Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Polymer Clay Cabochons

I have tried on more than one occasion to make polymer clay cabochons.  This is my latest attempt.


I finally, finally after what feels like a bazillion tries got a nice shiny surface!  I really took my time with these and spent a lot of time getting the surface nice and smooth.  Then, I used rubbing alcohol to smooth the surface even more before curing.  After they cooled, I sanded them with progressively finer grits of sand paper (320 to 1000) and buffed them with my Dremel.

Here is one of the cabochons being used for a bead embroidered pendant.


I'm still pondering how exactly I want to finish this off.


Next plan is to make cabochons with the polymer clay version of "mokume gane".  I've failed spectacularly at that technique repeatedly.  (Mokume gane is a Japanese metal working technique that emulates wood grain).  

Hopefully, I've figured out my problems and can make some nice polymer clay mokume gane cabochons (in Christmas colors. . . ).  And,  I want to see if I can get an even shinier surface by sanding down to 2000 grit.

2 comments:

  1. The cabochons look great! I really love the bead embroidery, it looks so fabulous with that cabochon. Like a framed southwestern painting.

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  2. Thank-you :) Now that you mention it, it does look southwest. I was actually trying for "stormy ocean", lol.

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