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Goldie Copper
A very pure copper clay. The powder contains 99.9% of pure dendrite copper. After firing and removing the patina created in the firing process, the metal is very light and has a beautiful color.
Goldie Copper is an environmentally friendly product. The binders are organic and non-toxic. The container that the powder comes in is deliberately larger than needed so it can be reused afterwards.
Goldie Copper shrinks by about 12%-18% on firing, depending on the shape and the size of the piece. Dried clay can be ground up to a powder and reconstituted. Goldie Copper is simple and economical to use.
This clay comes in dry powder form. The dry powder can be kept for years. Mix only the amount you need so you always have fresh clay with the perfect texture. You'll have longer working time and a more workable product when the clay is mixed fresh as you need it.
Click Here for Complete Instructions, including mixing instructions and firing schedules. Fire in activated carbon. Requires temperature controlled kiln firing.
TO MIX
- First, stir the powdered clay well in its original container, to ensure it is properly mixed, and then put the desired amount of powder into a smaller container.
- Add about a dozen drops of water or spray in a little water and mix with a knife or spoon, adding more water as required, until you get a clay of a plasticine like consistency.
- Roll the lump clay out thinly and fold over. Roll again, rolling away from the fold. Repeat this action several times. This is very important to ensure that all the air is removed from the clay and to get a smooth consistency before using. Insert into a plastic bag or container and wait for 30 minutes.
TO USE
- To join elements in Goldie Copper™ clay mix a little powder with water to make a paste. Elements can also be joined with the water only method in the same way as silver clay.
- Pieces can be dried naturally or by using heat, e.g. on a hotplate or in a dehydrator. Dry at 90°C (195°F) or lower. Higher temperatures may cause cracking, and if steam appears it might create bubbles in the material.
- Remember to always clean your tools well between using different types of metal clay to avoid cross contamination. The above tip does not apply to Goldie Metal™ line products, because they can be mixed with Mokume Gane or other techniques.
TO FIRE
- Ensure the clay is completely dry before firing. Any moisture will boil and ruin the piece.
- Place the elements on a steel net, put into the kiln and fire for 20 minutes in 380°C/1080°F during the first stage.
- Carefully remove the steel net from the kiln and place on a heatproof surface. Fill the bottom of the container with carbon, with a layer of at least 1 cm. Carefully place the elements on the carbon layer. Fill the container with a layer of activated coconut shell carbon with a minimum depth 1cm (1/2”) over the pieces. Cover with a stainless steel lid and place back into the kiln. The elements can be fired without cover as well, but then you have to remember that a bit more carbon will be used then. Full ramp to 960°C (1740°F) and hold for 2 - 3 hours, depending on the thickness. This period of time can be reduced even to an hour and a half in case of small elements, we encourage you to experiment.
- Fired pieces can be removed from the kiln hot or cold.
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