Another Version of Fold Formed Necklace

I made a similar version of this necklace last year, and regrettably sold it.  I didn't really want to let it go, but I did.  I've been thinking of it ever since so I decided to try to make another one.  There were two problems though, the first being the copper folded piece.  I had no idea how I made it but luckily I did have a picture.  So I just started in playing with it.  It has a similar feeling to it but isn't quite as nice as the original.  The bead was the second problem.  But I felt confident that I could fabricate something similar with polymer clay.  When it was baked, I added some brown acrylic paint, dabbed on with a paper towel and rubbed off.  It was a real mess, but I'm happy with the final result.  The necklace 'chain' is made from copper wire pieces balled up in the flame and then forged flat.  I connected everything together with brass jump rings and a brass swan clasp.

Here is a picture of the original piece.  I'm still thinking about the little brass tendril poking out from the bead.

Folded Copper Pendant

Just playing with the 24 gauge copper sheeting and folding it and dapping it until the little raised areas started to break away from the pendant but were still firmly attached.  Then I carefully raised them a bit for more texture.  I should call it 'The Hanging Chads' necklace!!  More beads from Beth Singleton.  I have so enjoyed working with them.

Copper Spiral Necklace

This was intended to be a bracelet, but the scale came out wrong, even though I slavishly followed the directions.   I liked where it was going though, and just continued on until it was done.   The beads are from the daughter-in-law of a spinner friend and were bought from her etsy shop  http://www.etsy.com/shop/bethsingleton.  They are oh, so, lovely and are beautifully made.

I used 16 and 18 gauge raw copper to make this lovely piece.  The directions are in the latest copy of Step by Step Wire Jewelry magazine.

Christmas Acorn Necklace

My daughter gave me this gorgeous handmade lampwork acorn bead for Christmas and today I fabricated this necklace.  I already had the gemstone beads and from the price I paid which was still on the string, they are some pretty special beads.  They also match perfectly, which is why I chose them from my stash.  The links are made from 18g copper which was balled up on the ends in the flame and loosely wrapped around itself.  I used 14g for the acorn head pin and 12g for the ring upon which it sits.  My idea was for viney tendril types of things.  I'm thinking that I'm not 100% happy with the ring which supports the acorn.  It doesn't quite look viney enough but for now, I'm happy with it.  I'm choosing not to patina it with liver of sulfer.

Copper Scrolls and Green Bead Necklace

My new workbench is lovely and I have moved it into a different room in the basement.  I'm much happier now with its location, and to celebrate my new space, I created this necklace from 16, 20, and 24 gauge raw copper with some green beads.  It has been antiqued with liver of sulfer.

Aqua and Copper Peapod Necklace

I finally got around to applying the patina to this necklace.  I am very fond of it.  When I was crafting it, I found that if the torch got too close to the beads, they would shatter!  I think they were not annealed properly, if at all.  I love the organic shape.

Pod Necklace with Green Seeds

Here we have a copper pod necklace I just completed.   It is a little rough but will do for a prototype.  It doesn't quite rest flat on its back so I will have to figure that out.  I do like the heavy copper wire armature from which it hangs.  Fabricated from 24 g copper sheet metal and 16 g copper wire with a few beads for some color.

Playing with Copper

These copper pods were a blast to make even though I may have struggled a bit.  I used 24 g copper sheet and 16 g copper wire with a few assorted beads.  Chains need to be added now.

Fold Formed Copper Necklace

This is my latest creation from playing at Tada's Artisan Boutique.  We were fold forming copper sheeting and I just loved how this one came out.  The copper reminds me of a petticoat.  I had no idea how I was going to finish it off, but it sort of just came to be once I started putting things together.  The straight pieces of copper in the necklace part were about 3 inch pieces of 12 gauge wire which I balled up on each end and then hammered flat and pierced.  Too bad I broke my two-holed screw punch though.  Sigh.

But I am loving this piece and the addition of the turquoise bead is excellent.

Kumihimo Necklace with Peyote Bead Focal

This project was a real pain in the neck, and I won't be doing it again. I love the kumihimo part, which was done with #15 seed beads on a fine beading thread. It took a very long time to do, however, and there are a couple of spots where there was no bead. The embroidered peyote bead wasn't fun however. But in a while, I may feel a lot better about the necklace than I do now!