MOKUME GANE: TEXTURE AND COLOR
Christopher Timberlake
In this workshop (which might be too much fun to even stand), each student will be making their own Mokumé Gane billet from scratch. From the resulting billet, we will then explore the different patterning techniques involved in creating a sheet that can, and will, be used to form earrings, pendants/necklaces, bracelets and cufflinks (No rings! Not this time…). Finally, we will be experimenting with chemical etching to add texture and definition along with patination to imbue tone, color and contrast. In other words bring your lab coats and rubber gloves and your science hats!
Mokumé Gane, meaning wood-grain (burl wood) metal in Japanese, is an ancient metalsmithing technique first developed by a Japanese sword-smith who used it on decorative hilts and handles.
The process begins by kiln-fusing alternating layers of metals together, forming what is known as a billet. When removed from the kiln, the layers are forged to increase the bond. Once the billet has cooled, the pattern is carved, it is annealed and then rolled out to the desired thickness. The final product is made using hand-fabrication techniques similar to those used to create jewelry from a sheet of silver..
Mokumé Gane, meaning wood-grain (burl wood) metal in Japanese, is an ancient metalsmithing technique first developed by a Japanese sword-smith who used it on decorative hilts and handles.
The process begins by kiln-fusing alternating layers of metals together, forming what is known as a billet. When removed from the kiln, the layers are forged to increase the bond. Once the billet has cooled, the pattern is carved, it is annealed and then rolled out to the desired thickness. The final product is made using hand-fabrication techniques similar to those used to create jewelry from a sheet of silver..
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Chris Timberlake's Bio:
I create jewelry that is inspired by the natural world and a scientist’s understanding of it. I look to both geology and biology for charts, graphs, and maps of this world around us. I look to the skyline of the city, to animal vertebrae, and to the bone of a cephalopod.
My techniques range from sterling silver cuttlefish casting, to lost-wax casting, to metal fabrication of silver, gold, and platinum. In another process of fabrication I build a layered metal known as mokumé gane, meaning wood-grain metal in Japanese. It is an ancient technique of metal layering first used to work varied alloyed steel into mokumé swords. Before anything else, however, I approach a piece of jewelry with an intense, almost obsessive, fascination with gemstones and their origins.
I create jewelry that is inspired by the natural world and a scientist’s understanding of it. I look to both geology and biology for charts, graphs, and maps of this world around us. I look to the skyline of the city, to animal vertebrae, and to the bone of a cephalopod.
My techniques range from sterling silver cuttlefish casting, to lost-wax casting, to metal fabrication of silver, gold, and platinum. In another process of fabrication I build a layered metal known as mokumé gane, meaning wood-grain metal in Japanese. It is an ancient technique of metal layering first used to work varied alloyed steel into mokumé swords. Before anything else, however, I approach a piece of jewelry with an intense, almost obsessive, fascination with gemstones and their origins.
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