Outside Inspiration: Scratch the Surface

It is really amazing the number of techniques that can be used to color and texture metal. It is almost (I said almost!) as varied as it is for polymer. I have this wonderful book called The Jeweller’s Directory of Decorative Finishes with over a dozen ways to achieve coloration using chemicals for patina and oxidizing as well as enamel. But there isn’t anything like what  Lauren Pollaro does here with this  copper and silver pendant/brooch. Can you guess what she uses to color it?

Her coloration is pretty darn simple. Nothing toxic or hard to find. She just applies acrylic paint and then alters it with what looks like rough sanding and some kind of sharp-pointy tools for more definitive scratches. Nothing overly advanced, but what a great looking treatment.

I have yet to find a surface treatment used for metal that cannot be emulated in polymer. This translation is easy enough and I personally am itching to try it out. Just bake a formed/cut piece of clay, then paint, sand, and scratch as you desire to bring out the clay color below and develop this kind of unrefined but rich finish. Then seal and you’re set. Easy peasey … and nice looking!