Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
February 20, 2011

Question:

Do you have copper snapsets? If so, what are the pros and cons?

-Ellie in Mechanicsville, Virginia

Answer:

No, Ellie, we do not carry copper snapsets. Your question piqued my curiosity though, and I did some research, finding that no one makes or sells them.

I do not know the actual reason why, perhaps because copper is soft by nature and would not hold up – or it may be that the manufacturers would have to design a new product, with huge costs.

Either way, with the prices of precious metals rising at almost an hourly rate, I imagine that someone soon will have something like them that we can use in our alterative metal jewelry designs. In the meantime, sterling silver snapsets work well in copper designs!

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
November 21, 2010

Question:

When ordering headpins, I’ve stuck to 22-gauge as noted in several of your patterns. But there’s quite an array of available sizes from my supplier, from .025″ to .033″, and I wondered what circumstances would indicate smaller or larger gauges. In the past, I’ve used some headpins that I thought were far too flimsy, and I worried that they would result in earrings that were too fragile. I would appreciate your insights.

-Delores in Onalaska, Wisconsin

Answer:

Delores, I use 22-gauge (.025″, or .643mm) headpins most often because I find they will fit through 95% of the beads out there, and they are a more substantial product. For smaller work, I do use 24-gauge occasionally.

The .033″ you mention would be close to a 20 or 21-gauge wire. To be able to determine what size a headpin is, please refer to the last chart on our Wire Charts page.

I choose the headpin size according to the weight of the project I am making and where it will be worn. For example, on a charm bracelet, I would use 21-gauge headpins for strength (because the headpin charms may be bent more often), and on earrings, either 22-gauge or 24-gauge.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
October 30, 2010

Question:

I want to make a safe necklace for a child. On the one hand, I want it to stay together; on the other hand, I want it to come apart if it gets caught on a tree, door handle, or whatever. In other words, I don’t want her to choke. Do you have any recommendations? Thanks.

-Alberta in Berne, New York

Answer:

The only thing I can think of that would work, would be to use a magnetic clasp on the necklace. It is my thought that if it were to become caught on something, the clasp would pull apart, thus releasing the child.

You can find such an item at your local craft/hobby store as well as in the craft area of some department stores, with the beads.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
October 25, 2010

Question:

When using colored wire/jump rings, what is the best color choice for clasps, etc?

-Meredith in Calgary, Alberta

Answer:

As the designer, you will be the one to make that choice. Think about what colors you are using and what metal goes best with them. How about looking through current fashion magazines to see what is more popular in your area of the world?

To learn more about putting colors together in general, you can watch our video tutorial titled Jewelry Making and Color: Using a Color Fan.

Often, your gut feeling is the right way to go. If a customer doesn’t like your choice, you can always take an order and make a note in your designer notebook.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
October 22, 2010

Question:

I am trying to attach a snapset with a gemstone in it to a wire bundle that has already been wrapped together. I was wondering if I should attach the snapset first with a wire to hold to the wire bundle, or if I should put the faceted gemstone in the snapset first and then put the wire through at the bottom of the snapset to attach it this way. Thanks so much for your response.

-Casey in Wilson, Texas

Answer:

As I don’t know what you are actually making, or what shape/size snapset you are incorporating, this answer has to be a bit generalized.

Some people put the snapset under the wire they wish to attach it to, and then put the gemstone in. To me, this is a good way for the stone to pop out of the setting as the rest of the design is made, or even after, as the design is worn. Instead, the WS Faculty and I prefer to set the stone into the snapset first, and then insert a square wire (or two, depending on the shape and size of the setting) between the prongs and under the stone. Now the set stone is ready to be either used as a wrap wire or as a construction wire, and added to the piece, by attaching it to the item via the wires under the stone.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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