2009 -- We've only just started to experiment with copper electroforming, and here are some picture of our early results -- So far, we've noticed that the copper seems to be expremely hard to photograph! Please excuse the poor quality of the pictures below! Electroforming is a highly specialized process of metal fabrication using a plating bath over a base form. Technically, it is a process of synthesizing a metal object by controlling the electrodeposition of metal passing through an electrolytic solution onto a metal or metallized form. More simply, a metal skin is built up on a metal surface (or any surface that has been rendered electroconductive) through the application of a paint that contains metal particles. Essentially, a metal part is fabricated from the plating itself. It takes a pretty big tank of a "liquid copper solution" and a large power generator conducting electricity to the huge copper annodes inside it. WOW!! Some first attempts at electroforming polymer clay faces to use as cabochons. The two faces on the top row have had small glass beads stuffed into their eye sockets before we fired the polymer clay to make them look more "abstract". Once the entire face is coated with paint that can conduct electricity and put in the electroforming tank, the glass "eye-beads" become part of a SOLID PIECE OF COPPER!! The faces are now 100% coated with copper and are very hard and durable!! Close-up of an electroformed face cabochon. Electroformed Medalion. A test of using small gauge (20g.) wire to "grow" in the electroforming tank. Dean's first attempt at making an electroformed piece of art / paperweight. Very hard to tell from this awful photo, but it's a turtle with a large flower on his back and a little worm is riding along as well!!

(C) Sun Canyon Beads / Sincerely Michelle Marie