Sun Catcher / Copper / Flat Glass Marbles / Bling
6 Materials
$10
1 Day
Easy
Recycled copper wire from a flooded basement hubby stripped and cut into pieces last year were just laying around (ladies, you know how that is ;) ), so after posting my other project in the 'rain chain' section, (and finding the copper wire, again) I decided to put it to use......
I had the copper wire cut into about 7 to 8 " pieces already as stated above. I bought the rings at Michaels (split rings) , some charms on sale for the bottom and some flat marbles from the dollar store.
This just happened to be the pic of a broken one I did. but they all basically the same, just rounder . I held the marble in one hand and placed the wire in the middle underneath and slowly and firmly folded it around the 'gem'. Righty tighty as they say, leaving a hook on the end which I added the split ring onto so they have a little play (turning ability). They are very 'slippery' to work with so it takes patience and persistence to make sure they are tight ! Then I took two other straight copper pieces and one at a time held them on the pencil at an angle (with the pliers) so I could pull/fold/ form the rest of the copper strand around the pencil creating the spiral effect, with a hook on the end and a split ring, attaching one to each side of the gem.
I had a LOT of copper, so I made like an assemble line production for myself. I'd make some gems with just the copper, then I'd make a bunch of spirals, then attaching them as I felt a need for change. LOL The basic pattern was : hook, spiral, gem, 2 spirals, gem, 2 spirals, gem, for a total of 5 gems per strand, ending off with 2 spirals and a charm. BTW, I made the hooks to hang them with, with some of the copper pieces just bent into shape with a little hook and split ring on the bottom.
I tried to put a split ring on all the 'attaching' areas so it would be able to turn in the sun and sparkle as much as possible. Then joining 2 colors together at a time. and then joining the sets together with a single to break up the colors as much as possible, even had some clear ones, too! I have 3 daughters (married) , so 3 sets of 'inlaws' a brother and sister and some close friends in which I plan on giving to for Christmas this year. Something from the heart, made by the hand. ;)
The charms were on sale at Michaels for a good price! I have to get some more to finish the extras I have. It took me a couple of weeks to finish, (almost), but that was only because I made so many. A total of 22, and I am giving away about 12. The round 'charm' on the bottom of this pic is / was an old pair of my Mom's earrings. Purple gems in the middle surrounded by gold colored wire. So I cut off the SCREW ON earring piece, filed it down smooth on both sides and then wired them together all the way around with thin copper wire I had. Something to look at every day and touch that Mom wore. She passed in 95, Forever in my heart! Kinda my little tribute I guess.
Here are about 8 of them. I still need a few charms. I'm picky about them, wanting something that has a little meaning or cuteness, especially my family. I may sell others, but have no idea how much to ask for them! ;) The longest one in the middle is mine that I made for myself.
These are some of the gems in the first stage. I did a bunch of one color and then another and the spirals as I needed change. I may keep another to put outside as I don't know how they will do being made with copper. They may turn green nicely, I don't know!
I think there are 14 here. wanted to hang them on something so I could see them better and had this glass window sitting in the hall for months now from another project in the works. (I have to be in the mood ) The frame was white but I painted it black for another idea I have. Again, this pane of glass was 'laying' around in the garage! check back for that project to come under glass art or something to that effect. So this was fun to do. I did it when I wanted and for as long as I was having fun. They are about 3 1/2 ft long. Thanks for any thoughts you may have!
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4 of 16 comments
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I have seen two posts using copper wire. I didn't know it was so versatile!!
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This a perfect project for me! I had the closet walls cut away from all three bedroom closets because they are long closets. They were too hard to get into . This would look great hung from a tension rod. Plus I save plastic bottles to cut the bottoms off to make hanging led or battery lighted flowers to hang in the same fashion.
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cool , I'd love to see a pic when you're done! Good luck, I had fun doing it. ;)
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