My son wanted me to help him make a rose to give to his best buddies grandmother. He did the cutting, texturing, and coloring. We heated the copper just before it melted then shoved it in the water to get the bright reds. Here is a link to the pics, maybe Glenn will post a pic to the thread, I got kicked out when I tried.
Picasa Web Albums - Lyle - Valentine rose

Very nice! I like the colors. The receipiant should be very proud to get this. Something I do when I make this copper rose is to buff the copper before I texture, then build the rose shape (I call it "blooming") the rose then take the torch with a long soft blue flame and 'brush' the petals gently with the flame to get the purples, blues, reds, and golds. (I have some in my gallery if you want to see the colors I'm talking about) This way you don't have any of the black flakes on the petal. You should be proud of your son for such great work. But of course he has had a good instructor! Thanks for sharing.

Edited February 12, 200917 yr by Thomas Dean

I forgot to mention...Do NOT spray any clear finish on the copper as the spray finish will take the color out of your rose...it goes to a light goldish color. Something I learned the hard way...:(

Beautiful work!
Finnr

Terriffic job to you and your son! good quality time spent togather!

Thanks fellows,Thomas your roses look great, thanks for the info. I have not gotten the coloring down yet. I have experimented a lot of ways, but have not accomplished what you have with that coloring but you have given me some encouragment.

That is lovely.

Frosty

Great Job!!!