Just got back from a craft fair today. As always, people ask me how to care for copper and brass jewelry. I always suggest using a 3M fine scrubbie for a nice matte finish and to remove tarnish. In addition, here is a link for a quick way to clean jewelry using household items. http://www.ehow.com/how_4473390_clean-copper-jewelry.html. I also advise keeping jewelry in plastic baggies to minimize exposure to air.
Some people are reluctant to purchase copper jewelry and worry that it will turn their skin green.
Although some people may be sensitive to certain metals, I have found that this rarely happens. It is very gratifying when I hear from people who have bought my jewelry in the past who tell me how much they enjoy wearing it. Copper and brass patina beautifully with age. With silver becoming so expensive these days, copper and brass are a wonderful alternatiive.
Hi Lori...I love working with copper also. I've recently made a cuff bracelet that I've flame painted with my torch. It has some beautiful colors. Is there anything that I need to do to keep the colors in the bracelet? I know that it will darken with age, but is there any kind of a sealant I can use or should I let it darken?
ReplyDeleteHi Gayle: I've had some great success with acrylic finishes. I use Minwax water based Polycrylic semi gloss and Aleene's spray acrylic sealer gloss finish. I spray my flame torched pieces with either of these and they keep their colors well. This also reassures customers that their copper or brass pieces won't tarnish easily.
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