Tag Archives: copper cuff

Jewelry Notes, New Work, Studio News and Notes, The Muse

A Quilt and a Copper Cuff – Story of Handmade

Posted on by Nancy Lee

Here’s an excerpt from my December 2013 newsletter, with a bunch of progress photos from making copper cuffs. A story of warmth for a chill December day!
Last night I went in search of my other blanket – the quilt made by my grandmother. My hands smoothed the pinks and purples and greens, snippets from garments she had made. I felt the love as I drifted off to sleep, finding the comfort in something handmade that I will own forever.

This morning, as I slipped on the copper cuff I wear daily, I thought again about the handmade. It’s a simple thing, this cuff. Seeing it on my wrist every day brings comfort. It is pretty, it feels good, I made it, it will last forever. I can have as many as I care to make, but I only wear this one almost every day.
Two blankets. One cuff. Sometimes it’s not about more. It’s just about having something beautifully meaningful. This Christmas season, I encourage handmade, meaningful things in small quantities topped with warmth, and human connection.
Happy Holidays to you and yours.
Here’s how these cuffs are made, skipping a bunch of steps!
Cut a bunch of copper, then file the edges and sand it all over.
Anneal the copper, then hammer it in overlapping hammer blows.

 

 

Tip the edges of the metal over a steel block held in a vice

Anneal the copper, and bend it around a bracelet mandrel
Handmade Tipped Edge Copper Cuff Bracelet by Nancy Lee
New Work, Studio News and Notes, The Muse

New Work for Summer

Posted on by Nancy Lee

These are a few examples of my all new, all handmade jewelry, available now.

The Double Layer Copper Cuffs are an ever-popular design, while the sterling silver Mehndi Earrings are brand-new. The cuffs are made from recycled roofing copper. The bottom layer is textured with a hammer and the top layer is fold-formed. Each layer has a patina which is applied separately. After the patina step, the layers are riveted with sterling silver tubing, then polished and sealed with a microcrystalline wax. The Mehndi earrings are cut from heavy silver sheet, which is then pierced internally, textured, and carved with files to show dimension. The earwires are handmade to compliment the earring style.
Enjoy!
Note: These aren’t in my online shop yet. If you’d like to find out about owning any of these, please contact me here and I’ll respond right away.

Studio News and Notes, The Muse

See My Work in a New Way: PATTERN Paper

Posted on by Nancy Lee

What an honor to be invited to have my work in this beautiful, classy and creative publication. Some of my big Double Layer Copper Cuffs and some (recycled) Fur and Silver Rings were used. Have fun looking – my jewelry has never looked this high-fashion before. Big love! (If you must hurry, go to Pages 42-43.)

Open publication – Free publishing – More fashion

Thanks to the warm and brilliant duo of Nikki Sutton and Polina Osherov for inviting me, Kathy Davis for coordinating the photo shoot and doing the stunning styling, the beautiful model who work my jewelry, and Larry Ladig for his gorgeous photography. All part of the PATTERN Indianapolis Fashion people, a fully engaged group of people with lots of good mojo.