Copper Clay Impression Rings

So what do you do if you have spent hours upon hours on a new product that just simply won't cooperate with you?

The only successful torch firings out of 50 pieces.

You send it to one of your awesome more experienced friends who'll figure it out for you.

Being in a network of supportive friends is vital to your success in forward momentum for your work.

I had been working with Hadar Jacobson's copper clay for a several months and had very little luck torch firing the base metal clays.

Instead of risking any more of the copper clay cabs I had created and dried, I sent them to Claire of

 Still Point Works .

Who kindly fired them and scrubbed them for me and then shipped them back to me in a pouch that made them sound like a pirates treasure of coins.

(Thank you, My Wonderful Friend) 

It was exciting to open them and I wished I'd been of sound mind to photograph and share their arrival with you.

 

Finally, I had my metal cabochons of pure alloys that allowed me to tumble (to work harden them and burnish the surface for patina application), solder them to bases of contrasting sterling, heat them and apply layers of patina, mica powder and lacquer in way that gave a jewel like sparkle to the rustic, warm glow of the metal.

I am more than pleased with the results and I am so glad I am learning how to ask for help.