Basic Copper Smithing and Flame Painting

Can't wait to play with this, although in the clip he mentions 6000 degrees as the temperature of the flame, I found this great video that is a copper wire groupies dream. "Basic Copper Smithing and Flame Painting" is available through a number of different venues. I located it first on Total Vid and the reviews give it high marks for brazing but low marks for flame painting, something I really wanted to get ideas about. There is a short clip on the site to give you an idea of quality too.






This next site won't teach you how to smith but it is sure pretty to look at. Coppersmithing by Sian


And finally for today," Art of Coppersmithing:A Practical Treatise on Working Sheet Copper into All Forms" in paper back by John Fuller on Amazon.com.

Basic Copper Smithing can also be found on Amazon for purchase.


Now, my next goal is to find lessons on Flame Painting. I can just imagine wide copper cuffs that look like that first picture.



Visit A Beaded Affair for copper wire and beads, Bead Store Quality at Gem Show Pricing. Discounts start at $50.00.

Didja know? Copper is Antimicrobial

Frequently I find myself surfing the net rather than doing what I'm supposed to be doing. Who doesn't right? Often, copper is my first search and this morning I found an article that might be of interest to many of us.

Search for copper and you get either jewelry, as it should be or electrical/industrial information. This morning, I got all kinds of industrial information and just scanned through, but this article and web site caught my attention. Copper.org. Could it be that there is really something to wearing copper jewelry that can make us healthier? Check out this article at Copper.org.

Historically copper has been used for its antimicrobial properties "The Hippocrates Collection, 460 to 380 B.C., to which the father of medicine contributed, recommends the use of copper for leg ulcers related to varicose veins. Pliny, 23 to 79 A.D., used copper oxide with honey to treat intestinal worms. The Aztecs gargled with a mixture containing copper to treat sore throats." From Copper.org

In light of this, if my cat gets worms, I'm not sure I'd grind up some copper to add to their food, but it does make me wonder about the jewelry we make and the claims some have made about its ability to help with arthritis, a claim that has been made for thousands of years. Studies have now been funded to find out just how many health benefits there may be from copper and it's alloys, including brass and bronze, two other alternate jewelry metals including its antimicrobial properties.

Seems to me, if I can kill germs by wearing a beautiful piece of copper, I'm in. Maybe there is more to our jewelry than we first suspected.


A Beaded Affair - Copper Jewelry Wire, Beads and Findings

Piquant - Agreeably Stimulating

Jewelry Elegance

Images by Jer

Always Wired Bead Lady

Phoenix Rising Glass Art

by A Beaded Affair - Bead Store Quality @ Gem Show Prices

Character - The Individual Nature

Gahooletree Designs

ChezChani

My Gemstone Box

By Coco

by: A Beaded Affair

More ESMarts Sparkles

One of the great things about Team Esmarts is that we are not just all about the jewelry bling. Our team has talented artists in a wide variety of craft and artistic fields. Some of my favorites are below, plus I just had to have a bit of bling for the post!

Esmarts Team Store has been dedicated to assisting fellow Etsians with the proceeds going to worthy causes selected by the team. Visit the store for an idea of the wonderful talent of this artistic group.

Chic Hats and More by Anne




Coastal Artist by Van

Shades of Victoria by Sheree

Visit the team store for more great offerings. Check out A Beaded Affair for jewelry supplies at great prices too!

Colors of Spring - Carnelian Carnival Necklace

Just in time for Carnival! Spread the joy of the season with the rich colors of spring.

Generously wrapped in sterling silver this carnelian, lemon quartz, citrine, lemon topaz and Bali Silver necklace will grace your neckline. Sterling toggle to make it easy to put on and take off.

At 22 inches this is designed for everyone but if you need more or less length I can adjust it for you.

One of a kind, Carnelian Carnival is currently only available directly from me for $79.00. After March 1 I will put this in my Etsy shop at $95.00, so contact me right away at Lois@abeadedaffair.com for free shipping and a discounted price.

Have a favorite stone you would love to wear? Let me wrapped it in sterling silver. Contact me and we will design the perfect one of a kind piece, just for you.
Make your own jewelry? Never settle for less than the best for your creations. Visit A Beaded Affair for hand selected, individually photographed beads and findings.


Proud member of Esmarts Team on Etsy.

Always Wired Bead Lady

It's only natural for me to be atttacted to the work and art of the Always Wired Bead Lady. Joella combines all of my favorite materials in glorious combinations of color, texture and shape. She creates wonderful hand made chain maille bracelets like this copper byzantine chain and Kambaba Jasper and offers it in a variety of other stones and crystals too.










The Romanov is a popular chain maille weave sporting swarovski crystals in the center of copper byzantine chain which has been oxidized to give it an antique look.

Comprised entirely of sparkling sterling the hand cut rings and lazer cut beads in this dazzler will brighten any outfit.





Never settle for costume jewelry when you are searching for accessories to go with your carefully chosen outfit, stop by and select a piece of hand made art to wear.

You can find the Always Wired Bead Lady at Etsy and stop by her blog Always Wired Bead Lady to see the new pieces she is working on too.

Friday Gift Cert Grab - 1/9

The Esmarts Team Shop at Etsy was created in the spirit of "PAYING IT FORWARD". The Team has jumped on board and loaded it with scrumptious new listings for you to peruse. In that spirit we'd like to give a bit back to all of our readers and buyers by running a contest on Twitter and our blogs. All you have to do to enter the contest is leave a comment mentioning the contest here on A Beaded Affair, the Esmarts Team Blog or Direct Message @abeadedaffair on Twitter and you might win the $10.00 Gift Certificate in the drawing on Saturday which you can use in the Esmarts Team Shop . Gift Cert donated by A Beaded Affair at Etsy. Take a chance, have some fun, enter our contest and win $10.00.Just a few of the new items donated by the talented members of EsmartsContest runs from Noon Friday January 9 (that's tomorrow folks) til Midnight.On Saturday we will announce the winner here!!!This weeks donations by Creations by Jae, dgdesignstx, SandTCreations, The World of Wezz, Chic Hats and More, Gahooletree, Studio618 and Wilma's Whimseys. Visit these Etsy shops for more exciting hand crafted goodies.

When you snooze you lose. If you didn't check out the Esmarts Team Store on Tuesday you missed donations by M5 Creative Corners which sold right away.

One more note, Coastal Artist has reduced the price on 3 of his prints to $20.00 just for the contest. Don't wait, leave a comment and check out all the fabulous items at Esmarts Team Store and win the Gift Certificate.

Are you on Twitter? Share the love and Tweet about the contest for us. The more the merrier.

Cheers

An Affair with Beads

Christmas is coming sooner than we think and it's time to stock up for those Christmas gifts. New beads at A Beaded Affair are just the ticket. Only $6.95 per strand and FREE SHIPPING when you buy any 3 items in the shop.


Copper beads and findings at great prices. High end focal beads too?



What are you waiting for......A Beaded Affair!

Copper wire - 1/2 Round 18 & 20 Gauge, Square in 18, 20, 22 and 24 Gauge


Hand made Artisan Jewelry too!


A Beaded Affair

http://www.abeadedaffair.com/

http://www.abeadedaffair.etsy.com/