Copper Carbonate

native copper, malachite, azurite, copper carbonate, Ball clay, kaolin, minspar 200, silica, darvan, nepheline syenite, frit 3124, wollastonite, mason stain #6600.

The green chemical compound of copper exists in nature as the mineral malachite. There are sometimes blue variations that exist because of azurite. Using copper as a material was never something I would have considered. I first used the material during the Intro to Metals course, learning everything alongside the students but also making samples for their future projects. I learned a lot of useful techniques that echo into other modes of making. Although diff erent processes and materials, sweat soldering informed how I could layer fi red ceramics on top of one another “gluing” them together with a glaze that would dissolve when reaching the appropriate temperature. I didn’t realize it then but learning to rivet would help me understand how to make all my shelves and pedestals with dowels. Double and triple checking the sizes of holes to the dowel before hammering it in and sanding it down. Copper Carbonate is responsible for the varying green shades you see in ceramic glazes and similar to the shade of green when copper oxidizes. Through experimentation I learned of its ability to “fume” and emit a beautiful black or green color, depending on the temperature it’s fired to. When other objects in the kiln are near that specific material, essentially an aura will be emitted onto Stilts frequently emit this same black color at the points where the wire touches the object.