Smashed Copper Tube Bead

Please come on over to my new website:

Jewelry Making Journal

I've got lots cool new things for you there - including
my videos, a unique tutorial, and Jewelry Business Insider interviews.

See you there!

- Rena Klingenberg

Smashed Copper Tube Bead

by Lynda Carson
(Spring Valley, CA)

Copper tube bead

I've written of my love of all things copper lately. My brother recently brought me a gift... a roll of 1/4 inch copper tubing.

After reading on the internet about how to use a copper tube cutter, I tried cutting off small pieces for beads... about 3/4 inch.

After slipping a piece of 18 gauge wire through the tube, the fun began. I hammered the tube flat and then textured it.

Now all I have to do is make 18 or 20 more to link together and have a smashing new necklace!

(Update: See the Collaboration Necklace Lynda and her brother made from copper tubing beads.)

I'd love to hear your comments about other possibilities!

Lynda Carson
Fresh Baked Designs

Comments for
Smashed Copper Tube Bead

Click here to add your own comments

Smashed copper tube jewelry
by: Rena

Thanks for sharing this cool hands-on metal project idea, Lynda! What an edgy, conversation-starting necklace that will be!

Other ideas: What about doing some patina coloring on some of the copper, or oxidizing the texturing details?

What about cutting a piece of the tubing long enough to shape it into a cuff bracelet that could have some cool texturing? Then your wire loops at the ends could possibly incorporate a clasp or a focal element.

Or with an even longer piece of tubing, make a choker instead of cuff bracelet.

Or a curved, hammered piece of tubing could be the centerpiece of a necklace, with chain attached to the wire loops to form the sides and back of the necklace.

Also, if you ever wanted to do a jewelry workshop for teenage boys, I think smashed copper tubing projects would be something they'd really enjoy! :)

Great ideas!
by: Lynda

Thanks so much for your ideas, Rena. It's great to have more ideas to think about. Tubing has so many possibilities.

Love this!
by: Pam

What a unique idea! I love it, and the timing is great, as we're always looking for alternatives to the skyrocketing silver prices. Hope you will post photos of some finished projects! I love seeing materials used in unexpected ways!

more coming
by: Lynda

Thanks for the encouragement everyone and your ideas.

Pam, I'm posting a necklace that I just finished - look for it here: Copper Tube Necklace.

One challenge is to make sure that the shape is what you want BEFORE you hammer it! Afterward, it is just too work-hardened to budge.

Love copper!
by: Colleen

LOVE working with copper! Just bought a piece of copper to make a cuff bracelet, can't figure out the best way to cut it without marring it. Can't wait to pound it out. Thanks for your piece Linda.

Click here to add your own comments