AJE October Component of the Month Reveal ~ Copper Seas

For October's Component of the Month Challenge at AJE Blog, we received a stunning copper bracelet focal handcrafted by Kristi Bowman. Each one is made from copper clay and carefully textured with ammonites. They are stunning!

I've never used copper in my jewelry, so I was really excited to be finally working with it!

Here's what I made:

I continued with the sea theme of the ammonites, choosing colors and textures to echo the roughness of broken rocks, the sparkle of waves, and seashells found on the beach. I call it "Copper Seas".

I started with a loop of pearl seed beads—I wanted something more than just a simple ring attached to the focal and I liked the luster it added. Then I continued around with a mix of my own polymer beads, ceramic beads from Michaels (I love the color and "watery" glaze of those beads), opalite, and one single faceted Czech glass bead.

The faceted beads, I created specifically for this bracelet, mixing pearlesent white and ivory, and forming the fine copper veins with acrylic paint. Sometimes making new beads for a project can prove disasterous and not a match at all, but these happily were perfect. They add a nice touch of roughness to the design. I also put in one lone polymer seashell bead—a leftover from projects years past.

And a pretty copper clasp to finish it off—one of only two I had in my bead stash—I really need to get more copper components!

Finally, at the clasp I made a little collection of charms to dangle.


I hope you enjoyed seeing my process. A big thank you to Kristi for providing us with such gorgeous works of art!!

Be sure to check out what everyone else made!

Guests:
 Kym Hunter Designs
MiShel Designs

AJE Team Members:
Jennifer Cameron Glass Addictions
Lesley Watt Gossiping Goddess
Kristen Stevens My Bead Journey
Caroline Dewison Blueberri Beads
Jenny Davies-Reazor 
Melissa Meman 
Rebekah Payne Tree Wings Studio
Francesca Watson
Sue Kenney SueBeads
Kristi Bowman Design