Blue Copper Enamel Tube Earrings

Hazy blue torch enameled copper tube earrings, with blue melted line design, light aqua blue earrings. Light blue torch fired enamel on copper, artisan dangle drop earrings. I handcraft these copper shapes, then shape, drill, fold, sand and clean. They are then torch fired with several layers of enamel. Every piece is individually handcrafted. Unique jewelry for everyday!

Copper tube shapes are 1 inches (25mm), total earring length 1 1/2″.
Handcrafted stainless steel earwires. (hypoallergenic)

Handmade in Maine.
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WHAT IS ENAMELED COPPER?

Enameling is glass fused to metal at high heat. Enamels are finely ground glass, like fine sand (or even more finely pulverized and mixed with an oil or adhesive). They may be opaque or transparent; their colors come from the use of various oxides.

The pieces are then torch fired, either by holding with a steel rod or by using a trivet on a stand. Several layers of enamel need to be applied one at a time to produce a thick enough finish. Large pieces have to be fired one side at a time. This is where the real creativity happens! You can also melt metal wire, thin enamel sticks or crushed glass on your pieces at this point. The options are limitless and they don’t always work out, but you can also achieve unexpected beautiful or interesting results. That’s part of the fun!

Enameling is characterized by brilliant, non-fading colors, tremendous durability, variety of color effects depending on angle of light, and tremendous versatility – from jewelry, to bowls and wall pieces, to large-scale interior or exterior murals. The medium of enameling goes back two thousand years and forms part of the artistic heritage on six continents.

How to care for enameled copper: Enamel is glass, not paint, so it does not fade under ultraviolet light. It is possible to crack or shatter when the substrate is stressed or bent, but modern enamels are relatively chip- and impact-resistant because of good thickness control and thermal expansions well-matched to the metal. (Essentially, avoid dropping your jewelry from a high balcony on a concrete floor!) There is no particular care needed, you can wash it with water and/or wipe it with a cloth if needed.