and before cut to make the initial block. That way part of the design but get little flexs of gold or whatever colour flakes you have (i like combos). Although an old hand I have subscribed and will tell others as your enjoyment and fun shines through encouraging others to try rather than just watch and move on. Thank you for sharing

[@annettamoses4356]

Fabulous! I love it. Thanks for sharing. 💗

[@galady8632]

Another winner, as always. When you mentioned having 'a croaky voice' I laughed so hard I could not see the screen. I usually say 'I sound like I swallowed a frog' but that will now change. Croaky voice is another winner. Thx!

[@UnrulyHousewife]

Haha! I think in the UK that's a normal thing to say... I may be wrong, I'm not exactly normal.

[@galady8632]

+Unruly Housewife I haven't ever aspired to be 'normal'. IMHO I think it would be boring. I avoid being predictable. And I prefer not to be categorized. If I had to select a category for moi I would prefer 'unique'. If interested in joining me I certainly would enjoy your company. Lots of laughter and 'claying around'. I doubt it would ever be boring!

[@debbiebarnette9715]

Great tutorial! Love the blues. So pretty!

[@ChrisSmith-gy9zp]

Wonderful tutorial!!! Thank you

[@dorothyshaw-herbert4934]

This was an easy to follow tutorial. Thanks for sharing ❤

[@Telenaus]

i have yet to get this technique to work but man when it you & others show it it loooks sooo awesome (i think i using the wrong type of knife.) for now im going to stick with the Natasha cane, but i;ll keep practicing this!

[@UnrulyHousewife]

Yeah this kind of knife is a "tissue blade" - they are pretty inexpensive. Natasha beads are gorgeous though. xx

[@PaulaNicholson-n1v]

What a lovely effect! Thank you 😊

[@anitacarlisle]

Amazing!! Thank you so much

[@barbarasmith1401]

Another excellent video, thanks so much for showing me how to do this. I really enjoy watching your videos, you're .such a natural good fun person, it feels a bit like going round to a friends for a cup of tea vand a chat.😊

[@UnrulyHousewife]

Thank you, that's great - exactly how I hoped it would feel. xx

[@francesmacdonald2234]

How do you know whenyou have done enough pinching and pressing?

[@UnrulyHousewife]

Frances Macdonald When it looks like all of the holes I made are closed up. Thanks for asking, it might help somebody else. xx

[@karenmccabe2371]

Wow!! Just found you and am so happy I did!

[@maggiem4734]

Very interesting technique. I really enjoyed watching you. Have a blessed day. 💕🙏🏼

[@kaseysummerlin5873]

I’ve just recently stumbled across your videos but i believe i have watched most of them in The past couple days. Love your personality and your way of teaching! You make everything so easy and the laughs are wonderful too!

[@carolhettenbach3572]

Thanks so much for sharing.. fun to watch and I have learned something.

[@UnrulyHousewife]

Thanks! I've learned (after adding subtitles) that I never shut up! LOL

[@lisasmith1565]

Love this technique. Thanks for another great video Valorie

[@UnrulyHousewife]

You're most welcome! xx

[@rterry2752]

Pretty awesome, thanks.

[@lizrichardson3309]

I love this technique and use it a lot. I have a box full of bits that have interesting shapes including nylon gears from an old photocopier! it's like magic when you find out what you have 'accidentally' designed! Your colours really pop! I'll have to try them! thanks for a great demo!

[@UnrulyHousewife]

Thanks Liz. I really like the shallow versions of this with planned patterns on... When I feel I know enough I might do a video about that. xx

[@shellyleth1434]

You made this technique look so easy. Very easy to understand. Thank you. Also can you help me by telling me where I can buy a roller like yours. Ive been searching for days. Thanks.x

[@UnrulyHousewife]

Hi Shelly. I'm not sure if you mean my pasta machine, or my acrylic rolling pin... Either way the answer is Amazon lol. The pasta machine I use is an Atlas, but cheaper ones are available (always give your clay a good squish, to make it softer, before rolling). Acrylic rolling pins usually fall into the cake decorating category of Amazon, or other shops. Hope that helps. xx

[@itaomahony502]

Nice and lighthearted.

[@lindalopresti389]

Very cool! I’m very new to polymers and always excited to try new things. Love your sense of humor!

[@UnrulyHousewife]

Thanks ❤

[@EnlightenedFlamingo]

I haven't tried this technique yet, but it's been on my list! Thanks for sharing.

[@UnrulyHousewife]

There are a few ways of doing it, so look around on KZbin and then jump in! :D xx

[@EnlightenedFlamingo]

Unruly Housewife Oh, yes, I've already watched several! Anytime I see a technique that interests me, I look all over the Internet! 🙂👍

[@debrashorten5160]

Turned out very pretty. love your choice of colours thank you

[@UnrulyHousewife]

[@rebekahaurie6252]

Very cool! Thank YOU! I'm gonna do lots of this technique. 🌈💖🌊

[@brittniegreene5740]

When you do a book cover/journal cover, can you bake the whole book with it or do you have to do it separate? and how do you make it stick to the book?

[@tjaysilver]

Brittnie Greene, I will be doing a video this week that will show what I do when making book covers, so if you don't mind waiting a few days all will be revealed. :-)

[@peoplerstrange62]

It's beautiful

[@davidgebo9739]

This video is great!!! Very straight forward to easily understand! Love your accent and enthusiasm!

[@marianedwards5077]

awesome thanks for the tutorial going to give it a bash

[@UnrulyHousewife]

Yay! xx

[@heatherpflug2917]

Love ur videos UR A GREAT TEACHER! THANKS FOR UR VIDEOS

[@lilycastaneda1967]

Could you tell me the name of the machine you used to flatten the clay please and where I could get one? Thank you so much.

[@UnrulyHousewife]

It's a pasta machine, mine is an Atlas 150.

[@dsa2591]

I'm going to try something like this working with cold porcelain and see what I come up with.

[@christinaw9260]

Great thanks!

[@bettyannewicker387]

Beautiful ❤

[@candace9766]

very very nice!

[@audreyaitken1037]

You could always use an acrylic stamping block to press onto your cutters rather than use your fingers

[@roberthelveston2823]

Thank you .. Very interesting .. Newbe here but still love each viedo.

[@Julzzzsatx]

❤That was amazing!!❤ I love your videos, and I am so glad I found you. I love your personality😂 All the other's I've been watching act like they have a glob of clay up their nose... yes 👃 nose. 😂 that's it. Don't dare ask a question they act as if you are questioning their prime existence on this Earth. Sorry, I don't mean to bash them, just speaking the truth. Anyway, I can't wait to find fault with you as well. Just joking!!!@😂😅😂

[@UnrulyHousewife]

Hahaha, keep trying! Your best chance is to watch and "like" all of my videos. Trust me, eventually you'll hate me. 😂

[@Julzzzsatx]

@@UnrulyHousewife I find that very hard to believe...😂🤣😂the challenge is on!🫶

[@TeresaPandoraSalgado]

Very pretty!

[@UnrulyHousewife]

[@lynetteshorten6043]

Wonderful

[@marlaprinsloo4710]

Oh my word! THANK YOU! i have to try this

[@UnrulyHousewife]

You're welcome! There's another video on here somewhere, where I get my son to do the voiceover but he has no idea what I am doing. It's so funny, especially when the reveal happens 😂

[@thomasinajefferson9971]

🖤💙💚🤍✨

[@nana51300]

Combien de grammes faut-il pour chaque couleur ?

[@UnrulyHousewife]

Cela dépend de la quantité d'argile à motifs que vous voulez faire. Essayez peut-être un tiers d'un paquet pour chaque couleur. Trois couleurs équivaudront à un bloc de la taille d'un paquet

[@candigates8999]

So cool.

[@way2frizzy]

This is gorgeous and fun to do! thanks for sharing. You are fun to watch too.

[@UnrulyHousewife]

Thanks Mary!xx

[@lilycastaneda1967]

😍😍😍

[@gyllenhaalic66]

Your self-deprecating nature totally makes me laugh (I am very much the same way ha ha). I enjoy your videos so much. Thank you for taking the time to make these :-D

[@UnrulyHousewife]

Denise Kerley Thank you! xx

[@andybowlin2385]

This is amazing! I know u posted this 4yrs ago so I hope u see this comment to answer my question! I'm new to polymer clay and I wanna know if u can use this design for buttons? If so how would I do that?

[@UnrulyHousewife]

Sure... Arrange the slices on a background sheet of clay, to make a slab. Lay paper over it and burnish lightly, to blend in any joins. Go for a decent size to thickness ratio. Cut out using shaped cutters but put cling film over first, then cut. This makes nice rounded edges. Remove any stuck cling film with sellotape. Make holes with a tool, or toothpick. Bake for at least 45 mins using a pre-heated oven and an oven thermometer. Sand VERY lightly and buff with soft denim.

[@andybowlin2385]

@@UnrulyHousewife perfect thank you so much!

[@tishsmiddy71]

Have you ever changed the color with other colors ( 3 or so differs block color circles) this very cool 😎. Thank you 💗 ... you give great hint to making you Art better!!! I live in Florida,so the fridge is my friend ,had to learn this the hard way , was leaving it out overnight it was so soft !!! ( cheap) I thought...it came in the kits from Amazon so I thought it was different to what you were using !!! 🤪

[@UnrulyHousewife]

Use any colours, just make sure they contrast well. Twist some little snakes of the colours together first and see if they look pretty.

[@KTcov]

Beautiful, would love to see the finished pieces❤

[@kimberleyd859]

This was fantastic thankyou - now I have to give it a try - I dont have a pasta machine yet though

[@neoreoscar27]

Ooooooh 😍 It’s currently nearly 4am (can’t sleep) and I’m trying to stop myself getting up and having a go right now! 😂 Lovely. Thank you.

[@doloresungerleider4984]

Excellent demo. Clear and concise instructions and beautifully executed.

[@yelloworangered]

I joined the Hop! FB group as you suggested. I am so glad. Thus far, I have some burnt to charcoal beads and a scorched can lid to display. I find though that the early failure has not dimmed in interest in trying new things with polymer clay!

[@pennygower372]

Great video of a super technique. I like your way of teaching. Perhaps, if you’ve cut rather regular slices, you could tear them apart to get more random pieces to put on you base? Just a thought, I haven’t tried it myself, but the idea just came to me. 🤪 Thank you.

[@lauriebednar7338]

Very well done. Thanks.

[@UnrulyHousewife]

:D Thank you! xx

[@HawaiiCarrie]

This is a really fun-looking method! Thank you!

[@brittniegreene5740]

This is absolutely beautiful btw. I learn so much from watching you!

[@UnrulyHousewife]

[@karenleigh2786]

Very Cool...love this technique...thanks for teaching us how

[@sagala40]

beautiful colors!!

[@UnrulyHousewife]

[@mikaxchu8661]

im rather new to this kind of abstract art and i really enjoy this tutorial. You helped me a lot, thank you very much!

[@derekswoodworking4158]

What if I want thick blocks of Mokume? Meaning I want to make pens out of this. So I would need blocks of Mokume that is 1 in x 1 in x 6 inches. The pattern needs to go clear through the block 1 inch deep. This is because I’ll turn on a lathe and remove around 1/8 of inch from the surface to shape the pen. Any thoughts would be great!

[@UnrulyHousewife]

As long as you bake it for a decent amount of time (see the packet and then I would add some) it should be hard enough. That said, I wonder if the friction on the lathe would be too hot? Maybe use scrap clay to test first and make sure you have good ventilation. I buy pen kits, wrap the tubes in thin clay, adding thin slices of mokume gane, then bake and sand.

[@finelook5688]

Hi 👋🏻 mam, how bake premo clay ? What temperature and time? I baked 135•C 30 mins but it is broke after that I kept again 30mins it is also broken 😠 whyyyyyyy? I don’t know 🤷🏻‍♀️ reason ? Mam, Can explain me ?

[@UnrulyHousewife]

I wonder if your oven is showing the correct temperature? An oven thermometer is a big help. Pre-heat the oven and if necessary I bake for longer than 30 mins.

[@finelook5688]

@@UnrulyHousewife ok mam thank you , I ll check . What is correct temperature and time?

[@UnrulyHousewife]

Look on the package.

[@finelook5688]

@@UnrulyHousewife ok dear thank you so much 😊

[@rachaeldeangelis5612]

I used this technique for the first time and love it! Thank you!!

[@shelaghcurtain7458]

'I said I'm a rebel, not an idiot' lol

[@apo1915]

very well made.thank you

[@4HisUse]

Can this thin layer of clay be attached to pieces of wood and then dried? I want to make some mermaid tail, hair sticks with this lovely decorating method.

[@UnrulyHousewife]

As I understand it, it is best to bake the wood for a little while first, in a low oven, so that it dries out. You might want to sand it, if it has varnish on. Then coat it with something like white glue, wood glue, or gesso, and let it really get dry. This seals the wood, ready for you to add clay and bake, according to the manufacturer's instructions. That is supposed to stop areas of the clay from lifting up, due to moisture. THAT SAID, I haven't tried it - so maybe experiment with some scrap clay before you jump in? If you need to glue it, Weldbond is good, I hear. I need to try this on some wood myself! xx

[@4HisUse]

Thanks, my woods are kiln dried already so I will do the glue, dry and then apply and then do I bake it on the wood, that would seem to be when the clay would bond to the glue? Or should another coating of some bonding agent be applied? Also have your ever made hair sticks?

[@UnrulyHousewife]

Betsye Parnell No, I have never made them. I think probably just bake it right on there as it is. Then once it has fully cooled, test it. If it isn't attached properly, glue it with Weldbond. But that's my opinion based on what I have picked up - I'm not certain. Please let me know how it goes xx

[@suestoons]

Betsye, did you ever make your hair sticks? How did it turn out. Am Curious because that is exactly what I'm wandering the interwebs for, inspiration for my hair sticks. I have some wood that has been drying for five years, I guess it wouldn't hurt to bake them a bit, just to be on the safe side.

[@googalsalot]

Wow, what a fab technique, thanks for sharing

[@marinafernandes6960]

Thank you very much for this lovely tutorial

[@debjanibhowmick5870]

Very. Ice. Some artist say to use the lightest color at the bottom. I have tried it and it's fascinating. Every slice is a surprise. Thanks for sharing.

[@UnrulyHousewife]

Thank you!

[@Blakeneyd]

Very cool tutorial! That's the fun part of art and craft - doing something messy that turns out something beautiful!

[@saywhatna7376]

Thank you I just completed the tutorial and my cane looks so cool I'm so excited to put it in earrings 😄 🤩

[@UnrulyHousewife]

Aw that's excellent ❤️

[@deelge1727]

I love watching your channel. Thank you for all of your shows.