Copper Feather Earrings

by Judy Larson

Category: Metalwork
Technique(s): Butane Torch Techniques
Skill Level: Beginner

Working with copper sheet is a good way to get experience without using expensive silver. And this pattern is also a great exercise for learning to saw. No need to worry as much about mistakes when you're using copper.

Materials

22 Gauge 0.025 Dead Soft Copper Sheet Metal - 6x12 Inch

MET-705.22M

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $14.78
Gold Club Price: $11.09

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20 Gauge Round Half Hard Copper Wire

H11-20H

Lesson Quantity: 9.00 inches
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
Price: $0.50
Gold Club Price: $0.37

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Sterling Silver Earwires 21.5mm w/ 1.5mm Bead - Pack of 2

K19-49

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $2.34
Gold Club Price: $1.76

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Tools

Copper Solder Paste, 1/2 ozt, Soft

SOL-824.10

SOL-824.10
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $9.95
Gold Club Price: $7.46

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Basic Sawing Kit

G15-7

G15-7
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $34.95
Gold Club Price: $26.21

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Solderite Soldering Board 6 Inch by 12 Inch Soft

SOL-421.20

SOL-421.20
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $21.95
Gold Club Price: $16.46

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Blazer ES-1000 Angled Head Micro Torch, Black

TRCH-1002

TRCH-1002
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $74.95
Gold Club Price: $56.21

Out of Stock

6 Step Barrel Plier - Pack of 1

G2-503

G2-503
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $14.95
Gold Club Price: $11.21

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6.5 Inch Long Flat Nose Pliers - Pack of 1

G2-74

G2-74
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $9.87
Gold Club Price: $7.40

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5 1/2 Inch Nylon Flat Jaw Pliers with Replacement Jaws

G2-1

G2-1
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $9.97
Gold Club Price: $7.48

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Round Nose Wire Pliers

G2-507

G2-507
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $32.95
Gold Club Price: $24.71

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7 Piece Mini TruStrike Hammer Set with Stand

HAM-520.70

HAM-520.70
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $140.54
Gold Club Price: $105.40

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Steel and Rubber Bench Block 4x4 Inches

G17-44

G17-44
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $29.95
Gold Club Price: $22.46

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Steel Brush

BRS-967.00

BRS-967.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $8.25
Gold Club Price: $6.19

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Economy Needle File Set, 6 Piece Set

FIL-993.00

FIL-993.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $7.95
Gold Club Price: $5.96

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SANDING SPONGES ASST- 5PC- 1EA GRIT 100-400

ABR-600.90

ABR-600.90
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $9.95
Gold Club Price: $7.46

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Liver of Sulphur Gel, 1 Ounce Bottle

SOL-610.01

SOL-610.01
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $9.95
Gold Club Price: $7.46

Out of Stock

12 Piece Dapping Punch Set with Wooden Base

G17-6

G17-6
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $16.97
Gold Club Price: $12.73

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Instructions

Step 1

Read through the tutorial before starting the project. Follow all safety precautions pertaining to the tools and supplies being used and the area you are working in.

Enlarge or reduce the template to suit your needs.

Judy Larson's Copper Feather Earrings - , Metalwork, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, copper feather earrings

Step 2

Turn the templates into stickers or coat the back with stick glue or rubber cement to adhere to the sheet metal. If not adhering the templates to metal, cut them out to trace around them with an ultra fine point retractable Sharpie marker on the sheet metal.

Step 3

Transfer the designs to sheet metal. I used 22 gauge sheet metal because I'm going to heavily texture the metal. If lighter weight earrings are desired, use 24 gauge sheet metal. The texturing will not be quite as deep.

Step 4

These designs are best cut out using a saw with a number 3/0 blade. The little "V's" on the sides of the feathers will be difficult to cut out with shears in 22 gauge sheet metal. Try using 24 gauge sheet metal and the feather template with the straight shaft instead if shears will be used.
Remove the paper templates. Use files and sanding pads to smooth around each piece, paying particular attention to any sharp edges.

Step 5

Transfer the lines from the templates to the metal feathers with an ultra fine point retractable Sharpie marker, creating mirror image pairs.

Step 6

Texture each feather on either side of the center feather shaft line using the narrower side of the Mini TruStrike Sharp Designer Hammer. The tips of each feather can be textured or left smooth.

Step 7

Cut a 4½" (114mm) length of wire for each feather shaft. 18 gauge wire was used here, but 20 gauge works just as well.

Step 8

Curve the feather shaft wires to mimic the curve of the drawn line for each feather.

Step 9

Place a small amount of paste solder along the drawn shaft line on each feather. Press the shaft wire into the solder, making sure the tip of the wire does not go past the end point of the drawn line. Note: If desired, the wire can be placed the full length of the feather. If this is done, the wire must be cut at least a half inch (12mm) longer.

Heat until the solder flows. Cool and then check to make sure the full length of the wire is adhered the feather. Place a bit more paste solder in those places where the wire is not adhered and re-solder. Use a solder pick to press the wire down into the molten solder where needed.

Pro Tip: Transferring the pieces to a bench block will help them to cool more quickly.

Step 10

Pickle, rinse, and dry the feathers with the attached wires before going on to the next step.

Step 11

Whichever side of the feather the wire is bent toward for the start of a wire wrapped loop is the side on which the curled wire end will be placed after the loop is completed. Bend the wire of each earring in the direction desired, making sure the bent wires are mirror images in each pair.

Step 12

Make a loop centered on top of the bend corner. Notice that the wire was looped in the front of the wire shaft on all the feathers.

Pro Tip: I have gotten in the habit of making the loop on most of my wire wrapped loops using the smallest step of a 6 step barrel pliers. It seems to have the right amount of space inside the loop for most jewelry applications I use it on.

Step 13

Wrap the shank of the wire wrapped loop, ending the wire on top of the feather. The wire on each feather should be pointing in the same direction as it was in step 10.

Step 14

Trim the wire tail to 11/16" (17mm) in length.

Step 15

Curl the wire end using round and flat nose pliers. Use soft jaw pliers to press into place. There is no need to solder the curls into place EXCEPT if the earrings will be worn by someone with long hair. Hair can get caught under the curl. Use your own judgement. The same copper paste solder can be used to secure the curl in place. Pickle, rinse, and dry each piece again before continuing.

Step 16

File and sand the wire shaft at the end of the feather. After it looks flat, use sanding sponges to round and soften the wire tip.

Step 17

Use a steel brush to bring up a shine on the front and back of each feather.

Step 18

Place feather earrings on a bench block. Use a variety of sizes of dapping punches to stamp divots on each earring.

Step 19

Texture the edge of each feather with a Mini TruStrike Sharp Designer Hammer, creating a slightly ruffled edge.

Step 20

Make random strikes the length of the feather shaft with a Mini TruStrike Sharp Designer Hammer.

Step 21

Feathers are usually quite flat, but these feathers will benefit from added dimension of some bends here and there using soft jaw tools. Because of all the texturing and manipulation of the metal, tumbling is not necessary but can be done if desired.

Step 22

Liver of sulfur patina adds a richness and depth to the feathers after buffing with steel wool.

Step 23

Add ear wires.

Pro Tip: I like the look of niobium ear wires, a very hypo-allergenic metal, and make them to use on all my copper earrings.

Reviews

Judy Larson

My philosophy has always been "I will never live long enough to learn everything I want to learn, go everywhere I want to go and see everything I want to see!" So, what I make and how I create it is always changing and evolving. I was born shortly after WWII to parents who grew up during the Depression. They always had a "we can do it, we can make it" attitude which rubbed off on my two younger brothers and me. My brothers are amazing and can make and do ANYTHING! When I was a little girl, my mother gave me an old carved cigar box, which I cherish, filled with pop beads, wooden beads and yarn for stringing. That was the beginning of my jewelry making journey.

On a visit to the Grand Canyon when I was a young woman, I was fortunate enough to help a Native American silversmith sand cast my first silver bracelet and bezel set a large turquoise nugget on top. I was in love, hook, line and sinker! While working full time and having a family here in northern Minnesota, my artistic endeavors slowed down but never stopped. I am an artist, scrapbooker, seamstress, woodworker and jewelry artisan. Now that I am retired, I am able to indulge in all my hobbies. However, there just never seems to be enough time in the day to do it all, but I try!

I have been teaching community education beginner and intermediate jewelry making classes since my retirement. Many of my students have been bitten so hard by the jewelry making bug that they say I have turned them into monsters-they just can't get enough. Making jewelry, seeing something take shape from small bits and pieces, is so rewarding that I hope it brings out the "monster" in you, too!