Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman
Green Patina Copper Bells
- 8 December 2021
- click to send Christine a smile
Trace a circle on to a copper sheet.
Cut the circle out.
You will need one circle for each bell. I made three bells.
Cut into the circle...
To remove a generous wedge.
Carefully curve the copper circle to shape the body of the bell into a cone...
To close the gap.
Secure the bell with hot glue to make it easier to shape so that the end pieces remain aligned as you curve it.
Design note: you don’t need to glue the bits closed if you feel you like the shape. Or once you are happy with the shape and patina you can remove the glue with pliers. Or keep it as it with the glue sealing the openings.
For the clapper: Attach a bead to a thin chain...
Curve a wire into a hairpin...
Hook the chain and thread it through the bell.
So that the bead is dangling inside.
Attach another bead to the other end of the chain
And pinch the copper closed around the chain.
Leaving you with a pretty dangling clapper... Ring the bell to test
Place the bells overnight in the chemicals to add the patina...
For our workshop I mixed the chemicals to show you how to get this green colour.
See the Tutorial below for more detailed instructions.
Hang the bells in the design.
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Tutorials
The colour and the effect will vary due to application, temperature and humidity.
Kalanchoe flowers last weeks without a water source and is the perfect way to dress up a bark and silver bell sleigh
It's sometimes difficult to place a tiny crystal or bead exactly where you want it.
My work is usually so labour intensive... this one came as a wonderful surprise... it really is both quick and easy to craft this wreath!
I use two methods (or a combination of both) to attach a wreath to a door.
Wrap wire around a cardboard star for a quick three dimensional decoration.
Wire the tiny little bells so that they dangle loosely and will jingle with the slightest breeze
Glue gypsophila sticks, flowers and dandelion seeds into a star shape
Split a twig to create a t connection to hover a twig over the design
Use a cardboard shape to craft a simple wire Christmas star
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