How to Use Copper Pipe to Make Jewelry
Copper has been used in jewelry for centuries as an adornment and for its reputed healing power. Today's artists love its malleability and feature copper in organic and strikingly modern designs. Copper weathers into unique colors and textures through exposure to air and acids, which can add dimension to your jewelry. Copper pipe commonly used in plumbing forms the foundation for many striking designs and is relatively easy to work with. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Copper pipe of varying diameters
- Pipe cutter
- Small sander or polisher
- Hammer and block
- Colored stones
Instructions
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1
Cut a thin slice of 1-inch diameter pipe, about 1/8 inch, and sand down any roughness. Leave as is, continue to sand and round down edges or hammer it to add texture. Loop cord or chain--silver makes a nice contrast---and wear as a circle pendant.
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2
Cut matching earrings from a narrower diameter pipe that is finished the same as your pendant and hung from silver or matching copper ear wires.
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3
Cut thin slices of a narrow-gauge pipe that are either smoothed and left as is or hammered into ovals to make links for a bold chain or bracelet. Try twisting them in the middle to form a figure eight or an eternity symbol before linking them.
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4
Cut off a 1- to 2-inch section from a 2-inch diameter pipe. After sanding down the rough edges, use a hammer to shape it into a bold yet simple cuff bracelet. Buff to a high polish or texturize for a one-of-a-kind piece.
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5
Cut slices of the same thickness from different diameter pipes and link them to create a bib necklace, or suspend them with alternating lengths of chain to create a long, multistrand necklace. Loop silver or copper wire set in the middle of some of the circles to hold small stone beads for some additional interest and color. Blue and green stones work well.
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6
Find a pipe the same size in diameter, or slightly smaller, as the diameter of the desired finger to use for a ring. Heat, hammer, and stretch it to bring it up to size. Solder twisted silver, brass, or copper wire onto the ring for a design or as a setting for a bead or stone.
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Tips & Warnings
Copper pipe is inexpensive as a jewelry material, so play around and explore new ideas and designs. Use round shapes you find in nature as inspiration.
