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The geode boxes are made by pressing mokume gane slices onto a ceramic mould, then adding the outside layer which is textured to look like stone. The animal is then sculpted on top. For me their appeal is that they look quite rough, like stones, from the outside, but have a surprise inside when they are opened. As the name suggests, I got the idea from geodes which look quite insignificant on the outside, but reveal colourful crystals when they are broken open. The elephant vessel was made using a spotlight bulb as a mould. The verdigris colouring is added in layers and then textured with a broken cocktail stick. The idea of using a light bulb as a mould comes from Jacqueline Gikow's book 'Polymer Clay'', Krause Publications. Light bulbs make excellent moulds as they can be broken and removed so the vessel can be made in one part.