Love to play with copper or to learn? Tutorials and blog posts on copper metals (brass, bronze), soldering, electroforming, flame painting, patina. Check out my handmade copper jewelry online shop at basketofblue.
This is a wonderful video, interesting and educational - I loved it!!! Can you please recommend a clear coating that will best keep the true colors after the heating process? Thank you so very much!!!
Hi! I'm trying to remember where to get my copper to put in the bath. What size is it? I know it has to be real copper, and I think I got it at Home Depot but it's been about 5 years. Thank you
It doesn't matter much what size it is. The bigger and thicker the longer it lasts. Some people like to make a coil out of copper wire (e.g. 16-12 gauge) Any reputable jewelry supplier will have sheets or wire. Plumbing pipe is not usually recommended (not sure of the reason)
Hello, I tried this technique on some copper cuff bracelets and they are coming out very dark. Almost black. Do you happen to have an idea as to what I might be doing wrong? Thank you
It can happen, it is a very organic process. Weather is a big part of it. Please read the full tutorial on my blog (basketofblue.com) and you will find more info.
If you read my blog you will get all the info. I use Protectaclear and there are samples of pieces to show what happens after coating. Yes, it will always dull colors but it depends on which colors.
It can happen, patina is mysterious! Try again and possibly adjust the amount of ammonia. Sometimes too much fumes grows the patina too quickly or if you leave the piece in for too long. (I've noticed this especially with vinegar) Also, let the patina piece dry completely in room temperature before touching it.
I had some sheets patinated with salt and vinegar (not normal 7% vinegar, but the 35% one) and they came out great. The patina is different, it’s more of a orange/brown color and it doesn’t rub off. I made some lamps for a school project
Thanks for sharing I have watched a few videos however they use apoxey paste or clay and you just used the graffitie paint 🎨 could you tell me that different please 🙏
I think you may be referring to building up a base before electroforming? You do that when you need to attach pieces together, or build up a solid base for the copper, for example ring base. If you don’t need to build up any base all you need is a conductive paint that you apply to sections of your piece you want copper to build on. A simple gemstone with a bail doesn’t need any additional base as long as you electroform a thick enough layer of copper.
I’m not understanding your question. If you mean a different metal then it’s a different process. (You can electroplate with silver or gold, but that’s a different process.)This tutorial is about copper electroforming so the metal is actual copper.
I'm not really sure what you mean. Copper electroforming always results in copper. You may be thinking of silver and gold plating. It is a bit different process and you use a liquid that has gold or silver suspended in it.
Look for a conductive paint for electroforming recipe. There are many out there, I always buy mine and just dilute it as needed. (I believe some are alcohol based, some water based. Mine I dilute with distilled water.)
I assume you mean the texture on the copper surface? That's a very interesting question and in my opinion is a bit mysterious! Many things affect the way the copper forms on the piece - the current, liquid contamination level, time, the shape of your piece and how it is suspended in the liquid... I find that with experimenting you will get a feel on how to achieve different textures. Generally with slower process (long time, low current) you get more interesting texture. Also, when your bath is just contaminated enough you can get interesting textures, but when the bath is Too contaminated they become rough and often ugly. If you start with very clean bath (new liquid or just filtered it) you get smoother and brighter finish. The way the piece is suspended affects where the particles will attach. For example if I make oval pendants that get surrounded with copper (similar to when it is bezel set) you need to turn the piece often or it won't coat evenly and you get bumps on one end. There is a scientific method to calculate current and time, and it relates to texture, but I am not a scientist. (there's a link to the formula in my blog of this tutorial post at Basketofblue.com). In my opinion by experimenting you learn the best on how to get the texture you want.
Check out the links in my riveting tutorial on basketofblue.com. Crafted findings and Beadsmith makes those tools. (You can find them on Etsy among others.)
Thank you for a great tutorial! I just happened to buy this rivet tool earlier today. Could you add a link for your divot tool, and round sanding tool? Thanks!
I added the links. The round file I am using in the video is a cheap one from a hardware store (any brand in Lowes/Home Depot has sets of small files). I would get one a bit better quality (because they can chip) so I put links to some that are meant for jewelry work.
recommendation use a small water up and small hose to put a lite continuous flow of cold water on the top of the dermal so it flows on blade and stone.
I don’t use an exact formula. I pour ammonia in the container so it covers the bottom (and then some) and just sprinkle some salt. You may want to sprinkle more salt after the pieces have been in for a while. It’s all partly based on how the atmospheric conditions (the weather and so on) are at the time. Let’s say you live by the ocean, the air will be more “corrosive” because of the “ocean air”. Compare that to a lovely dry day in the desert. That would be the expertise of a scientist to explain how all that affects the process on copper. You get a feel when you experiment. That’s really part of the fun!
I'm having issues with the rectifier voltage. I see you ended up at .30 something. Do you start at .6 then build up? If so how long and how steady of a increase? *super new to electroforming*
Please see my blog post for full instructions. People use different methods to set the current and voltage. It also depends on how fast you want the copper to build up, etc. There is also a mathematical way to calculate it.
so where's the durable part, put that copper someplace where it is exposed to direct sunlight and heat and the colors will be muted or gone in no time, there is no way to lock in the colors with copper, i wished there was especially when the colors are an essential part of your art piece but i've tried everything, unlike steel, copper's susceptibleness to changes from heat is at too low of temperature
Please read the full tutorial on my blog to find answers to your questions. (Link in description). With the right clear coat and treatment copper flame painting can be preserved. Hope you enjoy creating your next piece!
Your name handle amuses me. I have this feeling that you walk around thinking that you know absolutely everything about everything and those who disagree agree with you just 'don't get it'. Your family and friends know this about you and are incredibly patient with you, meanwhile you walk around wondering why people don't know as much as you. Secretly however, you are hiding a plethora of insecurities behind your confident, seemingly arrogant persona. A character trait that lands you in more hot water than you care for but you don't know how to make the cycle stop because you are still unable to see your part in the equation. Not sure what compelled me to write this, but it's clearly an intuitive message meant to reach someone. Happy experimenting!
