Mokume Gane Peacock Utensils
Turn basic silverware into something stunning and brilliant with this Mokume Gane Peacock Utensils tutorial. This Japanese-style print combines like colors into a beautiful marbled design that is sure to add sophistication and style to any table. This is a great way to take thrift store silverware and turn it into something any artistic designer would be proud to show off. These Mokume Gane Peacock Utensils may look challenging to make, but it's actually quite simple to get this design.
You can find this project, as well as many other Polymer clay tutorials, in our free eBook, 24 Polymer Clay Tutorials: Polymer Clay Jewelry, Decor and More!
Materials:
- 1 block Premo! Accents: Translucent - 2 oz
- 1 block Premo! Accents: Purple Pearl - 2 oz
- 1 block Premo! Accents: Gold - 2 oz
- 1 block Premo! Accents: Peacock Pearl - 2 oz
- 1 block Premo! Sculpey®: White - 2 oz
- 1 block Premo! Sculpey®: Black - 2 oz
- Clay Conditioning Machine
- Clay Extruder
- Sculpey® Super Slicer
- Sculpey® Bake & Bond
- Silverware Serving Pieces
- Wet/dry sandpaper 400, 600 and 800 grit
- Buffing Wheel or soft cloth
Instructions:
Do not use unbaked clay on unprotected furniture or finished surfaces. Start with clean hands and work surface area. Good work surfaces include wax paper, metal baking sheet, or disposable foil. Knead clay until soft and smooth. For best results, clean your hands in between colors. Shape clay, pressing pieces together firmly. Bake on oven-proof glass or metal surface at 275°F (130°C) for 30 minutes per ¼" (6 mm) thickness. For best baking results, use an oven thermometer. DO NOT USE MICROWAVE OVEN. DO NOT EXCEED THE ABOVE TEMPERATURE OR RECOMMENDED BAKING TIME. Wash hands after use. Baking should be completed by an adult.
- Begin by preheating oven to 275°F (130 °C). Test temperature with oven thermometer for perfectly cured clay. For best results, condition all clay by running it through the Clay Conditioning Machine several passes on the widest setting. Fold the clay in half after each pass and insert the fold side into the rollers first.
- Tint Translucent clay with 3 different colors. Tint one ounce of Translucent with a 1/4" ball of Purple, another one ounce of translucent with 1/4" ball of Gold, and one ounce of Translucent with 1/4" ball of Peacock Pearl. Roll out each color out on a medium setting of the Clay Conditioning Machine. Roll two more sheets of Translucent on a thin setting of the Clay Conditioning Machine. Cover each thin sheet with a layer of imitation Gold leaf.
- Use these 5 sheets of Translucent clay to make a mokume gane stack. Stack: Tinted Translucent, Gold leaf covered Translucent, Tinted Translucent, Gold leaf covered Translucent, ending with the last tinted Translucent sheet.
- Roll this Translucent clay stack through the Clay Conditioning Machine on the thickest setting. Cut into 3 sections.
- Stack these 3 sections into a new stack.
- Roll Black clay out on medium setting on the Clay Conditioning Machine. Roll out White clay on a medium setting. Stack the Black on top of the White and roll out on the thickest setting of the Clay Conditioning Machine.
- Place your Black/White sheet combination on top of the Translucent stack, ending with Black on top.
- Impress the complete mokume gane stack with a credit/gift card, dragging the Black clay down to the bottom of the stack. Compress the mokume gane stack back together. Let the distressed mokume gane stack rest.
- Turn the mokume gane stack upside down placing the Black clay on the bottom. Using the Super Slicer blade, carefully cut across the mokume gane stack parallel with the table.
- Place translucent pieces on a sheet of White clay rolled out on a medium to thin setting, covering the white sheet completely. Burnish.
- Roll through the Clay Conditioning Machine first at a thick setting and moving down in thickness until you reach your desired thickness. This sheet will be your veneer.
- Cover the handles of your silverware with White clay rolled out on a medium setting. Bake as directed above for 10 minutes. Cool.
- Apply a thin layer of Bake & Bond or Sculpey Translucent Liquid clay to the clay covered silverware handle. Cover the White sheet with your veneer, carefully mend seams.
- Extrude or roll a 1/4" diameter rope from Black clay. Wrap around top edge of silverware, mending the seam where it meets.
- Bake as directed above. Immediately after removing the silverware from the oven, plunge into a bowl of ice water. Wet sand the silverware handle with 400 grit wet dry sandpaper. Progress to 600 grit sandpaper, finish with 800 grit sandpaper. Buff lightly on a polishing wheel to a high shine.
Discover this project and others like it in 19 Spoon Crafts: Wooden, Plastic, Metal, and More.
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heathersjewelry77
Dec 15, 2013
This looks like an awesome project and a lovely gift to make someone.
thatismyusernamesy stemgoof
Dec 15, 2013
This kit would make a great Christmas gift for my daughter. I crochet, but she does other crafty stuff.
Katclaws
Dec 14, 2013
What a neat way to refurbish silverware and a get idea for next Christmas.
milkyway952 853414 7
Dec 14, 2013
I love the out come of this project make a hole set would be nice to make for my daughter and family
dawnbon
Dec 13, 2013
What an interesting idea ... and easy to figure out too! Thanks for the tutorial.
bilikozy 6336859
Dec 13, 2013
What a wonderful way to transform your utensils from blah to beautiful!!!
skrpune 4234377
Dec 13, 2013
that's pretty cool! I'm guessing this is the same method for those lovely clay-handled crochet hooks I see all over Etsy!
Sewbig01 5693268
Dec 13, 2013
This is such a neat project and will produce a one of a kind set of utensils.
colleencrochet
Dec 13, 2013
Had a bunch of mismatched "silverware" and now they are one of a kind wonderful.
rvndoll 1653946
Dec 13, 2013
That's so pretty. My daughter is just starting to learn how to use polymer clay. She will love this project.
batttylady 4826569
Dec 12, 2013
This is gorgeous. I think it would make a beautiful clay box too. Who thinks of these things? Makes me jealous that people have such imaginations. Love it. Thanks for sharing. Cindy
michit80 1772420
Dec 12, 2013
I have never worked with clay like this. This project opens up a new world of crafting to me. Thanks!
mbrentp 0069416
Dec 12, 2013
These are very pretty and could really set off a special place setting. I was thinking the special Birthday setting with plate, glass, cup, bowl, saucer and silverware.
bporter795 3875414
Dec 12, 2013
I would love to use Polymer clay for projects this one looks exciting, very pretty
Laurelei
Dec 12, 2013
I love the use of imitation gold leaf in this project! I kind of think it looks more like a granite than mokume gane, though.
justaracain 515417 6
Dec 12, 2013
This would be a great addition to child's first set of big kid utensils. The handles would be much easier for them to grip. I can't wait to try this out.
Weezie40
Dec 12, 2013
This project reminds me of the silverware that was around when I was a kid. What is old is new again. I love crafts of all kinds so this would be fun to make.
thefrenchsfarm 070 2181
Dec 11, 2013
Ooohhh, I would love to do that. I just moved and have only 3 each of utensils.
katfeverforever 29 50839
Dec 11, 2013
Very interesting! I'd never heard of this. Hopefully I will get a chance to try it out soon.
yarning4asmile on Ravelry
Dec 11, 2013
I have not used them on silverware but I always use clay on my crochet hooks and use clay to make stitch markers!! We love clay in this house!
elliemae07 5245601
Dec 11, 2013
I'll be sharing this with my granddaughter this weekend, and I know she'll immediately want to make some just in time for the holidays!
chanyebon 7064061
Dec 11, 2013
I would be interested in trying this, but I don't know how well it would work with metal handled utensils. I would like to give it a try. If it worked, it would make my mismatched utensils look alike for a change, lol.
jd2crafter 1821910
Dec 11, 2013
Just started with clay this past summer. Ive done my crochet hooks already but would definitely do my silverware! Love the idea above to do a Christmas set of silverware,too!
maturtle 4704041
Dec 10, 2013
This sounds like a wonderful way to make beautiful Christmas serving spoons and cake servers - would make a great hostess gift also.
clarkbar5 12345678
Dec 10, 2013
I really like this idea. I have some flat ware that my husband thinks is just sooo wonderful...not. :) I could use this to spruce it up. Thanks
Carrie Carpenter
Dec 10, 2013
These utensils are fantastic. What a great gift idea these would make!
ncephas07 4782331
Dec 10, 2013
this is such a wonderful way to take something cheap and make a meaningful and personalized gift
halona
Dec 10, 2013
This is a FANTASTIC idea! I would have never thought about this... I just may have to try it on my old flatware.
BGHstylist
Dec 09, 2013
sounds really cool...not hard at all and looks fabulous...so many colour possibilities :)
tinmarcoo 2840065
Dec 09, 2013
Looks like a lot of fun to make! wish I had the tools to do it.
Member 9258509
Dec 08, 2013
These are beautiful! I've used clay on my crochet hooks and love them!
allatti2d 0113179
Dec 08, 2013
Someone commented that they'd love to do this with her crochet hooks.. what an excellent idea! It also looks good to finally make my mismatched silverware into a matching set! lol
dearydearhotmailco m
Dec 07, 2013
Looks like a lot of fun and fairly easy to do. Will definitely have to try this!
karenlacomb 080444 4
Dec 07, 2013
beautiful and theraputic - wonder if i can do this post hand surgury
amtdrt 7883439
Dec 06, 2013
I haven't made this yet. But I'd love to learn. It really looks great for gifts.
deborahbavers
Dec 06, 2013
I love the result you get from stacking the clay and foil and then cutting it. I would love to try this!
shewolf389
Dec 05, 2013
Would love to give this a try!!! Maybe I'll get the chance, just maybe....
djcrazylady 960688 5
Dec 05, 2013
WOW! who knew you could create something so chic like that! Thats totally cool right there ;)
ctsheehy 5454627
Dec 05, 2013
So pretty! I've used Primo Sculpey for other projects; would love to try this technique
edyeestocks 504142 8
Dec 05, 2013
I never thought to do this, but am really considering it for all sorts of items.
barbies13669 13191 52
Dec 05, 2013
I would love to do this on my knitting needles and my favoriye set of crochet hooks i think it is very pretty.
dluckyz 7056360
Dec 05, 2013
Wow this is beautiful and your tutorial very educational. I have never worked with clay, but would love to try this.
sharonmagee 901583 0
Dec 04, 2013
So unique! I love the detailed explanations and photos. I'm Inspired to create!
susiedoucet 869189 1
Dec 04, 2013
Incredible I never knew that we could make such great crafts with clay!
alienpsychomom
Dec 04, 2013
That is absolutely lovely. I would love to get into clay work. It looks very hard but look at the creativity you can put into it. My light bulb is blinking.
congrovel 4855272
Dec 04, 2013
What a beautiful way to upgrade inexpensive flatware! I have not tried working with clay yet but this could inspire me to try.
Member 6200835
Dec 04, 2013
I would love a set in blue. I wonder if my daughter will make me a few... if I give her gentle hints (ie.. link her the webpage)
krazy4tazz 7076777
Dec 04, 2013
wow cool looking project great way to dress up boring utensils
doreencox 0507971
Dec 04, 2013
Looks like a great idea for great gifts with plain flatware made unique
reellove2day 57015 91
Dec 03, 2013
This is new to me, a fun way to jazz up silverware for a brand new look!
szajis 7195680
Dec 03, 2013
This is a very unique craft. What a great way to get a matching utensil set to go with any colors in your dishes!
daisylover65
Dec 03, 2013
This looks beautiful and what a great way to get all of those odds and ends of silverware pulled together as a set. I would love to try this.
canuckeh
Dec 03, 2013
what an interesting project. Lots of possibilities for fun silverware. Thanks.
candiceveazey 8660 212
Dec 03, 2013
I really love this idea. I would like to try to customize my utensils.
1kountrygirl68 623 8527
Dec 03, 2013
Would love to customize my silverware and other items in my kitchen...would love to try this stuff. Just what I need another hobby...lol
christinafreshour 4646099
Dec 03, 2013
This project gives me so many ideas. I never would have thought to use it on Utensils
jennafontenot 6004 834
Dec 03, 2013
Never thought to use scuplty on silverware. My mom uses it for her Godly Play props. So far the best conversation has been about baking Jesus in the oven at 350 for an hour...
hannahgrover17 126 7753
Dec 03, 2013
these are beautiful and I love the gold accents! cannot wait to try it!
moonlightwriter 92 06634
Dec 03, 2013
How pretty! A simple and fun way to make an every day item sparkle with your own personality!
rosesweet32 888761 4
Dec 02, 2013
Wow! I would have never thought you could take such plain eating utensils, make them look this great, with clay, actually, I've seen the most beautiful art and other crafting done with clay online, and I have to show the photos, to the men I work with, and they are surprised, it's clay...thanks for the easy step by step, tutorial.. Very helpful.
rosesweet32 888761 4
Dec 02, 2013
Oops, I thought it was for the instructions, being helpful. And I thought their great instructions. So, I clicked the box.
cookie3
Dec 02, 2013
This would be a great way to make inexpensive , unmatched cutlery look like a gorgeous matched set.
cookie3
Dec 02, 2013
This would be a great way to make unmatched cheap cutlery look good again & matching.
Member 5491485
Dec 02, 2013
I would love to make this.I have never heard of making your own silverware before.I love the color scheme.
andrinagoetz 25252 12
Dec 02, 2013
This is so neat, I would love to do my daughters silverware set!
Sequia
Dec 02, 2013
WOW! This looks so beautiful. What a terrific way to make your utensils match your decor!!
jblackeagle555 812 0178
Dec 02, 2013
I love this! The utensils would look lovely with my plates! I would be the envy of my group - 12 Days of Christmas Peacock Utensils!
Chellebanz
Dec 02, 2013
I have so many things this can be applied to, it is going on my must try list!
spottyseal
Dec 02, 2013
Oh wow! I would love to do this because it would make a great gift for weddings and housewarmings!
deejones1982 71995 63
Dec 02, 2013
Would love to try this very fun looking craft project out. I'm in aww of those silverware. So awesome
als1153
Dec 02, 2013
I would love to try this on my current silverware and try to match it to my dinnerware. It would look really nice!
nvrunners 8823985
Dec 02, 2013
Love the look created with the clay. I think I will try different colors to match my dinnerware.
chazzybab7669 0869 889
Dec 02, 2013
Ok...IN LOVE! I have always wanted to work with clay but have een too nervous. I want to try this! And the colors are beautiful!
cnuland
Dec 02, 2013
What fun! We have a bunch of odd utensils we use for camping - I could make them all match!
kmckown58 0326962
Dec 02, 2013
Nice, but better if the instructions didn't assume we had all the items they sell, ie. slicer and Clay Conditioner machine. How about telling us how thick if we are rolling it out or using some other machine, etc.
bforrester
Dec 02, 2013
this may be the first project I try as I've never used clay before and I'm still a little nervous about working with it.
darlenekrystal 072 6899
Dec 02, 2013
This looks like a very easy pattern to follow....thanks for a cool idea....have a great xmas....
ch53bye
Dec 02, 2013
I have never tried to do this, but like the look so the utensils and would like too try.
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