DragonWings Cuff Bracelet; Photo Finish & Some Cool Copper Facts!

To finish the bracelet, the copper is bent and hammered with a rawhide mallet around a mandrel, or form, to the desired shape.

The final step is to seal the metal with a durable finish that will protect it from tarnishing and turning your skin green.

 

Why does copper tend to leave dark and/or green marks?  It's known as an oxidation reaction, and it's the same natural process that creates a green verdigis patina on copper, brass and bronze - think of that lovely green our Statue of Liberty wears.  When air, moisture and skin oils contact the metal, it creates a layer of copper carbonate on the surface.  This green stuff is used as an artist's pigment, in some cosmetics, and also to reduce the growth of algea in ponds and aquaculture.

Copper has antimicrobial and antifungal properties, something ancient people discovered when they noticed that water stored in copper vessels remained fresh longer than water stored in other materials.  They also used copper in medicinal preparations and to help sterilize wounds.
Scientists are currently studying how copper destroys microbes, but recent studies have shown that harmful microbes such as E. coli, Staph and influenza die after 1-2 hours on copper surfaces, while they can survive on stainless steel for weeks. This property has great potential for improving conditions in hospitals.

 

Copper is also a mineral essential to the functioning of our bodies and is found in healthy foods such as nuts and green vegetables. It has antioxidant properties, and people have claimed for thousands of years that it can help ease arthritis pain (though no scientific studies have confirmed this).

Minor skin contact shouldn't cause problems, and very few people are allergic to copper.  The oxidation marks are unsightly, though, so I seal my jewelry with a durable finish to prevent oxidation and discoloration.

Another cool thing about copper that I love is the warm, rosy color - not quite as bright and ostentatious as gold, but possessing it's own special luster.  I also love how it plays so well with other colors. Both warm and cool tones harmonize beautifully with it, giving me a lot of color schemes to explore. 

oxidation reaction. The copper reacts with oxygen in the air, your sweat and skin oils creating a green layer of copper carbonate on your skin - See more at: http://www.oakcitygallery.com/copper-jewelry-facts.html#sthash.2eWyF3et.dpuf

oxidation reaction. The copper reacts with oxygen in the air, your sweat and skin oils creating a green layer of copper carbonate on your skin - See more at: http://www.oakcitygallery.com/copper-jewelry-facts.html#sthash.2eWyF3et.dpuf

More Etching Tests

So, the electro-etching thing wasn't working for me.  It was just taking way too long and I wasn't getting the results I was going for.  I also realized that even when using a saline solution instead of an acid, I'd still have to dispose of the used etchant as hazardous waste, because of the metal salts dissolved in it.  So basically, as far as I can tell, there's no way to etch without having to deal with disposing of hazardous chemicals. So I decided to just go ahead and get some ferric chloride, which is what most folks use.

This stuff requires a bit more care when handling, as it stains anything it touches (except metal, which it eats instead!), can burn pinholes in fabric and can give you a mild acid burn if you get it on your skin.  If you do (which I did; wearing protective gloves doesn't do much good when you get the stuff inside the glove!), you can just neutralize the acid with baking soda and scrub up with soap and water, so it's not a huge deal.  You do NOT want to get it in your eyes or ingest it, though. I think I can manage to avoid that.

Well, the results are MUCH better than I was getting with the electro setup.  The test piece was in the ferric chloride solution for an hour and 40mins, and got me a nice, deep etch.  All of those photos are of the same piece - taken at different angles with/without flash. I LOVE how the light plays over the metal!!!

I then played around with some torch pantina'ing, which gave me a bunch of colors in the recesses - reds and yellows and even some blue/green hues.  Then I ran out of butane for my torch, so I'll continue my exploration of that as soon as I can find my extra can of butane.  :P

And when I get my spiffy Renaissance Wax sealer (hopefully tomorrow), I'll see what it looks like with the finish on it and all buffed out.  I should also be getting my jewelers saw later this week, and then I can start cutting the pieces out and actually making a finished pendant. 

Yay!  Getting closer!

Inital Etching Tests

Not as deep an etch as I would like, and it took forever, but I'm starting to see a glimmer of what I'm after!

Art Inspiration of the Day; 3/26/2014

I've been exploring the world of handcrafted jewelry, seeking both knowledge and inspiration.

One of the jewelery artists I've come across who has really impressed me is Jamie Spinello.
I love her use of form and texture!  Her designs expore both geometric and organic shapes, creating an almost tribal look that still manages to be elegant.
She excels at transforming "alternative metals" - things like copper and brass and stainless steel (considered by many to be inferior to shiny gold and silver) into sophisticated pieces fit for a queen, or perhaps a warrior priestess from some exotic alien culture.  :)

She also creates stunning 3-D works in cut paper and plastic, as well as painting, drawing and collage pieces.

Go take a tour of her gallery at: http://www.jamiespinello.com/index.html

https://www.etsy.com/listing/182827687/articulated-symmetry-necklace-etched?ref=shop_home_active_3

You can also buy jewelry items direct from her Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/JamieSpinello

The piece pictured above is my favorite!!!