Hi everyone,
As I mentioned yesterday, I took time out today to create something just for the hell of it and blog about it!
I have been using silver clay for a few years now but never had a go with the copper clay, so I thought I would have a go and make a set of steampunk cufflinks with a box to match. As you can see from the picture there is only one cufflink on show, I will explain what happened to the other one later on…..whoops!
Click on Pictures for a Larger View
![copper steampunk cufflinks copper steampunk cufflinks](//lh6.ggpht.com/-gdPuFRBoE6o/TjqzV8G0ZYI/AAAAAAAAB4M/jkDLYaIT1Ns/copper%252520steampunk%252520cufflinks_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800)
![DSC_0548 DSC_0548](//lh4.ggpht.com/-mFrPXdazjj4/Tjqzcm9zG6I/AAAAAAAAB4U/n7usfMxcRDM/DSC_0548_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
I began by taking a mold of a few watch parts into some 2 part silicone moulding compound.
![DSC_0539 DSC_0539](//lh4.ggpht.com/--aUv4E0f-14/Tjqzhd84OiI/AAAAAAAAB4c/3GEqztuQ2Tc/DSC_0539_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800)
I then rolled out the copper clay to my desired thickness and embossed the surface using the silicon mold. Two squares of copper clay were then cut using a craft knife.
Once the clay was dry (very important) I placed the cufflink faces onto a firebrick and heated with a creme Brulee torch until they were cherry red for approx 7 minutes.
![DSC_0542 DSC_0542](//lh6.ggpht.com/-XBuRIue_WVs/Tjqznf4-ZnI/AAAAAAAAB4k/8GsGeTLhRzA/DSC_0542_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800)
I immediately quenched them in water to remove any oxidisation.
![DSC_0543 DSC_0543](//lh6.ggpht.com/-S-IAGUzywqE/TjqzqbXyLzI/AAAAAAAAB4s/t-8OiEjBVqY/DSC_0543_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800)
Copper cufflink backings were then soldered on, you can always get glue on backings if your not happy with the idea of soldering.
To finish off, I gave them a quick buff with a wire brush and a very slight polish.
![DSC_0 DSC_0](//lh5.ggpht.com/-gHULul03iyk/TjqztCVaOkI/AAAAAAAAB40/7jVb8QOjNuE/DSC_0_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800)
Here is the second cufflink, because of my impatience I started to fire it before the clay had properly dried and unfortunately it blistered and cracked, I have made a few more today and am leaving them overnight to dry before firing.
![DSC_0556 DSC_0556](//lh3.ggpht.com/-nfsqB2tK_js/Tjqz4x9BC-I/AAAAAAAAB48/q4nf2AAFukY/DSC_0556_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800)
You can find lots more information about copper clay here http://www.artclayworld.com/Tips-TechSheets/ArtClayCopperBooklet.pdf
It's very cheap in comparison to silver and you don't need too many tools to get started, A fire brick and a creme brulee torch is all I have used!
The box is just an old plain cufflink box I had lying around which I altered and finished of with a copper patina.
![copper steampunk cufflink box copper steampunk cufflink box](//lh3.ggpht.com/-Xh4mi8cLoI8/Tjqz7XxbDRI/AAAAAAAAB5E/sF-gytrN59k/copper%252520steampunk%252520cufflink%252520box_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800)
Andy
As I mentioned yesterday, I took time out today to create something just for the hell of it and blog about it!
I have been using silver clay for a few years now but never had a go with the copper clay, so I thought I would have a go and make a set of steampunk cufflinks with a box to match. As you can see from the picture there is only one cufflink on show, I will explain what happened to the other one later on…..whoops!
Click on Pictures for a Larger View
![copper steampunk cufflinks copper steampunk cufflinks](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gdPuFRBoE6o/TjqzV8G0ZYI/AAAAAAAAB4M/jkDLYaIT1Ns/copper%252520steampunk%252520cufflinks_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800)
![DSC_0548 DSC_0548](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mFrPXdazjj4/Tjqzcm9zG6I/AAAAAAAAB4U/n7usfMxcRDM/DSC_0548_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
I began by taking a mold of a few watch parts into some 2 part silicone moulding compound.
![DSC_0539 DSC_0539](http://lh4.ggpht.com/--aUv4E0f-14/Tjqzhd84OiI/AAAAAAAAB4c/3GEqztuQ2Tc/DSC_0539_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800)
I then rolled out the copper clay to my desired thickness and embossed the surface using the silicon mold. Two squares of copper clay were then cut using a craft knife.
Once the clay was dry (very important) I placed the cufflink faces onto a firebrick and heated with a creme Brulee torch until they were cherry red for approx 7 minutes.
![DSC_0542 DSC_0542](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XBuRIue_WVs/Tjqznf4-ZnI/AAAAAAAAB4k/8GsGeTLhRzA/DSC_0542_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800)
I immediately quenched them in water to remove any oxidisation.
![DSC_0543 DSC_0543](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-S-IAGUzywqE/TjqzqbXyLzI/AAAAAAAAB4s/t-8OiEjBVqY/DSC_0543_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800)
Copper cufflink backings were then soldered on, you can always get glue on backings if your not happy with the idea of soldering.
To finish off, I gave them a quick buff with a wire brush and a very slight polish.
![DSC_0 DSC_0](http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gHULul03iyk/TjqztCVaOkI/AAAAAAAAB40/7jVb8QOjNuE/DSC_0_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800)
Here is the second cufflink, because of my impatience I started to fire it before the clay had properly dried and unfortunately it blistered and cracked, I have made a few more today and am leaving them overnight to dry before firing.
![DSC_0556 DSC_0556](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nfsqB2tK_js/Tjqz4x9BC-I/AAAAAAAAB48/q4nf2AAFukY/DSC_0556_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800)
You can find lots more information about copper clay here http://www.artclayworld.com/Tips-TechSheets/ArtClayCopperBooklet.pdf
It's very cheap in comparison to silver and you don't need too many tools to get started, A fire brick and a creme brulee torch is all I have used!
The box is just an old plain cufflink box I had lying around which I altered and finished of with a copper patina.
![copper steampunk cufflink box copper steampunk cufflink box](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Xh4mi8cLoI8/Tjqz7XxbDRI/AAAAAAAAB5E/sF-gytrN59k/copper%252520steampunk%252520cufflink%252520box_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800)
Andy
Oh Yes they are fabulous, I didn't know you could get copper clay, love the box too, Gay xxx
ReplyDeleteLove the techniques, gotta have the silicone mould and have a play with textures
ReplyDeleteso when's the 1st copper clay workshop!!
Andy, that's just so cooool!!! Love the cufflinks and the box! That's a great texture you've got there. I'm about to start working with the 2-part silicone moulding putty, and from what I've seen, it's amazing the detail it picks up. Sorry you had a mishap with your second cufflink but it's great that you posted about it, to show people what happens when you make a mistake - everyone can learn and hopefully avoid making the same mistake!
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff, didn't know they did a copper clay until now ! Pity about the split one though !
ReplyDeleteVery Cool!
ReplyDeletequick question andy- what temp does copper clay get fired at if using a jewellery/ enamelling kiln?
ReplyDeleteif it takes 30mins in a pottery kiln how long does it take in a small kiln- is it similar timing? is it the bronze that takes 8 hrs in a tub?
thank you
I will be getting a small kiln soon, will also order copper clay
Very nice indeed. but alas yes. the number of items ive ruined because i cant wait the correct amount of time... so hard lol. I have what I call Magnus Magnuson syndrome. Ive started so I'll finish.
ReplyDeleteFabulous cuff link and box! Your art is so amazing! :)
ReplyDelete