Using 24g Copper Sheet - Etched

I am working on a project where I want to create a large copper etched pendant and incorporate beads, findings etc...  so I thought a bit of a step by step on using 24g  copper that is thinner than my standard 18g  I use on my bracelets and other small jewelry pieces

I bought a large roll of coper from  a company called BASIC COPPER   was  I thought reasonably priced even including the shipping - the 22 mm size is the 24g  - they carry right up to the 36 gauge I like for microforming (but that is another topic)
 it is 12" x  50 ft

I can use scissors basically on this material to cut and shape


so I laid out my basic beads I wanted to use  and created a design I wanted for my metal piece

I drew the design on paper and then transferred it to the metal and cut it out  with scissors and to get clean round edges used my circle punch and files
I cleaned up the edges and the metal
Then I stamped it with one of my zentangle stamps (available on etsy - see left side bar)

Etched the metal - keep an eye on it while etching - this is thinner metal than 18g so I dont go quite as deep with the etch (but it may be fun to see what would happen )  (another time)

I have that nice 3" wide tape and used two pieces 

this piece is about 6" wide by about 4" tall 

Etched piece - cleaned the resist off and cleaned up the piece

I outlined the piece on paper again and  marked where I would like the holes- I need to fasten the beads to the piece (although there could be some soldering involved)

I laid the form over the design on paper and marked my holes on the metal

Because its so thin its very malleable - even more so after etching- as I handled it I started forming and thinking 3D instead of flat

Using my fingers I started bending the edges so I start to get a 3D more form - was pretty easy
Then I got my nylon pliers out and finished the edges off

(this looks cool- and gives me an idea to make a piece that would go around my neck as one big piece )

Now I have it formed - could have used the pliers right away, created a form to hammer over or into - many inexpensive ways and tools to use.

So now I have my piece and I put the holes in now  I know where I want most of them

Next will be soldering on back for fastening as well - that will hopefully this week

Now because this is my base for my bead soup - I cant show you yet what all the beads look like even sitting with the piece - but I am so pleased -  now if I can get my soldering done I can start assembly and be finished early


- I did some beads last night as I want to  make a finished necklace - need more finished items for my shows

March - Give - Way -better late than never !

MARCH 2014  GIVE-A-WAY

Been so busy  and the month is getting away from me -

I have something for March - a Fat Paddy  (one of my fat cats )
He is a lampwork cat made in three parts - body, head and hat -  a rhinestone collar and a little hat with a shamrock  and a dangling shamrock to set  off the pendant

Same rules as before -  just make a comment here on this thread and I will pull a name at random on the 1st of April (no April fools joke ) 

No cost to you and I ship anywhere in the world

You dont have to be a follower - but still looking to round up my followers this year to 150  

almost there 

Hopefully as the weather gets better I"ll have some step by steps posted  and of course there is the Bead soup coming up in May 

April - I'll probably do another give a way - maybe something  floral

As always I typically do not repsond to the comments so I can make sure that I dont mix any up or leave anyone out so I thank you in advice for participating 

Out of the kiln

I went to dinner in town and ran into a friend who was celebrating her 65th and got home later than I expected

I took out of the kiln some hearts

bottom 4 are soft glass 

Fired up the torch

I got up early and fired up the torch and kiln - and started making more hearts - Practice, Practice, Practice
I like to just keep making the same thing over and over  and over till I get it
That gives me lots of  beads by the time I get better at it  or bored .

So about 10 hearts this morning some Boro and some soft glass  (morretti)

Going from Boro to soft sometimes can be a challenge since it takes a lot to get the boro to melt and having to watch when I'm melting moretti as it just flows.......  sometimes too much

I am hoping for some good results - the hearts are starting to feel better to make  and the shpaes are looking better

But as I always say - Practice Practice Practice its the only way to learn

I'll post them later as they are in the kiln and wont be out till later tonight

and maybe another couple hours of beads tonight

8th Annual Bead Soup - Got my Beads in the mail - and some more beads from the kiln

If I had known my Bead Soup was in the mailbox last night I would have tripped down there and fondled the pretty pretty beads.

My swap partner Jo-Ann Woolverton sent me my bead soup and I pulled the package out of the mailbox this morning -   now I am on my way to work - but at the next stop I ripped open the package - then the next stop I pulled out the bag -   when I got to work I opened the bag and spread all the goodies out -
THANK YOU THANK YOU  JO-ANN -  Cobalt is one of my fave colours  -  My mind is in high gear thinking of what I am going to do with this hoard of goodies

Here is what I am gushing over :

I see an Alex Chang focal bead, an assortment of cobalt glass beads - large and small - a huge assortment of silver findings, crystals and toggles. What a collection to work with - so many ideas - did I mention I love cobalt


Here is what I sent my partner ( we both must have been thinking blue )

I also spent a bit of time in the basement studio last night - was tired so didn't do much
they are not off mandrels (sitting now soaking )

another heart - the round top is better the bottom still could use some work - some cobalt beads - just some more general beads for my stash to work with 

Hearts - Trying the Brent Graber DVD

Its a bit late to be thinking hearts - should have done that back in January - but I finally got down to the basement studio and tried some hearts from the Brent Graber DVD Instructional Video -

 Not too bad for first try and you have to under stand this is Borosilicate Glass which is harder to use on  a Nortel Minor and two oxygen concentrators and sometimes I overcook the glass from being to anxious for it to work
 ( I was thinking about my grand daughter while I was doing it as she was on way to hospital to see if she broke her arm - good news just a bad sprain with a possible small fracture - will know today)

My first one is at about 12 O'clock  - I see the purple in it was a bit wonky  but ok,  the second one I did  at 2'oclock was the second using same colors  a bit too long- if I had kept it short I think would have been better, the third one is at 11 o'clock pulled to far to the right , the fourth one is at 7 o'clock not too bad ,  the once at 6 o'clock - I was getting tired , and the final little one at 5 'oclock was a left over  but not too bad 

just need more practice 

From the video
I loved doing the  holes actually in the top of the heart
I felt some color recognition coming out
I see and feel how to make the glass thicker lense


I need to be more patient
I need to let the glass flow and not be too rushed (being patient again)
I need to realize where to cut off for the end
I need to shorten the rounded tops

8th Annual Bead Soup Blog Party -

Partners for International ( of which I am part) were announced last night -   I have Jo-Ann Woolverton !

Jo-Ann's blog is 

http://itsabeadifulcreation.blogspot.ca//

Amazing seed bead creations along with other wonderful jewelry

take a hop on over and check out her blog

I'm choosing which beads and findings from the group I picked out - but I keep switching and going and finding other items -  Now that I know "who" it will help me figure out what to send to her.  I want to be sure I give her some inventive beads.