Electroplating is when metal is plated over a metal object. Electroforming is when metal is plated over a non-metallic object which has been coated with a conductive paint. Electroforming is thus a great technique if you want to turn polymer clay, resin or wood into copper pieces.
Here is an electroforming demo by one of my favorite Youtubers - Peter Brown. He is a woodworker in his spare time. He first made a simple pendant from scrap wood and then copper electroformed it.
As you can see, it is a very simple process - even if what you remember from science class is a bit vague. You do have to be patient as it takes hours to coat a piece. Check out the info section of his video for the full list of what he used. He did use an electroforming kit which is no longer available on Amazon.
You can still gather the necessary materials and equipment yourself. Metalsmith Brittany Witt of Maker Monologues has an excellent article on what you need to get started on copper electroforming. She includes many tips and resource alternatives.
Before You Go:
- Copper Electroformed on Polymer Clay Jewelry by Annie Laura Handmade
- How to Patina and Protect a Wire Wrapped Copper Pendant
- Two Swirly Copper Wire Jewelry Tutorials and Tips by Oksana Truhan
Disclosure
This blog may contain affiliate links. I do receive a small fee for any products purchased through affiliate links. This goes towards the support of this blog and to provide resource information to readers. The opinions expressed are solely my own. They would be the same whether or not I receive any compensation.
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Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
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If you have $425 there is an electroforming/etching kit at Rio Grande (search "Sherri Haab" and it should be the first result).
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip! It looks like one has to spend a few hundred dollars to get started.
DeleteI did not know that wood or resin could be electroformed by using a conductive paint. This is a very informative video. Thanks for sharing it
ReplyDeleteI've seen it done on polymer clay too!
DeleteI've been wanting to try electroforming for a long time. I've got bits and pieces set aside that are needed and the list helps to figure out all the rest.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea for your wood pieces Pearl!
Yes, I thought so too. But it will be a long while before I can try electroforming!
DeleteThis was neat to watch, but if you didn't already know, I think that triangle-thing is an occult symbol. If you (or someone watching this) don't intend it for that purpose, you may want to pick a different shape.
ReplyDeleteWhat an odd thing to say! There are lots of triangular things out there - traffic signs, musical triangles, pyramids, taco chips, truss bridges, roofs, the sails for sailing boats, a square sandwich cut in half diagonally, triangular beads - tons and tons of examples of triangles in real life!
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