Judy Freyer Thompson's Twisted Copper Wire Cuff, Contemporary Wire Jewelry. Oxidizing Wire, Oxidizing, Antiquing Wire, Antiquing, Sawing, Saw, Wire Saw. .

Twisted Copper Wire Cuff

by Judy Freyer Thompson
  • Category: Contemporary
  • Technique(s): Oxidizing / Antiquing, Sawing
  • Skill Level: Intermediate
Want to try your torch at soldering with copper wire solder AND create a rustic copper cuff bracelet?
Grab some wire, your tools and lets go!

Materials

10mm copper beads
  • Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
8 Gauge Round Dead Soft Copper Wire
H11-8D
  • Lesson Quantity: 8.50 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
  • Price: $3.13
  • Gold Club Price: $2.35
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SANDING SPONGES ASST- 5PC- 1EA GRIT 100-400
ABR-600.90
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
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Tools

Jewelers Saw with Adjustable Frame without Blade
G18-3
  • G18-3
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $12.97
  • Gold Club Price: $9.73
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Drill Press Vise
VIS-265.00
  • VIS-265.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $14.95
  • Gold Club Price: $11.21
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20 pc. 61-80 Small Gauge Drill Bits
G26-60
  • G26-60
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $4.97
  • Gold Club Price: $3.73
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6-1/2 Inch Heavy Duty Flat Nose Pliers with Wide Jaws
G2-94
  • G2-94
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $7.97
  • Gold Club Price: $5.98
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Foredom Foot Control for 115 Volt Series SR Motors
G22-C.FCT-1
  • G22-C.FCT-1
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $44.44
  • Gold Club Price: $33.33
Out of Stock
Wood Handle Metal Brush, Brass
BRS-968.00
  • BRS-968.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $9.95
  • Gold Club Price: $7.46
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10 Piece Diamond Needle Files - 140mm X 3mm
G14-8
  • G14-8
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $13.57
  • Gold Club Price: $10.18
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6 Piece Assorted File Set with Wooden Handle
G14-7
  • G14-7
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $5.57
  • Gold Club Price: $4.18
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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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Crocodile Sawblades - Cut 2/0 - Sold by the Dozen
SAW-550.05D
  • SAW-550.05D
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $2.57
  • Gold Club Price: $1.93
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Deluxe V-Slot Bench Pin with Clamp
BPN-105.00
  • BPN-105.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $10.95
  • Gold Club Price: $8.21
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Premium Steel Bench Block 2 1/2 X 2 1/2
G17-9
  • G17-9
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $15.97
  • Gold Club Price: $11.98
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Handy Flame II Propane Torch
SOL-330.00
  • SOL-330.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $74.95
  • Gold Club Price: $56.21
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Fire Brick
SOL-485.00
  • SOL-485.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $15.95
  • Gold Club Price: $11.96
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6 1/2 Inch Solid Stainless Steel Ball Peen Hammer
G3-18
  • G3-18
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $5.97
  • Gold Club Price: $4.48
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Liver of Sulphur Gel, 2 Ounce Bottle
SOL-610.02
  • SOL-610.02
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $12.95
  • Gold Club Price: $9.71
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Steel Bracelet Mandrels - Round
MAN-216.00
  • MAN-216.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $37.97
  • Gold Club Price: $28.48
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Renaissance wax
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
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Instructions
Step 1
Using a ruler and permanent marker, measure 8 ½” on the 8 gauge wire. Using a bench pin for support, cut the wire using the jewelers saw with a metal blade.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Twisted Copper Wire Cuff - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Oxidizing Wire, Oxidizing, Antiquing Wire, Antiquing, Sawing, Saw, Wire Saw, saw the wire to length
Step 2
Lightly sand the wire with the 400 grit sandpaper.
Step 3
Lay the wire on the steel bench block and flatten it using a heavy hammer. (I use the flat side of a 16 oz ball peen hammer)
Judy Freyer Thompson's Twisted Copper Wire Cuff - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Oxidizing Wire, Oxidizing, Antiquing Wire, Antiquing, Sawing, Saw, Wire Saw, flatten the wire
Step 4
Measure 3/8” off either end and flatten to the line on the bench block. These do not have to be perfect, they will serve as the tabs during twisting.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Twisted Copper Wire Cuff - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Oxidizing Wire, Oxidizing, Antiquing Wire, Antiquing, Sawing, Saw, Wire Saw, flatten the ends
Step 5
Anneal the wire using the torch on a soldering brick. Let cool completely. Pickle the wire to remove the fire scale. Wash with soap and water and dry well.
Step 6
Secure one paddle end in the bench vise. Grab the other paddle end with flat nose or duck bill pliers and twist the wire, keeping it vertical.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Twisted Copper Wire Cuff - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Oxidizing Wire, Oxidizing, Antiquing Wire, Antiquing, Sawing, Saw, Wire Saw, secure one in the the vise
Step 7
Using a bench pin for support, cut the ½” paddle ends off using the jewelers saw and metal cutting blade.
Step 8
File the ends smooth with the metal file.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Twisted Copper Wire Cuff - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Oxidizing Wire, Oxidizing, Antiquing Wire, Antiquing, Sawing, Saw, Wire Saw, file the ends smooth
Step 9
Clamp one copper bead at a time in a small drill press vise, one that has a ‘v’ in it works great.
Step 10
Using a flexible shaft machine and 1/16” drill bit, enlarge the hole in the bead. Flip the bead and repeat on the other side. Drill the second bead the same way.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Twisted Copper Wire Cuff - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Oxidizing Wire, Oxidizing, Antiquing Wire, Antiquing, Sawing, Saw, Wire Saw, enlarge the holes in the beads
Step 11
Use the small round file to clean up the holes in the beads.
Step 12
Slide a bead on the end of the twisted wire, make sure it fits tight, as solder does not fill in gaps. Refine the filing on the twisted wire as needed to fit the bead. File the end of the twisted wire flush to the bead.
Step 13
Lay the wire assembly on the soldering brick and direct the flame directly at the bead. Once the piece is glowing red, touch the wire solder to the connections of the bead and wire.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Twisted Copper Wire Cuff - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Oxidizing Wire, Oxidizing, Antiquing Wire, Antiquing, Sawing, Saw, Wire Saw, solder on the beads
Step 14
Allow the piece to cool and place it in pickle solution. Wash with soap and water.
Step 15
Bend the bracelet around a soup can or bracelet mandrel.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Twisted Copper Wire Cuff - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Oxidizing Wire, Oxidizing, Antiquing Wire, Antiquing, Sawing, Saw, Wire Saw, bend the bracelet around the mandrel
Step 16
Wash the piece in soap and water again to remove any contaminants.
Step 17
Prepare Liver of Sulfur per manufacturer's directions and apply to cuff. Wash again with soap and water.
Step 18
Using 400 grit sandpaper, remove some of the patina to highlight the twists.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Twisted Copper Wire Cuff - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Oxidizing Wire, Oxidizing, Antiquing Wire, Antiquing, Sawing, Saw, Wire Saw, remove some of the patina
Step 19
Wash in soap and water again, dry thoroughly and apply a spray sealant or Renaissance Wax.