HAPPY THANKSGIVING

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."

-John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Surfaces

Some of our Sunday group. David is such a good sport to put up with all of these women.

Don't Pam and Laurie look happy?

Pam's work. She even found time to forge a bracelet and rivet a piece together.

Laurie's pieces. I love her big, red copper bead.

Bonnie N's work. I think her oxide pigment pieces came out really well.

Margaret got nice color on her big copper bead that she colored with flux and heat.

I like the way May Lynn used the Gilder's paste to color her chain.

David's big copper bead came out really great. I didn't get a chance to take a picture of it after he burnished it and sealer it. It looked even better.

I think Alice really like the Gilder's Paste and the dye oxides. I really like the blue filigree butterfly.

Anne's area is just like her, creative and a little crazy! She did great work.

Bonnie G's pieces. I really like the large brass piece that she colored with the green verdigris patina. That product takes a while to develop it's final color, but it's well worth the wait.

Last Sunday I had a class in surface decoration of metals. It looks beyond liver of sulfur for adding color to metals. We had a messy good time. We got to try dye oxide patinas, flame patinas. Gilder's Paste, nail polish, and acid patina (Midas Green). I think we could probably have an all day class on any one of these techniques! I'm really excited about the dye oxide patinas for my own work. With all of the methods, prep is crucial. If you spend enough time cleaning and prepping the metal, you'll have better, longer lasting results. I hope to do another patina class soon! Somehow, I didn't get a picture of Julie's pieces, which is too bad because she gave up her day to help me out with the class and I really appreciate! Thanks Julie!