I had a lot of fun making these copper earrings with a rustic vibe.
It all started with a spool of thin copper strip. Wanted to cut a circle with only scissors intended for cutting metal sheets. Cut a square, then cut its angles, then the angles of the new shape and so on until something resembling a circle appeared. Hammered it to work harden it. Then made another one.
Then I thought organically spread holes would look interesting on the circles. Drilled the holes of two different diameters. Then I thought the big wannabe circles would look better not flat but domed. Got a cheap wooden cube for shaping soft metal (the poor people’s version of the gorgeous steel cube with concave domed holes which is an essential tool for real jewellers).
Now I liked these shapes. Filed the edges until smooth enough to not feel sharp to my fingers. Because I did not intend to use them as weapons after all.
I wondered what I could do with them. Tried different ideas. Did not like them enough. Thought a bit and tried one last thing which worked. Then made fitting ear wires from sterling silver. The earrings became simple, noticeable, fun, okay enough.
Then, of course, the patina. Oxidized them with my recently favorite way – the unpretentious, non toxic ammonia fumes. They give the copper such a lovely golden brown tint!
So here are some photos:
Tried them on my ears and was amazed how light they were – you might even forget you’re wearing them if not for the dangling effect. Close to weightless.
So the earrings became super imperfect but delightfully charming. Made them available for purchase at my Etsy shop here.
If you’ve read the whole post up to now I hope explaining my crafting process was interesting to you! Reading, watching, trial, error. Then repeat.
Until next time 🙂
If you’re interested in buying my handmade pieces of jewelry, check out the available ones at my Etsy store. If you are in Bulgaria or want to ask me something, you can also write to me here:
Cute Strange Creatures 