Pretty Patina ::A Giveaway::

Isn't this a beautiful blue?

This is the result of raw brass filigree with an oxidized patina verdigris finish.  

Ooohhhh.  Aaahhhh. 

Wanna know how I did it?

Here are a few pictures of my process.

Start with clean raw brass. (It works great on copper too.)  Clean your metal with some soapy water.  This is helpful because even oils from your hands can effect your results.  Use gloves, so you don't get oils on the metal after it's clean.  Then, give your metal a little dip in some salty water.

Since I don't have a torch (it's on my wish list) I heated my metal in the oven.  It works faster if your metal is hot!  If I were you, I would recommend heating it on 350 degrees for nine minutes.  Ten minutes is probably too long.

Now here is the magical set-up:

First, before you do anything else, put on a mask.  Or tie a scarf around your face.  Or put a clothes pin on your nose.  ANYthing for protection.  

You will need:

ammonia

small bowl or container

mesh screen (anything that will allow fumes to pass through)

large air-tight container

Pour the ammonia into the smaller container, and then balance the screen on top of the container to allow the ammonia fumes to pass through.

Place your heated metal on top of the screen and then put the lid on the large container.  This keeps the fumes contained so that the metal can start to react.

Now wait.  Don't get too anxious.  When you go to check to see if it's working, don't eagerly lean over the table and breathe.  If you must breathe, don't breathe in the fumes.  I unfortunately have learned from experience, that the ammonia smell will stay in your nose for a minimum of 3 days.

After you start to see the oxidation on the metal, and you are happy with the results (the longer you leave it in there, the darker it will get-eventually turning black), take the metal out and let it start to dry.  As it dries, the colors will become brighter.

The next step is crucial:  Oooh and aahhh over them for a few days.  Take pictures so you blog about your science experiment.  Then make sure you put a finish on the metal to stop the oxidation process.  You can put a finishing wax or a spray acrylic finish.

Now here is the part that you've been waiting for:  the finished product.

Maybe it was the fact that this was our Independence Day weekend, but I couldn't help myself from pairing delicious reds with these beautiful blues.  

I made four pair of earrings.  

And one of them can be yours, because I like y'all a lot--remember?

It's simple.  You don't have to do anything except leave me a little comment love.  It's a very unofficial giveaway.  But its oh-so-fun!

I've recently come across a few sweet friends that I didn't know had a blog.  I was giddy with excitement when I found them too!  Do you have a blog, and I don't know about it?  I would love to read about your story.   Even if you don't have a blog, I still want to know if you're reading!  

So, just leave me a comment and let me know which pair of earrings is your favorite.  I'll put all the names in a hat, and let the Husband pull out a winner.  He gets really excited about that!  

***I will draw a name on Friday afternoon!***