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!