I love electroforming, it is a unique blend of both science and art! Once you put your pieces in the bath, you let go, pray to the electroform goddess, and several days later you are surprised with how the final product comes out.
First I select the crystals I want to transform into wearable art. I then attach bails, rings, and other bits of wire, sculpting clay, or dried organic materials like wildflowers.
Electroforming is a magical balance of science and art.
Vanessa
I then paint whatever I want to be covered in pure copper with a conductive paint. Two to three layers is best, being careful not to transfer natural oils from my skin onto the pieces.
Then I plug in my rectifier, a machine that lets me control the amount of electricity that flows from the wall outlet to my copper anode.
The blue bath is the secret sauce, where the magic happens. The copper anode releases copper into the bath, then the copper deposits onto the crystal, molecule by molecule over three days and nights.
After you get the desired texture and copper thickness, the pieces have to be neutralized to prevent a further chemical reaction.
Last steps are finishing to get the desired shape. I use a rotary tool, a handmade file, or a tumbler. Finally I apply a copper patina or a professional clear sealant.
It truly is modern alchemy and as an artist, electroforming pushes me to new levels time after time.
Boho Bahia 