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Let's Talk Copper.... Again

11/17/2016

16 Comments

 
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Recently, on a video, someone commented inquiring why I "waste all my time" on copper. Now, those of you who've followed my blog for a hot minute may know exactly why I turn to copper. But some new to my work and my site may be surprised at the multitude of reasons I have at the ready. Let's discuss a few of them!
  • It's pretty. Really, you can't get more basic and essential than aesthetics. As a Capricorn and an earth sign, I love all things reminiscent of the dust and dirt, of the landscape and terrain and beautiful movement of Mother Nature. Copper fills this aesthetic need in me. It's warm and rich and earthy and wraps me up in its color the same as any rolling hill. I enjoy silver, don't get me wrong, but it often feels cold, clinical and industrial to me, so copper is always my preference.
  • It's malleable. Not just in density, but it goes with everything! Yes the metal is easier for me to move and form and shape and curve, but beyond it's physical properties, it looks great with light and dark skin tones, it compliments gemstones from blues to reds and everything in between. And it pops when oxidized way more than any other metal I've used.
  • Copper is affordable. What's affordable for me is affordable for my customer, and my motto has always been "handmade affordable wearable art". I understand there's a public perceived value that places silver and gold well above copper. I also understand that the perceived values of others do not have to (nor should they) mirror my own. I chose jewelry and metals, not based on their financial worth, but on my aesthetic reaction to it. I never want to make a "collectable" piece of jewelry. I want it used and worn and enjoyed. I want to see it dirty and well-loved. I want it to tell a story and for that story to represent a relationship I have with my work and my customers. The worth of a thing is in our love of it.
"Find beauty not only in the thing itself but in the pattern of the shadows, the light and dark which that thing provides." Junichiro Tanizaki
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Now I get it... copper turns skin green. Copper requires more care to maintain its color. These aren't properties many people appreciate about this metal,  but I'm here to set your mind at ease.

A variety of conditions can contribute to a discoloration of skin as a result of constant or intermediate contact with copper, including (but not limited to): the use of lotions or soaps, frequency of bathing, temperature and climate, pH balance, and length of exposure.
This discoloration should not be confused with an allergic reaction, which is rare, and more likely to occur from ingestion than surface contact. However, if you suspect an allergic reaction, please contact a health care provider.

And, while copper jewelry does require more care than it's silver counterparts, and certainly  more than gold jewelry, it's very easy to maintain. A simple, quick bath in a bit of Worcestershire Sauce (yes, you read that right), or a quick brush with a super fine steel wool pad (affordable and easily available at any hardware store) is all that's needed to maintain a beautiful finish. If worn frequently, an occasional gentle scrubbing with dish liquid beneath lukewarm water will keep your copper jewelry clean and fresh. Just dry thoroughly and store in a sealed container when not worn to slow the oxidation process.

And that's it! You can enjoy the warm, earthy tones of copper, even enjoy its metaphysical healing properties (which you can read more about here), without a concern for it's "worth". Beauty and worth is, after all, in the eye of the beholder.
16 Comments
rachel
11/18/2016 01:23:30 am

I agree with you.copper is amazing to work with plus its more primal and elemental then silver and gold.I like silver and gold to but they get boring easy and are pricy for me and the people who will buy my creations.
lazy people will be lazy.not much you can do about it sadly.

I will continue to use copper because I think its awesome and playful and primal for me.I will also use silver and gold .more silver then gold but thats just me.

copper is also very renn and gith and so steampunk.

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Andreea
11/19/2016 04:04:40 am

Have you tried Renaissance wax? It has been developed by British Museum to protect their artifacts. It creates a protective microlayer over the metal. It works, no more green fingers! Get the smallest container, only tiny amounts are used on jewelry. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003AJWN62/ref=psd_mlt_nbc_B0012S1XBO_p

I prefer silver for that dark industrial look, but copper looks better with warm colored stones.

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Suchita link
11/25/2016 01:18:52 am

Great blog, was worth reading it.it's an amazing thought.Thanks for sharing the blog.

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Donna Gordon link
11/29/2016 11:18:45 pm

I love copper and was inspired by your work to use it. My customers agree with me that it goes with everything.

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Alice
12/1/2016 12:27:58 am

Besides loving copper and silver, I've just added in a new metal to my palette: jeweler's bronze. It's a beautiful gold-ish color that when heated, turns a lovely mottled brown-ish color that pops against the un-heated metal. Heating also anneals it, which would make fine work easier. I've not used it yet in wire-weaving, but plan to. Just sayin.....

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Barbi MacDonald
12/2/2016 08:31:18 am

I love copper! I love working with it, the way it patinas is always a favorite of mine. I love what you do with copper and get great inspiration from your work. Cheers

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shiny beige
12/5/2016 09:00:11 pm

I've always loved copper so much more than silver or gold. Thank you for putting those reasons into words.

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Will Box link
12/6/2016 09:42:37 pm

Very well said! Thank you for this blog post on the merits of copper.

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nancyruth
12/7/2016 05:28:38 pm

I know you can't hear me but I'm clapping my hands. You've said everything I feel about Copper...I think it's absolutely beautiful.

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ConnieRC
12/8/2016 02:05:53 am

Another great blog, thank you, Nicole.

I find that copper is LESS of a hassle to keep up than Silver. My silver wire constantly needs cleaning, even while I'm working with it, and that becomes boring for long projects (and I'm a beginner, so ALL projects are long :-) ).

Many of my jewelry friends are "Silver Only" people, and they have a good clientele base. They also tell me that MANY people look but don't buy, due to pricing. That's a pretty good reason to use copper, in my book! Affordability - for me and for clients - is a biggie.

Oxidizing copper helps to change the color of the wire, and brings an added dimension to the work. If a cab (stone or glass or what have you ..) is a lighter color, I tend to darken my wire for contrast. My taste, of course.

Always a pleasure to read your blogs. Great information which I go back to time and again.

PEACE ... Connie in Boston

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Suchita link
12/12/2016 05:03:55 am

Interesting blog,good information given about the copper, and tips to identify the copper.

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Laurie Hunt
12/24/2016 01:55:20 am

Copper is Gorgeous. Nothing else needs to be said. Your work is amazing and I love that I will own a piece some day. I was in Art Jewelry Adventure and was mesmerized by your tutorial. I have been watching as many videos as I can get my hands on to learn. I've yet to try it but I've collected a few good sized Cabochons (all would look amazing with copper!) so I'm on my way! I too struggle with being critical of my work -- or anything I do really. I loved your quote from art and fear in the blog post after this one!

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sonia link
1/29/2017 10:50:11 am

I like your post.

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MaryJane S
2/9/2017 04:16:47 pm

This could have been me writing this, as it's all the same things I have said to others about copper. Yes, most people like silver, but those silverites I have shown my oxidized copper pieces to (especially the dragonfly from your tutorial) are being swayed over. I have such a warm, cozy feeling when I look at copper woven jewelry such as Nicole's, but then I am an earth and foliage type person (I could probably live out in the woods for short periods of time). By the way, I love how the greens look with the oxidized copper, but green has always been my favorite color with bright accents like a sunny day. Anyway, I do go on. I feel like you are all my sisters from different mothers as I read this blog each month.

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Lois Demers
3/9/2017 01:14:12 pm

That is so interesting about the Worcestershire (yes I had to go back and re-read to get the spelling right!) What if the piece has had a treatment in liver of sulfur? Sometimes I find in humid summer months that my oxidized pieces turn an unattractive shade of orange... kind of like a spray on tan! Would the sauce work on this?

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Donna Batzer
4/7/2017 01:44:04 pm

I love working with copper whether I use a patina, or keep it shinny. It is so much fun to work with. Thank you for this article.

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  • Home
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  • Learn To Wire Wrap
    • PDF Tutorials
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    • SIGNATURE COLLECTION
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    • PDF Tutorials >
      • Beginner Wire Weaving
      • Intermediate Weaving
      • PDFs for Cabochons
      • Advanced Weaving