I have discovered that renovation construction sites and recycling centers are great places to look for supplies for jewelry making. A recycled 1/4″ tube that used to send water to your refrigerator door can become a beautiful bracelet or parts to a necklace or earrings. A 4 gauge copper wire that used to connect your main power feed in your house can become a beautiful bracelet. Hunting and gathering to get supplies is only a part of the process. After locating what may seem to be bent, broken and dirty parts the fun begins. I start out by cleaning the metal to see if it can be salvaged and will someday become an elegant and beautiful piece of jewelry. Cutting and hammering are the next step in the creation process which will shape the end product.   Etching and stamping is used to add design elements.    Sanding, polishing and waxing are used to finish that unique, handcrafted piece of fashion jewelry.
Here are some examples of recycled copper

narrow copper bracelet inscribed “Sail Away”

narrow copper bracelet etched with stars

necklace of copper rectangles with turquoise beads