Copper Jewelry

Here is a simple and inexpensive way to make outstanding jewelry from scrap electrical wire. I used a 2 foot piece of 14/2 wire which has 3 copper conductors. This is the most common gauge and is readily available anywhere in North America. You could use a larger gauge like 12/2 or larger. Funny, but the smaller the number, the bigger the wire.

This is my method to produce a flat tightly woven braid that can easily be transformed into bracelets, rings, pendants or whatever you wish,

The wire has a plastic coating which must be removed. I used a cable ripper with one end of the wire held firmly in a vise. You could also have someone grip one end with pliers while you do this, or, use a knife to slit the plastic.

You will be left with one bare conductor and two insulated conductors. Remove the insulation with wire strippers.

You will have 3 bare solid copper conductors.

Put the 3 conductors together and clamp one end in a vise. Alternatively, have someone hold the end with pliers. Put the other end in the chuck of a variable speed drill. On slow speed, let the drill do the work of twisting the wire into a tight braid. Keep tension on the drill to keep the wire from kinking. The trick is to stop when the braid is tight and before any lumps or kinks develop.

Place the braided wire on a flat metal surface like a vise, or anvil. Tap gently with a hammer while moving the braid over the metal surface . You are going for a uniform flatness. Go gently, as you can go over it a number of times till it meets your approval.

This is the fun part. I formed mine into a bracelet by bending it around a baseball bat a couple of times.

It could be made into any shape like rings, by bending around a pipe or dowel. The copper is malleable enough that it can be re-bent and re- shaped until you are satisfied. Cut off the excess with cutting pliers. Be certain to file off any sharp edges or burrs. Some #400 sandpaper can be used to polish and smooth it.

I soldered the ends of my piece together to make it an endless loop but that's optional. If you do, be sure to use lead- free solder and. as with all project work, wear safety glasses while working.