May 31, 2014
Worn stacked with another ring or by itself, this handmade 4mm Texturized Copper Band Ring with its unique textured design will become your next most treasured possession.
Click Here to Browse More Handmade Copper Rings by jewelry designer John S Brana
May 30, 2014
March 15, 2014
March 13, 2014
Who says simplicity isn't stylish? You don't need a lot of glitz to have glamor. The John S Brana Thin Anticlastic Copper Bark Bangle is perfect proof of that. This gorgeous bracelet is effortlessly elegant, yet still oh so simple. Its look is anything but basic, thanks to its gorgeous lines and lovely pinkish hue. You can wear it out for an elegant evening but just as easily slip it on when you're headed out for a casual supper and a movie. Wherever you wear it, you can be sure the bangle will have you dressed to impress.
The John S Brana Thin Anticlastic Copper Bark Bangle is a handmade, artisan crafted piece that is crafted in the USA from only the finest of genuine copper. An anticlastic folding technique creates a high sides and a central channel for a chic curved look that greatly flatters the wrist. To enhance its look even more, the bracelet has a graceful taper from 1/2 inch to 3/8 inch.
March 18, 2013
January 17, 2013
September 01, 2012
May 22, 2012
While supplies last, get over 30% off these Red Patinated Copper Tear Drop Earrings through my Amazon store. These Red Patinated Open Tear Drop Earrings are as beautiful as an autumn day. Featuring hues of Copper, Red, Maroon, and Brown, with a Raku-style texture. No two earrings are alike, making them truly unique. Either click on the image above or click here to take advantage of this offer. Stay tuned for more great deals!
May 01, 2012
For our May 2012 jewelry giveaway, win these beautiful 3 inch long Three Tiered Lily Pad Copper Earrings by entering your email address on any pop-up hang-tag that appears on www.johnsbrana.com or on the entry form on the top right-hand side of this blog. Your entry carries over month to month, so there’s no need to re-enter every month.
Each month will feature a different piece of jewelry, so enter now! In addition to the chance of winning free jewelry every month, our subscribers also enjoy exclusive discounts of up to 50% off on featured handmade jewelry.
Congratulations to our April 2012 - Susan Eastman of Wilmington, DE!
April 22, 2012
This 29 carat Sunstone Handmade Copper Ring was made from 1/2 round 6 gauge copper wire. The copper wire was wrapped around a ring mandrel twice. I then bent each end of the copper wire perpendicular to the ring shank and trimmed each end to the proper length of the prongs that would be eventually formed to hold the Sunstone cabochon.
Using a jewelers saw, I cut/split the top and bottom ends down the middle to create left/right prongs. I next tapered and shaped each prong with a file and sandpaper/sanding discs. Just before setting the Sunstone cabochon, I soldered the two copper shanks together to give the ring more stability. After setting the cab, I used a series of engravers to produce the bark texture. A patina was applied to enhance the bark texture, then buffed for a final polish.
This Bark Sunstone Handmade Copper Ring can be found in my Muir Woods Collection, along with other copper and bronze rings set with a wide variety of large faceted and cabochon gemstones.
April 21, 2012
Copper, a commonly-used element with a vast history, continues to fascinate jewelry lovers with its simplicity and beauty. Wire-style jewelry and magnetic pieces continue to be highly trend in the world of fashion. Designers are constantly creating new and innovative jewelry from the versatile metal, including necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and brooches. These accessorizes are worn by people of all ages – men and women alike.
More and more people are embracing the copper jewelry style, but the discovery of copper dates back to prehistoric man, between 10,000 and 13,000 years ago. Copper is the oldest mined mineral and methods for removing the metal from the ore was established in 5,000 B.C. By year 3,900 B.C., copper was found in items produced by the Egyptians and Sumerians. During this era, copper was commonly used to make household items, such as cooking pots. It helped to pave the way to modern civilization.
The appealing properties of copper make the metal a widely used material in jewelry-making. This may have much to do with its unique color and luster. Copper has a warm hue that appears naturally flattering against any skin tone. Many people who prefer earthy, ethnic jewelry pieces are drawn to copper jewelry. Aside from its aesthetic appeal, copper is also tough and study, making it ideal for daily wear. It also provides an affordable alternative to popular higher-priced gold options.
Besides the obvious beauty and style advantages, copper also provides positive influences on health. Ancient Egyptians once used copper as a way to purify water for drinking. It has also been used as a medication for eye infections and other minor illnesses. Wearing copper jewelry is known to alleviate pain associated with arthritis and can improve blood circulation. Copper can play a vital role in a person’s life.
Copper jewelry is eye-catching with its lovely brown, shining appearance. It can be feminine, masculine, or completely unisex. Engaging copper pieces into your fashion wardrobe is simple, as copper cuff bracelets, bangles, and other pieces of jewelry can spice up almost anything you wear. Rough-edged copper bracelets paired with a flowing skirt in a neutral shade and leather accessories make for the perfect Amazonian look. Match luxurious metal jewelry with a simple summer dress and vintage sandals to create a goddess style. Copper is making a comeback in the fashion industry as customers are reacquainted with the lustrous look and feel of the metal. With proper care, copper jewelry can last generations and beautiful copper pieces will only increase in value over time.
April 13, 2012
This Scalloped Copper Bangle Bracelet started out as a flat strip of 16 gauge copper sheet metal, 8 1/4 inches long by 1 3/4 inches wide. I then formed the strip into a circular bangle and soldered the joint with hard Silver solder.
Next, the bangle was synclastically raised on a steel sinusoidal stake with a delrin mallet. The fluting was produced by chasing the copper over a series of fluting stakes and annealings (8 in total), then plannished to remove any hammering marks. After polishing, the Silver seem was copper plated.