Recently, I got my hot little hands on this book:
The initial attraction was the cute projects that I had previewed. I mean, just look at that awesome wire-worked bird link on the cover! Furthermore, I had purchased a few lampworked beads that were gorgeous, but I couldn't figure out how to adequately incorporate them into designs. They need something special!
As I was able to dig deeper into the text (that is code for "I look at all the pictures, first!") Kerry Bogert played around with various home recipes to create the patinas that we jewelry-makers and junkers adore. Since I just found my liver of sulfur in the depths of a messily packed box and found that the entire container had been neutralized (insane heat creating condensation?), I was very open to kitchen recipes.
The first set-up I tried uses ammonia and salt-water. Bogert calls for using plastic mesh and a saltwater spritzer. I did not have either. The idea behind the set-up is for the ammonia fumes to work with the dappled salt to create a reaction on the metal. So, I improvised. I've been saving Crystal Light containers like a crazy hoarder lady, so I cut down one so that it was shallow enough to fit inside an airtight container that I had available. In place of the mesh, I just poked holes in the lid with an awl. I'm keeping my set-up small because, so far, I work in small batches in my small house =) To create the dappling, I sprinkled water over the copper metal and added a couple shakes of salt. I'm pleased as punch with the outcome! I haven't completed the last step--sealing the pieces. The patina is very crumbly and Bogert warns to seal with a product that is NOT water-based so the patina doesn't change color.
In case you are wondering, I did toss the clasps with the beads right into the fume chamber. The top one is Czech glass and the bottom one is dyed magnesite (which did fade slightly.)
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