Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Look what I discovered...Oh....and a Giveaway, too!

If you have EVER visited my blog, you know I love my wire - the thicker the better.  Well, I got my hands on some 6 gauge copper wire and I wanted to show you this stuff - up close and personal!

The picture below shows two gauges of wire - 18 gauge on the top, and 6 gauge on the bottom. 

(Click on the pictures to zoom in and you can really appreciate the thickness of the 6 gauge wire).


I do not personally own wire cutters that can cut through this stuff, and I really do need all of my fingers to work.  So, this is how I cut it to size.


I took the handle off of my tube cutter and inserted the tube cutter into my vice and used the jewelers saw.  I use my vice often for twisting wire, so I coat the vice with a couple of layers of painters tape - it aides in not marking the wire while working with it (well, not marking it as much as without the tape!)

I have never made cuff bracelets before - bangles - yes - but cuffs, no.  So I cut the wire into 6" lengths.  Each bang of my hammer hardened the wire, so annealing is required OFTEN in the construction of these bracelets.


Last weekend, I made a set of 3 cuffs, shown below. Two have hammered textures, and one features a twist in the center.


The best thing about these cuffs is they are adjustable.  Though very thick, squeeze lightly once on the wrist, and it's on there all day long!

I absolutely loved making these - so I made my favorite of the bunch (the twisted cuff) to giveaway.




I added a liver of sulfur patina, buffed, and threw it in my tumbler for an hour.  



HOW TO ENTER

If you'd like to be entered to win this cuff bracelet, here's how! For each entry below, you must make a separate comment on this blog post for it to count! ALSO - if you leave a comment, please make sure I can get a hold of you via email- thanks!

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).

Even if you have entered and won a Giveaway from me in the past - don't let that stop you from entering again!  Please! :)

I will choose a winner in a few days!

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Lastly, I am fundraising for Miracle Horse Rescue - they recently relocated from Nevada to Idaho.  So, I am having a 20% OFF FLASH SALE in my shop.



Thanks for stopping by today!!!

xo
Patti

39 comments:

  1. I also pinned your gold hoops to my Products I Love pinterest board!!

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  2. Wow. Absolutely gorgeous bracelets!!! Love them all!

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  3. Patti! You are fearless! Love how you are always stetching yourself and your skills. Makes for an amazing trip in the jeweler's studio! Congratulations :)

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  4. Pinned to my Artist I love board too. :)

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  5. I looked at all your beautiful creations. You are a true artist. I would be proud to wear this bracelet.

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  6. Posted "publicly" on facebook about how wonderful our creations are.

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  7. OOO I'm a pinning nut! So yea pinned several items to my "do want" board! lol

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  8. And might I add that, despite the urge to post for winning swag, I honestly would post saying that your creations are AMAZING!! My mother was, and still is although she doesn't "try" as much as she used to, an exceptionally crafty woman as I grew up. "Forcing" me to wear hand sewn clothes and hair pieces.... At the time, I hated it! Now, I cherish all the memories and wish I still had each and every outfit and accessory she made for me! I attribute her talents to my enjoyment of, and desires to create, beautiful pieces of wearable art! Thank you for sharing!

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  9. Wow, that is some wire! Your bangles are great! I love the way you decided to solve the "how to cut this stuff" problem!

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  10. Love your new copper cuff, Patti! It's just beautiful.

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  11. Oh, wow, Patti - those are lovely!

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  12. The question is: where did you find the 6 ga? I've been looking for some thick wire for a while now :) [I had to share your post, of course :) ]

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  13. These bangles are gorgeous, Patti! And of course the one with the twist would look lovely with the earrings you recently made for me :-) ~Marisa

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  14. Wow - that really is thick wire!! The bracelets are gorgeous - you know how I love the copper. I like bracelets better than bangles for when I'm at work - they don't bang on the desk. Awesome job.

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  15. You know I just love your work, and these cuffs are no exception - they're just too cool!! Love how you showed the process of cutting this thick of wire, too!! Awesome give away.

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  16. Just FB'd the post w/the pic of this awesome twisted cuff!!

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  17. And I pinned it to my cool jewelry board on Pinterest, too - cause it's very cool!

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  18. I just want to say Lovely work - 6g is great to work with - and well done on the designs

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  19. I just love your work, I'll be so happy if I win! thank you for such a great give away:)

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  20. beautiful bangles! Love the color you are able to achieve with the copper!

    Angela Mullis dj2isme@aol.com

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  21. Shared on Facebook

    Angela Mullis dj2isme@aol.com

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  22. Pinned your Artisan Lampwork Glass in Neutral and Copper Bracelet to my Pinterest page

    Angela Mullis dj2isme@aol.com

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  23. Just pinned one of your bracelets to my "Beautiful Bracelets" board on Pinterest! And your bracelet really is "beautiful!"

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  24. Oh those are beautiful! Please toss my name in the hat.

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  25. These bracelets are stunning! How beautiful.

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  26. Your work is always so gorgeous and inspiring!!!

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  27. Stunning and incredible work! Love it!

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  28. Hi Patti,
    I love your work always have, and these cuffs are no exception.
    Therese

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  29. Love these. I have some heavy gauge wire and this inspires me!

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  30. Pinned your silver & turquoise earrings. Love the elegant, simple design.

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