Mica Shift Technique - "Ghost Impression"

Some polymer clays you can buy have a glittery or metallic appearance. This effect is achieved by adding mica particles to the clay during manufacturing, and the use of these clays can make for some eye-catching effects. One particularly interesting technique I've learned, "ghost impression", involves manipulating these particles inside the clay to create an illusion of depth within a flat clay piece. All you need is clay and a stamp!

Start out with a small amount of whatever metallic or pearlescent clay you like. I'm working with a piece of Sculpey Premo Sunset Pearl color.

Roll the piece flat.

Fold the clay back onto itself in the same direction you rolled to flatten it. Roll flat again, still in the same direction, and repeat at least 5 times.

This continual rolling and flattening will align the mica particles within the clay with each other. At this point, your clay should be looking very shiny on top; if you cut a small piece off the end, the cut edge should look very dull.

Once you're done rolling and folding, press the stamp of your choice firmly into the clay.

With a clay cutting tool or sharp knife, carefully cut off the stamped pattern. You'll want to cut just underneath the lowest point of where you stamped.

Once the three-dimensional stamped pattern has been removed, a visual impression of the stamp remains!