What's on My Bench?

Today's edition of is from JET team member Wanda of GemstonesonMyMind.

I’m working on a pair of Copper and Turquoise earrings.  I love Copper and Turquoise, so it’s a combination I work with often.  I’ve sketched a quick design that appeals to me, and hopefully to others. 

I’ve gathered the supplies needed for a pair of dangly, boho style Copper and Turquoise earrings.    I’m using some copper washers from Amazon that I bought just for the purpose of creating chandeliers for the pair. 

First, I’m going to give the washers a hammered texture that will make them sparkle, sort of like facets.  Each little ding of the hammer is going to reflect the light and make them look like they didn’t come from the hardware department.  After I’ve hammered them, I’ll file the edges smooth so as not to cause any discomfort to the wearer.

Now it’s time to make the dangle charms that will hang from the new rings.  The Turquoise I’ve chosen is small blue green heishi beads and I’ll be accenting them with small Copper spacer beads that I picked up at a bead show.  I chose 6 copper ball pins to use for wiring the charms.  To give them a different look, I’ve hammered the ball on the end of the headpin into a flat disc.   After wiring them into a charm, I attach them to the “copper washer” chandelier with jump rings, using a larger one for the center to let it dangle a little lower.  As for the jump rings used to attach it to the ear wires, I hammered them also.

So now the earrings are finished, and I think I like them, which means I need to keep this pair and make some for the shop!

Remember to return next week for another episode of What's on My Bench. If you want to learn more about Wanda, please visit her shop, GemstonesonMyMind. Until next week!