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Thread: Playing with electroforming

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
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    Default Playing with electroforming

    My new experiments have been with electroforming - and thought I'd share some photos. Click image for larger version. 

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    The ring in the last two photos was patina'd with scalp shampoo.
    Electroforming is a whole new learning curve and as you can see I'm playing with making firm copper attachments to silver rings, to eliminate the possibility of green fingers.
    Lots to learn still and a great deal of refinement to go but what's fun about it is relinquishing a bit of control - despite the fact that you have to constantly tweak the bath and settings and all of the other factors that make for a good forming experience.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
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    Central London
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    You're an ace experimenter and the results are such fun. Dennis.

  3. #3
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    Jul 2017
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dennis View Post
    You're an ace experimenter and the results are such fun. Dennis.
    Thanks Dennis, it's definitely fun!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
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    Particularly love the one with the blue stone, gorgeous!

  5. #5
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    Jul 2017
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    I can't resist the lure of a labradorite!

  6. #6
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    Mar 2018
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    Hertfordshire
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    They look fab Deb. Really like the results you're getting.

  7. #7
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    Jul 2017
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    Thank you. Everything has to be done in small stages with lots of drying time in between - seal the stones, stick the stones on and allow that to dry, coat in conductive paint (2 coats) with more time to dry. And because I'm playing with forming copper on top of silver I'm having to solder on little copper platforms for things like the mushroom shape to be stuck to and then the forming has to be thick enough to hold firm. They need around 12 hours in the solution with problem solving along the way - do I need to tweak this, why isn't that working... So it's very satisfying when it works. And friends popped round yesterday to buy some so that's helpful - more stones on the way now!

  8. #8
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    Mar 2018
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    Hertfordshire
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    Can you recommend any resources for learning about the process?

  9. #9
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    Jul 2017
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    I've learned everything so far from an FB group - Electroforming - Design & Jewelry Artists. One of the books available on Amazon (and there aren't many) is written by one of the members there and he pretty much shares everything he knows in the group, as do others who do amazing work. Some of the files in the group are a bit intimidating at first due to the technical nature of the beast but because there are so many variables you just have to get your head around the basics, read threads and get stuck in. I got a kit from Gateros on eBay (slightly different to their kit on the website) and they're also in the group. Be warned though, it's ever so slightly addictive!

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
    Posts
    129

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    Hi Some lovely work there , trying to figure out the soldering copper platforms , I just glue my stuff to the silver then form over it , if its a thick enough plate it wont go anywhere , also with feldspars and welo opal I use copydex latex glue on the stone thats not covered in conductive paint because the solution can make the stones natural flaws worse .Click image for larger version. 

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    If you have any questions then please ask I will try and help
    John

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