Mokume Gane: Wood Grain Pattern in Metal

Mokume Gane, or wood grain metal, is a traditional Japanese technique in which two or more different metals are meticulously cleaned, alternately stacked, compressed and heated to a high temperature. The result is the fusing of all layers into a solid block or billet. The billet can be made into sheet metal with a variety of patterns by repeatedly carving through layers and reducing the thickness.

Participants will learn a low tech, but efficient method to making Mokume Gane using a refractory brick mini furnace and soldering torch to fire the billet. Students make their own billet the first day. .Forging and patterning techniques will be demonstrated and  participants will pattern their own piece the following two days.  Eric will also demonstrate how to fabricate a seamless band ring with a sterling silver liner. There is a $150. materials fee that is paid to the instructor.