Faux Bone & Copper Cuff Bracelet
Judy Freyer Thompson
As seen in “Lapidary Journal/Jewelry Artist” - July 2008
Artists are always in the market for a new and exciting material to create their art with. I have discovered Robert Dancik’s Real Faux Bone™. This material is limited only by your imagination.
For this project, Faux Bone™ is heated and coaxed into a wavy shape and overlaid with copper that has a rich patina applied to create a copper and Faux Bone™ bracelet.
Go ahead and have fun!
Materials and Tools
- One sheet 1/16” thick Faux Bone™ (www.fauxbone.com)
- Shaping Tool (www.fauxbone.com)
- Bench vise
- Ammonia
- 3/8” barrel curling iron
- Flush Cutters
- 4’ of 20 gauge copper wire
- Table salt
- Jewelers saw with fine blade
- Bezel tool or small wooden push stick
- 1 piece 1½” x 8” 12 oz. copper sheet
- Spray Lacquer
- File
- 400 grit sandpaper
- Pickle or alcohol
- Beeswax
- Round and flat nose pliers
- Small plastic dish
- Small clamp
- Large clear plastic container with a tight fitting lid
- Drill or Flex Shaft with 5/64” bit
Start by making a paper pattern similar to the shape shown in the photo. The pattern in the photo measures 1 1/4” wide and 7½” long, width is determined from top of curve to bottom of opposite curve; this size will yield an approx. finished size of 7”. Trace your pattern on the Faux Bone™ using a pencil, cut out the pattern with your jewelers saw and a fine blade.
Using the Shaping Tool, gently shape the sides of the Faux Bone™ to smooth them out. You may finish the piece per the instruction sheet you receive with your Faux Bone™ or you may choose to leave it glossy.
After you have your Faux Bone™ finished to your liking, trace the outline and measure in 3/16” from ends and sides cut out and trace this pattern on to your sheet of copper. Using your saw and a #1 blade, cut out the copper component, file and sand the edges smooth and lightly sand the face. Place the copper piece on the Faux Bone™ to check for proper alignment. File if necessary to adjust fit.
Position the curling iron in your vise and heat on high. Hold your piece of Faux Bone™ with desired finished side facing away from you. Beginning at about ¾” in from one end heat the piece from the backside and bend gently to approximately 30 degrees. Hold the piece until it cools. Flip it over and heat the opposite side, bending gently to approximately 30 degrees.
When you get to the center this may require a 90 degree bend. Follow the same sequence until you are about ¾” from the opposite end. Test fit the bracelet as you go to assure a good fit. Sit the bracelet on a flat surface to check to see that it lies flat, you may reheat and correct any areas until the piece lies flat.
After the Faux Bone™ is bent, clamp your copper piece on one end, shape the copper to the Faux Bone™.
After shaping the copper, mark the spots where you will be drilling the holes to attach the copper to the Faux Bone™. Using a 5/64” drill bit, drill holes, keeping the drill bit twisting as you pull it out. Deburr as necessary. Transfer the markings to your Faux Bone™ and drill, deburr as necessary. Lay your copper piece back on the Faux Bone™, make a loop in your wire approximately 1” from the end and pinch closed with flat nosed pliers. Make a 90 degree bend ¼” from the pinched end and place the wire into your first hole leaving the tail long to terminate later.
Using round nosed pliers decoratively curve wire towards the next hole. Make a loop, pinch closed, make the same 90 degree ¼” bend from the pinched end and insert it in the next hole. Do not bend the tail on the inside. Hold if necessary with a clamp or your fingers. Continue the same method until you get to the last hole. Trim wire and terminate both ends by curling decoratively. Remove wire form and copper.
Pour a small amount of ammonia in the small container and set inside the larger container. Clean wire form and copper in pickle solution or alcohol to remove any contaminants. Wash off pickle or alcohol with plain water. Leaving wet, sprinkle the copper piece with salt then drag the wire form through salt making sure crystals stick. Place both in a larger container with ammonia and cover tightly. Check after two hours for desired oxidation. Remove and wash with soap and water. Dry thoroughly. At this point you will apply your finish, one suggestion is a high quality spray lacquer in two to three light coats.
To reassemble the copper wire form and copper component back on to your Faux Bone™, start at one end and using a bezel tool or wooden dowel, bend tabs towards one another on the backside of the bracelet, making sure the bend is snug.