So.... I had success with firing the Art Clay Copper! I did a lot of online research before firing and decided to follow the directions I found
HERE. I fired it in the coconut shell-based carbon (even though it wasn't necessary), mainly to avoid the thick, black layer of fire scale that was supposed to happen if you fired without it. I pretty much followed the directions for firing the COPPRclay, but the results with the Art Clay Copper were much better! I fired at 1778°F for 3 hours. I did not put a lid on my firing pan. This firing schedule is also recommended on the
Art Clay Copper online info sheet (which I discovered later).
Here are my results:
The top ornament was made with the COPPRclay (it was under-fired), and bottom was made with Art Clay Copper. You can see the pitting that occurred when I tried to polish the COPPRclay with a wire brush (both ornaments were polished using only a wire brush). The COPPRclay did shrink more than the Art Clay Copper too:
Here is another photo of the wire-brushed ornament made with Art Clay Copper:
And now for fun with adding a patina (part of the reason I wanted to work with copper clay so badly)!!! This patina was created using only vinegar and salt. I put some salt on the ornament and placed a vinegar soaked cotton pad on it. The patina will wash off, so you might want to add a sealer to protect your desired finish.
Another picture of the finished ornament:
Well, I was excited to share my finished results with you! Hope to have more copper pieces to share soon! Thanks for stopping by:)