Today’s post is from Beverly Herman, she has been experimenting with patinas and has generously shared her process.
I used Sophisticated Finishes to create the verdigris finish on the dragonfly. This product contains special salts and oxidation agents to speed up the process. Highlights of the dragonfly body were achieved with Silver-black.
Supplies:
Brass Dragonfly
Sophisticated Finishes Patina Green Antiquing solution
Silver-Black solution
Fine steel wool
Johnson & Johnson paste wax
Rubber gloves
Q-tips
Step 1: Use fine steel wool to clean and prepare the surface for patina.
Step 2: Paint a coat of Sophisticated Finishes on the dragonfly. Let it air dry and repeat for a second coat. I waited over night for the oxidation process to take place.
Step 3: Use a Q-tip to darken the body of the dragonfly with Silver-Black. Repeat for the outside edges of the wings. Take the steel wool and run it across the body to bring out the brass highlights.
Step Four: Paint a third coat of the patina over the entire dragonfly. Wait over night for the oxidation to take place.
Step Five: A final time use the steel wool to bring out the brass highlights on the wings and body. When you are happy with the results rub a small amount of paste wax over the dragonfly and polish with a soft cloth.
Notes: Sophisticated Finishes is water-based for easy clean-up. Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands. Additional information about this product can be found at http://www.modernoptions.com/
Pictured here is a copper etched pendant that has been treated with the Sophisticated Finishes solution.
Patina solution: Michael’s. Silver/Black Solution: local lapidary/jewelry supply shop. Dragonfly: Vintaj. Paste Wax: Ace Hardware.
Beverly blogs at noeasybeads.blogspot.com and sells her jewelry and patterns in her Etsy shop.
Alice
October 6, 2009 at 4:38 pmWhat a lovely patina! Thanks so much to Beverly for sharing this tutorial!
FunkyMonkey Girls
October 6, 2009 at 5:29 pmLooks beautiful but my question is that will the paint "crack" if you curve the pendant around a donut for example?
Funky Monkey Girl,
Jolene
Marbella Jewelry Designs
October 6, 2009 at 6:20 pmgreat post , thanks for sharing
Jeannie
October 6, 2009 at 6:50 pmBeverly what a beautiful dragonfly. Thanks for sharing the intructions for it.
rosebud101
October 7, 2009 at 1:52 amgreat job!
No Easy Beads
October 7, 2009 at 6:38 amFunkyMonkey Girls. I haven't tried to curve the pendant. I don't think the patina will crack.
Thank you, Marbella, Jeannie, Rosebud and Alice for the kind words about the patina on the dragonfly. It was my pleasure to share the process.
Cindy Lietz, Polymer Clay Tutor
October 9, 2009 at 4:38 pmAnother cheap and awesome way to patina brass and copper is to put in a Ziploc bag with a cotton ball or piece of felt soaked in household ammonia. Keep an eye on your project because the transformation is quick (sometimes as fast as 5 minutes). Don't leave fine gauges of wire in for too long or they will become brittle. Copper turns a dark color at first but then will turn green if left longer. Rinse off with water to stop process and seal with Preserve your Memories II to protect the finish and keep it from continuing to age.
Loren
December 1, 2009 at 4:18 amNice job! Reminds me of Sculpt Nouveau's patinas. Be sure to use a good strong lacquer to protect those finishes, especially if they will be handled often or outdoors.