Electroforming organics is truly amazing. It’s like giving a second life to a natural element. Whether you want to create a sea or woodland themed collection, organics are perfect for electroforming jewelry. And even if you’re new to this craft, you can electroform organic materials. So, read on to discover the 10 best organics for electroforming jewelry.
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1. Crystals
I talk a lot about crystals and how much I love electroforming them on this blog, so this won’t come as a surprise if they come at the top of my list. Crystals are, in my opinion, the best organic to electroform. They come in so many different shapes, and colors. With crystals, you can easily create amazing and unique jewelry. And if you combine them with other organics, it’s even better!
If you’re looking for beautiful crystals for electroforming, click here to read my post on where to buy crystals online.
2. Seashells
Seashells are also one of my favorite organics to use. Especially if you want to create sea-themed jewelry. You can find all sorts of different seashells, and combined with crystals they can create really beautiful jewelry.
My favorite shells to electroform are clams and ark shells. Spiral shells are also pretty nice electroformed. You can either copper plate them to make them fit into your design or keep their natural look, and simply add them to an electroformed design.
Shells can be sealed with nail polish or mod podge before electroforming. Don’t seal them too much though, or you’ll lose details. If you don’t leave by the sea, you can find seashells online. In fact, you can even find them on Amazon.
3. Pine cones
Pine cones are another great organic to use for electroforming. You can easily find them in a forest, or buy them online. I found that pine cones are some of the easiest organics to electroform because they don’t require a lot of sealing. Just seal them with a couple of layers of mod podge. I have used small pine cones for creating jewelry before, and I loved the result. But, if you use big pine cones you could also create stunning fall-inspired home decor for example.
4. Leaves
Leaves are a very common organic material used by electroformers. Whether you want to use fern, cedar leaves, or even marijuana leaves, you can definitely create beautiful nature-inspired jewelry. Add some beautiful crystals to it, and you’ll end up with a wearable piece of art.
Before electroforming, seal your leaves with mod podge or spray sealant. Just like shells, if you seal them too much, you’ll lose details.
You can find leaves anywhere, but again if you’re looking for a particular type of leaf you can buy some online.
See also: The 10 best places to buy electroforming supplies online
5. Bugs
Bugs are another popular organic item used by electroformers. They are next level though. Insects are a little more intricate to electroform than other things because they are fragile and they require a lot of sealing.
But, if you want to create amazing electroformed jewelry, you should definitely learn to electroform insects and bugs. The most common bugs to electroform are cicadas, butterflies, and spiders.
If you’re looking for specific insect specimens, you can check out my blog post on where to find bugs for electroforming. Alternatively, you can find some beautiful insects on Etsy.
6. Deer antlers
Deer antlers are not as popular as other organics, but they are great for those who like to create statement pieces. I think most electroformers keep the antlers natural, meaning they don’t plate them in their designs. Often combined with crystals, deer antlers will help you create woodland-inspired jewelry for sure.
You can find small deer antlers for craft on Amazon, or you could purchase the ones that are used for dog chewing.
7. Twigs
If you have never electroformed any organics other than crystals, I’d recommend starting with twigs. Branches are easy to find and really easy to electroform. I always seal them with a couple of layers of mod podge before creating my design.
WIth twigs, you can create geometrical and witchy jewelry or little wands for example. And with their texture, they look truly beautiful once they are plated in copper!
To get the shapes and size twigs that you want, I’d recommend getting them yourself in a forest or garden. But if you live in a city, you can buy twigs online.
8. Bones
Bones are another amazing organic to use for electroforming jewelry. If you want small bones for jewelry, I’d recommend getting snake or bird bones.
Bones have a great texture, and they look pretty cool electroformed. You could also get carved bones. They are a little more expensive, but they would definitely add a unique touch to your project. You could electroform the sides with copper, for example, it would look great I think. You can find some bones on Etsy for your next project.
9. Sea glass
Sea glass originates as pieces of glass from broken bottles, broken tableware, or even shipwrecks, which are rolled and tumbled in the ocean for years until all of their edges are rounded off, and the slickness of the glass has been worn to a frosted appearance. But even though sea glass, is not technically organic, I like to use it for electroforming jewelry.
You can find sea glass on a lot of beaches (but not all of them!) and you can find them in different colors such as blue, red, brown or green. Little pieces of sea glass look amazing on rings!
See also: What can you electroform? 10 ideas for your next project
10. Feathers
Feathers are not the easiest organic to electroform in my opinion. You can easily find pigeon feathers in any city or town. But if you have a garden or leave near a local forest, you could easily find all sorts of feathers such as raven or magpie feathers.
If you’re looking for a specific type of feathers, you can purchase some online. This could also be a great option if you’re looking for small feathers! Because the ones you can find outside might be big for jewelry making.
Bottom line
Electroforming organics is truly a beautiful experience. Even though it might be a little bit hard to get a hang of it when you start, it’s definitely worth it.
Whatever organics you choose to electroform, don’t forget to seal them before putting your item in the bath.
I hope this blog post gave you some ideas for your next electroforming projects. What are your favorite organics to electroform?
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