Swirling design on a cuff bracelet in heavy copper

Adrift on the swirling waves of copper, this cuff bracelet combines the timeless appeal of radiant natural copper, the peaceful flow of a swirling pattern, and a handmade antiqued appearance.

The bracelet blank was sheared as a 1 cm wide strip of copper from impressively thick 2 mm or 14 gauge copper to produce a bracelet of significant quality, mass, and structure. To create that swirling wave design, the flat metal was hammered on a steel patterned block to imprint the metal with the design. The advantage of hammering over a rolling mill is the antiqued appearance rich with tool marks and character that define handmade versus using a machine.

To form the perfect bracelet, I hammered the pattern flat 14 gauge copper strip over a wooden mandrel with a nylon hammer and slightly rounded the end tabs for a classy look. The bracelet was finished by being placed outside in the damp wet weather for a few days to develop natural oxidation and then gently polished with a series of soft buffing wheels to reveal the surface copper on the swirls while leaving the oxidation in the grooves for contrast and dimension.

The bracelet measures 6 inches long and can be adjusted to fit a 6 to 7 inch wrist, however you may order your bracelet in any size by entering your requests in the notes during check out. There will be a short wait time for bracelets larger than 7 inches as the larger copper sheets are a special order.