How to make a copper bangle

by MaryAnn Carroll

Like many of you, I am a little crazy busy.  I have found some time to create some copper bangles, however, and consequently they became a little addicting AND a way to avoid everything else that I should have been doing to be a little more efficient. I thought that since I haven't posted in quite some time, I would start off by sharing a tutorial. Next week, I will have some of these to offer in a a giveaway, so stop back.

How to make a basic hammered copper bangle (picture tutorial)

If I were the super organized type, I would have a list of materials 

HERE....

but I am not, so I will do my best with letting you know what you need. Personally, I like to look at pictures, so that is what I am mostly providing.

Fire is you friend when it comes to making bangles and I like it hot!!!

Materials that you see here: 

Mapp Gas, copper solder, dremel, firing rack (not sure it that is the technical name) and 6 gauge copper wire (right from Lowes)

heavy duty wire cutters (Weiss)

 pickle (1 cup vinegar to 1 tbsp salt), a crock pot (one you will never use again in the kitchen, a ceramic bowl, water, baking soda for the water, plastic tongs,

I have been too cheap (and broke) to invest in a bracelet mandrel. An old baseball bat or, in this case, a maple leg from an old table works great!  They may not hold up as well, but, hell, I have four of them!!

This is fire brick (below). As you can see it has been used multiple times. I would recommend investing in some bricks, so that you don't burn the house down. 

That brings us to.....

STEP 1: Cut a piece of 6 gauge copper wire to approximately 8.5 inches (bigger or smaller depending on your hand size). I cut a little big just in case I make some mistakes and need to trim more than I planned for. Heat the copper to make it pliable. (you can use water for fast cooling if you choose to).

 

STEP 2: Using a chasing hammer (another material), hammer the wire until you get it flattened. I then use the flip side of the wire for the exterior of the bangle. This part takes some twisting and turning AND a little patience.

STEP 3: File, using you dremel until you get both ends of the wire to meet with as little space in between as possible.

STEP 4: Put the two ends together and place on your firing rack. Place the LONG piece of copper solder behind the connection. This part takes lots of practice and I could not take pictures while I was doing this since my right hand was being used to heat the front of the copper.

The joint isn't perfect, but with a little sanding and possibly a little more solder it will look fine.

STEP 5: Add to pickling solution (heat crock pot until hot.... I would give degrees here, but I have no clue what low is on the crock pot that I have.

 This is a picture AFTER it comes out of the pickling solution.

STEP 6: Using a wooden or rubber mallet, carefully hammer your bangle until you have reached complete roundness (or close to it)!!

There you have it!

 I also add patinas, sometimes textures and usually tumble them for extra strength and shine. Only two of these have patina added.

Stop back next Friday to enter to win a bangle or two!

MaryAnn

Getting over the Big Hump

By MaryAnn Carroll

This year I started to direct my creative energy into another part of my life. We built our house eight years ago and moved in when there was still so much work to do. Both Bill and I worked as teachers at the time and we each came with one teenager in tow. They were our youngest from our previous marriages. Together we have six.

Needless to say, what you want to have happen and what really does happen are two totally different things. What did happen in terms of designing our interior to fit our style was pretty much

nothing.

This summer, during my break, I was hell bent on painting and remodeling. It was time to start weeding out the old so that I could bring in some new old.... We (I) were on our way to becoming a little obsessed with antique shopping, which lead to an auction addiction. I discovered through this process that my addictive personality can cross over to other areas at any given time. I tend to get a little obsessive until that energy or money (whichever happens first) wears out.

We are on home stretch with this project. Next summer, we are going to work on our gallary that will be in our downstairs, which currently serves as a very large storage unit!!!

One of the last things for this year's project is that we will be adding a custom country pine table that my very talented (now retired) husband Bill is building.  It should be ready to start the urethane process before Thanksgiving gets here. Here it is upside down in our living room (try not to focus on the dog hair that has been neglected). The wood looks a little rough on the underside because it is old pine that Bill was able to gather. We had to put the rougher side down to have, what I think, is very cool pine on the top. I hope to have pictures to share when it is all done.

While this project is nearing its end, we are also preparing for a show that starts today!!!  So, last night, the table sat while we got prepared. Hopefully, our older unpredictable dog Buddy does not think that we just offered him for new posts to relieve himself on while we are gone. Throughout the week I have been working on a few things. I have wanted to make dangle earrings with ear posts for a long time. I just have not been able to make what is available on the market work with my style. At one of the auctions I went to they were auctioning off metal cutters. I won the bidding war.... yup..... the addictive personality with a credit card in hand. In retrospect, I wish I would have gotten more than the ones that I did get. This particular pair cuts triangular notches. While getting back into creating the little stuff again, I finally came up with ear posts that work with my style.

I also came up with some new styles for bangles while I was practicing my soldering skills. Soldering is a technique that I am not sure I will ever perfect, but the challenge is something that keeps me wanting to try it again and again and again.....

That is pretty much it for now. I have been going non-stop. Hopefully, once the table is all set and the house is cleaned and back in order, I will just work on creating small again. Bill just built a small gas/wood kiln out by our large wood kiln that I will write about next week. 

Wish me luck at the show!

MaryAnn

Oh.... my current kitchen table..... a mix of everything that is going on..... pieces of wood that need practice stains before I stain the new table, a sander that I wore out refinishing furniture that just needed to have a new velcro sticky thing added, paint stirrers for all 20 different paint samples that I bought.... and, finally... jewelry on the far end.

Do you ever get like this? 

Win $50 or $25 to spend online at Auntie's Beads

Winners:

Nicole Demore and Shaiha! Congrats!!

I know your first question is, "How?" Not only will it be easy, but I think you might find this to be a useful way to win a giveaway on top of it!

The drawing will be held in the evening of Sunday, July 27th. There will be two gift certificates given to the first two people randomly picked from the comments. The first person will receive $50 and the other $25.  Those will be good to spend at Auntie's Beads. This is open to everyone. Please leave a way to contact you in your comment or it will not be able to be counted.

Here is what we are asking from you. Please visit this LINK. It starts off on a page like the screenshot below.

Once you read about the online jewelry calculator, please visit this jewelry pricing calculator link to see how it works.

Here is what we would like you to do.

Share your ideas about how to make this calculator the most efficient, easy to use calculator for pricing jewelry. What do you like? What would you like to see added or changed?

Being that we create handmade at LMAJ, one of our suggestions was adding something about the handmade aspect whether it is beads that are handmade or found, skill level needed to make a piece unique, etc.

Carol suggested a field for a product that would signify earrings, bracelet, etc, as well as possibly a size option for length of a necklace.

Those are our suggestions. Now we would like some of yours. My guess is that some suggestions might overlap. That's okay! 

You might want to visit Auntie's Beads for a little more exploring. And, you might be the lucky winner who receives the coupon code for $50 or $25.

I would also like to ask that you please promote this on your social network sites.

Thank-you for participating in this giveaway and GOOD LUCK!!!

MaryAnn

Creating your own ear wires....... simple!

MaryAnn Carroll

Hi, One of the things that is really important to me when creating handmade with handmade is:

1. Use everything that is handmade and/or something that has been modified (like chain).

2. Make sure that everything is smooth. You must sand your copper and your wire or anything else that is sharp!

3. Finish off your handmade earrings with handmade wire.


As for number 3, I have tried to get fancy with that one too many times. It just turned out that getting fancy with the ear wire process is just not my thing. I may try again one day, but for now I keep it simple.

Today, I am sharing my FIRST YouTube tutorial. The lighting isn't the best, but my Videographer (aka husband Bill) did his best to chase my hands around using my i-phone.

Who knows? I might become famous with this and you'll see my name up in lights somewhere! Anything is possible, right?

Thank you for supporting artists who create handmade with handmade.

MaryAnn

True to your Art, True to your Business or Both?

MaryAnn Carroll

What is the most important to you as an artist? I think most of us would say that it is that we remain true to ourselves, grow from our experiences and perfect our techniques. I agree.

On the other hand, there is an art of selling. With show times coming up for many or if you sell online, I think you need to ask yourself if there is a balance in what you do?  This has been an ongoing discussion with my husband Bill Perrine and me. He has been a ceramic artist for many, many years, but started to create wood-fired pottery in 2008. At the time, he was not going to "bend" from being the artist that he was. I respected that, but as time went on, I started to give my female perspective on his work. Although beautiful, much of what he created had a masculine feel to it. Don't get me wrong.... I love most of it!

Although, I love what he does and he is incredibly talented, we have had many discussions about who the buyers are.  I travel with him to shows and have my little section set up for jewelry. I have paid lots of attention to how people shop when they walk into your both.

I can assure you (I think I will actually tally it this year) that the majority of your buyers are women. Once again we found ourselves having the same discussion and he came up with a way to stay true to himself while thinking about his buying "audience".

Those are a few examples of what will be going into the wood-fire kiln in a couple of weeks. The beads that will be going in still remain in one big ball of clay sitting on the kitchen table......

So, this is my take on his sales. I know you are dying to know...... "what's my take on my sales?" Well, it is basically the same thing. I have learned that some of my best work often sits because of the price tag. I also learned that I have to learn the art of creating for my audience. I am in a small gallery in Cortland, NY called Cinch Art Space. It is a great little shop filled with art from over 40 vendors.

Being in Cinch has been a learning experience for me. I had to know the community (near SUNY Cortland) and think about who the other buyers are. With that said, I began designing a range of jewelry from simple to complex. When I create simple it allows me to keep the price down. On the flip side of that, I tend to get bored easily, so I have to balance simple and more complex.

There you have it. I would love to know what strategies work for you.

On a completely different note, we have a few other things going on. Staci is offering a fabulous pendant giveaway. You can click HERE to read her post and leave your comment. Please remember to comment on the blog so that you will be counted when drawing a name.

Karen's non-profit organization Rare Species Conservatory Foundation is currently going through some difficult times. If you have a passion for preserving wildlife and our environment, please go to her website to read about their very important mission. You can also get to it by clicking the link on our sidebar. Funding is always needed to keep organizations like hers going.

Lastly, for those of you that might know me through online friendships or "in real life", you probably know that I am a big advocate for political injustice, particularly for those who are in prisons all over the United States for crimes that they did not commit. My passion evolved from one of the worst experiences that changed my life forever. The case involves a loved one and since it is not completely closed (despite the fact that it is now in year 4), I am not going to go into any details, other to say that it was very close to ending up like so many others who did not end up as "fortunate" as we did with wrongful convictions. I know we do not like to believe that the corruption can sometimes be on the side of the "good guys", but it can be and it has been.  I am offering a sale/donation to help Charles Erickson. You might have heard about the case since it has been all over the media. If you would like to learn more about how you can make a purchase while donating at the same time, you can click HERE. There is also a link on our sidebar.

Today, I do not only want to thank-you for supporting artists who create handmade with handmade, but also thank-you for supporting causes that are there to right the wrong.

MaryAnn

A change for the new year......

So, last week I made a promise to myself to reorganize the studio. You might have read the post. This probably is not the best picture I could have started with because it appears more cluttered than it really is, but, in reality it gives me so much room to work on considering I was dusting off little areas to be able to hammer, cut discs, etc.

I first had to decide what it was that I was lacking and that was storage space. Everything in the room was landing on my workbench and it needed to go. I decided to only keep the stuff that I reach for on a regular basis on the bench. I knew that I needed a few more shelves since the wall space was wasted. I bought some inexpensive brackets and Bill cut the wood. Together, we had those up in 20 minutes.

I also looked around and gave some thought to what storage I really like the most since I own LOTS of plastic storage in various shapes and sizes. I decided that the one I have always liked the best are these little $10 Sterilite drawers that you can buy at Walmart.

Now, I have easy access to different things I might need while working. I might pick up a couple more of these. The five drawer ones are 12 inches high and only about 8 inches deep so they do not take up much space.

I had shelves that my husband Bill Perrine built me a couple of years ago. I had stored all of my commercial beads on them. Since I really do not use any of those, I decided that they could just go in a place that is harder to reach for me and make some room for the things that I use more. As you can see, I have mandrels (very long because I cut my own), copper pipe and various gauges of wire that I purchase from Lowes or Home Depot. I also sorted out my copper sheets and noticed my supply is starting to get low. It's time to call the roofing company and see what they have in scraps.

 

And... then there was the TV stand that I was just going to get rid of. I decided that since it was on wheels and I absolutely hated where I had my makeshift light box, that it might work as a stand for my light box. Now, I can roll it over to the window for some natural light too. I haven't tried it out yet, but I am hoping that I like the choice that I made. I am using the shelves underneath as storage for my various props that I sometimes use when taking pictures.

That now left me with a work table where the light box was. I have no clue what to do with that, so for now, it is a spot to put the other things that I have no clue what to do with!

Lastly, and most importantly to me, is my firing station. I use fire bricks because I can get a little crazy with the torch.  I won't zoom in on the burn marks on the rug! I also had this little shelf that my mother-in-law picked up at a garage sale. It was just sitting in storage since I really didn't think it was something I would ever use, but as it turns out, it holds the enamels perfectly! One day I will remove the Mighty Dog labels and label the colors.... maybe.....

 

So, when I am done with this I am excited to go and work on my first project enameling discs for my friend Karen McGovern. I LOVE making discs for her! Not only does she give me free rein to do as I do, but I smile every time I see them in her creations. She is an amazing artist!

 

 

So, I am really going to try to keep my studio neat. I know the reality is that it will not look like it does right now even after today's work. I do hope to, at the very least, not let it turn into a disaster again!

I hope you are having a Happy New Year so far!

and.... as always....

Thank-you for supporting artists who create handmade with handmade,

MaryAnn

Copper Tube Clasp - Boot Camp Tutorial

MaryAnn Carroll

I don't know about you, but making the right clasp for the right design can be challenging. My dream is that one day I will invent a very cool clasp that is easy to make, looks great in all designs and holds up well.

In the meantime, my favorites are the ones that I always fall back on .... the basic clasp. Staci did a wire clasp post about that a couple of weeks back. I use the same type, but the "look" that fits right in with her designs does not work in mine. My biggest issue is this..... I want something that I can use in bracelets that will not take up any more space than a lobster clasp would, but would be completely handmade AND look good without taking away from the design. Bracelets tend to be my biggest issue. I decided that I am going to make bracelets that are simple and accentuate my beads. I do admire people who can put different beads together and make it look so effortless. That is not me. I may evolve into that one day, but right now, I am not there. So, I want something simple that is functional, looks good and will not fall off.

I've made my share of toggles, but sometimes they just are too much for me. I don't know why, but I've learned to just go with whatever works for me. I can create a lot more with that attitude. So, let me share with you my simple little invention that works for me.....

The great thing about this clasp is that you can go right to Lowes, Home Depot or other hardware store and purchase everything you need (except the jewelry tools, of course). I get lots of wire from hardware stores too.

Here is an older version. The obvious problem here is that if I have the clasp tight enough to not fall off, I risk the wire (even though it has been hammered and hardened) to separate. Yes, it has happened :o(

 

Head on over and get yourself an inexpensive box of soft copper tubing (1/4"). I will sometimes use a little larger tube, but I prefer the smaller for a more discreet, chunky look.

 

Drag out the tools. The Ridgid tube cutter and the yellow burr remover can both be purchased at said hardware stores for not too much money. I did invest in a slightly more expensive tube cutter for $16 or $17, but you can get them for less than $10. Make sure that the store carries replacement blades for the cutter that you choose. The wire purchased is 16 gauge and was cut from a HUGE roll of wire.

You will need a hammer (I use my chasing hammer), a block and metal sandpaper. I just bought the sandpaper for metal recently and love it! It has a stronger back and does not rip like the regular sandpaper does. Also pictured, is my new block! It is an antique iron. I got it for $3 at a barn sale (one of my favorite things to do on weekends) and it is soooooooooooo much quieter than the one that I purchased online for 6 times more. Bill appreciates that is is quieter too, since I have been known to hammer while he is watching TV!

Here is a side view. It was really rusty, but Bill took it to the workshop and gave it a nice sanding right when we got home. What a great husband :o)

Here we go....  Let me introduce the Tube Clasp!

1. Insert your copper tube from this side. If you need more detail on cutting tubes, check out the tube cutting tutorial that I did awhile back.

2. This little thing is a burr cleaner. You will need to clean out the burrs from each cut. It only takes a half minute. It simply rotates inside the tube. These can be found where the tube cutters and copper are sold. I believe it was less than $10.

3. Here is a side view. Once the tube is in place snuggly, you rotate the cutter around the tube until you feel it loosen. Each time it loosens, tighten it slightly and continue the process until you have cut completely through.
 

4. This is what will be your ring for the clasp.

5. Using you hammer and block, hammer the ring flat, flipping it over so that each side is getting hammered evenly. I usually flip it every ten taps or so.

 

6. Here it is hammered.

7. Now it is time for your 16 gauge wire. I use a stronger wire if I am making a larger clasp, but for one that I want this small, 14 gauge is the most I can bend and make it work.

8. I use the very tip of my pliers because my goal is to make this as small as possible, yet functional at the same time.

9. I also form my second loop as small as I can get it without making it too small.

10. Snip the wire so that it is a little longer than the top of the first loop made.

11. Here is is cut. If this is too large or two long, adjust accordingly.

12. Hammer a little for hardness. This can also be done in the tumbler if you own one.

13. Stretch the wire out so that you do not hammer your fingers for this next part. I hammer about 1/4" of the tip until I get it to the size that I want. The purpose is to have it grab slightly when hooked on the tube so that it does not fall off while wearing.

14. Use you sandpaper and sand until it is rounded and smooth.

15. Here you have it ready to add a patina if that is a look that you like. You could tumble it to smooth it out, but I don't typically do that.

Here are some complete and some waiting for a little liver of sulfer to darken them.

As you can see, the clasps are fairly small. Personally, I would still like them somewhat smaller, but that will take a little more practice. These hands of mine are not always up to doing LOTS of metal bending for days on end!

So, here is yet another way to add that one of a kind clasp to your designs. Have you been experimenting with clasps? If so, what has worked out great and what hasn't?

We would love to hear from you :o)

And..... as always....

Thank-you for supporting artists who created handmade with handmade.

MaryAnn