Cameos are made in two ways. Relief cameos are made by cutting away portions of the upper layer so the figure rises above the lower. Intaglio cameos are the reverse. The artist cuts into the upper layer to disclose the lower, leaving the surface of the upper layer flat. Intaglio cameos can also be cast in molds.
If the artist is using the relief method of carving the cameo, he needs an oven, a cameo medium, such as polymer clay and a sharp knife with interchangeable blades. If he intends to use the intaglio method, he needs to buy cornstarch to keep the medium from sticking to the mold, a paintbrush to apply the cornstarch, and a mold.