Latest copper jewellery for Sept

My two latest additions to my Artfire and Folksy shops, both in copper of course, and yes I know it has been quite a while since I blogged, and since I used twitter, and even since I've made any jewellery. As I've cured myself of insomnia I'll just have to find another slot in my day for doing all of these things, although it is often good to focus on other things meanwhile as they are all valid and interesting projects. I have to confess that my main passion right now is metal cuffs, so don't be surprised if I start producing mainly cuff bracelets from now on. I just can't find the sort of cuff bracelets I want on the internet, and so I'll just have to make them myself. I used to be an earring person and never bothered with bracelets at all. Now I hardly ever wear earrings but need something big and bold on my wrists, preferably in copper although I also like silver.

My first attempt at a cuff bracelet looked quite good in its minimalist incarnation, before I added all the coils. I'm currently experimenting with filling in the spaces with either beads or metal shapes, and am looking forward to making lots of different varied cuff bracelets from minimalist to OTT. I called this one Mata Hari Steampunk (have I created a new genre?) because it seemed like a cross between the two styles I had in mind. Made entirely of copper wire with silver covered copper wire for accents plus a few sparkly glass beads.

For sale at $49.00 from Artefact Creations on Artfire or on Folksy in GB pounds £29.95.

This necklace is one of my favourites so far as it is simple and bold, yet chunky and unfussy with a sort of primitive medieval or renaissance feel about it (ok history was never my best subject). I'm wondering whether I should perhaps focus on the medieval and renaissance fayre market and start listing on less general directories?

Handmade jewellery just seems to have more soul, it's an elusive something that is very appealing. All my stock is also one of a kind unless stated otherwise - I just prefer each piece to be different.

I also really love the colour of natural raw copper and so never have the desire to deliberately age my pieces with liver of sulphur, although they will certainly age naturally without any glaze. I may experiment with ageing some pieces when I focus just on the cuff bracelets. I've also decided not to buy any more supplies (apart from wire) until I've used up what beads and other components I've already got.

Necklace is US $39.00 (GB £24.00 approx) in my Artfire shop.

Also being listed in my other shops at Folksy etc. All stock is dispatched from London, UK and all currency is automatically converted to your own when you pay by card, so it doesn't matter which shop you go to as I just delete the other listings when sold.

First silver clay design attempt

My first attempt at using Silver Art Clay for jewelry was interesting, and I'm not sure whether I'll continue using it much in my jewelry making but felt it was important to try out different methods and materials, and also decide whether it is worth my while investing in a kiln.

I bought a blow torch from the same supplier I bought the silver clay and other tools, but the torch wouldn't fill despite trying all of the nozzles on the butane gas filler, so had to buy another blowtorch from the local DIY shop.

Originally was going to make a silver chain link bracelet but decided to use a single chain in each different piece because the total weight of the intended piece was over 7 grams which meant I would need to get it hallmarked.

As these are just experimental pieces I thought I would incorporate a focal shape of pure silver in a mixed media bracelet with copper tube beads and other beads threaded on to silver coated copper wire.

The result was a delicate and magical looking piece which I've called Lady of the Lake, as it seemed slightly Arthurian, plus I spent a bit of time by the lake today. It can be worn further up the arm or more loosely around the wrist, but I prefer it as an arm piece than a wrist piece. I also loved the combination of copper and silver, and having the hook clasp at the side. The focal square has a leafy pattern on it, and the bracelet which fits all sizes is fairly flexible so that you can adjust its shape snugly once it is on the arm.

I'm not sure what I'll make from the other squares yet but I thought I'd put my first piece up on my blog, and then into my online shops. All of these will be one of a kind pieces, so even though I may list the same piece in more than one shop, I would delete all other listings whenever an item sells. So far I have just listed it in my UK shop Artefact Creations at Folksy.

Copper Wire Earrings

Actually it's not quite true that I haven't been making anything lately as mentioned in my last post, as I have been playing around with some simple wire earrings. I need to stock up on some supplies before doing anything more complex, but I must say I'm quite into the contemporary and minimalist as far as earrings go at the moment, as long as they are made of copper.

Which reminds me of a scarey article I read online recently about the need to source metals, wires and jewellery components that are nickel free as your jewellery could be illegal to sell in Europe. Fortunately I source most of my supplies in the UK and Europe, as most of the metal findings and beads that would be illegal to sell here because of the nickel content, come from outside Europe such as the Far East and even USA. As I'm allergic to nickel myself it would be easy to test any metals on me although I'm wondering if there is a more scientific test one can do apart from taking the supplier's word for it? I did once buy a pendant from the USA which brought me out in a severe rash one summer because of my nickel allergy so I can sympathise with the need to find nickel free components as well as staying with EU law. Stuff gets moved around though and there are probably many shops in the UK whose suppliers are from countries where these laws don't exist. Anyway, I digress.

I haven't listed any of these in my online shops yet, and I'm quite excited that I've now opened an online shop at DaWanda although I'm mainly just duplicating my Etsy listings there for now.

I loved these metal beads that reflect a pink or green colour and intend to do some wire-wrapped hanging ones, once I've bought some finer copper wire. The earwires will also be copper plated (and nickel free) once I've ordered them as it looks too awful putting silver hooks with copper earrings. These beads were crying out for a contemporary unfussy approach, so I just threaded them on the thickest wire that would take them.

I had some crackle glass beads to use up and some ready-made copper chain. I made the hammered hoop and spiral myself out of thick copper wire. These earrings may look huge but they are so light to wear. I put a small crystal bead on either side of the centre bead, and just need to photograph it all with a black background so it shows up better. I'm giving a preview here of what's going to be added to my shop soon once I've re-done the photos, replaced the earhooks and made a few more of them.

Natural copper chain bracelet

This afternoon I made a copper chain bracelet using thick solid copper wire of 2mm, with slightly thinner wire of 1.6mm for the side panel links. It was the first time I'd used this thickness of wire before, but I wanted a more solid look rather than a delicate item of jewellery.


I have now listed it in my etsy shop Artefact Creations for US$38.00 (£25.00 pounds).

I was pleased with the result and intend to make some other designs as well, also using thinner wire to add some beads. A few minutes after listing it I received a request for a custom order to make a belt like this. I was very pleased that my bracelet generated some interest.......was described as beautiful in fact, and that I received my first custom order request, but have decided to postpone any custom orders for now as it would take me quite a long time given how long it took me for the bracelet. At the moment I feel happy making bracelets to stock another website with items that are a bit faster to make, so I may attempt the belt later on when I have a bit more time to devote to a single item and when I'm more in the mood to do it.


I am happy to say that I'm back in the flow of jewellery making again, have regained my previously lost momentum and enthusiasm, and have easily returned to my usual hours of going to bed at around 4.00am.