Hand-crafted, unique jewelry by Karla J Moore. Many more pieces are available for sale a the River Art Gallery in San Antonio, Texas, and the Cambridge Artist Cooperative in Cambridge, Mass. To inquire about a specific piece or a commission, email info@karlajmoore.com.
Some of the techniques used include reticulated silver, flame-painting, fire patina, fold form, texturing, etching. (Check out the video on illusion etching at the bottom of this page.) Sometimes, it takes a combination of techniques. If you click on a picture below, you’ll see a description of which technique was used. Scroll down for explanations of each.
Reticulated Silver
This one is fun! Silver melts faster than copper. The process starts with a plain or textured piece of copper on a kiln brick. Sterling silver scraps are placed on top of it, and the heat is on. The fire melts the silver, and then it flows over the copper like water. After it cools, the metal gets a good scrubbing to reveal the hills and valleys of shiny silver.
Flame Painting
Copper changes colors under extreme heat. The colors emerge as the copper cools, so it takes patience. As a result, it can take several firings before the desired color surfaces. After that, the piece is sanding or etching to bring more depth to the designs.
Fire Patina
This is like flame painting, but the copper stays in the fire much longer so a good fire patina can develop. The color turns dark brown or black. After it cools, the high points are sanded and polished, and the lower parts of the metal are left dark to give the piece dimension.
Fold Form
Extreme heat softens copper. It becomes malleable enough fold. Then it’s like folding paper. After hammering the copper, it is heated again. When the copper is unfolded, the folds leave interesting creases and patterns.
Texturing
Texturing leaves patterns in the metal. The most common type of texturing is done by hand-hammered a dimpled effect into the metal, but there are many other types of textures.
Etching
Designs emerge after the copper has been in the fire. Colors and patterns come out. Etching removes the patina down to the bare copper, and it adds features to a piece as if painting on a canvas.
“Illusion” etching gives the illusion of movement in the light. This technique changes the way a piece looks in the light. Below is a video of an illusion pendant.
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