Question:

I will be at the Gem Show in Tucson in February. Would you please let me know at which venue you will be located, and which locations have the best stones and other materials for wire jewelry? Thanks!

-Marcia in Monticello, Utah

Answer:

Far out, Marcia! Visiting the February gem shows in Tucson is an experience that I think everyone in the jewelry business should treat themselves to, if only once in their lifetime–warning–it is addictive! Wire-Sculpture and I will be at the JOGS Show, located at the Tucson Expo Center on 3750 E Irvington Rd, Tucson, AZ 85714 from January 28th through February 8, 2011.

As far as telling you where to shop, that is about impossible because the opportunity to purchase everything from fossils, cabochons, beads and gemstones is literally everywhere!! However, my main advice is to stay safe and purchase from legal vendors at a show and not in an alley or at any other questionable location. Almost all of the shows will have magazine stands with free copies of The Tucson Show Guide that you can take back to your room to help you make your shopping lists.

May I also suggest that you read over the article I wrote about preparing for and attending the shows? It could save you lots of time, February Gemshows in Tucson. My article also includes a link to more than 67 show venues that will be happening this February! There is one thing I forgot to mention in the article; bring about 25 copies of your business/resale license as some vendors will ask for one to give you the best prices, and all of the "wholesale only" shows will require one to be able to enter the show to shop. If you do not have a resale license, don’t panic, as there are LOTS of shows that are both wholesale and retail where you can still shop the great prices and products offered.

You could also take a class with me or Albina too: 2011 JOGS Classes Schedule. The Wire-Sculpture team and I are looking forward to meeting you in person!

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Question:

Dale, I am sending my husband out the door with my Christmas list (yes, a Christmas list)! I want my jewelry making tools. I am learning how to wire wrap. I have already learned the basic for stringing, but what would you suggest for my first set of tools for making different kinds of jewelry? I’m not just a stringer or a wrapper, I’m just a “I want to make whatever inspires me at the moment” kind of gal. Thanks for all you and your people do for the rest of us.

-Evelyn in Wood-Ridge, New Jersey

Answer:

You are welcome Evelyn, and Merry Christmas to you! There are many different jewelry-making styles and although each requires several tools that are similar, many techniques need specific tools. I am going to talk about just a few of your options.

A pair of crimping pliers, most often used by beaders, can also be used by wire wrappers to tuck the end wire in on a wrapped loop. Chain maille artists often use two pairs of wider tip chain nose pliers. One pair is sufficient for a wire wrapper, who also likes to have a pair of needle nose chain nose pliers to make tiny loops at the very ends of wire.

Folks who do a lot of round wire designs use almost any pair of flat nose pliers, but wire wrappers who work mainly in square wire need a pair that have perfect angles (with no dips or bulges on their sides). Some people like pliers that have extra cushion on their handles; others (like me) think the extra bulk is difficult to hold for long periods of time. Then there is the choice of longer handles (in my opinion longer handles take stress off the hand and wrist). I am a firm believer that all pliers need to have a good spring hinge of some sort, so you don’t have to constantly open pliers while using them.

About everyone can use a nice set of fine diamond files and/or an Arkenstone to remove sharp ends and burrs (then again an emery board works well too, even on metal clays), and we all need a good pair of wire cutters as well as a pair of small nippers for tight spots.

Then there are mandrels. Almost all jewelry makers need a neck mandrel, a worthwhile investment! As for ring mandrels, we had a good discussion on these a few weeks ago: Ring Mandrels 101, and a ring sizer that matches the mandrel! Depending on what style of bracelet you want to make, some folks like to use a steel bracelet mandrel. Most wire wrappers don’t use one, as we often incorporate beads and stones into the design (that don’t do well while forging on a steel mandrel). Most of us use plastic bottles and shape by hand.

Mandrels usually require that an item be beaten on it or forged, so a mallet is necessary. I like a medium had rawhide mallet, but lots of folks like using a nylon one.

Forging is used in lots of jewelry making styles, so a basic chasing hammer and bench block should be on your list too. And if you want to get into more metal smithing, a dapping block will be useful along with a jeweler’s saw and diamond blades.

A set of carat scales is indispensable if you are working with gemstones, and a ruler is a must for all of us! I prefer a plastic, transparent ruler so I can also use it for quick measurements on stones. Again, if you want to work with gemstones, a caliper is very handy. (I can’t live without my digital one!) And I can’t forget – a good pair of Optivisors not only helps you to see tiny details, but is also protection for your eyes.

Wire-Sculpture has several tool sets available. As you are looking for universal but ‘good’ tools, on a scale of 1 to 4, 1 being best, here is my opinion on our tool sets:

• 4 – Starving Artist: Mostly for beaders, has essential tools, but will not hold up to most wire projects;
• 3 – Wire Sculpting: Very good for wirework beginners as well as for almost all jewelry making arenas;
• 2 – Masters: Better, tools have longer handles and good cutters, but the flat nose pliers are not square on all sides;
• 1 – Professional Wire Artist: Best for working wire in all gauges, shapes and tempers. Tools have longer handles and will last for years! (I know because I put this set together and have been using these brands for more than 17 years, only replacing my cutters now and then. This kit also contains my favorite, quick-&-easy-to-use pin vise.)

I hope your husband has his credit card with him when he goes shopping! With the following list, you will have plenty of tools to make almost anything (and if you are like most of us, you will still be buying tools).

• Jeweler’s pliers:
  • Chain nose pliers
  • Needle chain nose pliers
  • Flat nose pliers
  • Round nose pliers
• Pin vise
• 3-step round flat pliers
• 3-step square pliers
• Wire cutters and nippers
• Carat scale
• Caliper
• Ruler
• Ring mandrel and matching sizer
• Bracelet mandrel
• Neck mandrel
• Mallet (rawhide or nylon)
• Chasing hammer and bench block
• Diamond files and/or Arkenstone
• Optivisors
• Dapping Block
• Jeweler’s saw and diamond blades

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Question:

What suggestions do you have for storing supplies? I have small bin compartments that I keep my beads in, but it is very hard to see what is in each bin unless I open them. Thanks for your help.

-Lori in Hiawatha, Iowa

Answer:

Hi Lori, we had a great discussion about How to Organize Supplies a while ago, accented by lots of readers suggestions. Sherrie Lingerfelt also did a video tip on Storing Small Supplies for Travel, and in the article Setting Up Your Jewelry Making Work Space, Mary Bailey talks about more options and shares some photos.

Myself, I tried labeling the drawers in my hardware cabinets, but they came off, so I have my beads arranged in a rainbow spectrum order, keeping crystals separate from stone beads, etc. My findings and metal beads are separated by metal and then by size, smaller in the top drawers, largest in the bottom. After a while, you will remember where to reach for those items most used.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Question:

Many of your gems are sized in mm. Is there a formula for determining the amount of carets a gem has?

-Rebecca in Erie, Colorado

Answer:

All gems are sized in millimeters (mm). Each gem has a different chemical structure and the weight of each gem is dependent on that chemical structure, therefore there is no formula that equates weight to size for different gems.

If you desire to sell your finished wire jewelry item by the carat weight, you could use a scale to weigh the stone after you purchase it and before you wrap it.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Question:

I’m a beginner. I made some leather/suede necklaces, and had a very hard time flattening or attaching the spring cord ends. I damaged two pliers and one cutter. Is there a technique on working on these?

I finally ended up with fold-over cord ends, but if possible, I would like to use the spring cord ends. Please advise. Thanks.

-Carmen in Stockton, California

Answer:

To attach a spring/coil end to a cord, place a tiny drop of glue at the very end of the cord, slide the cap/coil onto this end, and then use an old pair of either narrow flat nose or chain nose pliers to gently but firmly flatten the first two coils (those farthest from the end) tightly on the cord to hold the cap in place.

Let the glue dry thoroughly before adding the clasp. My mother likes to use watchmakers’ glue, you can find what works for you.

Although we do not stock the coil/spring type of end cap, you can view our selections of glues and findings here.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Question:

What’s the difference between the types of polishing cloths? And what’s the best way to remove any tarnish from Argentium wire?

-Kalyna in Colorado Springs, Colorado

Answer:

Well, back in January, I provided an easy way to remove a rare tarnish from Argentium–just use a lint-free cloth, such as tee shirt material. In my opinion, you don’t need to purchase a special polishing cloth to clean argentium, but if you wish to use one, any polishing cloth will work.

As far as the differences between polishing cloths, please click to see this video tip from Mary Bailey and Sherrie Lingerfelt, showing polishing cloths with and without powdered rouges.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Question:

I am fairly new to this whole wire and beading thing, and as I do not want to start ordering online yet, I was wondering where the best places to get good prices on wire would be.

I have tried Michaels, but they do not have the type of wire I would like to purchase. I am most interested in sterling silver, in round, half hard wire.

-Rachel in Salmon Arm, British Columbia

Answer:

As I am not familiar with the type of stock Canadian craft stores carry, and you wish to purchase sterling silver, my advice would be to find a local bead store. If they do not already carry what you’d like, most of them will be pleased to order it for you. As you mention you are new to jewelry making, you can find some great companionship, help, and classes at your local bead store, too. Nothing wrong with starting local to get your footing, and then looking online for bulk wire.

When you do feel comfortable ordering online, of course, Wire-Sculpture would be a great place to start. Wire-Sculpture has sterling silver wire in many gauges, shapes, and hardness, at extremely competitive prices. The ladies on the Customer Service line (1-877-636-0608) really know their stuff and will help you out with any product questions you have. The staff is currently working on getting our international shipping rates lower, there will be a big an announcement when that is finalized!

Happy Canada Day to our Canadian friends!

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Question:

I just watched your video where you made an adjustable ring using four wires. What kind of black tape did you use to temporarily hold your wire ends together?

-Dtya in Mankato, Minnesota

Answer:

Which tape to use for holding wire for wrapping is a question that comes up often from our customers.

I had to laugh when I read this particular question, because I actually didn’t have any tape with me! It’s been said that necessity is the mother of invention; we found some electrical tape in the studio and that is what I used for that particular video project.

I do have to mention that it is not my first choice! Electrical tape leaves a lot of residue, and being plastic. it stretches. A good stand-by tape is quilter’s tape or painter’s tape. I also have to admit that I have used pieces of fabric band-aids, duct tape, and whatever I could find when I had to. Most recently I have a new tape love – pin-stripe tape! Found at auto supply stores, this tape leaves very little sticky residue and with continuous reuse it has proven to be the longest-lasting tape I’ve used thus far.

Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong

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Question:

As an alternative to plastic bags of wire lying around, could I use empty spools to store my wire? Will it have any adverse effects on the performance of the wire?

-Cal in Baldwin, Wisconsin

Answer:

Many people prefer to store their wire on large spools. If you wish to do so, my advice is to make sure you keep the square wire “on the square,” and to coil any wire shape or temper slowly and carefully around a large spool, so as not to work harden it.

Storing wire in closed plastic bags to prevent tarnish is not all that hard, either. We have several methods explained by Sherrie in this video tip.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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It’s a question that many jewelry makers need answered, but it’s a hard question to consider.

As you know, the prices of precious metals fluctuate; many newspapers print the current prices of gold and silver by the ounce, and this is a great statistic to watch as a jewelry artist, especially an artist specializing in precious metal wire sculpting!

Gold and Silver Wire

The economy is one of the biggest factors affecting metal prices right now. With the cautious US economic recovery and the European economy, particularly Greece, affecting the value of the dollar and the euro, metal prices have been fluctuating for months. And that can get hard to keep track of!

Now, if watching Wall Street programs doesn’t sound as interesting as say, finding new patterns or photographing your finished work, don’t worry–we’re watching the prices of gold and silver for you!

You may remember that we’ve updated our wire pricing to reflect current market prices–so our wire prices on Sterling Silver wire and Gold Filled wire are consistently up-to-date to match the lowest available price per ounce! You can trust that Wire-Sculpture has the fairest price on gold filled wire for our wire wrapping artists, and today we have gold filled wire available as low as $0.54/foot! As you may know, all our gold filled wire is 14kt quality gold filled wire, and will never rub off like cheap plated wire. You and your customers deserve only the best!

And of course, if you’re a member of our Gold Club, you’ll always receive 25% off all your purchases, even gold filled and sterling silver wire–click here for more information!

Last week, market gold prices took a small dive, and we updated our prices accordingly–our gold filled wire was much lower than usual! That means this is a great time to buy gold wire for your jewelry making! However, with the volatile US economy, gold prices look like they’re on the way back up. Wall Street economists are expecting gold prices to come back up this week, so this looks like a great time to invest in some gold filled wire!

So check your wire stash and make sure you have enough gold filled wire to meet the demands of summer fairs and competitions, in addition to your own custom work or online store. Stock up now and beat the market on gold filled wire and sterling silver wire!

Stay Twisted-
Rose Marion
Wire-Sculpture.com