Corner-Turning

     Due to various circumstances in the past few weeks I feel as though I've turned a much-needed corner.
Those who know of my past year will be glad to hear that much of my deep grief and pain have abated; I feel lighter and more hopeful.  I am very grateful for others' prayers and TLC during the murky waters I have just traveled.  I still covet your prayers.

I have been making copper jewelry the past while and have really found it enjoyable.
Dead soft copper (my favorite gauge is 20) works nicely into rings.  Size 18 gauge is harder on my arthritis.  Dead soft starts out very pliable but the more you work with it the harder it is to work with.

Here are some rings I've made.  A ring mandrel helps me size them.
The ring on the left is gauge 20, with two wraps as the band.  The one on the right is gauge 18 with four wraps.  They have been antiqued to a nice patina with LOS (liver of sulfur) which indeed makes the place smell like rotten eggs. Ugh.
There is no "slimy penny" feeling though----probably due to the fact there isn't a ton of diverse DNA on them....ahem.

Liz at makingiteasywithliz.com has scores of YouTube tutorials that are not only helpful but fascinating.  A big shout out to her for her help.  I've posted a link to her shop/site in Blog/Links I Like to Follow. 
She is in Canada which makes her raw products cost prohibitive for me; but her videos are accessible at her site as well as on YouTube.  Thank you again, Liz!

 

 

 

Another pic of various rings once they've been patina-ed...