Labradorite & Copper Pendant - How to: Weekly Contest by @robali123
Hey Steemians,
I have finished another new pendant to show you and a brief how to guide on oxidising the finished piece using a slightly strange method.
I've been wanting to wrap this piece of Labradorite for quite a while but other projects kept getting in the way so another bank holiday weekend meant I had time to sit down and mess around with a design for it.
I would have liked to of made this in Sterling Silver but i'm running a bit low on supplies at the moment so copper it is. I have another slightly larger piece of Labradorite so maybe that will get the silver treatment in the future, we'll see.
Oxidising the Copper
So, normally I use a chemical called Liver of Sulphur to oxidise my pieces. It's very quick and relatively easy to use however it is quite toxic and smells terrible. Anyway, I got everything prepped to start the process before realising I used it all up on my last project, annoying!
Not to worry i thought, I'd heard of a couple of methods for oxidising metals using household items so online I went to look for the method.
The most simple and one i remembered reading about was using a hard boiled egg, of all things!
Here's the pendant pre oxidisation, squeaky clean
The method is quite simple, hard boil an egg, let it cool, then put it in a sealed plastic bag with the item to be oxidised, not forgetting to mash the egg a little first.
The theory behind this technique is that the egg contains sulphur, the yolk specifically so I'm told. The gases released into the sealed bag react with the copper to give it that antiqued, aged patina.
You can see here, just about, through the bag the copper discolouring slowly.
Its quite a slow process compared with the liver of sulphur which is almost instant but by moving the pendant on top of the egg and leaving it for about 40 minutes I was able to get a nice dark colour I was happy with.
And the final result, Labradorite is always better in person, these photos don't do it justice.
Previous Post - https://steemit.com/steemmakers/@robali123/brass-watch-movement-pendant-and-wire-ramblings
It's really really beautiful! Personally i'd be so much happier knowing there's no harm or toxicity in the artification process to the artist/ environment. You're a very talented designer. What a beautiful gem & copper!! 🌸🙌🌸
Thanks! Yeh it is so much nicer to work with. I think the fumes from liver of sulpher are dangerous for your lungs as well as the liquod being nasty for your skin so its a good alternative
It's such a good alternative! Congratulations of being recognized by SteemMakers too! It was very coincidental, one of my posts was recognized by them around the same time i connected with you! I'd not heard of them previously. How long have you been wire wrapping? I think your work it is the most beautiful I have ever seen!
Oh cool yeh steemmakers is a great tag theres all sorts coming out of it. Couple of off grid people, some artists, tech.
Been tinkering with jewellery for nearly 5 years but doing proper wire wrapping maybe 3 years?
Thanks so much for the compliments 😊
What did you write under the steemmakers?
Very cool! It seems as though you've been at it much longer with the quality of your pieces. Your talent is seen for sure! Do you enjoy the work through & through? Or are you simply talented at creating the art? I guess talent is one thing, enjoyment is another! So, i am curious! I helped my sister create a grow food not lawn garden. Just documented the process. Do you garden? Where do you live?
yeh i really love making things. i quite my job at the time several years ago to do the jewellery full time but after a year i realised i prefer it as a past time. the pressure to produce and make sales kinda took all the fun out of it for me.
Im over in the UK. i like to be outdoors but actual gardening i dont tend to be drawn to. whittling bits of wood, building things or foraging is more my sort of thing when outside! :)
It's really nice of you to share your insights with me. I enjoy getting to know people and their journeys. It's pretty cool you're brave enough to let go of familiar to pursue your passion. Isn't it wild though how fantasy and reality become differently than we imagine! And, we get to 'course correct' to do what works. It's so cool to just do the things that you love and that make you happy! And, to join in groups/ clans that would have everyone doing their part happily is a dream of mine! Much love and beautiful creating and treasure finding foraging to you!!
This is an incredible piece of art @robali123. I have no clue how you got the copper so straight and smooth. Incredible, great.. insert your favorite descriptive wOrd here.
Eggs are for oxidizing copper, not eating - Got it!
Ha thanks! Its lots of practice really. And trying to work the copper as little as necessary as it gets stiff and kinked the more you mess with it
Highly rEsteemed!
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That’s a beautiful piece! I also loved that you used egg to oxidize instead of liver of sulphur liquid =) I need more time in a day to write a detailed posts! Great job!
thanks!
are you registered with busy.org? if not id recommend doing so, its got a nice interface but the main reason i use it is the drafts function. it lets you save posts half finished for later. if you're struggling for time it might be helpful to write them over a few evenings?
You’re welcome. Thank you! I am not registered with busy.org, thank you for the advice. I’m trying to make more time and I am constantly learning about steemit. Slowly but surely will have more time soon.
Hi @robali123, @yogajill dropped your link into our curation channel, I would love to curate your work in a future issue. We do only curate from our followers so if you are interested in being curated consider following us in the future. @insideoutlet on behalf of the @asapers.
Ah cheers @yojajill and thanks for the curation love @asapers. Just checking out @insideoutlet now ☺
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