Copper Wire

[milomade]

Does anyone use copper wire to make jewellery. I'm thinking of getting some but worried that it will stain the skin and won't it oxideise and turn green?

[Catherine Marche]

Copper wire will oxydise, it will turn green only in humid conditions but will darken and loose its shine.
You could try coating it with transparent nail varnish?

[x vInTaGe VioLeT x]

personally i like how copper changes colour as you wear it and over time.

i have been making jewellery with copper wire but it has broken from over manipulation - is this normal with copperor is it because the wire is not jewellry quality?

[milomade]

But if you made a ring out of copper wouldn't it colour your skin?

I've been looking on eBay for copper wire and you can get the normal electrical stuff or there's jewllery quality copper wire - not sure if this has been treated in any way.

[Anna Stassen]

You can coat copper wire with polyurethane varnish which should stop it from oxidising and leaving those marks on your skin but if you do make sure you use the varnish outside because of the fumes! I doubt there is any difference between the normal electrical copper wire and the stuff sold as jewellery making copper wire except the gauge (thickness).

[Chris Linacre]

I have worked with copper wire and bought mine at Maplins - it's as cheap as chips (around £5 for a large reel and lots of different guages too) and I too actually prefer it less bright but it can be cleaned with lemon juice. I would be wary of varnish as it may cause a reaction with the skin

[milomade]

What do you use it for?

[Chris Linacre]

milomade said:

What do you use it for?

I use it for wire wrapping beads, making fasteners and have also made a crotched bracelet with it. Just dashing to look after my grandchildren I will try and find a picture if you are interested

[milomade]

I'm still concerned that it would dye the skin and so wouldn't feel comfortable selling an item knowing that it woudl change colour itself and change the colour of someone's skin - am I being overly paranoid?

[Chris Linacre]

milomade said:

I'm still concerned that it would dye the skin and so wouldn't feel comfortable selling an item knowing that it woudl change colour itself and change the colour of someone's skin - am I being overly paranoid?

I test all my new designs and wore a bracelet for a week 24/7 and didn't turn green. I found a couple of pics too :-)

[milomade]

wow - I love the copper and turquoise - those colours go together so well.

I think that's what I should do - make something and wear it 24/7 and see what happens. Good idea. I ordered some copper wire last week, just waiting for it to arrive and will have a play over christmas. I'm mostly wanting to you it with sea glass for pendants, but thought it would do well for rings and bracelets too.

[Chris Linacre]

I can't wait to see what you make. Do you know any electricians because you can salvage wire from any waste wire they have?

[Surf Jewels]

I've used copper in my work without any probs, no change. Tho i agree with others i like the colours and texures, think i may experiment with gettin some colours on it, mayb i'll leave it out in the rain 4 a bit?

But rings u may hav a problem with, especially if they r worn a lot.
Hannah.

Handmade jewellery:
http://surfjewels.webhosting-for-free.com