Flame Painting Durable Colors on Copper 

Thanks so much 😊

You got this!

I believe that one is a Bernzomatic mini torch (sometimes they are just called "a kitchen torch"). You can find them all over the place on the internet or at your local hardware store. (Personally I don't like the Bernzomatic one because it has a child lock that tires your thumb out. I used to have a no name generic one that was simpler to use, but the tip ended up melting.)

Thank you! Hope the video is helpful.

Please read my full tutorial on my website (basketofblue.com). It has a lot more information (including about clear coats). Thanks!

It doesn’t get hot enough to anneal, copper needs to get dull red hot for that. Actually, you need to be very careful not to overheat the piece if you want proper colors. Thanks for your question, hope you get to try the technique!

Yes, it is very cool what you can do with copper! If you put it in water it would just cool it down. Some people use water to cool it during flaming. I find that it creates extra patterns on the piece, sometimes you may want that other times not, depending on your design. You need to clear coat the piece or it will tarnish as copper normally does. If you have it properly clear coated the color will last. Please see full tutorial on my blog at www.basketofblue.com/blog for more info (I also have another basic flame painting tutorial.)

You can end up with red/black firescale if you throw hot copper into cold water but I don't know if the piece gets hot enough for that to happen with flame painting

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.

Thicker is actually better because it doesn't overheat as fast. I do a lot of 1 inch jewelry pieces out of 26 gauge and they get too hot easily, 20 gauge behaves much better.

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!