Copper Hardware Store Bangle Bracelet

by Lynda Carson
(Spring Valley, CA)

This is my first attempt at a copper bangle bracelet - original design and directions by Christine Brandel in Step by Step Wire Jewelry magazine. Using quarter inch copper tubing and 18 gauge copper wire, available at the hardware store.

I however rummaged around in the garage and found some bent, dirty tubing left over from hooking up the water to the ice maker in our frig.

Using my hammer and bench block, I pounded the tubing flat.

Since I don't have a bracelet mandrel, I returned to said garage and started looking around for a substitute. When my husband asked what I was doing (in his tool boxes), he kindly suggested his old hickory baseball bat might do the trick. It was perfect!

Since the copper was work hardened from the pounding, I did have some work to do to shape it properly. It was fun to 'free hand' the wire wrapping around the bracelet form. Lastly, I oxidized the piece and burnished the top with steel wool.

This is not a piece I'd sell, but I do love the patina and the design. Also, need to work on cleaning up the ends.

FYI- I did buy a new piece of copper tubing at the hardware store - just 79 cents a foot!

Lynda Carson
Fresh Baked Designs