Tutorial: Polymer Clay, Moiko Silk Screen, Mica Powder & Foil

This veneer is simply a variation on the mica powder silkscreen where foil is added as a final step.  It’s important to choose a screen with a large mica powder areas.  This means we want a screen with a design which allows maximum areas of powder to be transferred to the clay (ie not just little lines).

I’ve chosen an animal print screen and this is a Moiko Silk screen from the coarse mesh range.  If you’re unsure what this is, please check my original blog post on Silk Screens and Pastels where it’s further explained.

How to Create Our Veneer

• Condition dark coloured clay and run through pasta machine on medium thin setting.
• Burnish your silk screen onto the clay.
• Pick up a small amount of mica powder onto a dry brush and brush gently over the surface.
• Lift your screen to the half way mark and replace very gently.
  
  

  

  
• Brush over the surface again.  Do this for the other half of the screen as well.  We want the maximum amount of powder as possible to pass through this screen to ensure we get a really good coating on our clay. Blow away the excess (do this outside).
• Remove the screen gently ensuring no excess powder drops onto your clay.

Now To Add Our Foil

• Place some Lisa Pavelka foils on the surface of your clay.  No need to use the baking paper to burnish as I’ve done in the previous blog post as the foil is going to do that job for us.
• Burnish your foil well and rip off like a band aid.
• If you’re unsure how to do this check out my YouTube video here:  Burnishing Foils.
• The mica powder acts as a resist and the foil will only attach to the clay without any mica coating.
  

Important Things To Remember

• Never use a wet or damp silk screen when using mica powder.
• Never use a wet or damp brush when using mica powder.
• Find a screen with a large design area so maximum amount of mica powder will transfer to the clay.
• Use a foil which you know burnishes easily to polymer clay.
• Be careful not to let excess mica “drop” onto the surface of your clay.  This will act as a resist and may cause the foil not to stick in certain areas.
• Wash your mica filled screens out in warm soapy water.
• You can use this technique with a chalk/pan pastel silkscreen design (or any other powder for that matter).

The possibilities are endless with the variations here.  Play around and see what else you can come up with.

Debbie Crothers

I love working with polymer clay and I love to teach others my techniques for working with polymer clay. Thank you for stopping in to read my blog - I hope you have found the information valuable. Be sure to join my Newsletter to receive regular updates directly to your inbox!