Making Findings... A not quite "how to"

I didn't start out to create a tutorial on making wire findings.   I was just making some copper clasps, hammer-hardening as I always did, then realized I had quite a few this time, so I'd give the tumbler a try.  

Those are the tumbler barrels setting in the red device

 which spins them.  

 The small machine which just happens to be 

sitting in front of it is a grinder.

I bought the tumbler last year, used it once or twice, then parked it on my work bench.   Since I typically only made a couple of things at a time, hammer hardening seemed to work fine and took much less time.   

Now that I've said that, I may not make another piece without running it through the tumbler too!    

I should have been taking photos at every step, but didn't really get the idea until I saw how shiny, clean, and beautiful the pieces looked when they came out of the tumbler!   All sharp edges and tool marks were smoothed without all the time spent filing and buffing.   I just set the tumbler up with the stainless steel shot (small bits of stainless steel in a variety of shapes), just  enough water to cover the shot, and a drop or two of of "Shine Bright" cleaner.  I turned the machine on, shut the door to the room, (it's a wee bit noisy),  and went to bed. 

The next day I turned off the tumbler, used the strainer to dump the stainless steel shot and wire items out of the barrel  without loosing any bits, and rinsed it all well.   

The bright copper was so beautiful, 

I hated to do anything more to the pieces!

But alas, "antiqued" metals are more popular now,

so I used Liver of Sulfur to darken the clasps.

(For more detailed instructions on how to use

 this method to darken copper,

please see my entry on Artisan Whimsy.)

One of the clasps in use.

So far, I'm just keeping up with my own demand, but I may put a few in my store.   

• Would anyone be interested in that or do you make your own?   
• Do you prefer bright or antiqued copper, bright or antiqued silver, or bright or antiqued brass?

Hope your own work is going well!   Please tell us what you are up to of late!   

Warm wishes  ...(because I'm tired of this cold winter)!

Sharyl

P.S.  March has arrived and I'm beginning to load Celtic and green jewelry into my Sharyl's Jewelry ArtFire store!  This is one of my favorite inspirations!

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