There are lots of different ways to get a nice patina on copper and bronze sheet metal and wire. Heat is often the simplest but not always controllable. Heat on Bronze Sheet and Wire creates a wonderful deep chocolate.
Before you create a patina, you should clean your metal surface by using 0000 steel wool or a fine sandpaper. This will remove oils and will give you a more even patina. If you texture the surface first, your patina will be more interesting. Try a texturing hammer, rolling mill or just hammering on the concrete! Patina and then clean and polish some of the areas to highlight.
Gilder's Paste is my favorite way to add color. It's easy to control and the colors are beautiful and don't fade. Keep a place on your work bench with a heavy piece of suede to work on and use a different brush for each color.
Let it dry for about ten minutes. As in this example you can put it on heavy if you need to cover and blend pieces.
Use a rag, steel wool or fine sandpaper to achieve the look you want.
If you want make these earrings you will need Peacock Feathers, Filigree Drops, Filigree Bead Caps, End Cap and 22 Gauge Bronze Wire. Pull off the long outer feathers from the peacock eye and crimp into the end cap piece. You can use Flat Nose Pliers or Chain Nose Pliers.
Make a loop in the end of a three inch piece of wire and slide on the feathers, filigree drop and the end cap.
Make another loop at the top and thread onto a loop earring made with the 22 gauge bronze.
See the Fast Earrings blog for a how to for the hoops.
