Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip

Question:

I make plain wire (1/2 hard) and twisted wire (dead soft) bangles from both Sterling and Gold-filled square wire. The wrapping goes fine (with 18-gauge half round) but forming the bangle into a nice round shape is very time consuming and sometimes frustrating.

Currently I use a variety of found objects as mandrels and just wrap around them. I also do some forming with my pliers. I was wondering if a bracelet mandrel and a rawhide hammer could work? The spring in the half-hard wire is what makes me unsure of this technique. Do you think it would hold its shape if I formed a rough circle and then hammered the wire on the mandrel? Or do you have any tips or ideas for making this process easier or faster?

Answer:

Many wire workers use a metal bracelet mandrel and a rawhide or nylon mallet to shape their bracelets with success. The procedure involves beginning the shape by hand, around the mandrel, by hold one end on the mandrel and bending the wire bundle around with the other hand until the bracelet can be clasped. Then the bracelet needs to be held in place with one hand while using a mallet to pound on it, working from one end toward the other.

Personally, I prefer to shape all of my bracelets around a larger, plastic medicine bottle. Hold one end of the wire bundle on the bottle and bend it around the bottle 2/3 of the way, forming half of an arch. Repeat by holding the opposite end, forming another arch, that together look like a rainbow. Then reverse the procedure used to take the curve out of the wire, slightly bending the wire with your thumb, over the index finger, in 1/4 inch increments, working form one end toward the center and then reverse the procedure from the opposite end.

My very favorite project ‘The All Wire Bangle’ is now on a DVD and explains this as well as many other useful procedures: Beginner Series DVD 1

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
April 25, 2010

Question:

I shaped a choker wire from 14g dead soft round copper wire. What’s the best way to harden it so the choker retains its shape?

Answer:

The easiest (and most enjoyable) way to harden 14g round copper is to forge it. Use a chasing hammer with a steel bench block or vise, or get a regular ball peen hammer (if it’s been in the garage or basement for a while, use a grinding wheel or sandpaper to smooth both heads). The flat head, on either hammer, will flatten and slightly stretch the metal while hardening it, as well as adding a slight ‘rise’ to the piece (which you could incorporate into your desired shape) and the ball head can texture it. Experiment first, using a piece about 3 to 5 inches long, so you have enough to hold on to. (The scrap could later become a pair of earrings.) Forging/beating soft wire into different shapes can be a lot of fun!

The project on DVD #4 of the new Intermediate DVD series, introduces forging with a really cool Cuff Bracelet .

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
April 22, 2010

Question:

I am going to create a 16 gauge copper wire bracelet embellished with lampwork beads.  Can I immerse the bracelet in liver of sulfur without harming the lampwork beads or should I first immerse the copper components before attaching to the beads?  Thanks for you input.

Answer:

Liver of sulfur is safe on plain glass, so it should be fine with your lampworked beads. Please be cautious! Use gloves and work in a very well ventilated area. If a glass bead is used that has a metal embellishment, such as silver or gold, be aware that the end color of that metal will not be the same as the copper.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
April 21, 2010

Question:

I’m fairly new at this and am having difficulty keeping the square wire “on the square” when wrapping around a bundle of wires. How does one keep the wire from twisting or tweaking when wrapping the bundle?

Answer:

When you are wrapping a bundle of square wires, think of it as a plank, which has 4 square corners. Therefore whether wrapping with half-round or square wire, the wire wrapper needs to make a right angle at every corner, which keeps square wire ‘on the square’. Using a good pair of flat nose pliers such as Swanstrom makes a major difference for a lot of folks.

The first DVD in my beginner series features my absolute favorite class for learning how to wrap with square half-hard wire (as well as how to easily straighten any wire, bundle and a great way to tape it all together.) The All Wire Unisex Bangle Bracelet will be able to help you in all of these areas.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
April 20, 2010

Question:

When I crimp a crimp bead the on the second step it never gets for me. Instead of folding over, the crimp reopens then goes flat.
By this time the crimp will mostly break and fall off! I do angle my crimp bead slightly before step 2.
How can I overcome this problem?

Answer:

Seriously, I have never used a crimp before as I do not ‘string’ or ‘bead’. But we have had some great advice from those who do. Please see this post and the great comments from our helpful beading friends regarding: how to use crimp beads

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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