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New Designs - Enamel Earrings And Copper Bangles


I've been trying out some new designs with my enamel earrings recently by combining a layer of etched copper and a layer of enamel beneath it. The copper layer has pierced out sections which allow the enamel colour to show through as the earrings are worn. I've made just two pairs for now in orange and blue and it's possible the design idea may evolve if I think hard enough about it....... :D



I've also made a few new copper bangle designs partly as a result of a custom order for two bangles in sterling silver. Having copper wire meant I could try out what my customer was asking for using a less expensive metal first until a decision was made.
This inspired me to make a couple of new designs and an improved version of a recent addition to my bangle-ing enterprises.
The first is a hammered copper bangle made from 4mm round wire.


I kept the round shape by hammering the texture before the bangle was soldered {which was quite a lot of hammering!} instead of what I normally do which is to solder the wire then hammer the texture when the bangle is on the bangle mandrel which results in the wire being flattened slightly. The result is a lovely chunky, substantial bangle.

The second new design is a triple set of textured bangles with three rounded square shape rings linking them together.




I also made another loopy bangle this time making sure I had enough wire to form 7 loops instead of the 6 loops I made with the first attempt. The loops are also more upright than the first bangle.
I think it looks like a little copper tiara.......




Having an odd number of loops in the new version means the straight part of the wire is at the same level at either end of the loops rather than at opposite points as it was with the first attempt you can see in the photos here...


I'm very tempted to make a bangle that is almost entirely loops with a small section of straight wire for the join. I think that idea might need a bit of tweaking and the copper wire a lot of annealing but I'm sure it will be do-able!




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Comments

  1. I love the new peekaboo earrings; you can experiment with all sorts of keyhole shapes. Reading about your copper bangle reminded me that I made a copper wire bracelet entirely made of loops during my initial wire working days, I think I'll go looking for it now

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  2. The pieces are all gorgeous! I love the rustic look of the bangles.

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  3. I love the earrings, they're absolutely gorgeous! What a great design. I rather like the skewed look of you first loop bangle.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Kasia. I bet if I tried to repeat that look on the copper bangle I would be able to do it!

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  4. You are amazing, let me tell you!!!

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  5. Lovely - love the 4g wire hammered bracelet and the new peekaboo earrings

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  6. Those earrings are FANTASTIC! That orange enamel goes great with the warmth of the copper. You are inspiring me Tracy! :D

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    Replies
    1. I love using the orange enamel! Thanks Kalaya :D

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  7. Hi ya, just pass by coincidentally. Those earrings are absolutely beautiful. Tracy you are great, and copper jewelleries do inspire me great time.

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