Sierra Hill Studio · Penn Valley, California
Hand forged copper earrings made one at a time.
Every piece is cut, hammered, fired and finished by Nigora in her small studio in the Sierra foothills. Most are one of a kind. When one is gone, it is gone.
Have a piece in mind? makeitmine@sierrahillstudio.com
New from the bench
See all 155 pieces-
Three Tier Copper Wire Earrings
$32.00
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Three Tier Copper Wire Earrings
$32.00
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FoldFormed Copper Leaf Pendant
$52.00
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FoldFormed Copper Leaf Pendant
$52.00
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Concave Solid Copper Textured Cuff Bracelet
$57.00
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Lightweight Concave Copper Post Earrings
$48.00
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Small Copper Disk Earrings
$30.00
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Lightweight Copper Fall Leaf Earrings
$24.00
Copper remembers every hammer blow
Every piece passes through fire.
Heat paints copper in blue, violet, rose and gold. Where it has aged into turquoise, your light polishes the stone and wakes its golden veins. Strike the copper and it dents. Strike the turquoise and it cracks into pieces, mended along its veins with gold.
The maker
Meet Nigora
Every piece on this site is made by one person, by hand, in a home studio in Penn Valley, California.
Her designs move between modern, boho and rustic. They grow out of her love of nature and her heritage, out of color, beads and gemstones, and out of texture hammered straight into the metal. She works mostly in copper, and in sterling silver, brass and bronze when a piece asks for it.
Her husband is her biggest supporter and her toughest critic. Sierra, her German Shepherd, keeps her company at the bench.
It began with seed beads
Tiny glass beads, strung one at a time. Before long, beads were not enough.
Then came metal
She taught herself to cut and form copper, to work with hammer, fire and solder, and to set stones.
2016: Sierra Hill Studio opens on Etsy
Her first pieces went out to buyers across the country, each one gift wrapped by hand.
Today
379 pieces have found their homes, rated 4.9 out of 5 by 150 buyers. Still one woman, one bench, one piece at a time.
At the bench
From copper sheet to finished piece
Watch a pendant take shape, or tap a step. And as you scroll, the copper behind this page turns turquoise, the way copper ages in nature.
Cut
Every piece starts as a flat sheet of copper, sterling silver or brass, cut and shaped by hand.
Forge
Hundreds of hammer blows give each piece its form and the texture you can feel.
Fire and set
Joins are soldered with a torch, and stones are set one at a time.
Finish
Copper is aged, polished and sealed with Renaissance Wax, so it keeps its glow.
Shop by kind
In their words
What buyers say
4.9 out of 5 from 150 reviews on Etsy. A few of them:
ABSOLUTELY DARLING COPPER EARRINGS TO GO WITH MY HEART. SO WONDERFULLY MADE. JUST PERFECT ⚘️🤎🐎🤠
Absolutely beautiful. I saw these earrings and had to have them. They did not disappoint in person. The packaging was super professional and fit well with the obvious craftsmanship that it takes to make these earrings love, love, love, and highly recommend.
I absolutely love this new blackened copper bangle <3 it also came with a cute anagram necklace as a free gift, so that was a nice surprise. Great craftmanship, thanks again :)
Beautiful and classy! I love them and the gorgeous matching gift. Thank you!
Thank you Nigora, these earrings are gorgeous! And I want to thank you so much! Beautifully wrapped and got here quickly. Thank you for the beautiful gift, I love it. That was very generous and thoughtful. Have a wonderful week!
This was a Beautifully crafted gift— thank you!
OMG!!! I love these earrings! Excellent craftsmanship and very lightweight. My biggest jewelry critic...my husband...raved over them. Can be dressed up or worn with a t shirt and jeans. Support the small business owners. You won't be disappointed with this craftsmanship. I'll be back again.
Hands down my favorite seller, my earrings are all beautiful and she is so sweet and puts something special in each of them. She is so kind and her work is amazing! Light weight and gorgeous pieces.
I absolutely love these earrings! They're well-crafted, made beautifully and you can feel the love and thought put into the earrings.
…I think of rustic glam when I look at these earrings… Love this shop!
Amazing communication and beautiful great quality pieces!!!
These copper hoops are gorgeous and well made.
Excellent well crafted love them Thankyou
Lovely earrings! Just as pictured and fast shipping. Thanks so much!
Giving it
A gift that arrives ready to give
Every order ships in a cotton filled gift box with a small polishing pad, so it is ready to hand over the moment it arrives. Many buyers write that the piece was a gift, and that it was received with delight.
Copper is the traditional gift for a 7th wedding anniversary. A hand forged copper piece is a way to say it with something that will last.
- Gift wrappedCotton filled box, polishing pad included
- Ships in 1 to 3 daysUSPS First Class with tracking, faster on request
- One of a kindMost pieces are made once and never repeated
- Etsy purchase protectionCheckout happens securely on Etsy
At the bench
Metals and stones she works with
Turquoise blue howlite
Sky blue stone with dark matrix veins, the color of aged copper.
Amazonite
Soft sea green, often with white streaks. Long called a stone of calm.
Agate
Banded and glowing, in orange, red, purple and more. No two alike.
Imperial jasper
Earthy swirls of rust, clay and cream.
Goldstone
Glass filled with copper sparkle, like embers caught in stone.
Good to know
Questions buyers ask
How fast will my order ship?
Orders ship within 1 to 3 business days by USPS First Class, with tracking. Priority or Express shipping is available. Just ask before you order.
Will copper turn my skin green?
It can. Copper reacts with sweat, lotion, water and other products on the skin, and that reaction can leave a faint green mark. According to a dermatologist at Nebraska Medicine, the green residue is not harmful and washes off with soap and water. Every metal piece from the studio is sealed with Renaissance Wax, which slows the reaction. Keeping the piece dry and wiping it after you wear it helps too. Some people also brush a thin coat of clear nail polish on the inside of a ring or bracelet and reapply it now and then.
Source: Nebraska Medicine dermatologist
I have a metal allergy. Can I wear these pieces?
Nickel is the most common culprit. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that nickel allergy often starts with jewelry, especially earrings and earring backs, and suggests nickel free or hypoallergenic metals such as sterling silver. Check the materials on the piece page, and if you have a known allergy, write to Nigora before ordering. She can tell you exactly what touches the skin and whether a piece can be made with a different metal.
Source: American Academy of Dermatology
How do I clean my piece?
Rub it gently with the polishing pad that came with it, or any jewelry polishing cloth. Mild soap and water will not hurt the finish, just dry it right away. Skip jewelry dips, harsh cleaners and ultrasonic cleaners. Many pieces have an aged, darkened finish on purpose, and strong cleaners strip it. Full care guide.
Can I return a piece?
Yes. Contact Nigora within 3 days of delivery and ship the piece back within 10 days, unworn and insured. The refund covers the item, not shipping. Please message her before sending anything back. Custom pieces cannot be returned.
Do you make custom pieces?
Yes, gladly. Tell Nigora your idea: a stone you love, a metal, a color, a length, a date. Custom work usually takes 1 to 3 weeks, and a rush is possible for a fee. She sends a photo for your approval, then creates a reserved listing for you on Etsy. Custom pieces cannot be returned or cancelled once work begins. How custom pieces work.
How do I find my bracelet size?
Measure your wrist snugly with a soft tape measure, or wrap a strip of paper around it and measure the paper. Then add 3/4 to 1 inch for a comfortable fit.
Do you ship outside the United States?
Not right now. Orders ship within the United States only.
Custom orders are open
Dreaming of a piece that does not exist yet?
Tell Nigora what you have in mind. A stone you love, a metal, a color, a date. She will make it by hand, just for you.
Write to Nigora makeitmine@sierrahillstudio.com