Jewelry Makers Turn to Copper
Tuesday April 8, 2008
Because of the rising cost of metals such as gold and silver, many jewelry makers are looking for alterntive metals as possible subtitutes. Copper and brass both have been growing in popularity due to the cost savings. Copper tends to have a nice earthy look to it while brass has a yellow color that at least suggest the idea of gold to some extent. If you are considering trying to use copper or brass in some of your own jewelry designs, here are a few sources and resources for you to check out.
Monsterslayer carries a number of solid copper findings including crimp beads, crimp covers, beads, and head pins.
Ornametea has lots of different copper and brass findings as well as chains and also plated wires.
MiMi's Gems carries both regular and antique copper crimp beads as well as other findings.
Then, of course, there's Fire Mountain Gems and Beads.
Finedings has copper chain and findings.
Ifyou need copper or brass wire, check out Wire-Sculpture.com and Rio Grande. Brass wire is also available at WigJig.com.
Comments
Hi Tammy-
We have copper & antique brass colored Soft Flex Wire too!
Sara
Soft Flex Company
Both Artbeads.com and Beadaholique carry a comprehensive selection of copper beads, chain, wire, and findings, as well.
Brandywine Jewelry Supply carries square and half round copper wire in several gauges.
I adore Copper and Brass, Both red and yellow.
I recently was browsing a catalog that offered earrings for hundreds of dollars, in something called rose gold. Everyone i have shown the catalog to things the rose gold and copper look almost identical.
I have to sure to mark my handmade findings now, as i have a bit of trouble telling gold fill and red brass apart!
Speaking of which, there is an AMAZING selection of handmade findings on Etsy.
and hundreds of others with copper;)
I tell my customers to check out local hardware and building supply stores for copper and brass wire.
But, how do you keep copper from making people’s skin turn green?? I had to resort to using copper wire my dad had around the house when I ran out of funds to get silver. Been having a really good time with it–mostly making bracelets because it’s way heavier than silver and gold–but it turns my skin green/dark. Suggestions would be appreciated.
I make handcrafted jewelry and have just started working with copper, incorporating it in my necklaces and earrings. Just ordered some square and 1/2 round copper wire from Brandywine.
I also found some simple copper jewelry cleaning tips at:
http://www.crystalsandjewelry.com/cleaning_copper_jewelry.html
Art Jewelry magazine has three projects in the May 2008 issue that all feature copper. Check it out!
I was at the Beadazzled store in DC the other day and picked up some copper findings to play with. Haven’t used them yet, but I’m excited about the possibilities.
As far as the tarnish goes, as long as its bright unoxidized metal you can poder coat it fairly easily.
Powder coating gun is available from harbor freight.com for about $60-the clear coat is available on ebay for about $10 a pound,which does a ton of jewelry.
Essentially the powder coating un electrostatically charges the piece, the coating is charged so it sticks..then you bake it at 400*-theres a lot of how to referances-just google it.
The clear powder coating is like a baked on clear finish thats about bulletproof. You could clear coat it with polyurethane, but you’d be doing it every week or so.
Hope this helps
Stephen the Heathen
Just a note that we also have copper wire, lobsters, crimps, crimp covers, toggles, s-clasps and beads! We’ve also just met with a new manufacturer, and shortly will begin offering a few items in plated brass!
Thanks!
Laurie
FineDings.com
I get my copper and brass wire at the hardware store. Look for an old-fashioned Ace–not once of the fancy new ones, but one that sells all kinds of obscure things. You can usually find gauges from 14 to 26 in inexpensive 25 or 50 yard spools. Ace usually carries flat sheets of copper, as does Binders Art Supply.
Many hardware stores also have copper and gunmetal chain that works well, especially for a steampunk look.
Spell check~
Alterntive / alterntive Subtitutes / subtitutes