how do you feel about copper?

I think copper is lovely. There is a lady who always does our Pecan Street festival that does wonderful things in copper. I think there is a coating to protect from the patina, but I'm not sure.

I **love** the look of copper. I've never had it turn me green, and I wouldn't care if it did. :) It's just such a warm, lovely color and goes really well with some colors of glass. Mmmmmmm I'd rather wear copper than gold any day. Maybe that's because I am a redhead. :)

Copper is cool. It's totally in from what I've *heard* don't really know myself. It's also cool if you bake it.... turns all kind of cool colors.

I say Go For It :)

vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from "Pam" :

]So... how do you feel about copper?

personally, i love copper. copper doesn't like ME much, but i love the way it looks. just make sure and include cleaning instructions? [everyone loves it when i tell them "toothbrush and ketchup"]

----------- @vicki [SnuggleWench] (Books)

vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from "Lynda" :

]It's also cool if you bake it.... turns all kind of cool colors.

OH! now THERE's an interesting thought!

----------- @vicki [SnuggleWench] (Books)

Harry My Ebay Auctions are at

oooh now there is an idea or ten! Quick search gave me this:

I love the look of copper... However, after a short time, it is no longer bright and shiny, if you start with the "raw" product. The copper tone pewter seems to "work" much better for long term. Kaytee "Simplexities" on

Being in Arizona, I have an almost patriotic obligation to say.....I LOVE IT!!!! I have a heavy copper bracelet with a wonderful patina on it. Some things just NEED copper to bring out the best....like malachites (makes sense since they grow together, huh?)

KarenK

Pam: We have entire copper line, and it sells quite well. I like the patination, but for people who might not, you can either lacquer it or spray it with Krylon matte spray. It will wear off in time, but then it can be resprayed or lacquered.

IF you are sealing the copper, it should just be cleaned using a soft cloth.

If you are not sealing it, the best cleaner I have found is lemon juice with a pinch of salt. You can either dip the piece in, or put the mixture on a cloth and use it that way. I dip.

We started making copper because so many of our friends wear copper jewelry in the hopes of helping with their arthritis. Most of the jewelry was very plain and boring so we made some things in copper.

About heating it...if you want just some of the beads to have a different color, or you just want parts of them to, get one of those "ov'gloves" and a candle, and putting your piece in tongs, hold it over the candle, and watch it change colors. Beautiful pinks, oranges, etc.

Good luck. Would love to see what you do with one of my favorites...copper.

Also, do get the jewelry grade copper and not the stuff from the hardware store if you can...the color is much nicer, and because it's half hard, it's easier to work with.

ok, you have all convinced me - I'm going to try it! Now I just need to find some "jewelry grade" copper sheet and wire - this is going to turn into a big project I think - and all because of three pretty stones ;-)

Woohoo welcome to the world of copper!!! We buy ours at Hagstoz, but I bought it so long ago and in such quantity, that I haven't looked at its prices in quite some time.

I am sure that others will have other solutions.

I like it. It's very plastic, so very nice to forge and form and takes a patina very well.

You can use clear artist's spray- the stuff they use to seal drawings and paintings.

If you're in the US, you can order it online from

Have you done any fold-forming with it? You can make the most wonderful handles with it that way. For jewelry work, have a piece sandblasted, then color it with colored pencils (use good quality, not the cheapies). Then spray with a coat of clear lacquer and rub with a coat of carnauba (car) wax. That will seal in the colors. I have a wonderful bowl I made that way. I put candies in it for customers when I'm doing a show. Barbara Dream Master

If you want to make God laugh, tell him your future plans. Woody Allen

Barbara Dream Master

If you want to make God laugh, tell him your future plans. Woody Allen

Can we see it?

Tina