Vol-012-3 Hammered Copper Clasp PcT Tutorial (Intro)
Video #107: Making Your Own Jewelry Findings Using Very Basic Tools and Supplies:
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** This post is an introduction to one of our paid tutorials.
Lately I’ve been talking a lot about hammered copper wire and jewelry projects such as this Copper Wire + Disc Bead Bracelet. And judging by the comments that are coming in, it seems I’m not the only one who is interested in this topic:
“Cindy, I love it! I am currently getting into the whole concept of decorative wire jewelry making for my beads and hope to learn as much as I can.” ~Maria
“I’ve seen something similar in the craft stores and thought it was a great idea, but didn’t even think of making them myself.” ~Sue
“The “hammering” process has me intrigued, sounds like it might be an excellent outlet for some frustration. Cannot wait for you to share the process.” ~Jocelyn
“Love to see more copper work! I got a tiny (1 lb) anvil at Harbor Freight. I haven’t done alot with it, but it is fun to hammer wire flat.” ~Sarah
If you make polymer clay beads, at some point you will likely want to use these beads to also make some jewelry creations (if you are not already doing so). That means you will need findings such as hooks and eye clasps.
Very often the selection of available findings is either limited or pricey, or both. So why not learn to make them yourself!?
One neat thing about the copper clasps, in this week’s library video, is how inexpensive and quick they are to make. The tools are very basic and the supplies are cheap, cheap, cheap!
These copper clasps are comparable to one's selling on Etsy for anywhere between $2 and $8 a set… depending on the gauge of wire, the size of the clasp and the finish (oxidized, verdigris, hammered, plain, etc.). So not only will this technique save you some money, but it may also become a source of income if you decide to sell the clasps to other jewelry artisans.
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I loved this video and went running out to the hardware store immediately to get some 14 gauge copper wiring.
Sherry L
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Thank you, I have always thought it would be too difficult to achieve, so I have avoided doing wire work. You have made it achievable, and now I am making hammered copper clasps for my jewellery. Financially, this is an amazing bonus - thank you again.
Cara L
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I'm a newbie to polymer clay, I've been a beader for a couple of years, taken several wire/beading classes and I love this copper wire technique! Thank you Cindy, for sharing your creativity in such an easy to understand manner!
Linda K
Transcript coming soon...
Transcript coming soon...
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Thanks for the suggestions. I’m thinking the 16 guague might not be too bad on my hands and a bit stronger than 18. however, I have some 10 guage and I hope im going to be able to work it; I have some beads I made and i’d like to try out the dangle bangle. It’s the small loops that trouble me not the large ones.
I’ve been making my own copper findings; copper headpins and clasps. I used 14 guage like Cindy said in her video. I managed to do the whole hook but when I came to the last loopon the hook I had a really hard time. I have problems with my wrists and holding the little hook in my left hand and trying to form the loop as near to the edge – I was sore. I wanted my hook a bit smaller to match the copper chain i’m using.
@Cherie: Sorry about your poor hands! You could always go smaller on the wire gauge you’re using (higher number.) It will be easier to manipulate and nicer to your hands. It will match your chain better, too. You might not want to go too small…18 gauge should give your wrists an easier time & still provide the look you want, while still providing enough strength for the clasp. Just be sure to work harden it by pounding, as in the video. Or you could tumble harden if you have a tumbler and medium…
When you’re at Home Depot, ask someone to find you a fine toothed file, for filing the edges of wire and metal. A wood file will not do.
I am a little confused by which file(s) to buy. I went to the home depot and they had a couple of different grades of files. Can someone point me in the right direction?
Thank You :)
**PHOTOS ADDED: Some project pictures of hammered copper jewelry have just been added to a Spotlight Feature showcasing Melinda Herron. She is a member who is very much appreciated here at this supportive polymer clay community. Click on the “Wire Work and Polymer Clay” link by my name to have a look.
Well if you ever get inspired and want to make your own, check out wigjig.com
@Ken
Bingo! Thanks so much!!! Fire Mountain has them already made…..a nice selection of colors too!
firemountaingems.com/search.asp?skw=niobium
Try either Firemountaingem.com or Riogrande.com they might have what you’re looking for, and if you find the wire check out wigjig.com for written instructions on wire work.
Help!
Need to find some niobium metal earring findings for pierced ears so I can transfer over my collection and start wearing them again. Could anyone share some links?
Or, if anyone knows of an online tut showing how to bend purchased niobium wire into earring findings using a jig, that would be great.
Many thanks!
**PHOTOS ADDED: Hammered Copper Project Photos have just been added in a Spotlight Feature Showcasing Arlene Harrison. Click on the “Hammered Copper Wire Hookmark” link by my name above to see them now.
I propose to my customers that have allergies…surgical steel ear wire..and it works fine with them…
There ya go, now youre cookin’! We wanna see ’em when you get some finished! XOXO Jamie
It could work, use the toner image transfer technique with a color photocopy, then use the ultra thin translucent clay technique to protect the image, yeah this could work!
Hey Ken, maybe you can make some polymer pendants with your cute “big head” poochy on them! They seem to be all the rage these past couple years. I bet you could even sell some. XOXO Jamie
Awww that sounds cute Ken!
I love animals, have been raised around them since forever, that is a fantastic shot of Candy, I wish my Daschund would stay still long enough to get a good photo of him. He see’s the camera and proceeds to stick his nose right up to the lens, all I get are photos like the greeting cards with the big nose and a stretched face.
@Ken: LOL!
@Jamie: I know… EWWW!! Cool about the Miracle Grow, actually have some of that. Must get it out of the shed next time I go outside!
@Silverleaf: Even though I know lots of people make pet jewelry, hadn’t thought of making something for Candy. Maybe a little Fish Charm would be cute!
@Jocelyn: Thanks for the links! I am definitely a toolaholic. Will buy them, over new clothes, any day! (Which probably explains my wardrobe!)
For all you “toolaholics” out there, Sears.com is having a two day sale today and tomorrow on Craftsmans and lots of power stuff. Also, a treat in the rain is a trip through micromart.com. And firemountaingems.com. Time for a cuppa……enjoy.
@Jamie – Lake Erie looks gorgeous! The one thing I’d change about where I live is the fact that we’re nowhere near the ocean or a proper lake. I love water and shells and all that but have to travel a good way to get to the sea.
@Cindy – Jewellery for pets! What a great idea! I can just see my Lab with a cute polymer pendant on her collar.
Ok, I cant even begin to describe the EEWWW-yness of using the kitty box. Especially since I have 4 cats! I even hate changing it. And although Im sure Lucy and Wart, my 2 females, would love the bling? I cant see me using that method. (Although I must admit that when I was tossing around ideas it did cross my mind, but I “tossed” it just as quickly.) The tea idea however is do-able for an experiment, and the egg too although I dont know what the sulfur will do to it. And I have tons of miracle grow for my garden. Has anyone tried bleach?(rubs hands together gleefully!!)I am still toying with the idea of having hubby break out his torches too, so I can try a couple heat related experiments as well. Like what colors it will turn at what temps, and also balling headpins to use. Maybe I’ll get my own mini torch, who knows? This is so much fun! I always loved science class!!
Silverleaf, you are lucky to live in such a lovely area. I can understand how you feel about moving away from it. I have lived on the shore of Lake Erie most of my life and couldnt imagine living anywhere else. I would miss the beaches waaay too much! And also the never ending free supply of shells, pebbles, sand, beach glass and other flotsam I find here and use in my creations. Hee hee hee. XOXO Jamie
Well maybe Candy feels naked without a little “bling” for her collar she is an internet star now. She’d be saying hey mom, look what I found. :)
Great comments everyone!
Urine works because of the natural ammonia and salts in it. In fact I heard that is what they dumped on those copper roofs hundreds of years ago to get the green patina!
Because of this, some people put their pieces to age in a used Kitty Litter box. Although we do have a cat, I have been squeemish to give that one a try. Besides I think Candy the cat would start wearing my jewelry!!
@Jamie Yup, I live right next to the first English National Park, the beautiful Peak District. I was born here and will probably never move. :)
I can feel a proper experiment coming on when I have time, leaving bits of copper in various chemicals all at the same time and comparing them. I’m a real scientist underneath all the scatty artistyness! Now I have to get some copper, lol.
Apparently Miracle-Grow plant food will age copper and so will urine.
And the egg trick should work too.
The patina of copper will be various copper sulphides and carbonates (green) along with copper oxide (brown) – so something like hydrogen peroxide might work if you wanted a brown effect.
It’s worth making sure the copper is free from grease (e.g. from your fingers) before you age it, because the grease will act as a barrier and protect the copper from the ageing process.
Wait a minute, what about TEA (Tannic acid)
Tag I’m it!
Well I’ll start thinking, right now I can’t think of any other thing that could react with the copper to age it other that to try the Cider vinegar instead of the white, but that’s not something new.
You’re English? Jolly good! Im Irish,Dutch and German. Translation? Im a mutt! hahaha! But I need my caffeine. Its funny though because it doesnt make me jittery like most people. It actually calms me down. I even take a cup to drink before bed and never miss a wink of sleep. Guess my mom was right when she said I was contrary, LOL. But I do agree about the fruit tea. Other than raspberry ice tea which I love, I dont care for most of them, especially citruses. But I do like a nice chai tea. Its yummy spice goes well with cream and sugar. Especially good in the winters here. Plus I grow a lot of herbs, so I drink all kinds of my own herbal teas. I am particularly fond of the mints. Herbs also look nice mixed into clay by the way. (I think Cindy wrote about that recently too) Lots of colors and textures to be found there. And the leaves and seeds of some make nice impressions in clay. XOXO
Now, for the results of my cola experiment with the copper. It was a bust as far as I can see. I cut 2 pieces of about 14 gauge wire, so I was sure it was as pure a copper as I could get. Then I flattened them with my hammer so I had a better surface to see any results on. After that I dipped one into the cola for just a few minutes and laid it out on celophane overnight. The other piece I left in the cola all night. As far as I can see, neither piece was affected by it at all. So unless someone can suggest anything else to try with it, I would say we can scratch that one off the list. Back to you Ken. XOXO Jamie
@Jamie being English I do love my tea, but I stick to the decaff. I also like herbal tea a lot (but strangely, not fruit tea).
Now I’ve found decaff Earl Grey I’m really happy.
Tea leaves look great in translucent clay, btw. :)
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Hi Silverleaf. Thanks for the green potty cleaning tip. I cant think of a better use for the toxic brew in most cola’s, especially diet. My brother used to use it to clean greasy car parts hahaha!! I never drink the stuff. But I cant claim to be caffiene free however. I do consume my fair share of english teas, and columbian and african coffees are my life! I will do the cola experiment tonight though, and let you all know how it comes out tomorrow.
As for the vinegar chips Ken? I prefer Kay and Ray’s dark chips to the flavored kind. All they do is cook them a bit longer until they are a nice yummy brown. I could eat a ton of them! The heck with trans fats I say!! LOL
And Cindy? If we do get a mad clay lab going? All I have to say is I wont do any experiments with frogs! I love the little critters. I wouldnt even dissect them in biology class! Ughhh!!! Hahaha! Now a days they get off easy with virtual dissections and stuff. We could have used that back then right? Now, bring on the lightning Muahahaha!!! XOXO Jamie
Very cool info Silverleaf! Love to see you all working like little Mad Scientists!
Should start a section on this blog called ‘The Polymer Clay Lab’ with all the fun experiments you guys are trying!