PolyShrink Techniques Gallery/ Antiquing Metal

Antiquing Metal
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Sometimes the usual silver or gold color of jump rings or bracelet clasps aren't quite right for a PolyShrink piece you've made.

Using the technique below, you can "antique" your metal jewelry findings. Heating plated metal to a glowing orange color causes two things to happen: the plating burns off and oxides are deposited onto the surface.

The end appearance of the metal varies depending on how hot the metal gets and for how long, as well as how oxidized the surface becomes. Experiment to get the results that you like best.

Important Tips:

Do the heating part of the process in a well ventilated area and on a heat resistant surface like cement or tile.

Do not allow hot metal parts to come into contact with your skin or clothing.

Because you'll be watching for the metal to glow with heat, this process is easiest to do away from bright light.

Examples in finished artwork:

Bracelet / Doming Page/ Techniques Gallery
Coiled wire handle/ Jennifer Collins/ Artist's Gallery
Wire attachments/ Merlene Walker/ Artist's Gallery

To antique jump rings you'll need:

Wire (any type except plastic coated wire)
Wire cutters, or nail clippers (best for non-steel wire)
A pair of pliers with insulated handles
Heat source (a candle, oil lamp, or small propane torch)

Place the jump rings onto a piece of wire about 12 inches long. Fold the wire in half and position the jump rings at the bottom of the loop you've made in the wire. Twist the wire together in the middle so that the rings can't fall off.

In the next step you'll be heating the jump rings. The wire they're strung on will also heat up. Use the pliers as a handle for the wire.

Twist the other (unlooped) end of the wire around your pliers. Make sure that the wire stays on the pliers whether they are open or closed. This minimizes the chances of dropping the wire during the next step.

With the wire secured to your pliers, hold the jump rings directly in the flame. Holding the jump rings too high (above the flame) will deposit lots of soot on them instead of heating them quickly.

Focus on a few of the rings at a time. To bring them up to temperature, they must stay directly in the flame. Once you've gotten one group of the rings hot enough to glow, move on to the next group.

Once you've heated all the jump rings, dip the wire up to the tips of the pliers in water. It's unlikely that your pliers will be hot, but just in case, you may want to set everything aside on a heat resistant surface to cool before removing the wire and jump rings from the pliers.

The jump rings with probably need a little cleaning to remove any excess soot. This is easiest to do before removing them from the wire. Rinse them with water and rub them between your fingers. Use a little soap if you like.

It's fine to repeat the process if there are any rings that haven't turned out as you want.

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	To antique jump rings you'll need: Wire (any type except plastic coated wire) Wire cutters, or nail clippers (best for non-steel wire) A pair of pliers with insulated handles Heat source (a candle, oil lamp, or small propane torch)
	Place the jump rings onto a piece of wire about 12 inches long. Fold the wire in half and position the jump rings at the bottom of the loop you've made in the wire. Twist the wire together in the middle so that the rings can't fall off.
	In the next step you'll be heating the jump rings. The wire they're strung on will also heat up. Use the pliers as a handle for the wire. Twist the other (unlooped) end of the wire around your pliers. Make sure that the wire stays on the pliers whether they are open or closed. This minimizes the chances of dropping the wire during the next step.
	With the wire secured to your pliers, hold the jump rings directly in the flame. Holding the jump rings too high (above the flame) will deposit lots of soot on them instead of heating them quickly.
	Focus on a few of the rings at a time. To bring them up to temperature, they must stay directly in the flame. Once you've gotten one group of the rings hot enough to glow, move on to the next group. Once you've heated all the jump rings, dip the wire up to the tips of the pliers in water. It's unlikely that your pliers will be hot, but just in case, you may want to set everything aside on a heat resistant surface to cool before removing the wire and jump rings from the pliers. The jump rings with probably need a little cleaning to remove any excess soot. This is easiest to do before removing them from the wire. Rinse them with water and rub them between your fingers. Use a little soap if you like. It's fine to repeat the process if there are any rings that haven't turned out as you want.