ICAP: So, it's not a necklace....

I've been really wanting to make copper cuff bracelets for a while, so today I experimented with a bracelet.  I etched the fourth stanza of the poem and some number 4s on a strip of 1 x 6 copper.  I also realized that I was accidentally neutralizing my etching solution, so I strengthened it.  WOW!  I still need practice forming the cuff, but here's the result:

ICAP: Four Experiments

I've spent the last couple of weeks teaching myself (e.g., experimenting with) copper etching.  I have an idea for the 4 necklace, but it requires etching.  So, I've been experimenting with different resists, etching times, and ways to remove resists.

First, I started with a permanent marker that is not a Sharpie (that's the barely visible 4 in the upper left corner).  Ick.  You can barely see it.  I put it in the etching solution for just 15 minutes, and the resist was nearly gone at the end of it.

Next, I tried an enamel paint marker (that's the upper right 4) for 10 minutes.  That looked good, but the etch wasn't nearly deep enough.  Also I only covered the back with masking tape, and so the back got etched in a very inconsistent and unattractive way.

Third up (bottom left) I tried an enamel paint marker and covered the back in enamel paint.  I put it in the etching solution for an hour.  You can't see it, but the back got dorked up.

Fourth (bottom right) EUREKA!!  I used the enamel paint marker and put it in the bath for an hour.  The etch is deep and pretty.  And the back I covered with both Sharpie and masking tape; the back was untouched after I used acetone nail polish remover to take off the sharpie.  WHEEE!!!!  I think I've got it.  Now, on to the real thing.

Oh, and a couple of attempts to use alcohol inks to increase the contrast with the copper.  And maybe making a stamp out of an eraser.  And maybe a few other ideas before I start making the 4 necklace and some copper cuff bracelets for the store.

ICAP: Threesy Peasy

The 3 necklace is the most wearable and perhaps the least artistic necklace, but I wanted to make one necklace that was less a statement piece and more of an everyday necklace.  The 3 necklace is a very long chain necklace that someone would double or triple to wear.  I placed a copper 3 and some chain between each line of the stanza; the first time I did this I ended up using 8 3s, but that did not seem like much of a tribute to the awesome number that is 3.  I was insistent that there be 9 3s (or 3 to the power of 3 and WHY can't I do superscript, blogspot?), so the 3s double up at one point. 

ICAP: Two's Done!

I finished the Two Necklace a week or so ago, but didn't get around to taking any pics with the lightcube.  Here's your visual feast:

ICAP: FIRE!

When I make jewelry for the store, I'm really attracted to color.  I love the pop of color that gemstones add.  Plus, color makes the jewelry stand out more when I'm photographing for an online store.  The ICAP project is all copper, which has been giving me fits.  I keep wanting to add color.  So, my solution for adding color is fire.  Specifically, my little butane torch.  You know the kind that gourmet kitchen stores sell for making creme brulee?  Yep.  That one.

I cleared off my jewelry bench, and put down the big tile and the firebrick.  I set the lovely, shiny copper 3s on the brick, like so.

 Then I lightly torched them, just enough to make them turn colors.  Most became a dark coppery orange, but a few turned purple and silver.

I hope this gives the 3 necklace some visual pop.  Having everything be just copper was making me monochromatically nuts.

ICAP: Brought to you by the number 3 and the letters...

So, I've spent some more time working on the components for the Three Necklace.  I finished filing and cleaning the little 3s and started stamping the third verse onto copper sheet.  I made a few mistakes, like reversing the second D in divide because dyslexia apparently strikes every third verse.

 I stamped that word again.  As I stamped, I started wondering how often I was using each letter and whether they were multiples of 3.  So, OF COURSE, I counted.  And the winners are:  E, P and S.  I used E 18 times, S 6 times and P 3 times.  Polished Silver Excels. Sing, Every Person.  (and so on...)  Anyway, when I used metal shears to cut off the stamped strips, it created these cool curls. 

My next steps are to straighten the strips, cut the words into individual rectangles, file, oxidize, punch holes and blah blah blah.  Heh.  There were three blahs there.  Excellent Sophistry, Prof.

We Interrupt this Jewelry....

...to work on very necessary, but boring, things like end of year inventory and taxes.  I hope to be back making jewelry and writing about it soon.