Comments on: My First Copper Wire Bangle https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/my-first-copper-wire-bangle/ free jewelry tutorials, plus a friendly community sharing creative ideas for making and selling jewelry. Sat, 28 Jun 2014 13:23:50 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.7.15 By: Colleen https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/my-first-copper-wire-bangle/#comment-125821 Sat, 28 Jun 2014 13:23:50 +0000 http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/?p=31287#comment-125821 Fran, I’ve been making more and more bangles with un-coated copper. I do offer to coat it with a clear, non yellowing spray such as, Krylon Crystal clear acrylic coating spray. Most any craft store or hardware store will carry this or something like it. Some of my customers don’t want to chance turning green. :). I usually put on at least two or more coats and let it dry overnight. Have fun!!

]]> By: Fran Selinger https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/my-first-copper-wire-bangle/#comment-125639 Sat, 28 Jun 2014 01:37:00 +0000 http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/?p=31287#comment-125639 Thanks Colleen and Cindy! I’d love to add some beads, but I’d like to keep it so that the bare copper still connects with the skin. I think I need some wrapping wire without the non-tarnish coating, although I do love the contrast…

]]> By: Cindy https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/my-first-copper-wire-bangle/#comment-125598 Fri, 27 Jun 2014 23:40:40 +0000 http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/?p=31287#comment-125598 Superb! Your technique appears to be flawless!!! How will you top this? LOL!

]]> By: Colleen https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/my-first-copper-wire-bangle/#comment-48552 Tue, 28 Jan 2014 15:06:57 +0000 http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/?p=31287#comment-48552 Wow Fran….nice job for a first timer!! Copper is probably my favorite metal for work with. I like to usually leave the metal bare (without coating) so the natural aging color comes out. Sometimes I will give it a blast with my husbands torch (that’s fun!). I leave it up to my customer which way they want it. I’d say keep working with the metals, you do great work!

]]> By: zoraida https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/my-first-copper-wire-bangle/#comment-48266 Wed, 22 Jan 2014 13:40:46 +0000 http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/?p=31287#comment-48266 I’m glad you found my comments helpful, Fran. It is a jump from bead weaving to wirework but a fun journey. I’m sure you will be creating lots of metal pieces soon. Another suggestion, if you’re using steel wool, you should get a small, inexpensive brass brush. It gets all those tiny pieces of steel wool out of small spaces and gives a nice shine as well.
Can’t wait to see what you do next 😀

]]> By: Fran Selinger https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/my-first-copper-wire-bangle/#comment-48111 Sat, 18 Jan 2014 21:42:44 +0000 http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/?p=31287#comment-48111 Zoraida! I’m glad you saw my article and am tickled that you commented. Thanks for the tips and the encouragement. And you know what? I do have some 0000 steel wool, but I didn’t even think to use it. There is so much to learn! I’m used to bead weaving, so this is definitely a new direction for me. Thanks again!

]]> By: zoraida https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/my-first-copper-wire-bangle/#comment-48097 Sat, 18 Jan 2014 15:20:01 +0000 http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/?p=31287#comment-48097 It’s hard to believe this is your first copper wire bangle. It is beautifully done and oh so very neat! I am flattered you found some inspiration from my own designs.
Spirals can get caught on things especially when they face out so I like to tuck the ends under and use a clasp instead. I always file the ends of wire smooth and buff them with very fine steel wire as well.
Wire thicker than 14ga will be difficult to manipulate unless you anneal it but you can always make it chunkier by using more of the 14ga wires. I’m sure you will find a way to make more great bracelets like this one 🙂

]]> By: Fran Selinger https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/my-first-copper-wire-bangle/#comment-48065 Sat, 18 Jan 2014 02:44:29 +0000 http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/?p=31287#comment-48065 Since writing the above article, I’ve had some feedback from my customer. He suggests that a larger diameter wire would “work better for men” and he found that sometimes the ends of the spirals caught on things. So a step I missed (and will make sure I do next time) was filing the wire ends to make them smooth.

I hope this helps someone else on their first foray into copper wire bangles!

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