Egyptian Eyes Copper Earrings

Description

These solid copper earrings are about 1 1/2 inches long. First etched and a permanent patina added to bring out their design, a clear finish has been added to both the front and back to help maintain the patina. The ear wires are niobium, which is hypoallergenic.

I want you to enjoy my wearable art. If for any reason you are not pleased with my item, please contact me within 7 days. I will accommodate you in any way I can. If you would prefer, return your purchase within the 7 days in its original condition and I will refund your purchase price minus shipping. International shipping (though not Canada) includes insurance.

As an Eclectic Metalsmith, I enjoy working with metals in unique ways. With the right equipment and chemicals, the multistep process of etching copper is great way of making attractive jewelry and household items.

I start with transferring a black and white design to a special material used for etching metals. With the design placed on a cleaned sheet of copper, heat is applied to transfer the black part of the design. The copper is placed in a ferric chloride etching bath which eats away the open areas of copper but will not eat away the black areas that were transferred. After a period of time, the copper is etched deeply enough to clearly see the pattern. At this point the copper is cleaned, dried and the piece completed if no antiquing is to be done. For antiquing, the piece is dipped in the antiquing bath. By rubbing sandpaper over the top of the copper sheet, the antiquing layer is cleaned off the top of the metal and remains in the etched area. The antiquing step is performed a couple of times to darken the etched background and to give clear definition to the design. To prevent the normal darkening oxidation of the copper, the piece is then given a protective coating.

Added on Dec 13, 2009