What's Liver of Sulfur?

Liver of Sulfur in liquid form.
Picture from www.riogrande.com

 Liver of sulfur, also known as potassium sulfide, is used to bring out the textural details in metal jewelry and even give them an antique or vintage look almost immediately. I’ve heard people refer to this process as oxidation or oxidizing, but it is really just a form of patina. Liver of sulfur works on silver and copper, but not on gold. And, although you can get some effects on brass, I don’t think the patina is as effective as it is on the other two metals.

Liver of sulfur comes in three different forms: liquid, gel and lump. I personally like the gel form because it is easier to control and I find that I waste much less of it too. Be aware that liver of sulfur deteriorates in sunlight so if you use the lump type, either make up a small batch or keep the gel/liquid form in a dark, cool place away from your other tools and metals (lest, you get some accidental patinaed effects). And, it stinks (like rotten eggs) so be sure to have some ventilation when you are applying it to your pieces.

Live of Sulfur in pellet or lump form.
Picture by www.riogrande.com

I always apply liver of sulfur to a very clean piece of metal that has been textured – even etched (one of my favorite techniques) – or slightly sanded (something with a little “tooth”). I like to scrub it clean with a soft brass brush and a cleanser such as Comet and then I make sure not to touch the area I want to patina. I either dip the entire piece into the liver of sulfur solution or use a soft, inexpensive artist’s brush to apply the liver of sulfur to certain areas and wait a few minutes. Once it has reach the color I like, I use my soft brass brush and dishwashing soap (I love Dawn) over the entire piece. Most of the times, I simply clean, rinse, dry and then use some fine steel wool or even a green scrubby to remove some of the patina around from certain areas of the metal.

Some artists also get great effects by heating the metal first and then applying the liver of sulfur.

Liver of Sulfur in gel form
Picture by www.riogrande.com

To keep the patina color, I apply a light coat of Renaissance wax or even give it a couple of light sprayings of Nikolas Spray Lacquer.

So, you don’t want to mess with the chemical? Good news – you can do the same with boiled eggs. Simply boil one or two eggs (depending on how large and how many pieces you want to patina); As soon as you can handle them, chop coarsely and place in the plastic zip lock bag. Add your pieces and wait. It can take anywhere from an hour or so to a couple of hours – even days. I’ve actually tried this technique and it does work!

Remember – safety first. Be sure to wear safety glass and rubber gloves, especially if you are particularly allergic to certain solutions. 

Experiment, have fun and be safe!

JANUARY 2013 MEETING

Hello Everyone,

Last year 2012 is but a memory and we’re into a new year. For our Bead Society it starts with new slate of Officers:

• Shirley Nowlin – President & Show Chair
• Lillian Skogsberg – Vice President – Monthly Program Coordinator
• Carolyn Slater – Secretary
• Tish Reed – Treasurer
• Vickie Backer and Diane Mayes (Immediate Past President) – Library
• Kim Butler – Membership

I’ll be writing the monthly meeting notice and, with Shirley’s help, keeping our monthly programs as fun as they have been. We plan to continue our vibrant monthly meetings with bead activities to keep you on your beading toes. If you have any thoughts on our monthly program please don’t hesitate to let me know.

Program:

Tish Reed is going to lead the group in our annual production of bead squares for the Bead and Button Bead Quilt auction benefiting breast cancer research. 

This year’s theme is: “Flowers: Stitching to Find a Bloomin' Cure.” All you have to do to participate in this fun and worthwhile project is create one or more 1.5" x 1.5: (3.8 x 3.8 cm) beaded squares (stitched onto a 2" square) and send them to Bead & Button. You can use any bead technique you want – provided it includes a flower.

The complete rules and guidelines, as well as sample patterns can be downloaded HERE:

The deadline for submitting squares is March 1, 2013, so we have plenty of time to create squares. The beading fun will start at 12:00 noon in the area outside of the first floor Solarium and then continue inside the Solarium at 1:00 pm after the Polymer Clay meeting concludes and we'll finish at 3:00. But, remember ‐ you have until March 1, 2013 to send in your squares ‐ so feel free to continue at home on your own. But, I would like to have all completed squares in by February 16 (our next meeting date), so I can make sure they get to Bead and Button on time.

As in the past, I will bring the base squares, some flower beads and what's left of my bead soup to start the fun. You need to bring:

• Beads (seed beads, flower beads – whatever you want to include in the square) 
• Bead needles 
• Bead thread 
• Bead mat or other surface 
• Light and extension cord 
• Scissors 
• Light snack and/or drink to share - optional 

HBS has been delighted to be a part of this worthy cause for several years now – won’t you join us this time? To see examples of past bead squares created by members and friends of Houston Bead Society (including Peanut, Nancy Jones' beloved pooch), click HERE.

Parking:
Please park in the uncovered spaces in the rear of the gated parking lot. Covered spaces are for residents of Bayou Manor only. After parking, walk back through either the pedestrian or vehicle gate and access the building through the main entrance. Please check in with the receptionist for an ID badge before proceeding to the auditorium.

Vendors:
Any current member can be a vendor at the monthly meetings. The cost is $10 for one 6' table, payable when HBS Treasurer, Tish Reed, comes by to collect, not once sales are generated. Vendors must provide their own table coverings and may arrive at 9:00 a.m. and sell until HBS President, Shirley Nowlin, announces that the meeting will begin. Vendors are expected to cover their tables at that time and may resume sales once the meeting is over. Everyone must vacate the auditorium no later than 12:30 p.m. If you would like to vend this month, please contact Shirley at slnowlin@yahoo.com or 713-294-9886 by January 18.

Library:
The library will be open for checking out materials. The monthly raffle will be underway until Shirley announces that meeting will start, so be sure to purchase your raffle tickets before the meeting starts. Tickets are $0.50 each.

Membership:
For our members who keep their membership current, we are very appreciative of your efforts. It allows you to attend monthly meetings and have the opportunity to participate in the monthly programs. Dues are $30 per year for an individual and $40 per year for a family membership (two persons living in the same household). Our Membership Coordinator, Kim Butler, can handle your renewal.

Looking forward to seeing you at the meeting!!!

Lillian Skogsberg, HBS Vice President - Programs

Call for Entries - Showcase 1000 Beads

LarkJewelry & Beading seeks excellent photographs of original, contemporary beads in all materials to publish in a new juried, international collection in our 500 Series of books: Showcase 1000 Beads. This book is scheduled to be published in January 2014. The book will be juried by Kristina Logan.

We welcome and encourage submission of photographs of your handmade beads in all materials (glass, metal, polymer clay, metal clay, paper, fiber, plastic, stone, etc.) and design styles. All work must be made no earlier than 2010, and the more recent the work the better—we’d prefer to see your 2012 work over your 2011 work, and your 2011 work over your 2010 work.

We strongly prefer images of beads that have not been published previously, and please do NOT submit images of pieces that have been published in any Lark book. We can accept only high-quality digital images. Artists will receive full acknowledgment within the book and a complimentary copy. Artists retain copyright of their work. There is no entry fee.

All submissions must be submitted electronically through Juried Art Services. Note that there is no fee for using Juried Art Services. The entry page can be found at the following link: http://bit.ly/VTfT6E or, the full URL,  http://www.juriedartservices.com/index.php?content=event_info&event_id=614.

Entries must be submitted by February 14, 2013. We strongly encourage early entries.

All visuals submitted must represent work that is original in design. Please choose work that reflects the book’s concept. A maximum of four entries per artist is allowed, so please submit your best work. An entry may consist of no more than two visuals: an overall shot and one detail (or alternate view); the detail shots are not required. The primary images you submit should each be different designs. For example, do NOT submit four variations of very similar beads; instead, submit one bead from each of four series.

Important: Lark will only publish photos of entries containing images and text that are free of copyright or for which the artist (or approved institution) holds copyright.

Call for Entries - Texas Biennial 2013

The Texas Biennial is an independent survey of contemporary art in Texas. The fifth edition of the exhibition will take place in the fall of 2013, making the Texas Biennial the longest-running state biennial in the U.S.

For the first time in the project's history, in 2013 the curated group survey that is the central feature of the Biennial will be installed in a single venue and will represent all artists selected from the open call. This exhibition will take place September 5 – November 9, 2013 at Blue Star Contemporary Art Center in San Antonio.

During the run of the exhibition, selected performance works will also be presented at CentralTrak–The Artist Residency of the University of Texas at Dallas. Another first in the Biennial's history will be the inclusion of a commissioned artist project presented by Ballroom Marfa.

In celebration of the 5th anniversary of the project, the Texas Biennial is also pleased to announce a special exhibition of current work by selected past Biennial artists. This exhibition will be presented simultaneously at Lawndale Art Center in Houston and Big Medium in Austin, August 23 ‒ September 28, 2013.

For more information about this exhibit and Call for Artists go to their website at http://www.texasbiennial.org/tx13.html 

(All information and graphic from the Texas Biennial Organization).

Pantone 17-5641 Emerald, a “lively, radiant, lush green,” is the Color of the Year for 2013. For more information about this color click HERE.

Read more at Design Milk: http://design-milk.com/pantone-color-of-the-year-2013-emerald/#ixzz2GnExjZtz

Easy Way to Clean Sterling Silver Wire

Here’s a tip to help you both clean and straighten sterling silver wire at the same time.

If you use a cloth to straighten sterling silver wire, simply add a small amount of baking soda on a cloth and then run the wire through it as you are straightening it. The baking soda will remove any tarnish from sterling silver wire as well as that dull coating that gold wire often accumulates after time.

This technique also works for cleaning liquid silver necklaces.

Happy New Year!



Happy New Year everybody!
Hope you have a happy, safe, healthy,
properous and beady New Year.