Copper is very popular in jewelry making for many reasons. Many use copper wire as practice when designing jewelry, because it is very inexpensive compared to sterling silver or gold filled wire. Others use it for its beautiful color (it makes me feel like I’m holding a newly minted penny!), and others use it because it is extremely malleable, even at its thickest gauge. I’m not entirely sold on claims that copper jewelry has health benefits (in bones, joints, nervous system, as well as in the circulatory system), but I’m one of those people who say “if it won’t kill me, and might help me, why not try it?
Personally, I use copper for many reasons. I love its color, its malleability, and the fact that it’s so inexpensive. There are many places to buy copper wire, but I usually buy mine at Rings & Things, and pay $6.25 for 20-125 feet of wire, depending on the gauge. I usually buy 16 or 18 gauge, which gives me 32 or 50 feet spools. Copper wire can also be purchased colored, and comes in black, gold, silver, blue, purple, red, etc. Prices range from $5.00-$7.30, depending on gauge and length of spool.
One of my favorite projects for working with copper wire is wire wrapped beaded chain bracelets. They are easy to make, don’t use too many supplies, and can be made in an hour or so. They are simple, but add extra flair to any outfit.
To make one, you will need the following supplies:
• 18 or 20 gauge copper wire (a spool of 50 feet is more than enough, and I used 18 gauge for this project)
• 7-9 8mm or 10mm round beads (I used 10mm Botswana Agate Rounds, but any bead will work)
• Copper lobster claw clasp
• Round nose pliers
• Flat nose pliers
• Bent nose pliers
• Wire cutters
• Optional: 5mm copper jump rings
• Optional: Seed beads or spacer beads
Step 1: Cut 8-10 3 inch pieces of wire.
Step 2: Using your flat nose pliers, make a bend (about 90 degrees) an inch from the end. Use the bent part, and make a wrapped loop. Make sure to attach the lobster clasp to the loop.
Step 3: Add one 8mm or 10mm bead. Alternately, you can add a seed/spacer bead, an 8mm or 10mm bead, and another seed/spacer bead. Make another wrapped loop.
Step 4: Pick up another piece of wire, and start to make another wrapped loop on one end. Instead of attaching one part of the clasp to the loop, attach the other link, and finish the wrapped loop. Then repeat step 3.
Step 5: Repeat steps 3 and 4 until you’ve completed all the links. I used 7, but you may need 8 or 9. For the last link, which will be part of the clasp, make a wrapped loop link as you did before, just omitting the bead(s).
Your links should be about one inch long, making your bracelet 8-9 inches long, depending on how many links you make. For an easier version, make the links separately, closing each loop as you go along. Use the jump rings to connect the links, which will make the bracelet a bit longer, in which case you may only need 6-7 beaded links.
You can also use this same technique, but make 15-18 links for a necklace. Better yet, if you use the jump ring method, you can add or subtract links in a few minutes to make it longer or shorter, to go with any outfit. When making copper wire jewelry, the sky is the limit!
Sources for materials:
Copper Wire: Rings & Things
All tools: A.C. Moore
Beads: Lima Beads
Clasp: EE Beads
