Mokume Gane Critters

Here are some critter shapes I made from mokume gane slices. I was inspired by looking at old Native American and Eskimo art/artifacts books that I picked up at a used bookstore recently. Though the fish is obviously a fish, the other animals are not so identifiable.

Thinking of Spring and Sluggish Shapes

It only takes a few sunny days, a noticeable increase in daylight and some January thaw for me to start thinking about spring and spring colors. I took a break from polymer for a few months because (1) I was extremely busy painting, and (2) I needed to decide how I wanted to express myself in polymer.

Doing mokume gane stacks is fun and addicting but deciding what to do with them is another. I like to have a mental picture of what I want to do before I start. What shapes please me? Lately it has been this "slug" shape, a fat in the middle, unidentified thing that has a graceful curve on the ends.

Julie Picarello Mokume Gane Workshop

Julie Picarello describing her mokume gane technique

I recently attended a Julie Picarello mokume gane workshop in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It was part of a ten day road trip so I am just getting home and posting some photos. I enjoyed taking Julie's workshop and highly recommend it even if you have already done mokume gane, it's always informative to learn from someone who specializes in a particular technique. Julie is nice and fun to be around, as are all the members of the Pikes Peak Polymer Clay Guild.

My own mokume gane slices made during the workshop.

Mokume gane beads/pendants made by workshop participants on the first day of the workshop. There are some stunningly good polymer artists with great color sense at this clay guild!

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

Mokume Gane All Season Beads

Mokume Gane Beads. From top: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter

Here are some basic mokume gane beads I made last year. I was rifling through my bead stash and when I found these beads I made, I realized how they looked like the four seasons. I don't remember if it was a conscience thought or not!

I will be taking a mokume gane polymer workshop in April 09 taught by Julie Picarello. I am looking forward to it!