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What are the planters made of?
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All Classic Copper planters and vases are made from solid sheets of copper and finished by hand using traditional copper patinas.
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How are they made?
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They are formed by hand, without moulds, in a traditional coppersmith’s workshop.
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Will the planters rust?
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Unlike ferrous metals, such as cast iron, which rust then decay, copper builds up a protective layer through oxidisation. This is what gives patinated copper its special colour.
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How do you achieve the patinas?
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We dip each planter into a chemical concoction to accelerate the oxidisation process and thereby create the patina. These concoctions can be centuries-old recipes handed down in families, and they vary from place to place. The precise colour of each patina can be affected by air humidity, so variations in each patina do occur.
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Tin plated copper is the same finish traditionally used on cooking pots and only needs cleaning with a non-abrasive cleaning agent, or even soapy water, to maintain its brightness.
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How do they weather outdoors?
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All Classic Copper planters and vases are protected from the weather by several layers of natural wax. This is the traditional finish for copper and bronze placed outdoors. This initial protective layer seals the patina and prevents it from oxidising further. For the patina to remain unchanged, coats of soft beeswax should be applied at regular intervals. Twice a year should be sufficient though this can depend on weather conditions and the site chosen for the pots.
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What happens if they don’t get waxed?
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The surface will take on a more natural and varied patina. This will vary according to weather conditions and the site chosen for the pots. Unwaxed pots in the grey finish will pick up the easily recognised blue of oxidised copper, while those in the bronze and green finishes are more likely to remain closer to the original. Natural unfinished copper will dim to a bronze / brown and then begin to collect blue or green around the edges.
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What is the environmental footprint and working environment?
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Copper is a valuable metal with a high market cost, and has therefore always been saved and recycled as new sheet. Our planters will always retain the intrinsic value of the metal and as they do not decay will still be here in the future.
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The workshop is staffed by skilled craftsmen who are part of a team. They have spacious and well-ventilated workshops. There is a dining room where management and craftsmen sit down together for lunch and tea breaks each day. We at Classic Copper have regular meetings in the workshop with the staff and working conditions are monitored.
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Are there drainage holes?
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Classic Copper planters and vases are supplied to order and therefore come with or without drainage holes. If drainage is required we drill the base with 5 holes and a solid copper plate 5mm thick is riveted underneath. This lifts the base off the ground to allow free drainage.
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How long will I have to wait to get my planter?
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Delivery is 8 weeks from when we receive confirmation and your 50% deposit on the order. However, it’s always worth asking which designs we currently have in stock, but please note that this does vary. Samples or seconds are occasionally available at reduced prices.
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