I just watched two videos that have inspired me.

[roon4660]

My printer has been collecting dust for a year because I really didn't really have anything I wanted to print. I printed so many things over the last three or so years and I just give them away. I still have plastic everywhere so I was uninspired but these two videos gave me an idea to make earrings again which I haven't done since the 80's.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWBwebWAT9c&t=0s

[Ender5r]

Wow, that could keep you busy for a long while.

[irvshapiro]

This sounds like a lot of fun. I am always interested in mixed-material projects. Just like the saying just because you have a hammer everything is not a nail. Just because you have a 3d printer you shouldn't limit your maker projects to plastic.

[roon4660]

It is going to be a challenge because my brain isn't cooperating lately. But maybe I need the challenge. My Ender 3 pro has been collecting dust and is waiting for me to finish installing the new fan and organizing my wiring so it doesn't strangle anyone passing by when it's running.
I used to be a hippy jewelry maker in Spain the seventies and then I became a yuppie jewelry maker in California in the early 80's so I actually think I could do well making and selling earrings with metal electroplating. I had already discarded the idea of doing them in pure plastic but if I can get the results this fellow does I can sell earrings all day. What is really good is I have everything except the ear pulls (which I can get tomorrow from Amazon).
So basically I have nothing to lose but my time.
It is good if earrings are light because many ladies like big flashy earrings. I have enough materials to make a million pairs of earrings and of course I can do amulets and bracelets and whatever with the latest meme. I'm thinking off Trump earrings.
I don't need to buy any silver I could plate my apartment block with all the silver I have. An ounce can plate a 59 Cadillac. Copper wire is everywhere and they say you can plate brass. That would get me three colours without buying some gold.
Now I need to kick myself in the arse and actually do something for a change.

[roon4660]

By the way I don't seem to be receiving notifications. I shall report it if Irv doesn't see this.

[roon4660]

As the British say "In for a penny in for a pound." I ordered $160 Can of stuff I need to actually do this from Amazon and it is supposed to arrive today. I need some silver wire which will come tomorrow.

I am the sort of a maniac that always needs a project that excites him and is challenging. When my materials arrive I will test out the premise that I can plate in my kitchen with non really corrosive substances and so cheaply.

In the 80's I was screwing around with electroplating to see if I could make some money from it. I was plating gold marajuana leaves which was very in at the time.
I was buying very expensive solution and totally forgot about plating while I did other techniques to feed my family for a few years.

Earrings are the best jewelry seller though I will make other things like bracelets and amulets etc. I will take photos and market on Etsy. I won't need to keep a huge inventory and marketing can be easily done.

[roon4660]

The change in the look and the feel of the object is what I am counting on.

[roon4660]

Wow the electrolyte of peroxide and vinegar and a dose of salt really works fast!. I would never have guessed I could get such results with a AC/DC 6 V adapter. I shall be plating my first plastic in a few hours.

[Ender5r]

Good for you. Look forward to seeing your results. BTW, how do you make the plastic conductive, so it can be plated?

[roon4660]

Graphite powder and alcohol is what he used. I am already to plate something in a few more hours when the electrolyte is ready. It is really turning blue fast. I used to have a proper electroplating device but I think I can do just as well with what I have. This is fun. I will have to wait for my silver wire to arrive to hold the coin anode I will be using.
I will have fun seeing how many earrings I can plate at a time. I couldn't find my aquarium pump and the bubbler so I will buy a cheap one from amazon.
He seemed to be plating an object in 20 minutes. Maybe he has more amperage than I have. That can affect the time it takes and also the surface area of the object.

[Ender5r]

But you have to be careful not to use too much amperage or the plating will be too porous.

[roon4660]

I am going to do what he says and play with the distance. I will also play with the shape of the sacrificial anode. I will probably run the electrolyte solution all night and day till my aquarium pump gets here. I think that will help a lot.
I would have played with electroplating a whole lot more in the 80's but I had to spend my time making enough jewelry to sell and support a family and a dog and a cat.
My solution is getting bluer and bluer as the copper sulphate forms.

[roon4660]

I shall order some brass wire because he says you can plate some alloys. Too bad I don't have my old wedding ring that would have made a good sacrificial anode.

[roon4660]

I made a stab at plating a little plastic figure and I found two problems. Actually I found that I should have remembered to use acrylic paint as a binder with the graphite.

The other thing is the PLA I'm using floats like a cork and I need to be able to submerge them and held steady with as minimal contact as possible that I have to clean up after.

My copper sulphate solution is very dark blue.

[roon4660]

I seem to have found a good binder for my graphite. Elmer's white glue. I am in the process of copper plating a maple leaf and it seems to be working nicely.