Wings of Enchantment - Electroformed Jewelry by Louise Mcilhon

Louise Mcilhon is an electroforming artist creating one-of-a-kind jewelry made with semi-precious stones, fossils, crystals, and other organic materials such as insects (butterflies, dragonflies, bees, moths, beetles, cicadas!). Naturally deceased insects are lovingly collected and rescued from dust and decay and turned into something to be treasured and immortalized. She does not use casting. Rather, the organic specimen is completely encased in a new copper exoskeleton and formed into wearable art, capturing their inherent beauty and telling their story of the natural world.

What is Electroforming?

The found Insects and other art components are dried, sealed, and coated with conductive paint and suspended in an electrolytic solution of copper sulfate and sulfuric acid. Copper pipes are used as anodes – the source of the copper – and placed in the bath, along with the piece. The art piece and copper pipes are connected to a rectifier and a low voltage electrical charge is applied. Through careful monitoring of the amps and volts, the electrical current moves ions of copper towards the negatively charged art piece and coats it evenly over several hours and days. It is then removed from the bath and goes on to the polish, patina, and sealing processes.

Each piece is as unique as the element of nature that lay inside its copper walls! Seize your opportunity to wear a unique conversation piece!