This week I have been doing more wire pieces in Jeweler's Bronze wire. With real gold being so expensive nowadays, and for that matter, sterling silver, the jeweler's bronze is a nice, affordable alternative in creating custom wire jewelry. Jeweler's bronze wire is a form of brass. However, there is a difference in the metal mix that gives it its beautiful gold tone. In time it will develop a patina. Like sterling silver, keep it in a zip lock bag to delay the patina. The first set pictured is a combination of free formed wire coils/swirls with Byzantine links. The ear wires are bronze colored nickle and lead safe lever backs.
This second set is a hammered flat coil "8" connected with jump rings (an Sharilyn Miller design). A hand-crafted toggle is used for closure. I used two figure "8" coils attached with small jump rings to create the earrings. They measure 2 1/2" long from the top of the ear wire. The bracelet is a generous 1" in width. I used 14 gauge wire for the hammered pieces, so it has a nice chunky look, in keeping with today's current jewelry trends.
I resposted this article because at the time I made the hammered copper "8" bracelet, I did not know the designer's name! I found out and made the appropriate addition of Sharilyn Miller's name in the article. Sharilyn has some wonderful books out (also downloadable to Kindle). Check them out! Blessings. Anita
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