Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
September 26, 2009

Question:

What is the rule of thumb for uses of gauges, temper of wire? Most projects I see recommend half-hard wire.

Answer:

As the artist and creator, you are the one who will decide which gauge and temper to use for whatever design you are making! There are so many different ‘styles’ of wire jewelry, and each instructor and/or author has their favorite, however to generalize: ‘Sculpting’, is mainly done by hand with few tools involved and most of the wire used is dead soft so it can be easily manipulated, in gauges according to the size of the project from 24g through 18g; ‘Coiling’ utilizes mainly round and half-round wire in soft and half hard tempers from 26g or smaller to 16g; ‘Weaving’ is also done in both dead soft and half hard, in all sizes; while ‘Classic or Traditional’ designs use mainly half hard, often incorporating All tempers, shapes and gauges.

I would suggest that a person follow a few patterns or wire wrapped tutorials, getting the ‘feel’ of different wires as the authors who designed the patterns did so for specific reasons such as why they choose certain tempers and gauges, according to what components and embellishments are involved in the piece being made. Once you feel comfortable with certain techniques, you’ll be able to go off on your own, knowing which wire You want to use for whatever technique.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
September 25, 2009

Question:

My problem is when I go to finish off a piece, I have to tuck the ends down.  Is there a secret to the tucking of the ends?

Answer:

The best advice I can give you in this situation is to use chain-nose pliers to put a slight hook onto the end of the wire you are attaching or ‘tucking-in’.  Then hook the end of the wire around the other wire or into the space designated and once placed, crimp with pliers to secure it.  (We’ll have a video tip on this procedure in the future.)

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
September 23, 2009

Question:

Could I use silver-plated and/or gold-plated headpins or eye pins to make french hooks?

Answer:

Although plated wire can be used to make anything, personally I do not recommend using it to make ear wires or any item that will be inserted into or through the skin as plated wire is covering a base metal that a person can be allergic to, and the plating may even crack and/or peel off, making your beautiful product substandard.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
September 22, 2009

Question:

I have been working with wire for more than 25 years, and have used many gauges, usually in half hard. However, sometimes I get more soft wire than I want. I remember my old teacher telling me when I complained about soft wire that it will work for a while, but then it’ll get hard. I have found that while shining the wire with a cloth that if I bend it gently and straighten it a few times, it does indeed get harder. Plus, if I twist half hard, it can get too hard to use, but if I twist dead soft (square of course), it gets just about right. What do you think?

Answer:

Yes, twisting dead soft wire will make it close to half-hard temper. The question then would be, how much twisted wire do you want to be in your design? As far as twisting half-hard wire and it becoming too hard, that would depend on how much of a twist or ‘bead’ you put on the wire. (Sometimes I will individually twist several pieces of 24g sq half-hard and use them to hand-sculpt with, and I often twist 21g or 22g sq half-hard when making a cabochon frame too.) In my opinion, the amount of twisting done to what gauge and temper of wire is up to the individual artist and comes first from their experience and then from their choice.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
September 20, 2009

Question:

I am new to wire jewelry.  I am interested in “wrapping” odd shaped stones.  Would stainless wire be best?  If not, what would you use?  Which gauge do you suggest?  Are there books available that address this idea?

Answer:

Actually any wire material will do, be it stainless, copper or sterling, etc. As a novice, to wrap odd shaped/baroque stones, I recommend using a softer wire and getting the feel of it as you form it close to the shape of the stone. The most important techniques are to use enough wire to insure the stone does not pop out of its’ setting/cage and to make a bail large enough for the clasp end of a chain or the width of the piece of cord or leather used to hang/wear it with.

Sign-up for our free patterns, and be patient as they begin to arrive in your email! You’re sure to find several ideas there!

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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