[Jewelry making - Article 00025] - [Orchid] Copper oxidation

[Zemyna Designs]

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    I'm practicing my skills using copper, and find that I actually like
    copper -- I wish it didn't have so many problems with oxidation. How
    do people use it in finished pieces? In "The Complete Metalsmith" Tim
    McCreight mentions lacquering or waxing copper patinas, but notes
    the drawbacks of both. I think that lacquer would start peeling and
    chipping off a flexible knitted or crocheted piece pretty quickly. 

    In "Textile Techniques in Metal," Arline Fisch advises using coated
    copper wire manufactured for the electronics industry for knitting
    and crocheting with copper wire, and there are photos of gorgeous
    pieces she has made incorporating the stuff in the book, and I found
    some photos online: 

    http://www.mobilia-gallery.com/exhibits/fisch/fisch_arm.html (part of
    a group exhibition:
    http://www.oaklandmuseum.org/exhibit/exhi_fisch.html 

    I got a quote from a supplier on some natural-colored 30-gauge
    copper wire coated with polyurethane and nylon at about $12
    USD/pound. This price is reasonable, the problem is the 8-pound
    minimum order, which is a lot since I don't know if I'll like working
    with it. The coating abrades off craft wire too easily, and I don't
    want to work with extruded plastic-coated telephone wire. I also
    wonder if working with the coated stuff is really good practice for
    working with fine silver wire, which is what I want to do when I've
    improved my skills. 

    So... If I make something that I really like while practicing with
    bare copper wire, what could I do to make it usable? 

Fran
Zemyna Designs
Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, USA
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