Contemporaryc o p p e r j e w e l r y

step-by-step techniques and projects

sharilyn miller

Sombrero ring

Sticks and Stones earrings

peacock Wheels necklace

Contents

acknowledgments

basic techniques

Copper Spiral Bracelet with Wire Charms

peacock Wheels necklace

Found pebbles necklace

Funky Chandelier earrings

Coin-pearl Copper Washer Bracelet

Wire-Woven pendant

Forged paddle earrings

Coil-Wrapped Coin-pearl Bracelet

elemental necklace

embellished Copper Washer earrings

artsy Fibula pin

Cool Copper Bangle

Stacked Washer earrings

Sombrero ring

Single-Loop Chain necklace

Leaf Link Bracelet

Sticks and Stones earrings

Spider-Weave pendant

Spiral Fibula pin

Swinging perch earrings

twining Vines Bracelet

Spiral post earrings

gallery

index

resources

Contemporary c o p p e r j e w e l r y 3

4 Contemporary c o p p e r j e w e l r y

t w i n i n g v i n e s b r a c e l e t SharilynMiller

twisty, twining “vines” of wire lend a delicate sur-

face embellishment to rectangular-shaped beads in

this bracelet, which looks great in copper or sterling-

silver wire.

MaterialS

toggle clasp3 topaz 8mm Czech fire-polish beads4 picture jasper 15x20mm rounded rectangles4' (122 cm) of round dead-soft copper 18-gauge wire18" (46 cm) of round dead-soft copper 22-gauge wire

toolS

Flush cutterstoggle clasp0000-steel woolSmall jeweler’s flat fileSmall steel bench blockChasing or planishing hammerSmall round-nose pliersFlat-nose pliersChain-nose pliers

Finished size: 8" (20.3 cm)

t w i n i n g v i n e s b r a c e l e t 5

6 Contemporary c o p p e r j e w e l r y

f u n k y c h a n d e l i e r e a r r i n g s SharilynMiller

these swing-style chandelier earrings are a bit

chunky due to the large turquoise beads and car-

nelians used to fashion them. For a more elegant

statement, try making these earrings with your fa-

vorite sparkly crystals and pearls.

MaterialS

6 turquoise 12mm rondelles4 carnelian 8mm rondelles6 light green 5mm glass rondelles8 copper 5mm discs8 copper 4mm rounds4 silver 3mm cornerless cubes12" (30.5 cm) of round dead-soft copper 22-gauge wire

toolS

Flush cuttersmeasuring tape0000-steel woolSmall jeweler’s bench blockChasing or planishing hammerSmall round-nose pliersLarge round-nose pliersFlat-nose pliersChain-nose pliers

Finished size: 23 ⁄8" (6 cm)

4" (10.1 cm) of round dead-soft copper 20-gauge wire4" (10.1 cm) of round dead-soft sterling silver 18-gauge wire18" (45.5 cm) of round dead-soft sterling silver 24-, 26-, or 28-gauge wire

f u n k y c h a n d e l i e r e a r r i n g s 7

Make beautiful and affordable Copper jewelry!Create contemporary copper jewelry with the best-selling author of Bead on a Wire. Contemporary Copper Jewelry features an extensive technique section and 17 projects from Sharilyn and a collection of top jewelry artists, including rachel nelson-Smith, Dale “Cougar” armstrong, eugenia Chan, and richard Salley.

Copper jewelry offers jewelry makers an inexpensive yet stylish alternative to silver. Working with base metals and copper has become popular because it’s pretty, easy to work with, and accessible.

inside, readers will find:Ω Step-by-step photography for all projects and techniques

Ω tips for mixing metals with copper to create one-of-a-kind designs

Ω an extensive technique section that includes distressing copper, simple metalwork, cold joins, and creating unique wire components

Jewelry designers find that copper is an excellent alternative metal for making affordable and beautiful jewelry. Start creating with copper today!

paperback81/2 x 101/4, 128 pages250 photographs20 illustrationsISBn 978-1-59668-143-9$22.95available august 2009

About the Author

Sharilyn Miller has published four books, including Stamp Art, The Stamp Artist's Project Book,

Rubber Stamped Jewelry, and the best-selling Bead on a Wire and has been published in many

jewelry magazines. She was the editor of Somerset Studio for many years and the launch editor

for Belle Armoire and Art Doll Quarterly. In 2006, she left the magazine world to focus on her

wire jewelry and teach and write full-time. Sharilyn lives in the mountains of Idyllwild, California.