Sunday, September 27, 2009

Recycling Copper Pipe For Jewelry


We replaced copper pipe under our sink. I saved the two eighteen inch lengths we removed in hopes of making copper jewelry. You can imagine my delight upon reading Sharilyn Miller's new book Contemporary Copper Jewelry to see directions for a copper bangle bracelet using copper pipe. The old dark dingy copper pipe was polished to a gleaming shine with very fine steel wool according to the directions. Using the pipe cutter was a new experience, but not very difficult. Bending the pipe around the bracelet mandrel took patience. An advantage to using the old pipe was the bracelet did not have to be textured or distressed. I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly the bracelet was completed. New pipe which I purchased for another bracelet was not as difficult to bend around the mandrel. I am now busy trying to develope variations to the design. This book is an excellent reference and resource with detailed easy to follow directions. This is one time being a pack rat paid off!!

2 comments:

  1. what size pipe and wire did you use on this piece? I am having a hard time finding the right size tubing. Thanks

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  2. The new copper pipe used was 1/4 inch or 3/8 inch copper pipe purchased from the plumbing department of a home improve or hardware store. It comes packaged in a box five feet or 10 feet. The wire was 14 gauge purchased from a jewelry supply site.

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