Make Recycled Jewelry

by Dawn Lombard
(Monroe, CT USA)

Make recycled jewelry. Repurpose salvaged copper washers to make a handmade lampwork bead, copper, and crystal necklace. A great wire and bead jewelry project!

On a recent trip to a salvage yard, I came across these cool copper washers and wondered what I could do with them.

Being a lampwork glass bead artist, I am always looking for new things to incorporate into my designs.

I took the copper washers and flame-annealed them with my oxygen/propane torch (the same torch I use for my glass beads). This created a great looking purple/red patina.

Then I put them through my roller mill with some fabric to create the soft texture. Then, I simply drilled holes on the top and bottom so that I could wire wrap them together.

The finished piece includes a handful of my handmade beads (you could use any beads), copper wire, copper washers, and Swarovski® crystals.

I hope you like my handmade lampwork bead, copper, and crystal necklace!