Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip

Question:

This is not a question just a tip I use, maybe you can try it and share it.

For practice recycled copper wire or for nickel silver wire, clean the wire, then polish it with Nu Finish car polish. This is a polymer, not a wax, and lasts a long time. This makes the wire bright and shiny. I’ve used this on copper that was then left out for a year and had no corrosion show up.

I clean the copper wire by soaking in half water/half white vinegar, then dry it and polish it. I just wipe the nickel silver wire down and then polish it.

-Diane in Hanover, Pennsylvania

Answer:

Although it not usual for me to post tips from folks as a question, I have to say that I really appreciate your experience and wanted to share it with everyone. Thanks so much, Diane!!

If any of our readers have other tips for preventing and removing tarnish, feel free to leave them in the comments below!

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
September 3, 2010

Question:

I just read this in the description of a pair of earrings that are listed for sale on Etsy.

These earrings are constructed out of 16-gauge reclaimed Argentium Sterling Silver. Argentium Sterling Silver has the alloy Germanium in the patented formula. This makes Argentium Sterling Silver- “the most tarnish resistant silver available today.” You know you will feel good when you purchase these earrings because no added harm was done to the environment for the materials.

How can she be sure it is “reclaimed” argentium silver and what does “no added harm was done to the environment” mean?

-Cheri in Astoria, Oregon

Answer:

Ok, this question really intrigued me and I spent quite a bit of time researching “reclaimed” metal products such as Argentium and sterling silver, etc. From what I have seen and read, no refinery advertises “recycled precious metals” for sale.

If a person is a true metalsmith and has the ability to melt down precious metals, they can then reuse those metals in any way they see fit, such as casting, sheet that can be rolled into wire and patterns or raised into vessels, etc. As for wire, well, there I don’t know. It seems that large quantities of wire need to be made professionally. I suppose that about all of us are using recycled metals, because for years folks have been sending their scrap to refineries to be melted down and reused. With regards to “no added harm”: well, if the metals were dug from the earth once and then have been recycled for new uses, then no extra harm came by having to re-dig or mine these particular metals again.

Editor’s Note: Since this Tip was published, we were alerted to a new page on the Argentium website, we invite you to take a look: Argentium Responsible Silver. Argentium is in fact made using only recycled silver, yet another reason to use this silver wire!

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
September 2, 2010

Question:

What gauge and temper wire should I use to make a multiple-wire bangle bracelet? I usually use pattern wire with four twisted wires. Using 20 or 21-gauge half hard half round wire doesn’t seem strong enough to me, especially for the end wraps.

-Nancy in Sun Lakes, Arizona

Answer:

For many years, I have been using either 18-gauge or 16-gauge half hard half round wire as the binding or wrap wire for a pattern wire bangle.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
August 31, 2010

Question:

I recently bought the book Wirework. I was very pleased when I saw the beautiful jewelry that was pictured in the book. I am attempting to make the Ornate Cabochon Bracelet. I was confused when I read over the instructions; they didn’t seem to make sense, but I told myself, “one step at a time.”

Well, I’m on step 13, and the mystery is finally becoming clear: “You actually are making two pieces of jewelry and combining them to make one bracelet”! Why doesn’t the book say so? Anyway, this page is very misleading; I feel you should highlight the fact that the Chevron is merely a frame!

-Ruth in Wickenburg, Arizona

Answer:

Yes, the Chevron Bracelet Base (p. 45) is just as it is named, a “base,” to which any number of items can be incorporated. As I say in the book, the bracelet has an opening on which to attach a variety of “toppings.” The next project, the Ornate Cabochon Bracelet Topping, is an example of what can fit in the Base, which is why it is directly after the Base in Wirework.

Wirework: An Illustrated Guide to the Art of Wire Wrapping

As a progressive instructor, I wrote my book in the same manner that I teach classes and instruct on DVDs. I plan each series and class with each project building on prior projects and concepts. Each project is explained in full detail, and each section of the book has an introductory section. To be able to understand the directions, one should read through both the “Intro” section and then the design directions before setting out to make a project.

With any project, I suggest you work through the written pattern first, and then experiment and have fun making all sorts of designer bracelets!

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
August 29, 2010

Question:

I saw a website which had 20-gauge practice wire for sale. Would practice wire be suitable to create a piece of gemstone jewelry and sell it? What metal is practice wire made of? Does it tarnish, peel, or turn green? What does it do with aging?

-Mary in Lawrence, Kansas

Answer:

When choosing a wire to practice with, you need to look at both the temper (hardness) as well as the shape (round, square, half round, etc) before purchasing it. Without knowing what the metal is, there is no way that I can tell you whether or not the wire will tarnish or if it will react chemically with the stones or beads you plan to use this wire with.

My suggestion is to find a pattern or two that you would like to practice and choose the specific wire gauge (size) shapes and hardness that the author of the design(s) recommends. If you are looking for a general practice wire, I personally recommend copper wire, in the gauge, temper and shape you need for whatever designs you plan to practice. Brass wire is also a popular practice choice.

If a website does not specify the details of a product, you might email them to ask for a detailed description, or find another supplier.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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