An sweet polymer clay heart necklace made using a mokume gane technique. This is one of my favorite techniques to use with polymer clay. The heart shaped bezel is a great focal piece for the mokume gane and the romantic polymer clay heart necklace can be worn year round. A polymer clay heart necklace is not just for Valentine’s day.
The technique is very fun and each time you make it you get unique results. If you are curious about what Mokume gane means this is whay trusty ol’ wikipedia has to say.
Mokume-gane (木目金 Mokumegane) is one name for a metal working technique developed in Japan approximately three to four hundred years ago, in which two or more layers of metal are permanently joined together in alternating layers to form a stack (or billet). In the traditional Japanese technique the bond was achieved by diffusion welding of the layers in a charcoal forge.
The name “mokume gane” refers to the visual appearance of pattern in metal approximating that of wood. “Mokume” literally means “wood eye”, which would be used to describe a highly figured wood grain. “Gane” translates as metal. In English, “wood grain metal” is a near-literal translation.
This same technique has been adapted to polymer clay and it creates stunning results.
The links below are to Amazon (I make a small commission if you make a purchase) – you can pick up the clay in most big box craft stores for less. I always like to know when something is a good deal and I think you do too.
This tutorial for mokume gane coasters has more step-by-step photos if you would like to see how it is done.
sizes: bracelet, 8”; necklace, 16”
Materials for mokume gane polymer clay Heart necklace:
- Nunn Design: Antique Silver Grande Heart Bezel Pendant, 54x29mm; Patera Small Circle Bracelet Bezels From Amazon
- Polyform Premo! Sculpey Accents Clay: Peacock Pearl, Bright Green Pearl, Pearl, Fuchsia Pearl or a multi-pack
- Connie Crystal 14mm Octagon AB Beads, two
- Beadalon Elongated Silver-Plated Steel Chain, 3.4 mm
- Darice: Antique Silver-Plated Lobster Clasp, 11mm; Silver Jump Rings, five
Basic Supplies for polymer clay heart necklace:
- Sculpey® Clay Conditioning Machine
- Sculpey Super Slicer
- Sculpey Technique Design Blocks
- Sculpey Acrylic Roller
- Sculpey Essential Tool Kit
- Square cutter
- Needle-nose pliers, chain-nose pliers
- Parchment-lined baking sheet and oven
- Beacon Adhesives Gem-Tac Permanent Adhesive
Directions polymer clay heart necklace:
- Condition each color of polymer clay using clay conditioning machine. Roll polymer clay as thin as possible. Use square cutter to cut three to four squares of each color.
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Stack clay layers on top of each other and gently press layers together. Cut in half and flip over. Stack layers on top of each other. Press tools of varying shapes into clay. Press clay into rectangular shape.
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Use Slicer tool to cut random vertical slices from polymer clay. Place thin layer of Pearl clay into openings created and press clay together. Press gently and form cube shape.
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Slice off clay layer for pendant. Mark clay with pendant opening by pressing pendant into clay. Cut off excess clay. Place stacked polymer clay inside pendant. Use Chisel tip tool to smooth out any uneven spots and to remove clay from side of bezel. Repeat for each circle bezel on bracelet.
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Follow manufacturer’s instructions to bake pendant and bracelet on parchment-lined baking sheet in oven at 275ºF for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool. Remove clay pieces from bezels and place drop of glue inside each bezel; press polymer clay pieces back into each bezel. Let dry.
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For necklace, attach three jump rings on heart bezel. Measure and cut two six-link lengths from chain; attach chain lengths to last jump ring on heart bezel. Attach Octagon beads onto each chain length. Measure and cut two 20-link lengths of chain; attach to each Octagon bead. Use jump ring to attach lobster clasp to chain ends to close.
This is a very pretty set! And perfect for this time of the year!