Handmade Blue

Handmade Blue

Methods to Create Handmade Jewelry With Colorful Patina Finish

Achieving wonderful layers of color on your unique handmade jewelry is efficiently realized by using Liver of sulfur. This marvelous chemical compound reacts with many different metals producing astonishing colors on your handcrafted earrings and handmade bracelets making your handmade jewelry exceptional.

The colors that can be achieved are extraordinary. No other chemical can generate such color patterns on the surface of metals. It is not a solid color but a variation of colors on a single piece.

The actual process is easy to master. You must adjust time, heat and the strength of the solution. This can only be achieved through experimentation. Every little thing can affect the results on your handmade jewelry pieces. The results achieved one day are difficult to get the next time. If you are making matching sets it is best to do them at the same time. This also applies to wholesale jewelry where customers want a standard color pattern each time.

Work in a well ventilated area. The odor of rotten eggs given off by liver of sulfur can be overwhelming if used in a closed area. It stinks but the results that can be achieved are simply amazing.

Liver of sulfur comes in liquid or solid form. The liquid is generally more expensive. Solid liver of sulfur is usually sold in small chunks, which are mixed as needed. The shelf life is unpredictable even when stored properly. It is better to buy small quantities of the solid and make your solution mixing only what you need to color your handmade jewelry.

The process is basic, you can read about it everywhere, but you will add your own creativity to produce magic.

1. Before you begin, your handmade jewelry piece should be clean. Wearing gloves throughout the process is recommended.

2. Put a 1cm or 1/4 inch clump of solid liver of sulfur in a glass or plastic container with about 1 cup of water. The color of the solution should be a very pale yellow. A strong solution will develop the colors too quickly while too weak of a solution can build a thick flaky crust.

3. Have a heat source, the liver of sulfur solution, cold water bath and finally a soapy baking soda rinse. Liver of sulfur will begin to work the second you put handmade bracelets or handmade earrings into it. Let the color develop for a couple of seconds on the handcrafted jewelry item, then put in the cold water bath to stop the patina forming. Repeat these steps until you reach the desired color.

4. Rinse the piece in soapy baking soda solution to remove any residue that could continue to change the color of the patina. Do not rub the handmade jewelry piece with the baking soda mixture as any abrasive will damage the patina finish you have worked hard to create. Be sure to rinse very well as it is probably the most important step to attain the desired effect on your handmade earrings and handmade bracelets.

The secret to control the process is the solution strength and the temperature. The hotter solution will react more quickly and the colors will move faster from one color to the next. They roughly go from gold, pink, blue, purple, gray and finally black.

Use a clear lacquer finish to protect your handmade earrings and unique bracelets with their new patina finish. Liver of sulfur produces a patina finish on metal handmade jewelry but if not treated the effects will wear over time.

Be adventurous to experiment with patterns, designs and textures on a variety of handcrafted jewelry pieces. Watch how a little color can change your handcrafted jewelry into masterpieces!

About the Author

The artisans of copperreflections.com have been making handmade jewelry and unique gift ideas since 1985. We are specialized in Horse Jewelry, wildlife and Native American jewelry, each piece is carefully designed and handcrafted especially for you.

Handmade Blue Seed Bead Necklace