Friday, August 8, 2014

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


30 comments:

  1. Love how you are using the copper tubing! Looks great!

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  2. I just pinned your three copper bangle set on Pinterest! http://www.pinterest.com/pin/61009769927312970/

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  3. Wow! You are becoming the copper tubing queen! And, a very deserved title it is! I love what you've done. I made a pair of earrings over the winter with copper tubing and I thought I was great and they can't compare to yours!!! Anyway, I love the bracelet, and I thought the tube beads looked like candy too! I think I'm hungry :)!

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  4. Patti - you constantly amaze me! You are always learning new things and adapting them beautifully. I love those little "pillows". The bracelet with the pillows reminds me of cotton candy for some reason. What kind of torch do you use? Thanks.

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  5. Woman, you and metal just make magic together! I adore that new bracelet!!!
    And, if I should win, I have a very special kumihimo rope idea for that pendant!

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  6. You know which one I pinned...!
    http://www.pinterest.com/pin/115123334200079105/

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  7. I shared on FB

    https://www.facebook.com/sShaiha/posts/10204308426980311

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  8. Everything is so beautiful! Well done! And, thank you very much for a chance at this giveaway! I would love to win this pendant!

    stephanie_mcginley@hotmail.com

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  9. I posted to Facebook....

    https://www.facebook.com/stephanie.mcginley.9

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  10. I pinned a gorgeous bracelet! http://www.pinterest.com/pin/278378820692038028/

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  11. Linda Nealey BreitnerAugust 8, 2014 at 7:16 PM

    Wow! everything is just stunning!

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  12. oh! those copper tube beads are AWESOME! I love how rich they look!!!!!

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  13. You are doing so many fun things lately! I love the "pillow" beads! They remind me of candy too - the black walnut candies we only got at Christmas. Thanks for the chance to win one of your fabulous copper wire pendants!

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  14. I posted this on Facebook. Not sure how to share the link, but I think this will get you there. Every time I think I know something, technology slaps me back down: https://www.facebook.com/ann.schroeder.58

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  15. Pinned from your shop: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/495888608944042400/

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  16. Like your bracelets and pillow beads but love the wire pendant.

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  17. Love those copper bracelets---will have to get some copper tubing and try it! Lynn Carling :)

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  18. Just pinned one of your beautiful pair of earrings to my Pinterest board "Beautiful Earrings"! I seem to have many of your creations pinned on my boards! Lynn Carling :)

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  19. Of course I would like to win one of these, Patti!

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  20. Pinned a bracelet! http://www.pinterest.com/pin/31454897372677819/

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  21. Hi Patti,
    Those are cool earrings and I love the bracelets. I have some copper tubing I will have to give this a try. Oh and you can get copper tubing in all sizes at Lowes. The wire pendants are cool looking.
    Therese

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  22. Wonderful designs here Patti! Love your metal work! Would love to have one of those pendant beauties!

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  23. Pinned your awesome Lilac and Sterling Earrings! Love those!

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  24. I shared on Facebook! You are such an inspiration!!

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  25. Patti I am no less than blown away. Your work is simply stunning and I love how you took us through your process.

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