If you have been following my blog or any of my Social pages… you already know that
I LOVE WORKING WITH COPPER!
When I first started taking metals classes, copper was used as the ‘learning’ metal. Meaning ‘work with copper to get the feel of metal and what you can accomplish’ . Once past the learning curve, then venture on with Silver and/or Gold.
However, with the incredible price increase for gold and silver, many jewelers have discovered the fun and beauty of working with pure copper…. like me!
Here then are 3 of my favorite patinas for copper.
FLUX:
I c
reated this by accident. When working with silver you must coat the metal with flux before heating. This prevents firescale.
This is not necessary with copper but I was multitasking (not always a good idea when using heat!) and ended up spritzing the copper with cuprinol. (a spray flux). The result is this reddish mottled effect. I just love it!
PEANUT OIL:
This one is a little trickier to work with. I brush peanut oil onto the copper. A VERY Thin Coating. Then I heat from BELOW the piece. IF you heat from above you run the risk of setting the oil on fire! The resulting colors are brownish caramel tones. Please note that although I do treat all of my designs with a lacquer, this patina is NOT recommended for any person allergic to peanuts. There are other oils that give a similar effect. Sesame oil is a potential option.
This is gorgeous work. I’m going to try some of these patinas. Thanks!
thanks so much. Hope you have fun!
alene
beautiful designs and lovely patinas. how clever yu are.pju
thanks Paula. I sure love designing them and seeing the end result as well!
I am just starting to work with copper and really appreciate seeing your fantastic work and all of your hints. Thank you for sharing!
thanks Jackie
I know you are going to love copper. There are so many options available and it blends so nicely with silver, too!
I will be trying your cool patinas, but do I need to seal them to keep the colors?
Hi Jackie
I use Sculpt Nouvewu in spray form to seal my patinas. I used 2-4 coats depending upon the type of design. Bracelets or rings require 4 coats to maintain the finish as long as possible. Earrings and pendants can be limited to 1-2 coats. You can also try Krylon, but i dont like it as well personally. The waxes, such as Renaissance Wax only protect for one to 2 wearings, so I dont recommend them
Thank you!
Congratulations, wonderful work … I also like working with copper, if you like to look can look at the photos in my blog has some parts photographed as also other works.
Regards.
Carlos
Direct from Brazil.
http://domartello.blogspot.com.br/
thanks Carlos. YOur work is beautiful.
Wow, that peanut oil patina is amazing! I’m going to try that soon, thank you for the tip! I agree, copper is so much fun to work with, I love the warm brown colour! 🙂
thanks Laurien. I love that color too. You can also try sesame oil if you have people with peanut allergies. Gives a similar color but just more red.
It is fascinating to read about your work and your discoveries, Alene. I especially love the vinegar and ammonia patina, the colours are amazing.
Thanks Tami. That is one of my favorites too. I never know what shades of blue I will get either
It’s amazing how you can get three very different looks for your copper designs, Alene. As someone who loves turquoise, I think the third one, created from the ammonia and vinegar, resonates with me the most. All of them give a very different look to the jewelry and it sounds like you have a lot of fun creating each one. Fascinating. I always feel the passion and wonder from you for your work too! Keep enjoying it!
Thanks for the wonderful compliment Beverley. I am very passionate about my work
GORGEOUS!!! I love copper, too. Me want!
Thanks Reba😊
I so enjoy your stories about the history of art and jewelry and today the process of making the patina on the copper. I had an image of you in your studio. Would love to see you in the process. Thanks for such a delightful blog and incredible jewelry!
Thanks Candess. I need to do more videos to show me working. But I get lost in the moment and that idea gets put on the back burner too often
I loved learning about how you achieved different results from copper. I have to say the blue and green hearts are absolutely gorgeous and to think you used ammonia and vinegar to create it.
Thank you Julie. Appreciate the compliment. It is amazing what can be done with household products isn’t it?
This adds to the appreciation of your pieces Alene to understand the different techniques and care involved in creating these patinas.
Thanks Joyce. I do love experimenting with new ways to create color and textures for my designs. Appreciate the compliment 💕
I, too, absolutely love copper AND turquoise. They look so beautiful together. My native American background I think contributes to my slight obsession with these two things.
Thanks Tandy. Are you sure it is only a ‘slight’ obsession 😊 So pleased that you love copper and turquoise
I really love the blue and green patinas on the copper where the copper is peeking through. It’s so gorgeous. I’ve seen some of your other piece with a really rich blue tone. Do you heat them longer or use more solution to get them a deeper tone?
Hi Jennifer. The blue does tend to get deeper when I leave in the vinegar/ammonia process longer..but mostly it takes on a life of it’s own and sometimes darkens more. Haven’t completely figured out why
I never knew that your work can be like doing a science experiment. It is a cross between artsy and nerdy. Oh, and I forgot the kitchen ingredient being used, too. It sounds like a whole lot of fun.
Thanks Lorii. I gues it can be like a science experiment..love the analogy💕
Gorgeous design and artwork! I do not own any copper jewelry (I wish I did) but I a thinking of getting some for myself in summer. You always enkindle the desire in me to buy more jewelry.
Thanks Apolline. If you want to buy more jewelry my work here is done😊😊
Beautiful work and simple tips, Alene. You are an alchemist!