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sheet copper and raku

updated fri 1 aug 03

 

Phyllis Tilton on thu 31 jul 03


Philip mentioned sheet copper in a reply about transferware. I have a roll of sheet copper that I bought at least 25 years ago when I was trying another craft. At that time, we would fasten a portion of the sheet over a soft surface -foam or other, and draw a picture or design with a kind of stylus. When completed, and this is where my memory gets fuzzy, we used a liquid(maybe sulfur dioxide??or a thiosulfide??) over and then wiped it off. It darkened the design. I don't have any idea what the copper would be worth today--the box is marked $5.00. The pieces were framed. Something different to do.

My question--Has anyone had experience using this on raku? If so, how? Cutting designs or strips? How to secure it into place? -on a vertical piece?? I will be participating in a raku firing in October. I thought of making a slab form and using a stencil to add glaze to a fish design and wanted it to metallic. Ditto , a flower design. We are limited to the number of pieces because the response to this event is very good. Of course, we take our bisqued pieces and usually do the glazing there. I will welcome any suggestions--and know I should test--but thinking about it, doing this will be a test.


Phyllis Tilton
daisypet1@yahoo.com


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Valice Raffi on thu 31 jul 03


Hi Phyllis,

the rolls of sheet copper are still available, I use it often. Prices have
gone up! A small roll, 12in x 5ft is now $8.25. Cost goes down when you
buy longer lengths, but the widest I've been able to find is 16" (if anyone
knows of a source for wider widths, please let me know!).

I've tried a lot of things for giving the copper patina and staining in the
crevasses: sulpher dioxide, copper sulphate, various patinas that are
available in hardware & craft stores, salsa, 7% solutions of iodine, and a
propane torch (use carefully outside - wear gloves, mask).

Haven't tried it in raku, hummm...!

Valice
in Sacramento

>Philip mentioned sheet copper in a reply about transferware. I have a roll
>of sheet copper that I bought at least 25 years ago when I was trying
>another craft.

Gene and Dolita Dohrman on thu 31 jul 03


We used to do copper wire on pots in the electric kiln in the studio - I =
never did it but it got to be quite a fad in the shop. The copper has a =
low melting point and the person running the kilns made everyone stop =
using it as it was running onto the shelves. I imagine it would do the =
same in a raku fire if not used judiciously. Just my two cents worth. =
Dolita

dohrman@insightbb.com
Gene and Dolita Dohrman
1811 Edenside Avenue
Louisville, Ky 40204
Phone 502-749-1513

psci_kw on thu 31 jul 03


Go to your local hardware store. Better to go to a roofing supply or
building supply house. You can order rolls of (pure) copper flashing as
wide as 36". Copper nails too, if you're interested in something a little
more, er, esoteric.
Not as thin as you might like perhaps (it's used for roofs after all) but it
can be pounded thinner with a hammer, which also gives it that wonderful
"hand-hammered" look.
Hope that helps,
Wayne in KW

> the rolls of sheet copper are still available, I use it often. Prices
have
> gone up! A small roll, 12in x 5ft is now $8.25. Cost goes down when you
> buy longer lengths, but the widest I've been able to find is 16" (if
anyone
> knows of a source for wider widths, please let me know!).

Timothy Schultz on thu 31 jul 03


I sell it, comes in 36" x 96" sheets, 12 oz and 16 oz
cost about 200.00 canadian.

Timothy
----- Original Message -----
From: "Valice Raffi"
To:
Sent: Thursday, July 31, 2003 7:49 AM
Subject: Re: Sheet Copper and Raku


> Hi Phyllis,
>
> the rolls of sheet copper are still available, I use it often. Prices
have
> gone up! A small roll, 12in x 5ft is now $8.25. Cost goes down when you
> buy longer lengths, but the widest I've been able to find is 16" (if
anyone
> knows of a source for wider widths, please let me know!).
>
> I've tried a lot of things for giving the copper patina and staining in
the
> crevasses: sulpher dioxide, copper sulphate, various patinas that are
> available in hardware & craft stores, salsa, 7% solutions of iodine, and a
> propane torch (use carefully outside - wear gloves, mask).
>
> Haven't tried it in raku, hummm...!
>
> Valice
> in Sacramento
>
> >Philip mentioned sheet copper in a reply about transferware. I have a
roll
> >of sheet copper that I bought at least 25 years ago when I was trying
> >another craft.
>
>
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