Making Copper Bracelets

 While cleaning out the "Lap of Lapidary, I came across a piece of copper chimney flashing that had been saved from a derelict 100+ year home. So this copper is definitely "vintage". I knew I had to make something with it and decided to make bangle bracelets.

Here's how it looked after I cut the rough forms.

It looks grungy, beat up and ugly or in my eyes, perfect!

After a lot of grinding, filing and sanding and using the metal roller to add some texture,  here's how it looked.

The next step was to shape it around my form. To do this, I heated it up and slowly wrapped it around the form. Then, when that was done, I had to work harden it by hitting it with a rubber mallet. Here's how the first one turned out.

We liked that so much that we decided to get a little more adventurous. This meant adding more (distorted) texture and then "pickling" to give it an antique sheen. This is what we got.

These have turned out so well that we have decided to make a few more and get even more adventurous. I love the idea of creating something from material that had served its purpose as a chimney flashing and giving it a totally new existence. It's not every day you get to create a brand new "antique"!

These will be available on line or in the shop for $45 CDN plus shipping. We're gonna go crazy so stay tuned to see what comes next!

Fall Comes To The Artist's Mark

 Well, the weather certainly has changed. No more lounging on the deck and no more work in the "Lap of Lapidary" because all the work has to be done in water and that water is now COLD!

Fall brings with it new birds (the Jays are back) and animals.

This guy is now a regular customer at the salad bar that grows in the French drain at the back. And some of the existing animals have started seeking warmth and comfort.

We still get spectacular sunrises but it now comes up in a different spot.

And since the pace is a little slower, there are family get togethers. Here we are with grandgirl Sydney and daughters Lisa (from the Bahamas) and Sandra at a great Indian restaurant called Dhaba in Halifax.

If you like Indian food, this is the place for you!

But mostly, fall is when I move from working on stones to making jewelry and guitar picks with them. The first order of business is to choose the stones I want to work with for pendants and ear rings and, where necessary, drill them. This has been done with only a few disasters. Next, I have to make more Viking chain. I'm starting with a few in 24 gauge copper but will eventually switch to 22 gauge copper and 24 gauge sterling silver. Here's how they look unfinished.

This chain was only about 8 inches long when I wove it from about 50 feet of wire but after drawing it through my oak draw plate it is now thinner, tighter and about 18 inches long. By the time I add the clasp it will be 20 inches- perfect pendant length. I'll also be making bracelets from the chain.

I have some absolutely beautiful stones to work with this winter so check back and see how this one turns out and what other pieces come off the bench.

And if you are looking for holiday gifts or yarn, just call the number on the blog and we'll open for you.