Jasper and Copper Bangle

The colors blend better, and I think it shows off the jasper beads better too. Instead of a soldered or fused bangle, I forged the ends of my copper wire and made what almost looks like a clasp, although it is not intended to open and close. I also hammer textured the wire a bit to add some sparkle while strengthening the bangle. I have the prototype shown above for sale on etsy and I’m thinking I need to make some more copper bangles since this one turned out so well.

Oh, and I am loving the pink on my new copper head pins! I read a trick for getting that color in a new jewelry book I got for Christmas, Wrap, Stitch, Fold & Rivet by Mary Hettmansberger, which I’ll be reviewing very soon.

I paired a jasper on copper charm with a deep purple freshwater pearl one, and added them to a slim silver bangle:

Jasper and Pearl Charm Bangle

Looking at the finished piece, I like it, but I think it would be a more successful design if the bangle was made from copper – so I’m hoping to experiment with some copper bangles if my son takes a good nap this afternoon. The warm tones in the copper charms would blend a lot better with a warm copper bangle base – and maybe matching earrings? And while I’m being critical of myself, if I’d chosen a black pearl with more green/gold undertones, I think that also might have worked a bit better. But hey – aren’t my pink copper head pins gorgeous with the jasper?

Disclaimer: artbeads.com gave me the jasper beads in exchange for me blogging about them. I am not paid to say anything nice, I can say whatever I want in fact, and I get to keep the samples they send.

It was just a matter of time til I started making my own chain, and that’s when I found out just how long it takes to make a chain. Let’s just say a long time.

Inspired by the Rachel Ray “semi-homemade” cooking theory, I decided to try a semi-homemade set of chain jewelry.

I finished the set of a necklace, two bracelets, earrings, and a few stacking rings in less time than a single chain would have taken if I did it all by hand, and I love the results.

Mixed Metal Jewelry Set

It was really easy to make – if you can make large jump rings, you could make yourself a similar set. I used antique brass chain I got on sale at a craft store. It has very large links, about the size of finger rings, and they are unsoldered. I made some copper jump rings in similar sizes, using thick-gauge wire and hammering them a bit so they’d be strong enough hold up, and inserted them into the chain somewhat randomly. I ended up with two bracelets and a necklace, and enough leftover links to make matching earrings & wear a few as finger rings.

I wear this set a lot and always get compliments, so I’m considering adding some similar pieces to my shop. It looks great combined with some simple brass bangles if I want a more dramatic look, or I just wear one or two of the pieces if I want to be more toned down.

Copper Hoops

Fused Silver Pendants

pricelist:
1 cm copper hoops: $12.50
1/2 inch copper hoops: $13.50
1 inch copper hoops: $15.00
curvy pendant with chain: $45.00
drop pendant with chain: $40.00

I can make copper hoops in any quantity (within reason) but the pendants are one of a kind! Shipping is $2.25 anywhere in the US.

I’ll be adding them to my etsy shop over the next week, but here’s a preview of one I just finished:

Copper Earrings - Loose Spirals

Copper Rose

It isn’t finished yet, but it’s going to be a nice, long necklace, and I’m calling it Copper Rose. I think the pink tones of the pearls are beautiful and rich looking with the copper. I haven’t made bead and wire chains in a long time – they are time consuming to make, but a great way to make a custom chain using just about any combination of wire and beads. Tutorial coming soon!

Copper Color Series Pendant - Yellow and Purple

Previous posts in this series:
Pink and Blue
Red and Yellow Pendant
Green two-tone pendant

Copper Color Series - Pink and Blue

Previous posts in this series:
Red and Yellow Pendant
Green two-tone pendant

Copper Color Series Pendant - Green

Previous post in this series: Red & Yellow Pendant

Here is the first one, red with yellow accents:

Copper Series Pendant: Red and Yellow