Project designed by Barbara McGuire. Materials:
wooden handle makeup brushes
lacquer thinner
denatured alcohol
steel wool
paper towel
Sobo glue or Crafter's Pic Tacky Glue
bristle brush
1/2 block navy blue polymer clay
1/4 block (1 oz.) Fimo Art translucent (00) polymer clay
1/4 block of white polymer clay
1 sheet gold leaf, cut in half
blunt tool for poking into the clay, square punch, zigzag wheel roller
work surface (card-stock paper), acrylic brayer, pasta machine
polymer clay blade
polymer clay varnish
brush
Cover makeup brush handles with a thin sheet of decorated polymer clay using a decorative technique called Mokume Gane'. Mokume Gane' is a rendition of a Japanese metalsmithing technique that has became popular with polymer clay artists. Ultrathin layers of polymer clay are stacked, altered, sliced and rolled flat. Many different artists have their own versions of this technique. The following project reflects versions of Mokume Gane' inspired by Lindley Huanani, Nan Roche and Tory Hughes. To learn more about this technique, seek video instructions on the subject presented by these artists.
Steps:
Brush Handle Preparation
- Combine a solution of 1/2 lacquer thinner and denatured alcohol.
- Dip a piece of steel wool into the solution and apply to the brush handle. Scrub off the varnish.
- Remove the mixture with paper towels, wiping frequently. The steel wool sands the wood as the varnish is being removed. The denatured alcohol keeps the varnish soluble.
- Once the varnish is completely removed, wipe the wood with denatured alcohol to remove any trace of lacquer thinner.
Handle Design
- Coat the brush handle with a layer of glue and let dry. Set aside. The clay design is created on a flat surface and then wrapped around the brush handle.
- Condition all the clay needed to decorate the surface. Roll flat a sheet of blue clay approximately three-inches high, five-inches long and 1/16-inch thick.
- Stack successively the following sheets of clay in layers, similar to layering lasagna: - one sheet white clay; use the thinnest setting possible on the pasta machine to flatten - one sheet metallic leaf sheet - one sheet translucent clay; use the thinnest setting possible on the pasta machine to flatten - one sheet white clay; use the thinnest setting possible on the pasta machine to flatten - one sheet blue clay; use the thinnest setting possible on the pasta machine to flatten - one metallic leaf sheet; the top layer of leaf will act as a release between the clay and the clay tools
- Flatten the entire stack with the brayer, but don't thin it out. Push in on the sides if the stack begins to spread. If there are air bubbles in the layers of clay, push them to the edge or slice sideways into them to release the trapped air.
- Poke a design into the stack with a blunt tool, such as the rounded end of a paintbrush or the edge of a ruler. A zigzag edge roller or a rubber stamp could also be used. Roll the stack flat again.
- Shave the top layer horizontal to the stack as thinly as possible using the blade. The shaved clay will reveal the underlying design that has been pressed into the clay. Set the shavings off to the side to reuse later if desired
- When the clay exposes a design you like, quit shaving, and roll the surface flush using the brayer.
- Measure the circumference of the prepared brush handle. Cut a strip of clay equal to the circumference and length of the brush out of the clay slab. Pull the strip from the work surface and wrap it around the handle, carefully attaching the clay to avoid trapping air bubbles. Trim the edges so they meet exactly without overlapping.
- Smooth the entire covered brush by rolling it gently between the palms.
- Bake clay according to manufacturer instructions.
- Once cool, the handle can be coated with polymer clay varnish to gloss the finish.
RESOURCES :
Mokume Gane video with Tory Hughes
Gameplan
2233 McKinley Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94703
US
Phone: 510-549-0993
E-mail: gameplan@earthlink.net
Website: www.gameplanvideo.com
Pasta-Ezee pasta machine electric attachment (Model #: PE-1000)
This attachment fits onto a standard pasta machine, making the mechanism electric. It is manufactured by AEPI for A.I.T. and available in select gourmet specialty stores. Contact local gourmet specialty stores for availability.
GUESTS :
Barbara McGuire
Art-Forward
Website: www.barbaramcguire.com
| ALSO IN THIS EPISODE: | | Art Deco Makeup Brushes |
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