I have the tubular bug...and a Giveaway!

Copper tubing, that is.  It's no secret that great jewelry can be made from hardware store finds.  Washers, when textured by a hammer and given a bath of liver of sulfur, make wonderful toggle clasps, or even connector beads.  But this time, I am talking about copper tubing.  Mine actually came from Rio Grande, but I have seen it at the local Ace Hardware/Pitkins.

A couple of posts ago, I showed pictures of some bracelets I made from tubing.  Well, Interweave has a wonderful video by Tracy Stanley entitled "Make Metal Jewelry with Tubing".  I needed a creative kick start on Monday, so I ordered and downloaded the video from Interweave on Tuesday.  What a joy!  I obviously watch these videos with the intent of learning a specific project.  But, I usually pick up a tip or two that tends to serve me well.  This was one of those videos!

First up is this cuff style bracelet - adorned with sterling silver rivets, hand stamping, and three sections of wire wrapped beads.  I was excited and impressed with the numerous tips I picked up on riveting.

The bracelet features hand stamped words on either side of the cuff.

It's also a great way to showcase some orphan beads in those wire wrappings.

Next up was making beads with the tubing.  This was so much fun!  I made these earrings, first.

These are small sections of copper tubing - about an inch in length.  Let me tell you - the smaller the section of tubing, the harder it is to form!  But I love a challenge and these are so much fun to make! I wire wrapped these beautiful beads by Jody of Inspire Glass Studio  to the bottom (love her beads SO.MUCH.)!

I was on a roll, so I made various sizes of the beads from the tubing.  I actually wrapped them into one bracelet, but it was a bit on the plain side, for me.  So, I took one of the beads and soldered on a tiny sterling silver ball, and it gave me the little pop of interest that I was looking for.

Instead of connecting all the tube beads into one bracelet, I wrapped some more of Jody's beads  - which totally remind me of a flower garden in full bloom -  and added one smaller copper tube bead near the clasp.  My mother immediately labeled these beads "pillow beads" - which I can totally see.  But actually, they remind of a piece of wrapped candy for some strange reason (food...duh!).  Nonetheless, I just love them and see many possibilities in the future!

GIVEAWAY

Okay...you've lasted this long.  Remember when I showed you a picture of these lovely pendants made from what seems likes miles and miles of copper wire? (Okay, feet plus feet of copper wire).

Well, I have made no less than six of these lovelies (I have LOTS of scraps!)  While lots of time was spent creating these, it is somehow therapeutic!  Anyway, I messaged the lovely designer of these beauties (Mary-Anne Harvey of Rug N'Annie) to tell her how inspiring she is!  I asked her if I could sell these as long as I gave her credit for the design.  She is a kind soul and said "no problem".  I have not listed one yet, BUT, I do have one reserved as a Giveaway!

I have it strung on a simple, black 20" leather neck chain.  (This would also look awesome on a very long chain...just saying!)


HOW TO ENTER

If you'd like to be entered to win this pendant, here's how!

1)  Enter a comment on this blog (counts as one entry).
2) Post a link to this blog post on Face Book (counts as one entry - you must come back and leave a separate comment on this blog post for this entry to count)!
3) Pin an item from my Etsy shop to your Pinterest Board (counts as one entry - you must come back and leave a separate comment on this blog post for this entry to count).

I will choose a winner in a few days!

Thanks so much for stopping by today - enjoy your weekend!

xo
Patti