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Thread: Real Ginkgo Leaf Brooch

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
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    33

    Default Real Ginkgo Leaf Brooch

    Hi,

    A new brooch from me. Ginkgo seems quite popular:

    Real Ginkgo Leaf Brooch - Copper
    Brooch Size:
    Heigh 8cm
    Width 10.5cm

    The Ginkgo leaf has been electroformed in copper, preserving this unique leaf forever. The copper was given a high polish and a lacquer coating.






    There are many ways to wear it depending on fashion tastes. It could be worn the other way up for example. We only have 1 piece until they start sprouting again for spring.

    Ginkgo leaf fossils related to modern Ginkgo date back to 270 million years.

    For over 4,000 years the Ginkgo has been known in China as a healing tree. Ginkgo symbolises wisdom, longevity, and strength. It's a symbol of hope and love.

    Quite difficult to plate because of the detailing and edging of the leaf. I am really happy with the final outcome though.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    20 Km out side Mareeba in Far Nth Queensland
    Posts
    43

    Default

    Nice leaf, well done.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
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    1,743

    Default

    oooh that is lovely! do you do them in silver as well?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    the Netherlands in the summer, Spain in the winter
    Posts
    12

    Default

    Waauw, I like this brooch. I wonder, did you use a mold or a natural formed leve for it?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
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    33

    Default

    Hi,

    We need to invest some more cash in materials to get them in silver. This is planned for the future and I am really looking forward to it.

    There is no mold. Its a real leaf. Copper is plated onto the leaf and takes the shape of the leaf. The longer the plating time, the thicker the piece becomes. They are all as solid as any other brooch.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Romsey
    Posts
    5,256

    Default

    It's fun stuff. Are you using graphite or a paint to make the leaf surface conductive? And what sort of thickness of copper are you laying down?

    Gingko leaves are something I keep meaning to try carving - I've seen some fantastic stuff by Jim Kelso along those lines.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
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    33

    Default

    Hi Peter,
    I haven't used graphite as yet. I am using copper conductive paint. I would like to use silver conductive paint but the price is quite high. I am not sure of the exact thickness being laid down. I didn't calculate the deposition rate for this one. Most of the time I judge by eye rather than plating hours. So If it is still a bit flimsy and week, it goes back in again. Because it deposits a very pure copper, its actually very tough.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Posts
    1,743

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Arborvita View Post
    Hi,

    We need to invest some more cash in materials to get them in silver. This is planned for the future and I am really looking forward to it.

    There is no mold. Its a real leaf. Copper is plated onto the leaf and takes the shape of the leaf. The longer the plating time, the thicker the piece becomes. They are all as solid as any other brooch.
    I'm having a huge lust on them. I wonder if I could do it with seaweed?

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Romsey
    Posts
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    I can't see why not. The other thing I wondered about with your seaweed is how feasible would it be to work up a longish wax of either a direct cast or a slightly stylised version of your chosen plant. So long as you aren't trying to use laminaria digitata it shouldn't be too bad?

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    A Brit living in France
    Posts
    73

    Default

    If you are looking for a silver one, you can paint a real leaf with art clay or PMC paste, fire and the leaf will disintegrate leaving the silver leaf.

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