Materials, Craftsmanship & Care

Every piece I make at Mother of Metal is handcrafted in my New Brunswick studio from reclaimed copper and ethically sourced gemstones. No machines, no glue, no shortcuts - just wire, stone, and a whole lot of intention. This page explains exactly what goes into your jewelry and how to care for it so it stays beautiful for decades.

About the Reclaimed Copper

The copper I use is rescued, not mined. It comes from sources like decommissioned plumbing, retired electrical wire, salvaged roofing, and deconstructed copper wall art (the foundation of my AG Collection). Reclaiming copper means no new ore is pulled from the earth to make your piece, no smelting emissions, and no waste sent to a landfill. Copper is also infinitely recyclable without any loss of quality - the metal in your necklace may be older than you are, and it will outlive both of us.

Reclaimed copper behaves a little differently than freshly milled wire. It has memory. It has history. Some pieces carry tiny marks from their first life, and I lean into those marks rather than hide them. If you see a hammer kiss or a subtle variation in tone, that's the copper telling its story.

About the Gemstones

I hand-select every stone that goes into a piece. My gemstones come from suppliers I trust - small lapidaries, ethical importers, and a few beachcombing trips along the Bay of Fundy where I gather sea-tumbled stones and beach glass myself. Common stones in my work include lapis lazuli, carnelian, amethyst, labradorite, moonstone, freshwater pearl, and a rotating cast of local New Brunswick finds.

Each stone is chosen for its energy, its color, and its conversation with the copper. Because every stone is unique, no two pieces are ever identical, even within the same design.

About the Wire-Wrapping Technique

Wire wrapping is one of the oldest jewelry-making methods on earth - older than soldering, older than casting. Every wrap, weave, coil, and loop in your piece is bent by hand with pliers. There is no glue. There is no solder. The structure holds because the wire holds itself, mechanically, the way a bird's nest holds together.

This matters for two reasons. First, it means your piece can be repaired or adjusted without destroying it - wire that was bent can be bent again. Second, it means your piece is genuinely one of a kind. Even when I make two pieces from the same pattern, my hands never wrap the wire identically twice.

About Patina (and Why Your Copper Will Change)

Copper is a living metal. Exposed to air, skin, moisture, and time, it develops a patina - a soft brown, sometimes green, sometimes rainbow-flecked coating that some people love and some people prefer to polish off. Patina is not damage. It's not tarnish in the destructive sense. It's the copper reacting with the world, and many wearers come to love how their piece deepens and softens over the years.

Some of my pieces are sold pre-patinated, where I use heat or natural solutions to bring out specific tones intentionally. Others arrive bright and will darken with wear. Both are correct. Both are beautiful.

Caring for Your Copper Jewelry

To keep it bright

Wipe with a soft polishing cloth after wearing. Store in a small sealable bag (the one your piece arrives in works perfectly) with the air pressed out. For a deeper clean, a paste of equal parts lemon juice and table salt, rubbed gently with your fingertips and rinsed in cool water, will restore a bright finish in seconds. Pat dry thoroughly.

To embrace the patina

Do nothing. Wear it. Let it live. The copper will tell you who you are by where it darkens fastest.

What to avoid

Take your piece off before swimming in chlorinated pools or the ocean, before showering with harsh soaps, and before using cleaning products or hand sanitizer. Copper does not love sustained moisture or chemicals. A quick splash of rain or a sweaty walk won't hurt - just dry it when you get home.

If a wrap loosens

Send it back to me. I repair every piece I've ever made, free of charge for the original buyer. Just reach out through the contact page and we'll sort out shipping.

About Sizing and Adjustments

Most of my rings and bangles can be gently adjusted at home - copper is forgiving and will move a millimeter or two without complaint. For larger adjustments, please reach out so I can resize it properly without stressing the wire. Necklace lengths can almost always be modified; just ask before you order, or message me afterward.

About Sustainability

Reclaimed materials are only part of the story. Every order ships carbon-neutral through Shopify Planet, which funds verified carbon removal projects. My packaging is paper-based, plastic-free where possible, and reused whenever I can manage it. I'm a one-woman studio, so my footprint is small by design - and I work to keep it that way.

About the Maker

I'm Bev. I make every piece by hand in my studio in New Brunswick, Canada, where the Bay of Fundy tides set the pace and the copper tells me what it wants to be. I've been wrapping wire since I could hold pliers, and Mother of Metal is the result of decades of falling in love with this craft. If you have a question about a piece, the materials, or anything else, write to me directly through the contact page. I read everything.