1.5 Textured Patina Samples

DESCRIPTION:

Metal clay and textured surfaces are a winning combination. Applying contrast to enhance the details takes a design to the next level.

Use metal clay to make a set of at least five or more identical plaques in any shape (squares, rectangles, ovals, etc.). Each plaque should be at least 1.25 inch/3 mm long in their longest dimension. Texture 1/3 to 1/2 of the plaque, leaving the rest untextured/plain. After sintering, apply a brushed finish. Research and apply a different type of non-traditional patina to each plaque, and then polish the high points of the textured portion to accentuate the design while leaving the untextured side fully coated by the patina.

Mount the finished plaques on a display board including a brief description of the materials and/or processes used. They may be mounted as a collection on a single board, or mounted individually on mini canvas’, business cards, in an accordion book, and so on. Consider how the completed display will be packaged and shipped for submission.

The goal of this challenge is to encourage research and investigation to discover new techniques and methods that could enhance your jewelry practice. Readily available, commercially produced solutions such as Liver of Sulphur (LOS), Black Max, Jax, Sculpt Nouveau, Baldwin’s, XL Gel, etc., are not appropriate for this Challenge. Instead, you’re being asked to research safe ways to produce unique patina effects in a home studio setting. Explore how the use of things like resists, heat patinas, fuming, and layering (to name a few) can change the coloration of metal.

The accompanying challenge submission form will ask you to document your findings, which will help to ensure that the results can be duplicated. You might want to imagine how these plaques could be used in finished work after the submission has been Evaluated and returned.

Note: There are many recipes for making specialized patinas online. Uninformed experimentation with potentially dangerous chemicals can be hazardous and is not necessary in the completion of this Challenge. Always consult an expert when working with unfamiliar chemicals and use common sense precautions when handling them!