Vid #199: “Don’t know how you keep thinking up these ideas, Cindy, but keep ’em coming! May we PLEASE have a tute on copper tape?” ~Tanya-L
Boy… this is one technique I’ve really been wanting to teach ever since showing you guys my Copper Wrapped Tuscany Earrings, with their rich colors and Old World feel. The anticipation for this tutorial has been building for a while now…
Your Tuscany Earrings are awesome, Cindy. I have been wanting to incorporate copper with polymer clay. ~Lupe-M
Those earrings are soooooooo pretty. I love the addition of copper foil. I used to do stained glass, sooo, I rummaged around in my cabinet – voila! Copper foil. Mine is only 7/16″ though. I’ll try and make it work. I just love it when I have what is needed!!! ~Patt-W
What gorgeous earrings, and such a cool technique! You’re so creative, Cindy! I have some of this tape, in both silver and copper… bought it several years ago, and it’s still laying in one of my craft drawers. I saw them just the other day while looking for “lost” glue. Hopefully, I’ll be ready for whatever tutorials Cindy dreams up for these materials. In the meantime, I look forward to learning how to make beautiful earrings like hers, as well as tips on using the metal tape… because although I haven’t given it a proper “try” it seems like it would be difficult to keep this stuff so nice and straight. ~Phaedrakat
I would love to learn some techniques using the foil tapes on the edges. You are talking about the same kind used on stained glass edges aren’t you? I have some just not sure how to tie it in with my polymer clay. Please help! ~Peggy-B
I used that copper foil many, many years ago when I took a class in stained glass. Of course, when you use it for stained glass, you cover the foil in solder, which can be a lot of work. I’m sure this is much easier. Now I have something to use my Michaels coupon on! ~Linda-K
I just saw the foil tape at my “special” Michael’s the other day. It was in the same area as a lot of Tim Holtz ‘stuff’… like the little pkgs of keys/gears, other Ranger products and alcohol inks, Pearl-Ex, Perfect Pearls, Memory Glass, etc. When I bought my tape years back… I’m pretty sure it was with the Amaco ArtEmboss sheets and stuff like that. ~Phaedrakat
I Googled “copper foil tape” and got lots of hits on other kinds of tape. I did find one company, glassmart.com that deals in stained glass supplies. They have a variety of widths that run from $3.95 to $9.95, depending on the width of the tape. ~Linda-K
Ah’ I knew I should have purchased that foil tape this past weekend. I saw some and thought, “hmm… I wonder what I could use that for.” Way to go Cindy! I’ll have to head back out to get some. ~Brenda-M
Your copper wrapped earrings are absolutely breathtaking, Cindy!! WOW!! I can see matching components, too, a whole set – bracelet, necklace, pendants. Just do a wrapped link on both sides. Wouldn’t that be beautiful!!! And a simply to-die-for present for someone special on your list! I don’t know how you keep thinking up these ideas, Cindy, but keep ’em coming! May we PLEASE have a tute on copper tape??? ~Tanya-L
Cindy – Waiting for the copper tape tutorial! I have these squares all ready and just begging for the copper foil tape. ~Cherie-H
Well… the wait is over! Coming up tomorrow (Friday April 8th, 2011) in the Vol-035-2 video at the Polymer Clay Library, you will you will learn how to use Copper Foil Tape to wrap your polymer clay beads and pendants, giving them a beautiful rich glow and a gorgeous professional finish.
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Please Note: A general prerequisite for all of my weekly tutorials is that you have a good understanding of the polymer clay basics, including: conditioning clay, using a pasta machine, clay blade and other simple tools, making Skinner Blends or Teardrop Blends, baking clay, as well as sanding and finishing. If you need help in these areas, my Polymer Clay Beginners Course will get you up to speed quickly. There is also plenty of free information on this blog. Use the search box at the top of the page to find articles on specific topics.
Supplies & Tools: Video-035-2 Copper Foil Tape:
- Baked and finished bead or pendant for wrapping in the copper foil. I used a small rectangular tile made with a section of the Mixed Media Art Sheet Technique which was coated in UV Resin.
- Copper Foil Tape. I used AMACO ArtEmboss Metal Foil Tape in Copper with a 1/4 inch width. It is available in Copper, Brass and Aluminum and is an excellent product to work with. There are other products that are available out there as well, including one made by Ranger which should be available from Michaels.
- Scissors, suitable for cutting foil. Not your best sewing scissors!
- ArtEmboss Tools or the side of an old Sharpie Pen.
- Rubbing Alcohol.
The full version of the Vid-035-2 Copper Foil Tap video will be posted in the Polymer Clay Members Library on Friday April 8th, 2011. But if you would like to see a sneak peek intro clip right now, scroll down the page a bit to the video player below.
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The full version of the “Copper Foil Tape” preview video shown above, is now avail for purchase at the Polymer Clay Library in the Vol-035 Back Issue Pckg.
Customer Feedback About Membership Value:
I seem to be in a chatty mood tonight so I will share a short story with all of you about how lucky we are to have Cindy as our teacher (I know you already know that) but… My sister – lives in D.C. we have many interests in common, she does mostly wire work, decided to take a clay class last weekend. She wanted to see what I was raving about when I told her about Cindy and the tutorials. And the class was on making Calla Lilies – which I had told her I was doing as one of our classes. She paid three times what we pay for three months of classes for a single afternoon! She went to the class, and was very disappointed with it as they did not learn how to make a skinner blend or anything that Cindy teaches and we tend to take for granted, they painted their clay to get color. So, Cindy I want you to know how grateful I am for all your teaching skills and how blessed we are that you take your time to teach us and help make our creations great. And for holding my hand through my fears of using the buffer. ~Karonkay
@Karonkay – Wow, isn’t Cindy a bargain, lol? I simply love, love, love the fact that we keep all these videos in our libraries and can simply pull them up to watch at any time! I could never remember all the steps to do some of these effects and styles without going back to look at the videos again. I truly am still so thrilled I found Cindy’s site and subscribed. Worth every penny and then some. ~Rebecca-C
I think the $3 per month is well worth it because your instructions are so good and I need someone to show me. I don’t learn well from pictures in a book that don’t show half of the steps, whereas your videos show all of the steps right there in front of you. Your site is a very valuable service to me and well worth the price! ~Diana-P
The following topics are included in this week’s Polymer Clay Tutor Library, Copper Foil Tape video tutorial:
- See several examples of beads, pendants and earrings that were made using copper Foil Tape as an Accent.
- Discussion of the tools and techniques needed to create this simple and stunning polymer clay mixed media design.
- Learn cool tricks for getting the foil to stick well, and for removing every last little wrinkle. (It’s too bad we couldn’t use these tricks on our faces :-)
- Plus, with some creativity and ingenuity, there are many ways to come up with unique palettes of your own.
The full version of the “Copper Foil Tape” preview video shown above, is now avail for purchase at the Polymer Clay Library in the Vol-035 Back Issue Pckg.
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This is going to be interesting. I have already done this technique. The problem that I had was the edge’s of the tape being sharp after the piece was done. I am looking forward to seeing how you go about putting it on, and your little tips to help with my lil problem. You always have the most fabulous tips!
Okay, everyone…. “Is is Friday yet?”
(Rubbing hands together) -This is going to be so much fun!!!. All the samples you showed , and the ideas in my head, and, and…………with baited breathe – we wait, impatiently ———–
Yay! I’ve been waiting for this one. I kind of know how to put it on but like Brenda, I’m not sure I’d be able to finish the edges off and I’m wondering since it’s not covered in solder like stained glass how do i protect it?
@Cheryl Hodges: Isn’t it funny Cheryl that we were just talking about this the other day on fb. LOL* I uploaded my pic to facebook to show you.
The edges on mine was very sharp. I filed mine down, and still had some sharpness to it.. I will photograph better pics today and upload them to my blog. Where I goofed, was when I drilled the whole in the top you could see it through the resin. But it still turned out beautiful.
Cool! I am glad you guys are enjoying this one. There really are so many neat things you can do with polymer clay, EH? (Sorry… let my Canadian side slip. :-)
@sarahwww: You sound so excited!!
@Jocelyn: I know this was a hard Winter for you Jocelyn. Glad to have you back!
@Anna Sabina: I can’t wait to see our Michaels get in the new clay. It is driving me crazy to know you all are getting the new colors before me!
@Kathy G: I bought those screw tops a long time ago in a clearance bin of a wholesaler that was going out of business, so I am afraid I can’t point you in the right direction to buy them Kathy. If I see anything similar, I’ll let you know.
@Peggy Barnes: Hopefully you will be able to figure out soon, why your computer is not giving you any sound volume. One quick thing to check is that you did not accidentally click on the mute button at the bottom of the video player (it is that tiny little little image of a stereo speaker). I can imagine how sad it would be to watch the video without hearing all the juicy tips and techniques. Although…. sometimes I’m sure my family wishes they could control my volume… so they wouldn’t have to listen to me chatter so much! LOL
@Brenda: I have never had problems with the edges being sharp, but I do press pretty hard when burnishing, so that probably softens the edges quite a bit. Let me know if that solves your problem.
@Brenda: Nice touch ! These really are so pretty , love the tape
Oh this will be great…didn’t know it came in metals other than copper. I have trouble with the edges, too.
Nice touch! I worked with stained glass for years so it’ll be interesting to see if the foil is applied using the same technique.
Cannot wait for further fun here. Folks might want to pre-Google some images or info on foiling techniques, all of which enhance clay. Tons of diff colors and sizing with the prestick tape, and inserting a mirror in anything always pull you in.
I bought some of the copper tape quite a while ago. I had a vague idea of using it on edges of flat beads. Now I will know what to do with it. Thanks Cindy.
I have some copper tape but haven’t used it. This will be a fun tute! Thanks, Cindy!
Beautiful! And, I just happen to have a trip to Michael’s planned for the evening…oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!
Spring has sprung. Snow melted and windows wide open day and nite. 7:17 am, coffee, and just finished watching the new tut.
This one will cause damage. I MUST return to my storage facility and dig through my old stained glass stuff, plus snag all those silver and copper foiled tapes. Sigh.
Cindy takes the time in this tut to show how to use the tape beautifully. If you had a video cam on me this weekend, trust, I will be tangled in that tape.
It’s a gorgeous finishing detail, cannot wait to see what the rest of you do with it……please, please, upload pics of your work onto the Facebook site. Those beautiful pics got me through a long winter.
Great Tut. i always seem to forget about copper foil as that final Bling.
I was at Hobby Lobby this week and they had the new Promo and Sculpy III . Wow, I was not disappointed. Clay was on sale at Michaels and Hobby Lobby this week. Not sure if Michaels has the new colors.
Anna-Des Moines, Iowa
Awesome tute! love it! I have seen the copper tape at my Michaels in the scrapbooking area. I definitely think I’ll be getting some copper and silver tape.
Cindy, I would like to know though where you got the screw top for your pendant? Those would work fantastic in alot of my projects and I have never seen them.
TIA
:~( As sad as it was I still watched it twice without sound and enjoyed it. Now that tells you just how awesome Cindy and Doug are. I love the copper tape idea because I love Copper it is my favorite. So as soon as hubby wakes he has an appointment on the calendar that wasn’t there last night and that’s not good. Now me I am just praying it doesn’t need surgery. So thank you so much for the silent movie Cindy and Doug. I will be sure to let know how the one with sound is. Although I am sure I know already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To be continued later today ——–
Another awesome idea for my grandkids & me to use. I have several rolls of copper tape, in different widths. Have only used it on glass pieces. With P.Clay – never thought of it. I learn so much from this site!!! As for the screw holders/top pieces, I get mine at Michaels in the wood working dept, or at a hardware store. OR-how about a dab of super glue into a pre-drilled hole, using a head pin or wire curled up? I’ll let you know how it works. About sharp tape edges – use something hard & rounded to press down & rub. I’ve used a smooth drinking glass side,or jar/bottle. Metal might harm the tapes.
Love this technique, Cindy. Can’t wait to buy some copper foil.
I posted mine on my blog if anyone wants to see it. Just click on my name. @ Cindy, I will try that the next time. I do love mine though. I found tape in the gold and silver tones.
I only have another 10 weeks to wait Cindy – but this is going to drive me crazy until then! I so want to give it a go!! It looks gorgeous! I agree that it has a soft and rich look to it!
And I agree completely with KaronKay!
Great tips in this video, Cindy. I used to do stained glass and used copper foil a few times. It’s been so long, I forgot how to work with it, so this was a great refresher for me. Gee, I’ve never seen anything like that screw-in bail–I hope somebody knows where to get them now.
@ Cindy : thanks for the video. i do have copper and silver tape from my stained glass also a little burnishing tool. And i have some mixed media tiles with resin ready to go. i love how the copper adds a whole different look to it.
@ Brenda; the photos haven’t showed up on the blog. There is only the blog post minus the photos.
Ok try Now.. I renamed the photo and reloaded it.
@Brenda: Love how those turned out. Gives them a nice finishing touch.
What a cool tute! The metal tape looks fantastic with the polymer clay pieces shown in the video. I’ve got the same tape colors as Cheryl. Now that you’ve “shown the way” in your step-by-step tute, I’ve got no excuses but to get crackin’ on some pretties of my own! Metal just adds so much to clay…I see some fab copper/silver-taped beads & mixed media projects in my future. (Can’t wait to see what others post at the Facebook page, too…)
Thank you Cindy & Doug…after all this time, you still excite me every Friday with these high quality video tutorials! It’s amazing how much we get for such a small membership fee… Thanks for your continuing excellence!!!
@aims:
“another 10 weeks to wait”
I must have missed it…whatcha waitin’ for, aims? Hope everything is okay on your end! :-) ~Kat
@Jocelyn: Please don’t get too tangled in the tape…at least keep a hand free so you can get to your keyboard (we’d miss you too much, LOL!) I’m very sorry to hear you had such a rough winter. I hope that you’re getting some relief & feeling better with the warmer weather. I understand what you mean about the FB pics — the creativity of this bunch really gets the blood pumpin’…followed by inspiration & lots of project ideas!
@Anna Sabina: Oh, Anna, I’m so jealous that Hobby Lobby got the new Premo colors before Michael’s! I’m just dying to see those new colors in person. Sure wish I had a HL nearby — for Kato clay, as well. I’ll just have to cross my fingers & hope Michael’s or JoAnn gets a new Premo display soon! Anyway, hope you get some “extra enjoyment” FOR us (those who are waiting to get them locally) — while using your new Premo colors! ;D
@Peggy Barnes: Oh, Peggy, you are one devoted fan, and I’m so sorry you’re having sound trouble. Do you have someone to help you figure it out? If not, please contact me on Facebook…I’m not a pro my any stretch of imagination, but I can help you with some of the more obvious or basic problems. We’ve got to get you some sound — and right quick! My thoughts & prayers are with you re: hubby’s appt. Wishing you the best…Uuuggggs, Kat
@Brenda: Works now…great piece! I can see the Picasso in it…love how the Blend & Switch came out in it, too. Very nice!
Having been a stained glass person for many years, it is my experience with copper foil that the adhesive dries out after it has been exposed to the air for awhile. It might be a good idea to try and coat the foil with something, maybe a thin coat of resin or sculpey glaze, after it has been applied so that after it dries out, it will not fall off the piece. Also, if it is necessary to clean the piece for any reason, any liquid you use will get under the foil and make it lift as well so, again, the foil should be coated somehow.
I see foil tape in my future, Tuesday next. I love how it finishes the whole look. I love working with copper so this will add to my finished pieces and link it with the copper wirework.
Cindy, I finally put some things up for sale and sold four pairs of earrings last week. and have orders for several more pair. I am so happy. I could not have ever had the assurance that they were good enough without your tutorials. I have been wanting to sell some of them for awhile but could not think that my minor attempts at making something they would like would be worthwhile.
Our website will be up next week. I am pretty excited. Have to figure out the computer thing and uploading pictures. I am relatively new to all of this. Any suggestions or help would be appreciated as you all are so talented. I have wandered through many of your sites and loved your work. And I see that it can be done… hopefully by me too!
@Kathy Bloom: I haven’t heard of that problem Kathy. What kind of time frame are you talking about. The earrings I made Swarovski Crystals is probably close to a year old and I haven’t seen any problems with the adhesive coming loose. The Amaco Tape I used may be different since it is meant for mixed media type projects. Maybe the tape meant for stained glass is different since it is going to be soldered anyway?
@Karonkay: Congratulations!!! That is excellent to hear that you are finding success at selling your polymer clay jewelry. Looking forward to seeing pictures of your work. I can’t remember, have you posted them on our Facebook page yet?
@Cindy Lietz from Polymer Dogwood Flower Pendant: Cindy, it would several years before the adhesive starts to deteriorate. I have foil used for stained glass that is around 5 years old. It is still in the package and it is drying out. Amaco may have come up with an adhesive that is more permanent. I only mention it because of all of the time put into making these pendants that it would be a shame for them to come apart after a few years.
@Kathy Bloom – great advice thanks! Some folks even go so far as to use rubber cement, but, my experience is if you follow Cindy’s rigorous steps, you’
ll be good.
My husband actualy took his magic wand and fixed my computer first thing this morning. As much as I liked the silent movie you treated us to this morning Cindy I enjoyed the one with sound better. It made it easier to understand and you do not want to miss any of Cindy’s advise anymore than any of Doug’s wonderful filming. Cindy and Doug are like 2 peas in a beautiful polymer pod.
As always I sit here with a big smile on my face amazed with the artistic talent the two of you have. I just thank God every day the two of you are the type that want to share all this wonderful knowledge with us.
Thank you two once again for the fantastic tute with tons of information.
The tutorial , the blog and all of our friendly frienship here in the most warm hearted clay feeling comunity you willl find on the internet or anywhere else!!!
Love and Uuugggs, Peggy
I have not posted them yet have to learn how to do that. This is a whole new experience for me.
@Peggy Barnes: Hurray! So glad you’ve got sound now. I felt so bad about you missing out on Cindy’s voice… Nice hubby you got there, hope all went well for him at his appt…
@Karonkay: Posting pictures at Cindy’s Facebook site is pretty easy, once you sign up. If you haven’t already, create your own Facebook account. Then go to Cindy’s Facebook page. Here is the link to it:
Polymer Clay Bead Making Tutorials
The post, New Facebook Guidelines has instructions — what to do next. It tells you how to “like” Cindy’s FB page, add photos, etc. Once you’re on FB, “friend” some of us…you’ll have direct access, so you can ask questions immediately, if you want. I’m Gianna Spelling, if you want to friend me! ~Kat
@Phaedrakat: Oh Kat you are such a sweetheart and I am such a mumbling goof ball the appt. I was talking about was the one I made for him with my computer. It is kind of a joke between us. Whenever anything goes wrong with my laptop I tell him I have scheduled an appt with him and if he can’t fix it I say it has to go for surgery. Yes I am a certified NUT – but he loves me just the way I am. :~)
Thank you so much for the concern.
Many Uuuuuggggs, Peggy
@Natalie H: Thanks for the sweet comment, I look forward to seeing your work! Don’t add the future finish or any other finish except resin, before you add the copper tape or the tape won’t stick.
@Peggy Barnes: Hee hee hee… you two are too funny! I too thought that you meant a doctors appointment and real surgery. Phew! I’m glad he’s OK!
@Peggy Barnes: Funny girl! You had me going for sure, but I’m quite relieved that it was only a “joke” and no doctors or surgeries were involved! So — not only are you a complete sweetheart, but a nutty one at that (I love it!) Of course your husband loves ya like that…you’re totally awesome! Uuuuggggs back, Kat :D
A google search of screw eyes for jewelry will bring up sites for that type of screw in bail. A good site is jewelrysupply.com
Great idea Cindy! And copper tape’s definitely available in the UK – I had a quick look on eBay and found it in 6mm and 30mm widths so I guess I’ll order some soon, because I definitely want to try this.
Very smart, I have this for glass and metal work, never thought of using on pc… thanks Cindy another wonderful multi usage tool !
You make this so easy to follow.. can’t want to buy some cooper of silver foil and try it out on some my cane designs.. or having it go around a Hamsa that I make. I’ll send a picture when it done.
Hi again
Since I am not up to doing UV resin yet… should I put the foil on before or after I use the Future shine finish. and should I put it on the edges that I am going to put the foil.??
Dear Cindy,
Great tutorial! one question, is the cooper foil tape durable? Do you recommend to cover it with a verniss or something else to protect it or is the tape strong enough?
thanks!
amada
@amada: I think you will find the tape to be quite durable Amanda. You could put a finish on it to seal it if you wanted to but I have not found it necessary.
The copper tape edge idea is awesome! The tape really adds to the polymer clay beads. I must try and get hold of some to experiment with!
Just wanted to confirm what Kathy B said Cindy. I’ve done quite a bit of stained glass too and yes, the tape does dry out. My pieces are still okay because they are around 2-3 years old but a friend gave me a piece her husband had done some years ago and it had started coming loose. I was actually able to peel off some with my hand – I’m going to redo the butterfly she gave me.
Foil tape is as good as the type you purchase, beware of discounts and sales on this stuff.
Have hand foiled sea glass in canisters still good after 2 decades. The glue adheres if you follow Cindy’s instructions to the letter. Then, the metal foil takes over and seals the deal bending and sealing. Ultimately, you would probably be safest to add a protective coating over the whole object. It will tarnish.
Remember this stuff is not considered finished in stained glass until you join the pieces together and solder the seams. It’s the solder that adds the strength. If you are making something with many parts or heavy, be sure the tape isn’t holding the structure together.
Where did you get those screw eye pins for the top of your bead?
Debi
Sorry Debi, I got those screw eye pins years ago in a close out sale. A Google search for ‘jewelry findings screw eyepins’ should bring something up for you.
Thanks too for all you are doing to make these cool techniques easy to understand. I’m super new to polymer clay, and now that I’ve discovered your website, I am more excited about the stuff than ever! My very happy husband suddenly has way more time with his power tools now that I am busy playing in my room. I have almost forgotten to feed the poor man a few times… But at the end of the day we have a lovely time of sharing our progress.