More Bracelet Shenanigans

More work on bracelets for the store - which is opening next week.  (YIKES)

 soldered copper bangle with copper

 soldered copper bangle with sterling silver and crystals

 soldered copper with sterling silver and crackled quartz

 soldered copper bangle with sterling silver and frosted glass

 soldered copper bangle with sterling silver 

macrame with  freshwater pearls and copper 

 copper with porcelain and crystal

 soldered copper bangle with sterling silver wire

sterling silver with raw sapphire round bead wrapped in fine silver 

All of the soldered copper bangles have been patinaed (using Gun Blue) and buffed to a soft shine - as has the freshwaer pearl and copper macrame bracelet.  The rest were just tumbled to a nice shine.

Year of Jewelry 2013 - Week 4 - "Not from the Mall"

This weeks challenge was to make a piece that you wouldn't be able to buy at the mall.  I had been percolating an idea all week about links - big giant copper links - something that involved hammering and fire.  I tried a few different designs, used a LOT of 14 gauge copper wire and finally came up with this link.  It is a simple design but it's elegant in its simplicity.

I cut the wire to length, torched one end of each piece - then (using one of the arms on my wine opener - yes really!) formed each ring. 

 

 

I then connected each link

 

 

 

created an hook clasp and "O" ring for closure

 

 

 





Finally I gave it a bath in Perma Blu to patina it, buffed the bracelet to highlight the copper and it was done.  I had great fun creating this piece that surely you would never find in a mall!